Before the construction of a new airport terminal in his hometown of
Aberdeen, there were talks of having the airport named after Tom
Daschle or keeping the original name of Saunders Field. Daschle turned
down the offer, saying the airport should keep its original name. He
felt it should stay Saunders Field out of his respect for Air Force
Brigadier General Laverne Saunders, a World War II hero and a native of
Stratford and Aberdeen, SD.