Tag Archives: Iowa Veteran’s Home

Commanders Call – April 2015

Ted Lanske 319-240-0734 tedsph98@aol.com

Ted Lanske
319-240-0734
tedsph98@aol.com

*From my family to all of you; as we enter April, may everyone have a Blessed Easter and enjoy the weekend with family and friends.  Spring is here and as we drive around and notice the new life in gardens and flower beds, let us also start a new life by being forgiving, calling someone you have lost contact with, and reaching out to someone who needs help.  You will feel the reward with your heart and carry that with you forever.

*A list of volunteers we need to thank is posted in “Latest News” and under “Gallery”, pictures showing the VFW Post and the remodeling/updates to the American Legion Post.  Please take the time to review them and if you wish to use one of the pictures, left click on it, (it should enlarge), then right click and then left click on save image as.  Then download or save in a file of your choosing.  These are pictures of our history: all posts, all branches, all Veterans, all Patriots.

*The comments I have heard so far have been positive regarding the Legion Post and how the canteen is set up.  We did reposition the pool table and have now added some hooks (for purses) and a foot rest to the bar.  Our challenge now is to get Thursday food nights going again and making arrangements to start the steak fries.  To those of you thatWAVP-Foot rest4 have visited and found it accommodating; invite a friend or two, give us some feedback, and ideas.  Your feedback or ideas, should also include what YOU will do too assist with those items.

*From last month of items purchased to help the kitchen/canteen please note the additional items:

Jim Brandau family – wine glasses/bar towels

Richard Miller family – bar towels/dish towels

Jean Lanske – wine glasses/bar snacks

MJ Steinbach/Sandy Shinn – brought back flat screen TV

*Thanks also go to Duane & Jan Rieckenberg for the donation of new sweatshirts to the Iowa Veterans Home and to Garry’s Tire Service for upgrading the tires on the trailer used for hauling the Harlington Cemetery flagpoles.

 


IVH-Foreign Food Fair3*Noteworthy:  On March 21st; Patty Kaiser, Jean Lanske, myself and help from AMVETS Post 31, Evansdale participated in a “Foreign Food Fair” at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

Participating Veteran’s organization are responsible for providing food for residents to try.  Approximately 110 residents participated along with about 30IVH-Foreign Food Fair4 volunteers.  Assisting and watching these residents, their excitement and comments, gives me a reality check on just how blessed I am.  Happy Easter to all of you.

 

*History bits for April:

April 4, 1949 – The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was created when twelve nations united for military defense against the expansion of Soviet Russia.

April 6, 1917 – Congress approved a declaration of war, and the U.S. entered WWI in Europe.

April 10, 1942 – This was the start of a six day march of American and Filipino prisoners (76,000 Allied POWs) without food or water, the Bataan Death March, of which 5,000 Americans perished.

April 12, 1861 – Confederate troops opened fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston, SC beginning the start of the Civil War.

April 17, 1961 – Who remembers the “Bay of Pigs fiasco”?

April 19, 1989 – An explosion in a gun turret on the USS Iowa killed 47 sailors.

April 25, 1945 – U.S. and Russian troops link up at Torgau, Germany.

 

 

Help AMVETS Help Veterans

AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary

Ladies Auxiliary in Marshalltown

If you have some free time and would like to volunteer, join the Ladies Auxiliary in Marshalltown October 3rd, at the Iowa Veteran’s Home.  The Auxiliary has a long standing tradition of assisting elderly veterans and their family members and would very much like your help.  For further in formation or to volunteer, please contact Jean Lanske at 319-269-3371.

Commanders Call – Oct. 2014

Cmdr_Ted*I wish to thank Auxiliary President Mary Steinbach for allowing me a few minutes to address the future of AMVETS and the Waverly Area Veterans Post.  I truly appreciated the positive response in regards to “food nights” and “menu changes” that will need to be addressed as we set up temporary quarters in the Legion Post.

*Wish to say “Thank you” to the Auxiliary on behalf of Bremer County Veterans for the donation to help support the Van and Bremer County Veterans Affairs.

*Reminder to all: the membership dinners will be here shortly, Women-October 15 and Men-November 12, so mark your calendars, bring a new member (call Jean Lanske 319-269-3371 or me 319-240-0734 if you have a question on qualification), and let’s end 2014 with a great turnout.

*Veterans Day 2014, November 11th will be handled by the American Legion at the Tribute.  The Bremer County Veterans Affairs will be conducting “Operation: Gratitude 2014” on November 11th also that day at the Centre next to True Value.  This is truly becoming a day to say “Thank you for serving”, but (always a but) I hope we do not lose the true importance of this day.  Originally set as “Armistice Day” for November 11, 1919, it marked the end of WWI and major hostilities on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.  So as we enjoy the attention, free breakfast or lunch, the “thank you”, please take time to reflect on the millions of men and women before us that raised their hand and offered their lives for our country.

*Please stop by the bulletin board outside the VFW kitchen and review information posted for the Marshalltown Veterans Home.  You may also check Latest News regarding the Home and Cemetery.  Please contact Jean Lanske or me if you have any questions.

*Much too quick, but it is that time of year when freezing temperatures appear and the possibility of icy roads, patchy frost or fog is common, and frost on the windshields, so plan ahead, be safe and do not become a statistic in the paper.   A “retired plumber” reminder; unhook your garden hoses, check your furnace, and make sure your car is ready for winter.  If you are one of the “snow birds” going south, please let us know or make arrangements for your mail.

*Now that a time table has been set for demolition of the VFW and construction of the WAVP, the time has also come for some to make a decision regarding their involvement.  This past weekend, as I worked on this newsletter, I also reviewed the complete donors/contributors list and somewhat saddened by the names I did not see.  What I want to emphasis is that NO GIFT is too small and will share a short story regarding that.  An individual approached a WAVP member and asked if we really would accept a gift of $1.00.  This person’s spouse has been deceased for more than 20 years and social security is the only income, which leaves nothing for extras but was willing to donate that $1.00.  This person’s name will now be on that Wall of Honor under the PATRIOT listing.  Next year at this time, a major portion of the building should be constructed and donor plaques being finalized with the appropriate listings.  Question: “Will your name or family be represented?”

*History bits for October:  12th – American troops enter southern Italy (1943), 14th – Athens is liberated (1944), 20th – The first major city of Aachen  Germany falls to US troops (1944), 23rd – The battle of Leyte Gulf begins (1944), 26th – The battle of Santa Cruz begins (1942).

Help AMVETS Help Veterans

Latest News – Iowa Vets Home & Cemetery

To all our readers:

Recently, I had the privilege to attend the Volunteer Advisory Committee at the Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown and to visit the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at Van Meter.  Here are just a few things regarding each of them.

Iowa Veterans Home:

Marshalltown Veterans Home

Front gate to Marshalltown Veterans Home

Currently at the Marshalltown Veterans Home the census is at 580 residents and holding steady.  Construction updates to North Malloy are complete and South Malloy should all be completed after the first of the year.  The Dack facility will be next for improvements.  I wish to point out one thing that always catches my attention.  Many of these residents are here due to finances, but also for lack of family.  Because of that, the Veterans Home depends on donations to provide residents with many items we would take for granted.  A few items that are currently on the needed list:  Men’s aftershave/cologne-Full size personal care items (shampoo, body wash, lotion)-Microwave popcorn-Used tennis balls for bottom of walkers.  They do not accept: used clothing or trial/motel/used personal care items.  A Donation Information sheet will be placed on the board by the VFW bathrooms or call Jean or Ted Lanske for a copy or more information.  With the Resident_Busrenovation of Malloy and Dack next, the Veterans Home goal is to place a 32” flat screen TV in each resident’s room.  The approximate cost is $450.00 each and a donation plaque will be placed on the TV once it is purchased and mounted in the room.  This is a wonderful facility and getting better with the new leadership now in place.  Want more information, contact Ted Lanske (319-240-0734) or visit http://ivh.iowa.gov or their Facebook page “Iowa Veterans Home”.

 

 

ISVC_highway_sign_new

Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter, Iowa

Iowa Veterans Cemetery:

Ted Lanske at Iowa Veterans Cemetery and SUBVETS Tribute

Ted Lanske at Iowa Veterans Cemetery and SUBVETS Tribute

Jean and I took a side trip to visit the Iowa Veterans Cemetery by Van Meter recently.  The last time we were there was shortly after it was purchased and it was an unused piece of ground.  What a difference and well worth the stop.  Please visit their web site https://va.iowa.gov/vetcemetery and update yourself on this wonderful addition for Veterans of Iowa.  If you don’t have internet, contact Ted Lanske (319-240-0734) and I will gladly provide any information I can.

 

 

From their website:

Jean Lanske in front of Administration Building

Jean Lanske in front of Administration Building

“The Iowa Veterans Cemetery (IVC) is the first federally funded construction of a state-owned and operated veterans cemetery in the State of Iowa. The cemetery serves the veteran population throughout the state and around the country, as there is no state residency requirement to be interred in the cemetery. Ultimately, it will provide sufficient burial space for up to 80,000 burials.”