Twelve World War II veterans reccieved their “Quilt of Valor” at the Veterans Day Celebration: Pictured (l-r) Back Row- Ray Landt, Dale Osten, John Buskohl, Paul Lundt, and Chuck Willer. Front Row: Howard Lynch, Robert Mohr, Loren Luethje, and Wilbur Luethje. Not present: Lee Ulch, Jack Pappas, and Bob Johnson.

The Gladbrook Auxiliary hosted a Veterans Day Celebration on Mon., Nov. 10th, at the Memorial Building. A large crowd enjoyed the festivities of the night including a potluck supper. The tables were decorated with poppy arrangements, flags and eagles.

Dignitaries present, who brought greetings, were Dept. Legion Commander Robert Struble, Manchester, 3rd District Commander Jim Zacharias, Hampton, and Dept. SAL Commander Michael Sypherd.

The highlight of the evening was recognizing our World War II veterans with quilts. The Gladbrook Auxiliary was promoting the “Quilts of Valor” program. The mission of the “Quilts of Valor” is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts. All of the quilts were made by Katie Grimmius and we can’t thank her enough for donating all her time and talents for our veterans. The Unit would also like to thank the people that donated the funds for the material to make the quilts. The quilts were presented to the following World War II veterans:

Howard Lynch- His quilt was donated by Larry & Karen Pieper in memory of Harold Koester, Karen’s father, who was a WW II veteran.

Dale Osten- His quilt was donated by Larry & Karen Pieper in honor of a good friend and veteran Sam Martens.

The Juniors gave their adopted military family’s son, Mattox Krull, 3, a gift at the Veterans Day Celebration. The “Ox” was pretty excited to find Spiderman and trucks in his gift bag. Juniors present were Kendra Vavroch, Adelyn & Alaney Sienknecht, Stella Betts, Carlee Smith, and not pictured Colbie Fevold.

Paul Lundt- His quilt was donated by the Kay Lowry family in memory of veteran Kenneth Lowry.

Robert Mohr- His quilt was donated by the Doris Allen family.

Ray Landt- His quilt was donated by Mike & Lisa Thompson in memory of Marge Frey, who was an active Auxiliary member and Lisa’s aunt.

Wilbur Luethje- His quilt was donated in the memory of Marge Frey by family and friends.

Chuck Willer- His quilt was donated by Darrell & Jeanne Paustian in memory of Jeanne’s dad, Roger Schroeder, who was a WW II veteran.

Dignitaries present at the Veterans Day Celebration were: (l-r) front row: Post Commander Ron Busch, Dept. SAL Commander Michael Sypherd, 3rd District Commander Jim Zacharais, and Dept. Commander Ron Struble. Back Row: Tama County President Jolene Denbow, Past Dept. Commander Dick Denbow, Kyle, Kritis and Mattox Krull, Unit President Jeanne Paustian, and Past Dept. Commander Carroll Wegner.

Loren Luethje- His quilt was donated by Nicole Clapp in memory of her uncle and veteran Gary Schroeder.

Lee Ulch- His quilt was donated by Bud & Katie Grimmius in memory of Vernon DeViney, Katie’s father and WW II veteran.

John Buskohl- His quilt was donated by Gladbrook Insurance Agency and Annie Stocker.

Jack Pappas- His quilt was donated by the Gladbrook Corn Carnival Corporation.

Bob Johnson- His quilt was donated by Dick & Jolene Denbow.

A quilt donated by his family was presented to Roy Kvidera before he died on Oct. 14th.

The Kyle Krull family had been the adopted military family of the Unit for the past two years. Kyle told of his deployment to Korea and how he appreciated the care packages from the Unit and all that was done for his wife, Kristi, and son, Mattox. The Junior members presented Mattox, 3, a gift.

Tama County President Jolene Denbow updated the members about events planned on the county level.

Everyone enjoyed singing the military songs and the veterans always proud to stand for their song. Sue Koster was the pianist.

The Juniors holding Mattox led the singing while everyone joined hands to sing “God Bless America”.

The hostesses were Jodi Betts, Rev. Barb Muhs, and Amanda Gehring with help from others.