(L-R) Ron Ron Busch, Dist V-C, Tama County Cmdr and Gladbrook Post Cmdr; Bob Onton, State V-C of Osage; Jolene Denbow, Tama County President and Dick Denbow, Past Dept Commander.

A busy weekend for all Veterans as they were recognized with breakfasts, special church services, dinner at the Meskwaki, and elementary school recognitions, along with special programs held at the IVH and our local nursing home this Friday, the 16th at 2pm.

But this evening, the Gladbrook Auxiliary honored all our local Veterans’ with a potluck table filled with lots of good food arranged by Terri Luehring, Pat Clausen and Sue Koster. Our special guests were Dept Vice-Commander Bob Onkon of Osage and Tama County Commander Ron Busch of Gladbrook. Each veteran present was welcomed, thanked for their service and pinned with a poppy boutonniere.

Auxiliary president Jeanne Paustian gave a short history of Veteran’s Day explaining that this is the 100th anniversary of the ending of WWI, the war to end all wars. Each attendee introduced themselves and told their branch and service and where they served. Vice-Commander Onkon brought greetings from the Department as Commander Moline is with the National Membership team touring Iowa this week.

Jennifer Strohbehn, a science teacher at G-R and a talented vocalist entertained us with several popular patriotic songs with Sue Koster at the piano. This was followed with Pat Clausen giving us a history of each military song starting with all singing the Caisson Song for the Army, followed by the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard songs. Those in those branch of service stood to be recognized.

Announcements of coming IVH, County, Post and Unit activities closed the evening as we joined hands to ‘God Bless America’.