BENTON COUNTY
A Veterans Memorial dedication in Van Horne drew the company of Sen. Joni Ernst, at a ceremony on Friday, Nov. 11, at the community center. The memorial is next to the fire station in Van Horne.
Van Horne Mayor Marty Junge said, “This memorial is a fantastic addition to the City of Van Horne.” He thanked the veterans who served the country.
Jay Herman of the Van Horne Legion pointed out the project started with the vision a couple of years ago by Legion members in Van Horne. He introduced Commander Bob Wilson, Mike Kerkman and Don Knaack, commending them for the work they put into it. Jim Barr was the finance officer. Dick Duncalf, Bob McVay, Derrick Pickering and Herman rounded out the committee.
Ernst presented the Hanford Trophy to Commander Wilson for their community service prior to her speech.
Herman also presented a plaque of dedication to Mayor Junge. Herman also thanked Junge for the help from his business who helped install the monument, as well as the fire department of Van Horne.
Junge thanked Legion members, past and present, saying, “You instilled a great work ethic into Post. Your Post is fantastic. You do a lot of things in the community and the community does appreciate it. I’ve never seen, in a small community like this, money raised for something like that.”
Junge pointed out a lot of money was raised for the community room they were in that afternoon, as well as the library and city hall. The Legion did this project on their own within a year and half. “It’s a tremendous thing for the community.”
Ernst thanked the veterans and those that support the veterans, especially the five veterans who served in World War II. “Thank for your service. It is a great honor to be in your presence today,” she said.
Ernst gave a history of her military service and what made her successful in the military and her career. Her interest started when she was at Iowa State and went on an agricultural exchange in Ukraine. She wanted to be a part of a group that protects the rights and opportunities she didn’t see in Communist Ukraine. She served for 23 years.
“We are a wonderful country. It is our honor and our opportunity to defend those values,” Ernst said.
Her four pillars by which she has conducted her career are assuming risk, leadership, selfless service and gratitude, using examples from her life and the lives of those she awarded medals to that day.
She said veterans represent those four pillars and the best in the United States.
She told the veterans, “God bless you for raising your right hand when you knew times would be difficult. We appreciate your service so very much. God bless you all for your wonderful service.”