Winter 2025

ISSN 2475-7128 Winter 2025

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Editor’s Corner

In this issue Ormsby Recieves Purple Heart. . . . . . . 2

Death Certificates Don’t Always Tell the Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Vietnam Vets Get Diploma. . . . . . . . 10 Serving Those Who Served Us. . . . 11 Muscatine Vets Through the Ages. . 18 Muscatine Art Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

On the Cover This serene night scene at the Muscatine Arboretum was taken by Mark Washburn.

This memorial is a tribute to the Armed Forces of America and was created and designated in 2006, as a part of the Blue Star Memorial Byway. It is surrounded by 4,000 pavers and has two white pines and two prairie fire crabapples behind it.

Muscatine MAGAZINE

I am incredibly proud of this issue of Muscatine Magazine, which is dedicated to our local Veterans. Our primary contributor, Steve Mitchell, is a Muscatine native and Vietnam Veteran. After graduating from Haye’s Catholic High School in 1969, he enlisted in the navy for six years during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1975 and attended Iowa State University on the GI Bill. Upon his completing his journalism degree, Steve moved to Estes Park, Colorado where he wrote for a newspaper, worked as a reference librarian, and wrote articles and blogs for various organizations. Steve and his wife Lori moved back to Muscatine in 2018 to be closer to family.

It has been an honor and a pleasure working with Steve on this issue as well as Eric Sanders, the Executive Director of the Muscatine County Veteran Affairs office.

Also a Veteran himself, Eric is an enthusiastic advocate for Muscatine’s Veterans and has

Steve Mitchell

made a huge impact in the lives of many people in this community.

I hope this issue of Muscatine Magazine not only shares the good things happening within the Veteran community, but also acts as a resource for Veterans who may need services or would like to get plugged in.

While words will never be enough, I would personally like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our Muscatine Veterans and their families. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed and are greatly appreciated! n

— Rebecca Paulsen, Editor

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Muscatine Magazine is published quarterly by: Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry 208 W. 2nd Street, Suite 201 • Muscatine, Iowa 52761-4027 Email: chamber@muscatine.com 563-263-8895 ISSN 2475-7128

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Editor: Rebecca Paulsen, GMCCI Creative Director: Mike Shield, Shield Design Contributors: Virginia Cooper/Muscatine Art Center, Steve Mitchell For advertising info: Contact Rebecca Paulsen at (563) 263-8895 or rpaulsen@muscatine.com Muscatine Magazine is a quarterly publication focused on Muscatine, Iowa, and the surrounding area. The publisher reserves the right to refuse and/or edit any materials submitted for publication. Published articles and advertising do not constitute endorsement. ©2025

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Muscatine Magazine • Winter 2025 1

HONORING OUR MUSCATINE VETERANS

Keith Ormsby Receives Purple Heart 54 Years Later

By Steve Mitchell

After graduating from high school in 1968, Keith Ormsby was drafted into the U.S. Army. It was no surprise that he ended up in Vietnam.

“They had so many people coming in and out of Vietnam — transferring in and out,” Ormsby told the Muscatine Journal. “I was a draftee, so they didn’t pay much attention to you.”

Still, during his short time in the army Ormsby excelled, getting promoted from Private E-1 to Staff Sergeant E-6 in just 19 months.

As a member of the 101st Airborne Division as an 11B Light Weapons Infantryman, Staff Sergeant Ormsby led his platoon to a landing zone to unload a helicopter on January 31, 1970. His unit was ambushed and Ormsby was wounded in the right hand by AK-47 rounds. In the fog of combat the aircrew 2 Muscatine Magazine • Winter 2025

dragged him onto the helicopter and he was air evacuated to a field hospital.

When his wounds became infected, Ormsby was flown to a hospital in Japan for more treatment and later to the United States. He was discharged at Fort Riley, Kansas.

Ormsby’s military service was over and he went on with his civilian life, working in the food business, most recently at Ferraro Foods as vice president of operations.

Then, in 2023, Ormsby contacted Veteran Services Officer Eric Sanders about his VA benefits. Sanders reviewed his military record and noticed a range of combat awards for his service.

Sanders said, “When I asked about his hand, he shared that his injury was related to his combat experience, yet there was no mention of it—or a Purple Heart—on his discharge papers.”

Sanders realized that in the chaos of the moment, Ormsby vanished from the battlefield and was whisked away to Japan for life-saving treatment before being transferred to the United States.

His service was abruptly cut short, and in the confusion, the paperwork for his Purple Heart was never submitted.

With Ormsby’s consent, Sanders requested the relevant military records from the National Archives.

“Remarkably, within just a few days, I received exactly what I needed,” Sanders said. “Along with the documentation proving Mr. Ormsby’s injury and evacuation, the National Archives also sent an original, hand-signed citation for the Air Medal—a decoration Mr. Ormsby had never received, even though it had been submitted before his injury.”

Armed with new evidence, Sanders organized a detailed package, including his discharge papers and a personal statement from Mr. Ormsby, to substantiate his claim for the Purple Heart.

“I submitted the request to the U.S. Army in June 2023, and by December, we received official confirmation,” Sanders said. “Mr. Ormsby was awarded the Purple Heart for his actions in January 1970—more than 50 years after the fact.”

On July 4, 2024, in a public ceremony before a large crowd in downtown Muscatine, Iowa, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Pamela Miller and U.S. Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks presented both the Purple Heart and the Air Medal to Mr. Ormsby, more than 54 years after his service in Vietnam. The medals were awarded in front of a large crowd. During the ceremony, a congratulatory letter from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds was read aloud.

“While I pray that you have healed with time, the years that passed do not lessen the significance of your service,” Governor Kim Reynolds wrote in her congratulatory letter. “It remains a

testament to your own patriotism and bravery and—on this Independence Day—a reminder that our liberty has been bought at a high price indeed.”

Also attending were Muscatine Mayor Brad Bark, Muscatine County Sheriff Quinn Reiss and the Durant American Legion Honor Guard. The ceremony concluded with a dramatic military helicopter fly-over performed by the Iowa Army National Guard.

The recognition didn’t stop there. Congresswoman Miller-Meeks honored Ormsby’s remarkable story during an official session of Congress, where his achievements were entered into the official congressional record in Washington, D.C. Sanders remarked, “Keith Ormsby’s journey is a powerful reminder of the resilience of our veterans and the importance of honoring their sacrifices, no matter how much time has passed.” n

Muscatine Magazine • Winter 2025 3

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Muscatine Magazine • Winter 2025 5

HONORING OUR MUSCATINE VETERANS

Death certificates don’t always tell the whole truth

By Steve Mitchell

Take for instance a soldier named Bill.

While fighting in the jungles of Vietnam, Bill was exposed to Agent Orange, a highly toxic substance that causes more than 20 health conditions, often with symptoms that don’t appear until decades later. In his later years Bill suffered from high blood pressure, prostate cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

However, when Bill died the only cause listed on his death certificate was “cardiac Historic moment as Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signs the new bill into law, joined by key local leaders and community members: (from left) State Senator Dave Rowley, Jessica Bopes arrest.” of Muscatine County, Iowa Senator Mark Lofgren, E. Sanders, Muscatine County Supervisor According to Veterans Services Officer (VSO) Eric Sanders, under federal law the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must pay Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) to surviving family members of Veterans who have died as a result of service-connected conditions. The PACT Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law on August 20, 2022, expanded VA Healthcare and benefits for Veterans exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam as well as burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan, contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, firefighting foams, asbestos, radiation during nuclear tests, etc.

For some health issues the VA automatically presumes that a Veteran’s service caused the condition. The VA calls these “presumptive conditions,” and they 6 Muscatine Magazine • Winter 2025

Nathan Mather, and Muscatine Area Families.

include everything from bladder and prostate cancer to high blood pressure and ischemic heart disease.

The problem, Sanders emphasized, was proving Bill’s death was serviceconnected. Because “cardiac arrest” was not specific enough, the VA denied the claim and Bill’s widow, who was struggling on a fixed income, was left with nothing.

“To qualify for VA benefits, the death certificate must explicitly list a cause of death linked to military service in most cases,” Sanders said. “If a death certificate lists only the immediate cause of death without acknowledging the underlying conditions, the VA may deny the claim.”

VA awards can be substantial, Sanders said. DIC benefits can pay surviving spouses or other family members $1,612 tax-free each month for the rest of their lives. Some amounts are higher depending on the circumstances.

Additionally, survivors are entitled to full-coverage through VA Healthcare (CHAMPVA) that can be combined with Medicare or existing health plans. There is no monthly premium with VA healthcare.

“These benefits offer significant financial relief,” Sanders added.

Under Iowa state law, DIC recipients are also eligible for a full property tax exemption on their primary residence

within city limits up to ½ acre and up to 40 acres outside of city limits.

Of course, survivors can try and change the death certificate to more accurately state the cause of death, but Iowa law restricts changes to a death certificate to 90 days after the Veteran’s death. With the surviving family dealing with grief, funeral planning, and estate issues, the 90-day deadline often slips past unnoticed.

After the 90-day deadline has past, the survivor must go through a complicated legal process to correct the death certificate and receive the earned benefits.

It involves the survivor filing a petition in court, appearing before a judge, and making a case for an amendment. The process is daunting and costly.

Recognizing these challenges, Sanders discussed the issue with Mark Lofgren, the State Senator representing Muscatine County.

“We identified the problems of incomplete or incorrect death certificates, which often happens when a Veteran dies at home or in facilities where their medical records are not fully accessible,” Sanders said.

In response, Lofgren spoke with several families who had lost a Veteran family member and had their VA claims denied.

He listened to the emotional and financial toll it took on their lives.

In return, Lofgren invited Sanders to the Iowa State Capitol to present his case to State Medical Director Dr. Robert Kruse, State Medical Examiner Dr. Dennis Klein and other officials who oversee medical licensing and death certificate processes.

Sanders emphasized to these officials that inaccurate death certificates can lead to the denial of critical benefits for a deceased Veteran’s survivors.In addition, Sanders connected Senator Lofgren with other Veteran Service Officers throughout Iowa.

“It helped Senator Lofgren understand that this issue affects families across all 99 counties in Iowa,” Sanders said. “This was not just a Muscatine problem.”

So Senator Lofgren got to work and wrote a bill that addressed the problem.

The result was Iowa Senate Bill 2430, which allows families up to 12 months to amend death certificates without the burdensome process of having to file and appear in court. This legislation passed unanimously on its first attempt in both the Iowa Senate and House and was signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds.

Lofgren said, “I was proud to usher this bill through the Iowa Senate and make sure Iowa’s families are taken care of and help provide the closure they need and deserve. By extending the timeframe from 90 days to 12 months, families can have more time to ensure the death certificate of loved ones is accurate and correct, and allow surviving spouses and dependent children to be eligible for important benefits.”

At Governor Kim Reynolds’s signing of Senate Bill 2430, Lofgren and Sanders joined survivors of Veterans who had passed away and had death certificate problems.

“It was the most democratic thing I’ve ever been a part of,” Sanders remarked.

“We presented a problem to our local state-elected senator, he heard from those impacted, heard about the problems and the issues, and got to work.”

After the bill was signed, Lofgren followed up with State Medical Examiner Dr. Klein to find out what his office is doing to improve the accuracy of Veterans’ death certificates.

“Dr. Klein informed me that recently, perhaps around the end of October, approximately 100 or so medical examiners received training that stressed the importance of making sure death

certificates are being completed accurately and completely,” Lofgren said.

“He told me that there are potential plans for some apps and other training modules that will be created to help with the training of other certifiers.”

Iowa could serve as a national model for this type of legislation in other states.

During the National Training for Veterans Service Officers last May in Denver, Colorado, the federal VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration Undersecretary Joshua Jacobs mentioned that Iowa’s legislation can serve as a guide to ease access to federal benefits for Veterans’ families in other states. Jacobs urged Sanders to work with his staff in getting the word about this legislation out nationally.

Recently, Sanders noticed an irregularity of a local Veteran’s death certificate and reached out to the family. He could tell from the cause of death that Agent Orange might be involved. After researching the case and completing the needed paperwork, Sanders was able to get an 80-year-old surviving spouse a lifetime pension from the VA for her husband, who had died several years earlier.

“I got to call and tell her the VA awarded her back pay of $34,000 and she about fell out of her chair,” Sanders said. “She’ll get an additional $1,700 a month or so on the first of every month for the rest of her life.”

In addition, Sanders said the widow qualified to be fully exempt on her property taxes. He also assisted her in signing up for VA Healthcare, saving her hundreds of dollars per month in Medicare Advantage Plan premiums.

“As of November 2024 we are at $1,098,000 paid out per month in federal benefits to Veterans and families in Muscatine County,” Sanders said. “That number is huge given our small Veterans population.” n

Muscatine Magazine • Winter 2025 7

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HONORING OUR MUSCATINE VETERANS

Vietnam Veterans Receive High School Diplomas

By Steve Mitchell

When Vietnam Veterans Frank Iliff and Kenny Schnedler walked across the stage to receive honorary diplomas at the 2023 Muscatine High School graduation ceremony, the audience rose and gave them a loud standing ovation.

Over the ovation Frank heard his grandchildren yelling “Yeah Grandpa!

Yeah Grandpa!”

“I stopped and saluted the crowd,” Frank said. “It was the least I could do. They were honoring us.”

It was a proud moment for the grizzled navy Veteran whose father had pulled him out of high school at the age of 16 before he could graduate. At age 17 Frank joined the navy and was reporting aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS Hancock CVA-19 at Hunter’s Point when his classmates were graduating as the class of 1970.

Now, 53 years later, Frank had finally received his high school diploma.

Navy life aboard the Hancock was no picnic. Frank went on three Westpac cruises off the coast of Vietnam on the Hancock, her A4 Skyhawks and F8 Crusaders flying attack missions against targets in North and South Vietnam.

Frank worked as a boatswain mate on the massive Hancock flight deck, preparing Skyhawks and Crusaders for launch and recovery, hauling ammunition, bombs and sidewinder missiles. It was dangerous, exhausting work.

10 Muscatine Magazine • Winter 2025

Kenney Schnedler (left) and Frank Iliff (right), Vietnam Veterans, stand proudly in their purple caps and gowns at the Muscatine High School 2023 Graduation Ceremony. Decades after their service, they prepare to be the first two graduates to receive diplomas signed by the Governor of Iowa, recognizing their dedication and sacrifice for their country.Kenny Schedler (left) Ricky Mcgill (Right)

“ This is a deeply meaningful way to honor the sacrifices these Veterans made.

It allows them to reclaim a moment they missed while serving their country.”

Kenny Schedler (left) Ricky Mcgill (Right)

When Frank returned home in 1974 after serving three years and eight months in the navy, he returned to a different world.

There was no applause for returning Veterans. There were few good jobs, even for a man with four years navy experience. Fellow Veterans were attacked in parking lots for just being Veterans. So Frank hit the road,

hitchhiking across the western United States, stopping just long enough to earn enough money to keep going. He lived on hash browns, cheese and milk.

After two years on the road he arrived in the Quad Cities and met Debra. They married in 1976 and now have two daughters and seven grandchildren.

When Frank went to the Muscatine County Veterans Affairs Office to inquire about his benefits, Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Eric Sanders helped him with his applications. The Hancock had operated in the coastal waters of Vietnam and her crew was exposed to Agent Orange, so thanks to Sanders’s help Frank received disability payments for a number of health issues. While reviewing his record, Sanders also noticed that Frank had not graduated from high school.

“I’m going to reach out to the Governor’s Office and get you a

SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED US

diploma,” Sanders told Frank. “We’re going to get this fixed.”

Sanders knew that Iowa offers a littleknown Veteran benefit that allows the Department of Education to grant honorary high diplomas to honorablydischarged Veterans who served during wartime. So Sanders reached out to Muscatine High School (MHS) and they agreed to provide caps, gowns, and diploma holders. The school also allowed the Veterans to be the first to walk on graduation day. Governor Kim Reynolds signed the Veterans’ diplomas.

While Frank was getting fitted for his cap and gown he noticed a strange sensation.

“Gosh, I got so nervous,” Frank said. “I thought I would trip and fall down in that gown.”

Of course, the ceremony went off without a hitch.

By Eric Sanders, Director, Muscatine County Veteran Affairs

The Muscatine County Veterans Affairs office delivers expert guidance and support to Veterans, their dependents, and survivors in Muscatine County, all free of charge. Taking care of Veterans and their families is a team sport and our staff stands ready to assist Muscatine County residents.

Disability Claims, Home Loans, Life Insurance, Education Benefits We assist Veterans in navigating the complex landscape of federal VA benefits they have earned through their military service. We help Veterans file VA disability claims for servicerelated injuries and conditions that offer tax-free payments ranging from $171 to more than $4,000 per month.

We help Veterans and their eligible family members access VA Home Loans, VA Life Insurance, VA Education Benefits, and VA Healthcare from the largest healthcare system in the country.

“Muscatine High School has been absolutely supportive by allowing former students from 40-60 years prior to be integrated into the big graduation day,” Sanders remarked. “I am not aware of any other County or high school in Iowa that does this.”

The tradition continued in 2024 when Vietnam Veterans Ricky McGill and Richard Dummer received their honorary diplomas.

“This is a deeply meaningful way to honor the sacrifices these Veterans made,” Sanders said. “It allows them to reclaim a moment they missed while serving their country.”

Through the hard times Frank cherishes his navy experience.

“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Frank said. “It is when I grew up. It is a vital part of who I am.” n

VA Healthcare Within an hour of Muscatine County, Veterans have access to four primary VA medical facilities, including the Iowa City VA Medical Center, which serves 54,000 patients in Eastern Iowa. There are also community-based VA outpatient clinics in Burlington, Coralville, and Davenport. VA Healthcare provides full coverage under the Affordable Care Act and works with Medicare, Medicaid, and other health insurance policies. It also includes vision and hearing. There is no monthly premium for those who qualify.

Funeral and Burial Services Our office works closely with local funeral homes and cemeteries. We help arrange military honor guards, help organize burial arrangements, and help apply for federal VA headstones and grave markers—all at no cost to eligible Veterans and their families. Most importantly, we help families file filing for monetary VA death benefits and survivor pensions. We advocate for Veterans by prosecuting claims, filing appeals, and gathering the documentation to ensure Veterans receive their earned benefits.

— Continued on next page

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HONORING OUR MUSCATINE VETERANS

Tyler Announces the VSO Excellence Award Winners The Tyler team appreciates every application we received for our 2nd Annual VSO Excellence Awards.

Each story is an inspirational reminder of the good work the VSO community does to support our nation’s Veterans. The winners have been announced!

All-Star Community Advocate: Eric Sanders, Muscatine County, Muscatine, IA By leveraging Tyler's VetraSpec software, Eric streamlined the claim processing and increased

SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED US

benefits payouts by more than 30%. His advocacy efforts extend beyond his county, playing an instrumental role in the passage of Iowa Senate File 2430, which benefits Vietnam War veterans. Eric's commitment to veteran support is also evident in his community engagement, public speaking, and successful advocacy for a combat-wounded Vietnam veteran's long-overdue Purple Heart. n

Continued from previous page —

Lifetime Passes

We also help Veterans, including disabled veterans, obtain lifetime passes to recreational sites managed by six federal agencies: the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

License Plates, Driver’s License Designation, Property Tax Discounts, Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Licenses We assist Veterans access a number of State of Iowa benefits, such as military and Veteran license plates, Veteran designation on Iowa driver’s licenses or identification cards, property tax discounts, and lifetime hunting and fishing licenses through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Homeless Services, Criminal Justice Our office offers Veterans access to homeless services available through the Federal VA. We help provide emergency assistance under Iowa Code, which supports veterans and their families with food, shelter, and burial services.

For those Veterans involved in the criminal justice system, our office can refer them to the Federal VA Veteran Justice Outreach coordinators.

More Than a Million Dollars in Benefits Muscatine County Veterans Affairs is effective at helping

14 Muscatine Magazine • Winter 2025

Veterans and their families receive the benefits they have earned. As of October 2024, more than $1,098,000 in VA monetary benefits were paid to Muscatine County residents each month, an increase of more than $300,000 per month in the last two years.

Veterans Crisis Line – Call 988, Option 1 Veteran suicide is truly a problem, not just in Iowa but nationwide. This year we’ve had Veteran suicides in Muscatine County. It is estimated that 22 Veterans commit suicide each day in the United States.

The Veterans Crisis Line can help Veterans in ANY crisis 24/7/365, whether its homelessness or family problems.

Please reach out to the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988, option 1.

A Team Effort We rely on Administrative Assistant Lindsey Lerma, the Muscatine County Veteran Affairs Commission, the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors, and partnerships with city and county, state and federal government. Iowa Code requires all 99 counties in Iowa to have a Veterans Affairs Office. Please feel free to give us a call or send us an email if you have questions or would like to setup an appointment.

Muscatine County Veteran Affairs 315 Iowa Ave., Suite 1 Muscatine, Iowa 52761 Phone: (563) 262-4162 Email: va@muscatinecountyiowa.gov

VETERANS

FAMILIES

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

COMMUNITY

MUSCATINE VETERAN’S NETWORK

By Steve Mitchell

When Veterans take off their uniforms for the last time everything changes.

Where do I find a job? Where do I meet fellow Veterans? Where do I discover a new purpose in life? Often, Veterans feel like strangers in a strange land.

The Muscatine Veterans Network (MVN) offers an excellent place to answer these questions. “We help Veterans unlock purpose-filled lives,” said Shane Sawyer, a career planner who works with Veterans.

In May 2023, Sawyer worked with the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry to launch the Muscatine Veterans Network. It has met every month since at various local businesses, most recently at Contrary Brewing on November 21, 2024.

“Leaving the military can feel like losing your tribe,” Sawyer said. “We want to build a Vet-friendly community.”

JOBS AND EDUCATION A 20-year Air Force Veteran, Sawyer works for IowaWORKS for Veterans, a gateway to Iowa’s largest job bank.

The organization provides training and workshop resources to help veterans sharpen their job-hunting skills and successfully transition into the workforce.

Additionally, the Network serves as a valuable connection for local businesses seeking to hire skilled veterans to fill job vacancies. For example, Lindsey Freebolin, Human Resources Manager at Phelps, attended a recent meeting at Contrary Brewing, where she actively engaged with attendees and handed out her card.

For more information, contact Shane Sawyer at shane.sawyer@iwd.iowa.gov.

563-445-3200 Ext. 43307. www.iowaworksforveterans.gov.

CONNECTING WITH THE GREAT OUTDOORS Often Veterans who leave military service feel lost. All they need is a chance to relax, breathe and connect with the great outdoors. Jake Freebolin, cofounder of Country Action Benefits, attended the meeting at Contrary Brewing. He said Country Action offers Veterans hunting, fishing, camping, and archery experiences on public and private land, all at no cost to the Veteran.

The non-profit organization’s motto says it all: “Healing Veterans through the Outdoors.”

“We know first-hand how we have been healed by the outdoors and how it makes us feel more alive,” said the organization’s website. “Country Action lives, breathes and dreams of sharing these experiences with everyone, but specifically our heroes—Veterans.”

Freebolin specializes in taking Veterans archery hunting, bowfishing, kayaking, camping and coyote hunting. Other volunteers offer turkey hunting, deer hunting, and shooting.

Learn more about Country Action Benefits at www.countryactionbenefits.org.

MENTAL HEALTH For Veterans the transition from military to civilian life is often heartbreaking.

Soul crushing. Despair-inducing. It’s an ugly truth that more than 17 Veterans commit suicide every day, according to the Veterans Administration (VA).

One place for Veterans to turn are Vet Centers, community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services. Joe Laden from the Quad Cities Vet Center attended the meeting at Contrary Brewing.

Laden said they offer confidential help for Veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting. Their services include couples therapy and counseling for depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST).

For more information, contact Joe Laden at 309-755-3260. Joseph.Laden@va.gov. www.vetcenter.va.gov. Quad Cities Vet Center, 465 Ave of the Cities, Ste #140, East Moline, IL 61244.

Get Involved!

To learn about our monthly networking events and get MVN updates, check out: Muscatine Veteran’s Network (Group Page) Muscatine Veteran’s Network shane.sawyer@iwd.iowa.gov bbark@muscatine.com

Get your MVN merch here!

Muscatine Magazine • Spring 2023 15

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Douglas Jackson (back row) as a member of the Spanish American War Military “Buglers”

Muscatine Veterans Through the Ages

“ This country has not seen and probably will never know the true level of sacrifice of our veterans...”

This 2016 quote by American author Thomas M. Smith, covers every war of every generation.

Although the Muscatine Art Center does not specifically collect military items, it does hold many artifacts related to Muscatine veterans of several wars.

Artifacts in the collection date as far back as the American Civil War (1861) and the Spanish American War (1898).

The photograph (above) features Douglas Velie Jackson who served in the Spanish-American War in Co. H, 50th Iowa Infantry. He was also a member of the National Guard and rose from the ranks to Colonel. Upon returning to Muscatine, he was an attorney and was 18 Muscatine Magazine • Winter 2025

elected to serve as a district judge from 1902-1942.

In 1861 at the onset of the Civil War men hurried to enlist, with Muscatine County sending more volunteers to the conflict than any other in the state. Shelby Norman of Muscatine is identified as the first Iowan to be killed in action on a Civil War battlefield. The 18-year-old mustered into the 1st Iowa Infantry Regiment on May 14, 1861 and was killed at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek on August 10, 1861.

There are few better ways to truly grasp what occurred during the American Civil War than by reading diaries and letters that describe a soldier’s personal

Shelby Norman Civil War monument, State Capitol Grounds, Des Moines, Iowa

experiences, recollections, comments, and memories. Included in our collections are: • A memoir book written by Carl Brenner, who in 1857 immigrated to Iowa from Germany at the age of 17 and enlisted in the 11th Regiment of the Iowa Volunteer Infantry in 1861. He served from 1861-1865.

• Personal letters from Charles T. Ruger who mustered into service at the age of 29 in August, 1862 at Camp Strong, Muscatine, Co. B, 35th Regiment of the Iowa Volunteer Infantry, where he was assigned as camp cook. His regiment later participated in the Sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson.

Following the Siege of Jackson, Ruger fell ill and died on September 21, 1863 of chronic illness in the regiment hospital at Bear Creek, Mississippi. He was buried in a mass grave, described in a letter written by a fellow soldier.

He left behind a widow Anna Ruger and daughter Sara Catherine. Unable to care for her child alone, his widow placed her daughter in the custody of the Iowa Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home.

• A complete set of 117 letters written by soldier Daniel J. Parvin to his wife and family in Muscatine, Iowa. The letters begin in 1861, shortly after his enlistment in Muscatine as a private in the Union Army, and continue through October 1864 after he was seriously wounded during the Siege of Atlanta.

In 1861 Daniel James Parvin enlisted as a private in the Iowa 11th Infantry, and traveled with his company for the next three years. Parvin was a lively and prolific letter writer, narrating relevant events with a keen eye for detail covering the extreme weather conditions, illnesses that plagued the soldiers, access to supplies and food, and dramatic accounts of the battles.

He often pours out his heart on the painful loneliness he felt away from

50th Iowa Infantry Camp

35th Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry in 1862 at the age of 19. Hill died of disease on August 15, 1863. His drum is shown here (photo).

home and the deep love he had for his family and country. He also expresses in colorful language, his views on patriotism, politics, slavery, war and death.

• In 1862 the Soldier’s Aid Society of Wilton, Iowa was organized as part of the County Sanitary Commission.

During the Civil War, the men of the Wilton community responded to the call of duty by organizing two full companies of nearly two hundred men: Company D, 11th Iowa Volunteer Infantry and Company G, 35th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The ladies of the Society made and presented a flag (photo) which was carried by Co. D., as they departed in September 1861.

• George B. Hill enlisted as a Fifer and was later Chief Musician in Company C,

A decorated drum was used by Thomas Henry Cummins who came to Iowa from Ohio in 1856 and enlisted as a private on April 18, 1861, one week after the first shots were fired at Fort Sumter. He was promoted to Full Drum Major on May 14, 1861 and mustered out of the service on August 21, 1861.

The permanent collection includes several Civil War era guns which are identified by the soldier that carried them. Some were military issue weapons, while others were their personal weapon brought from home.

One example is a Model 1861 contract rifle manufactured by Welch, Brown and Co. of Norfolk Connecticut, carried by William James Mee of Muscatine. At the age of 43, Mee enlisted in Company D, 35th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry and mustered in on August 29, 1862. n

Muscatine & The Civil War will be in the Stanley Gallery beginning March 2026 Muscatine Magazine • Spring Summer 2024 19

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20 Muscatine Magazine • Winter 2025

The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa. Details about programs and exhibitions are posted on muscatineartcenter.org. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free of charge.

October 19, 2024 – August 24, 2025

Muscatine History Revisited The Muscatine Art Center’s Muscatine History Revisited exhibition is a journey back in time. Visitors of all ages are invited to immerse themselves in the stories of our community’s past, while learning about the businesses and industries that helped shape Muscatine into the city it is today.

Storefront displays include Kautz’s Bakery, the Muscatine Oat Meal Company, Oscar Grossheim’s photography studio, the McColm Dry Goods store, Norman Baker’s Tangley Air Calliaphone, Roach & Musser Sash & Door, and the Muscatine Jewelry Company. A large section is devoted to S. G. & P. Stein Furniture while a model of Wilson’s Shoe Store is displayed nearby.

The middle floor of the Stanley Gallery includes sections on Bellevue Hospital, Little Mac automobiles, PeterMar Toys, Kent Corporation, produce in Muscatine County, Barry Manufacturing, local theaters, the Muscatine High Bridge, and the lightrail system. On view are theater seats, an apron made from Kent feed sack, toys made in Muscatine, tokens from the high bridge tollbooth, clocks, business signs, and the “Melon Shed” soap box car. n

SAVE THE The 2025 Preserve Iowa Summit will be hosted in Muscatine • June 5-7, 2025

DATE!

The state’s premier conference for historic preservation professionals and volunteers.

Muscatine Magazine • Winter 2025 21

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