Zestsept

Zest For 50+ living

Hutchinson Jaycees honor T.A.

“Buzz� Burich and Barb Max

Meeker County Council on Aging recognizes

Marie Bohning Litchfield Watercade names Shirley DeBoer volunteer of the year

SEPTEMBER 2014

FREE!

Tales of Iwo Jima Businessman Tim Mergen gathered stories of three local World War II veterans and created a presentation he shares with others

Calendar of events Dassel Red Rooster Days The city of Dassel celebrates Red Rooster Days Aug. 29Sept. 1, with a coronation, parade, and Minnesota’s Largest Chicken Barbecue.

Heart of Minnesota rummage, bake, book sale Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter, a non-profit animal shelter in Hutchinson, will have an indoor rummage, bake and book sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 5 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 6 at the McLeod County Fairgrounds. All proceeds benefit the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter.

HermannFest The second annual HermannFest will be Sept. 6 in New Ulm, Minn., both in the higher park (Hermann Heights) and lower park (Harmon Park). There will be fun for the family, with German food and music all day. The New Ulm Battery’s “Thunder in the Valley” cannon shoot will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m., followed by a fireworks display over Hermann at nightfall. The band “Time Machine” will perform. See www.Hermann Monument.com for information.

‘BINGO — A Winning Musical’ “BINGO — A Winning Musical,” will take the stage Nov. 6-8 and 12-14 at Crow River Winery. “Bingo” is about a group of diehard bingo players who stop at nothing to miss their weekly game. In between the number calling, strange rituals and fierce competitions, love blossoms and long lost friends reunite. These lovable characters spring to life with a smart, funny script and bouncy, hummable score.

Audiences will be laughing in the aisles when they aren’t playing games of bingo along with the cast. Tickets are for dinner and a show.

DINING

& entertainment

1 Off

$ 00

New Ulm Oktoberfest

Any Lunch Madness Combo

The 33rd annual New Ulm Oktoberfest will take place Oct. 3-4 and Oct. 10-11 at four locations — Holiday Inn, Downtown New Ulm, Morgan Creek Vineyards and Schell’s Brewery. Oktoberfest entertainment includes German-style polka and other bands playing on indoor stages. Downtown activities include horse-drawn trolley rides, specialty shops, food vendors and Schell’s Beer Wagon. While downtown, visit the 45-foot Musical Glockenspiel. Public tours are available at the John Lind House, Wanda Gag House, Hermann Monument, Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and Schells Brewery. For information, go to www.newulmoktoberfest.com.

6 different Combos to choose from!

VALID MONDAY – FRIDAY 11 AM – 2 PM Not valid with any other coupons, discounts, or offers. Limit one coupon per person per visit.

Expires 09/30/14

1040 Hwy. 15 South, Hutchinson • 320-234-9453 (in front of Hutchinson Mall)

Call ahead for convenient take-out!

2

ZEST | SEPTEMBER 2014

02778z

Open daily 11 am — 1 am

Have a calendar item to submit? To be included in this free listing, send information about the event, including the time, date, place, cost, a contact person’s name and phone number. Email information to Juliana Thill at thill@independentreview.net or call 320-593-4808 or 320-234-4172.

|||||||||||||||||||||||||

CONTENTS

Zest For 50+ living

SEPTEMBER 2014 Vol. 5 No. 7

PUBLISHED BY Litchfield Independent Review P.O. Box 921, Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-3266

L

Hutchinson Leader 170 Shady Ridge Road NW, Suite 100 Hutchinson, MN 55350 320-587-5000

story: Three Litchfield men served at Iwo Jima 10 Cover and share their stories with the help of friend,Tim Mergen

PUBLISHER Brent Schacherer schacherer@hutchinsonleader.com 320-234-4143 EDITOR Juliana Thill thill@independentreview.net 320-593-4808 Litchfield office 320-234-4172 Hutchinson office CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ASDF ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kevin True true@hutchinsonleader.com 320-234-4141

L L

spotlight: 6 Senior Hutchinson Jaycees honor

6 Senior

spotlight:

Meeker County Council on Aging honors Marie Bohning

SUBSCRIPTION OR ADDRESS CHANGE Michelle Magnuson 320-234-4142 magnuson@hutchinsonleader.com

Barb Max as Woman of the Year and T.A.“Buzz” Burich as Mr. Hutchinson

PRINTED BY Crow River Press 170 Shady Ridge Road NW Hutchinson, MN 55350

4

In the news: Celebrate National Grandparents Day Sept. 7

8

Money matters: Grandparents raising grandkids have

Zest is published monthly by the Litchfield Independent Review and Hutchinson Leader newspapers. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior consent of the publisher.

CORRECTION Litchfield resident Harry Lindbloom, a World War II veteran, was misidentified in a July photo cutline about an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.

financial, emotional resources available to them

9

Social Security: Disability insurance’s effect on benefits

13 Medicare: Routine eye care is not covered, with exceptions 14 Recipes: Apple-Cranberry Oatmeal Scones With Maple Vanilla Glaze and Whole-Wheat Dark Chocolate Zucchini Brownies SEPTEMBER 2014 | ZEST

3

|||||||||||||||||||||||||

A WARM HELLO

A

|||||||||||||

s a journalist for more than 20 years, I’ve met hundreds of people and shared their individual stories with readers. Sometimes the stories are entertaining, educational, heartbreaking or uplifting, but always interesting and unique.

This month, I share with readers a story about a storyteller and his subjects. Tim Mergen of Litchfield has spent time with three World War II veterans, also of Litchfield, getting to know them and their history, and then sharing their story with others.

What makes the three men’s stories interesting is that while each served in a different branch of the military, all three — Stan Mortenson, Don Nordlie and Roger Tipka — served their country in the Battle for Iwo Jima. And they’re still living to tell about it 69 years later. Mergen has given his presentation several times to various organizations, and his knack for storytelling keeps listeners riveted in their seats.

I could only include a part of Mergen’s story about Iwo Jima and the Litchfield men who served our country. They deserve a thank you for their incredibly brave service, and Mergen deserves credit for keeping the stories alive for younger generations to hear.

Living history is all around us, and we should take advantage of the opportunity to sit and listen with those who are willing to share it.

Also in this month’s magazine, we recognize grandpar-

HEALTH TIPS

CDC recommends shingles vaccine for adults 60 and older Regardless of whether they’ve had shingles, adults age 60 and older should get the shingles vaccine (Zostavax), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The shingles vaccine protects the body from reactivation of the chickenpox (varicella-zoster) virus. The shingles vaccine isn’t fail-safe; some people develop shingles despite vaccination. However, the shingles vaccine might reduce the severity and duration of shingles.

The shingles vaccine isn’t recommended for everyone. Check with your doctor. In some cases, the cost of the shingles vaccine might not be covered

by Medicare or insurance.

Check your plan.

— James Steckelberg, M.D. Mayo Clinic

4

ents, who are special people in the lives of their grandchildren. National Grandparents Day is Sept. 7 this year. While many grandparents enjoy visits with their grandchildren, it’s surprising how many are raising their grandchildren full time. Read some interesting statistics on Page 5.

Our financial columnist on Page 8 offers a list of financial and emotional resources grandparents can access Juliana Thill if they are raising their grandchilEditor dren.

Also in the magazine, we feature four people who were recently honored in Hutchinson, Litchfield and Meeker County, for their volunteerism.

These active seniors are busy volunteering in their local communities and beyond. Read about Marie Bohning of Forest City, Shirley DeBoer of Litchfield, and T.A. “Buzz” Burich and Barb Max of Hutchinson.

School has started, which reminds me to remind you that you’re never too old to learn. Check with your local community education department for a class or two you can take, whether its crafting, exercise or computer-related. Or, consider teaching a class and sharing your knowledge. Learning is a lifelong activity, a lesson I learned from my grandparents.

ZEST | SEPTEMBER 2014

Grant will help Ecumen expand dementia program The owner and operator of Ecumen Oaks and Pines in Hutchinson has been awarded a $265,000 state grant for to expand a program that serves people with dementia.

Shoreview-based Ecumen is receiving the grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services to fund expansion of its Ecumen Awakenings into the Oaks and Pines and other assisted living communities in the state. The program emphasizes managing Alzheimer’s and related dementias without highly sedating drugs and improving residents’ quality of life.

In 2010, Ecumen received a DHS grant to introduce Awakenings at its 15 skilled nursing sites after the success of a pilot program created by Ecumen staff. Over the three years of the grant, Awakenings achieved a 97percent reduction in the use of psychotropic medications, decreasing dosage or discontinuing use of more

than 1,000 potentially harmful drugs.

The new grant is for a one-year pilot program in 14 of Ecumen’s 33 assisted living communities.

“We’ve learned a great deal from our initial pilot in care centers in Minnesota,” said Berit Spors, housing director at Ecumen Oaks and Pines. “We’re greatly looking forward to building upon that success in Hutchinson.”

Awakenings is an integrated care program where residents, their families, doctors and care staff work together to replace traditional drug therapies with individualized techniques that reduce anxiety and difficult behaviors.

The University of Minnesota Center on Aging will partner with Ecumen on the project and monitor progress with research.

Awakenings training will officially start in August 2014 at all 14 Ecumen assisted living pilot sites.

Celebrating grandparents

|||||||||||||||||||||||||

IN THE NEWS

7 million

The number of grandparents whose grandchildren under age 18 were living with them in 2011.

2.7 million

T

The number of grandparents responsible for the basic needs of one or more grandchildren under age 18 living with them in 2011. Of these caregivers, 1.7 million were grandmothers and 1 million were grandfathers.

his year, National Grandparents Day is Sept.

7, a time to honor all grandparents. In 1970, Marian McQuade initiated a campaign to establish a day to honor grandparents. In 1978, President Carter signed a federal proclamation, declaring the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. This day has been celebrated every year since in honor of our nation’s grandparents.

The Census Bureau presents statistics about their role and responsibilities in our society based on facts from 2013.

1.7 million

The number of grandparents in the labor force responsible for their own grandchildren under age 18. Among them, 338,000 were 60 years or older.

10 percent

Percentage of children in the U.S. living with a grandparent in 2012, totaling 7.1 million.

Enjoy

55+ Leisure Living Are you at least 55? Retired or still working, but tired of lawn care, repairs and maintenance?

Village Cooperative benefits: • One-time Share Payment • Low Monthly Fees • Paid Heat • Coinless Laundry Rooms • Guest Suite • Great Room • Appliance Replacement as needed • Receive owner benefits through property tax and possible mortgage interest deductions Choose from 1-2 bedroom and 1-2 bath plans. Call for a tour of Village Cooperative today and learn how easy life can be!

D

L SO

Village Cooperative 1300 Sherwood St. SE Hutchinson • 320-234-7761 mornings

517 N. Sibley Ave.

www.realifeinc.com • www.villagecoopofhutchinson.blogspot.com

SEPTEMBER 2014 | ZEST

5

|||||||||||||||||||||||||

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

Jaycees select new Mr. Hutchinson,Woman of the Year The Hutchinson Jaycees named T.A. “Buzz” Burich Mr. Hutchinson and Barb Max as Woman of the Year during the Winter Carnival in June.

O

ne of the highlights of the Hutchinson Jaycee Water Carnival Pageant in June is the announcement of the new Mr. Hutchinson and Woman of the Year.

This year, T.A. “Buzz” Burich was named Mr. Hutchinson and Barb Max was named Woman of the Year.

Burich is chief executive officer and chairman of the board at Citizens Bank and Trust.

“I am truly honored to present this award to a man who has touched so many lives in our community,” Vice Commodore Chris Wilke said.

A sampling of quotes from some of his letters of nomination: N “He is very selfless, humble and giving man.”

N “He encourages his staff to engage in our community.”

After reviewing all of the nominations, one woman stood out from the rest — Barb Max. She is someone who has touched the lives of many people,” said Second Mate Sara Wilke said.

Max worked as the first school nurse

PHOTO BY DOUG HANNEMAN

at Gaylord Public Schools for 30 years, before moving to Hutchinson in 2004.

She has worked many hours at Common Cup Ministry and as a hospice volunteer.

A sampling of quotes from some of Max’s letters of nomination:

Watercade recognizes DeBoer’s volunteerism

T

he Watercade Board of Directors selected Shirley DeBoer of Litchfield to receive the Volunteer of the Year award.

The award is kept secret until announced at the Watercade queen coronation in July.

PHOTO BY JENNY BERG The award, which is spon- Litchfield Watercade sored by the Minneapolis Board selects Shirley Aquatennial Association, DeBoer of Litchfield as honors DeBoer, who was a the Volunteer of the Year. clerk in the U.S. Selective Service for 30 years, and has served on many local civic organizations including the American Legion Auxiliary, Lions Club, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and Order of the Eastern Star.

6

ZEST | SEPTEMBER 2014

N “She is one of those people who are always working for the benefit of others and hardly anyone knows it.”

N “I have personally witnessed her reaching out to those less fortunate.

Not because she thinks she should, but because she truly wants to.”

Meeker County honors Bohning for volunteering

T

he Meeker County Council on Aging named Marie Bohning of Forest City the Meeker County Senior Volunteer of the Year during a presentation Aug. 1 at the Meeker County Fair.

Bohning, 73, volunteers giving rides to veterans and families, delivering products to veterans in the St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Health Care System, giving respite care to caregivers through Lutheran Social Services Caregiver Support Program and Americorps, and acting as president of the American Legion Auxiliary. Bohning also delivers dayMarie old bread to those in need.

“I just can’t believe it. I’m just over- Bohning whelmed,” Bohning said after receiving the award. As a recipient of the award, Bohning was in the running for Minnesota’s Outstanding Senior Citizen award, which was presented Aug. 28 during Senior Day at the Minnesota State Fair (which took place after this edition of Zest went to press).

Medicare does not cover routine eye care but can make exceptions Dear Marci, I wear glasses and need to get my eyes checked every year. I am about to become eligible for Medicare. Does Medicare cover routine eye care?

— Thompson Dear Thompson, This is a great question. In most cases, Medicare will not pay for routine eye care. However, a more specific answer to your question depends on what type of Medicare coverage you have and what type of eye care you need. Remember, there are two different coverage options for people with Medicare. People with “Dear Marci” Medicare can either get their is a service of the Medicare benefits through Medicare Rights Original Medicare, the traditional Center, the largest Medicare program administered independent directly through the federal govsource of Medicare ernment, or through a Medicare information and Advantage plan, also known as a assistance in the Medicare private health plan.

United States. For If you have Original Medicare, more information, Medicare will generally not pay go online to www. for routine eye care. However, medicarerights.org.

Medicare can make an exception and pay for routine eye care in the following situations: N If you have diabetes, Medicare helps to pay for an eye exam once every 12 months to check for eye disease due to diabetes.

N If you are at high risk for glaucoma, Medicare helps to pay for an eye exam by a state-authorized eye doctor once every 12 months. You are considered to be at high risk for glaucoma if you have diabetes, have a family history of glaucoma, are an African American over age 50, or are a Hispanic American age 65 or older.

Medicare might also pay for eye care services if you have a chronic eye condition, such as cataracts or glaucoma. Specifically, Medicare can cover cataract surgery, as well as eye exams to diagnose potential vision problems.

Keep in mind that Medicare generally does not cover eyeglasses or contact lenses, unless you have had cataract surgery. If you have Original Medicare, Medicare may cover one pair of eyeglasses or one set of contact lenses if you need them after cataract surgery.

If you get your Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan may offer more vision coverage than Original Medicare. Keep in mind, however, that most plans generally offer limited vision coverage. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, contact your plan directly to learn more about your plan’s benefits, costs and rules.

— Marci

IN THE NEWS

|||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||||||||||||||||||||

MEDICARE

Grant aimed at assisting low-income seniors re-enter state’s workforce

T

he Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has been awarded $350,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor to improve services to lower-income seniors through the Senior Community Service Employment Program.

The SCSEP provides community service-based job training for low-income, unemployed people 55 and older. The program assists older workers overcome challenges in re-entering the workforce.

“During the recession, Minnesota’s older workers were one of the hardest-hit populations in our workforce,” said DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben. “With untold years of wisdom and experience, our older workers make valuable contributions to our economy, and this grant will work to ensure we continue to benefit from their institutional knowledge.”

DEED will use the one-time funds to encourage employers to hire participants of the older worker program. SCSEP participants gain work experience in a variety of community activities, including schools, hospitals, day care centers and senior centers. Participants also have access to employment assistance through Minnesota WorkForce Centers.

Simple Solutions to worry-free prescriptions & packaging!

Make your life easier!

COORDINATED REFILL PROGRAM It’s like having a single prescription instead of 10!

No need to phone in prescription refills Fewer trips to the pharmacy No worries about running out of medication Monthly reminder call from the pharmacy to pick up refills.

One week before your scheduled pick up or delivery, a pharmacy staff member will call you. We will have a monthly consultation where we see how you are feeling, review your prescriptions, vitamins and supplements, as we look for ways to SAVE you money on your medications.

1 2 3

Make an appointment with one of our staff members to enroll in the Simplify My Meds Program Bring all of your prescriptions as well as your vitamins or supplements to the appointment Together we will establish your refill date and provide you and your physician a summary of your drug list

The Hutchinson Area’s Hometown and Home-owned Pharmacies Where your Good Health is our only Focus!

Phone: 320-587-2509 1-800-944-1795 Downtown–1 block East of Post Office

www.familyrexall.com

Phone: 320-587-3638 Medical Center Building

SEPTEMBER 2014 | ZEST

7

|||||||||||||||||||||||||

MONEY MATTERS

Resources can help grandparents who are raising grandchildren Federal, state and local aid programs are available to help grandparents provide financial and emotional safety nets for their grandchildren.

I

n 1978, Congress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. Presidents since Jimmy Carter have issued proclamations urging citizens to, in the words of President Obama, “honor those who have helped shape the character of our nation, and thank these role models for their immeasurable acts of love, care and understanding.”

At a stage in life when many people are already comfortably retired, some 2.7 million grandparents have taken on the responsibility of providing basic needs for their grandchildren, according to data compiled by Generations United. An alarming 21 percent of these vital caregivers live below the poverty line, even though 60 percent are still in the workforce.

All told, an estimated 7.8 million children under 18 live in households headed by grandparents or other relatives, including those whose parents are absent due to death, substance abuse, military deployment or other reasons.

Ironically, even though many of these “grandfamilies” barely scrape by, they save taxpayers more than $6.5 billion each year by keeping children out of the foster care system. So it only seems fair that many federal, state and local aid programs are available to help these guardian angels provide financial and emotional safety nets for their grandchildren.

Among the many difficulties these families sometimes face: N If you become your grandchild’s foster parent, you’re responsible for day-to-day decisions and care, although the state retains legal custody and pays for the child’s care.

N Unless you establish some form of legal relationship (custody, guardianship or adoption), the parent might be able to take your grandchild from your home at any time.

N In some states, it’s difficult to enroll the child in school or get med-

8

ZEST | SEPTEMBER 2014

Jason Alderman Senior director of financial education programs at Visa Inc.

ical care without some form of legal relationship.

N Most senior-only housing complexes don’t allow child residents — which is legal — so some grandfamilies are forced to move.

However, grandfamilies may be eligible for several federal tax credits: N A Child Tax Credit of up to $1,000 for each qualified grandchild, provided they lived with you for more than half the filing year and are younger than 17 at year’s end.

N If you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, you may be eligible for an additional amount for grandchildren you support.

N A Child and Dependent Care Credit for childcare expenses incurred so you can work or seek employment.

N If you adopt your grandchildren, you might be eligible for a nonrefundable Federal Adoption Credit of up to $12,970 per child.

N In addition, depending on your income and the health/disability sta-

tus of your grandchildren, you might also be eligible for benefits from Medicaid, your state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and numerous other federal, state and local aid programs.

Helpful resources for grandfamilies include: N Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, a government-sponsored site at www.usa.gov that provides links to various subject-matter experts.

N AARP’s comprehensive GrandFamilies Guide (at www.aarp.org).

N Benefits QuickLINK, an AARP tool to find out whether you or your grandchildren qualify for 15 different public benefits.

N GrandFacts, a searchable database at www.aarp.org, where you can locate key state and local resources, foster care policies and services, public benefits, financial and education assistance, and relevant state laws.

N Generations United, whose “Grandfamilies” website highlights challenges often faced by these households. Find it at www.gu.org/OURWORK/Grandfamilies.aspx).

Do something to honor your own grandparents this Grandparents Day. And if you know others who are raising their grandkids, make sure they know about the many available resources.

|||||||||||||||||||||||||

SOCIAL SECURITY

Private disability insurance will not affect eligibility for Social Security benefits

Q:

I’m thinking about getting a disability insurance policy from a private company. If I become disabled and have a private policy, would it reduce my Social Security disability benefit?

A:

No. Your eligibility for Social Security disability benefits is not affected by any private insurance you may have. However, worker’s compensation and certain other public disability payments may affect your Social Security benefit. For more information go to www.socialsecurity.gov or call our toll free number 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778).

Q: A:

What’s the best way to find out if I might be eligible for Supplemental Security Income?

Q: A:

I run a small business. By this time every year, I am tired of all the paperwork involved with filing taxes. Is there an easier way for small businesses to file W-2s for their employees?

OFFERING SERVICES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF LAW: • Banking Law • Business & Corporate Law • Real Estate • Estate Planning/Probate • Elder Law Avoidance • Medical Assistance Planning • General Litigation • Employment Law • Municipal Law/City Law • Health Care Law • Criminal Defense (DWI etc.)

• Family Law • Personal Injury

www.mhslaw.com 121 West Main St., Suite 200, Waconia

112 Second Street West, Chaska

Our online Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool will help you find out if you could get benefits that Social Security administers. Based on your answers to questions, this tool will list benefits for which you might be eligible and tell you more information about how to qualify and apply. Find BEST at www.benefits.gov/ssa.

Absolutely. If you are a small business owner or entrepreneur, you should check out Social Security’s Business Services Online website.

There, you can file your employees’ W-2s and W-2cs electronically and print out the W-2s to provide paper copies to your employees. You also can verify the Social Security numbers of your employees. Our online services are easy to use, fast, and secure. Visit our BSO page at www.socialsecurity.gov/bso.

(62+/ Disabled)

By Jon Noyes, district manager at the Social Security Administration office in St. Cloud, Minn. Contact him at 3800 Veterans Drive, Suite 100, St. Cloud; 877-405-1446.

SEPTEMBER 2014 | ZEST

9

PHOTO BY JULIANA THILL

Tim Mergen, standing, shares the stories of three Litchfield men, Don Nordlie, Stan Mortenson and Roger Tipka, who served in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.The photos above them are from their days in service.

On Sept. 21, the Minnesota Twins will honor the three men by having them raise the U.S. flag during the National Anthem at Target Field before the game begins.

TALES OF IWO JIMA

T Three men, World War II & one storyteller Tim Mergen has created a presentation based on the stories that three World War II veterans have shared with him about their service at Iwo Jima in 1945 10

ZEST | SEPTEMBER 2014

he Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 called millions of Americans to duty.

As World War II efforts mounted, thousands of young Minnesotans answered the call, including three Litchfield men.

Those three

By Juliana Thill EDITOR men also were part of the Battle of Iwo Jima, each serving in a different branch of the military. Don Nordlie was a sergeant in the Marines, Roger Tipka served as private first class in the Army, and Stan Mortenson was a machinist’s mate third class in the Navy.

Nordlie and Tipka were stationed on the island, while Mortenson worked on a destroyer escort in the sea.

“I think it’s ... I don’t know if ‘incredible’ is the right word. I have yet to find the right word to put it together that 69 years later, we have three guys who were involved in this battle, to talk to us about it, and tell us about it,” said Tim Mergen, a Litchfield businessman. “I think that is so special for a town of this size to be able to have that.”

Mergen, general manager of Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association, didn’t know the three men until their paths crossed unexpectedly. Mergen was in Washington, D.C., several years ago with his family and walked past some displays.

“I saw maps that showed different map-making technology through the years,” Mergen recalled, including one that had been top secret and was now unclassified. “It showed ... very, very detailed, where the U.S. believed Japanese had installations on Iwo Jima. I asked the guy if I could have the map. He said, ‘sure,’” Mergen said.

After returning home with the map, Mergen read a newspaper story in the Litchfield Independent Review about Tipka serving in Iwo Jima. Mergen thought Tipka would value the map even more. So, on a winter day near Christmas, Mergen went to Tipka’s house, knocked on his door and presented the map to a surprised, yet, grateful Tipka.

Months went by, and Mergen needed to find someone to give a presentation to his Kiwanis Club. He asked Tipka to speak about his time at Iwo Jima. Tipka said he was not comfortable speaking, but would tell Mergen about Iwo Jima, if Mergen would do the presentation. Mergen agreed, gathered stories from Tipka and gave his Kiwanis speech.

After the presentation, a friend of Nordlie’s approached Mergen and told him Nordlie had served at Iwo Jima, too. Mergen contacted Nordlie, and after hearing about Nordlie’s time on Iwo Jima, he revised his presentation to include Nordlie’s service. Mergen gave another presentation at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield, and following that speech, Mortenson, who had been in the crowd, approached Mergen. Mortenson said he, too, had served at Iwo Jima.

Mergen has developed a presentation that he has now given to several

|||||||||||||||||||||||||

COVER STORY

SUBMITTED PHOTO

U.S. troops raise an American flag at Iwo Jima in 1945. Roger Tipka and Don Nordlie of Litchfield were on Iwo Jima when the first flag was raised.

“And they’ll tell you, when that first flag went up, everything got quiet for a few minutes on the island,” said Tim Mergen.

“

This island is pretty close to the size of Litchfield.

Tim Mergen

organizations and civic groups throughout Meeker and McLeod counties in which he shares general history of the Battle of Iwo Jima, as well as some of the three men’s stories.

The story of Iwo Jima

Iwo Jima is an island 650 miles off the coast of Japan and 3,800 miles from Hawaii. For the United States, securing Iwo Jima was important as an air base for long-range bombing missions against mainland Japan, Mergen said.

Because of the distance between mainland Japan and U.S. bases in the Mariana Islands, the capture of Iwo Jima would provide an emergency landing strip for crippled B-29s returning from bombing runs. The seizure of Iwo Jima would allow for sea and air blockades, the ability to conduct intensive air bombardment and to destroy the enemy’s air and

naval capabilities, according to the Navy Department Library.

Japan knew the United States needed Iwo Jima, if it were going to do any sort of invasion of the mainland to continue with the war on Japan, Mergen said. As a result, “It became the most fortified island in the world.”

The Japanese were intent on protecting Iwo Jima, he said. “This was the first battle to be fought on Japanese ground, and the Japanese considered their land sacred. So, by the U.S. coming onto their land, that was a huge thing for them, because that was sacred ground to the Japanese and the Japanese empire.”

Iwo Jima, which means Sulfur Island, is 8 square miles in size. To put that in perspective, Mergen compared the island to the city of Litchfield. “If you were to start on the south end of Lake Ripley and drive north to where the outdoor theater is, you’ve gone about four miles. If you start at Walmart and drive to the west where County Road 1 is, you’ve gone about two miles. So, literally, this island is pretty close to the size of Litchfield.”

The U.S. invasion started Feb. 19, 1945. However, the United States had done three days of naval bombardments before that.

The invasion came on the east side

SEPTEMBER 2014 | ZEST

11

|||||||||||||||||||||||||

COVER STORY

of the island of the different beaches.

“The invasion force was huge. Fifty thousand Marines landed on Iwo Jima for the invasion. There were 800 different Navy vessels that were used. They had eight battleships, 12 aircraft carriers, 19 cruisers, and 44 destroyers that were involved,” Mergen said. “There were about 110,000 total troops involved with the invasion, just in that particular part of it. Along with that, the Navy had to cut off reinforcements coming from Japan. So, when you consider what the Navy did in their blockade, there were about 250,000 troops involved with this invasion. A lot of people involved in something 8 square miles big,” Mergen said.

“It was actually a pretty simple plan that the military developed — the Navy was supposed to cut off the Japanese air and sea support and put all the troops ashore. The Marines were to take the island, the Army would run it, and the Air Force was going to use it,” he said.

The United States figured it would take three days to capture the island, maybe five. A week at the most, Mergen said. Unfortunately, the U.S. military “estimated there were about 7,000 Japanese on that island. They underestimated by about 70 percent.

There were more than 22,000 Japanese on the island,” Mergen said.

“And those 22,000 Japanese were not on the island. They were in the island.

They had tunnels all throughout that island.”

With 16 miles of tunnels, the Japanese moved their troops back and forth, he said. Meanwhile, the U.S. Marines had no idea what was going on inside those tunnels.

“That’s what made the Japanese so much more effective. These tunnels, a lot of the openings were no bigger than a 5-gallon pail. So the Japanese could pop up behind the Marines, start shooting at them. Or, as a tank was going by, throw a bomb out to disable it, slip back down the hole, and you would have no idea what happened. That’s what made them so effective. The Japanese had over 1,500 pillboxes dug in around the island. And hundreds of military artillery dug in, in other spots. One particular ridge in which many Marines died became known as the meat grinder,” Mergen said. “A comment by one of the Marines: “Never saw Jap,

12

ZEST | SEPTEMBER 2014

Don Nordlie, sergeant in the Marines, landed on Yellow Beach about two hours after the initial forces landed Feb. 19, 1945.

Roger Tipka, a private first class in the Army, landed on Purple Beach right under Mount Suribachi on the west side of the island.

Stan Mortenson was a machinist’s mate third class on the USS Corbesier DE438, a destroyer escort off the coast of Iwo Jima.

MAP COURTESY OF MARINE CORPS HISTORY AND MUSEUMS DIVISION

but gunfire was coming out of every hole and every rock.”

Nordlie Nordlie landed on Yellow Beach about two hours after the initial forces landed. When Nordlie hit the beach, “He was trying to dig himself a hole for cover, and he said it was like trying to dig a hole in water. It would just keep caving in and caving in,” Mergen said.

Coarse volcanic ash that never packed like sand hampered the movement of men and machines as they struggled to move up the beach, according to the Navy Department Library.

“They struggled to climb the sandy beaches, Mergen said. “All their equipment was getting stuck in that sand.”

A sergeant in the Marines, Nordlie was a radio communications operator.

The radio pack he had to carry with him weighed about 25 pounds.

Nordlie, himself, went into battle weighing about 155 pounds, and came out weighing about 130.

“Don didn’t have a permanent home

on the island. When he landed that first day and until that battle was over 36 days later, he never had a change of clothes or a bath,” Mergen said.

Tipka Tipka was a private first class in the Army and worked as a radio/radar code operator on the air field. He landed on Purple Beach under Mount Suribachi on the west side of the island.

“We set up our camp up close to the mountain,” and that was his home for about six months, Tipka said. “It’s amazing with all the gunfire that I came back.”

Tipka had worked at a Litchfield garage before he was drafted, so he thought the Army would put him in the motor pool. “That’s where I got my training,” he said.

Instead, his typing skills earned him a radio/radar code operator job.

“In high school, I took typing as extra credit and when I got to Hawaii, they had electric typewriters, and that put me in good shape (to be a radio/radar code operator),” he said.

“I didn’t have time to fight. We set up camp with the radar equipment and stayed put,” Tipka said.

The radar was so new, it was top secret, he said. His instructions were to protect it first, and if there was any chance it would fall into the enemy’s hands, he was to destroy it.

Mortenson Iwo Jima was hot and dry, and there was no water on the island.

“The ground was so hot in places, you could cook on it,” Mergen said.

“Each Marine was allowed one canteen of water a day. If you wanted to clean up, shave, anything, take a bath, you had to use salt water for that.”

To keep the troops hydrated on an island surrounded by salt water, the Navy used machines to remove salt from the water so troops could drink it.

“I made fresh water out of salt water,” said Mortenson, who was a machinist’s mate third class on the USS Corbesier DE438, a destroyer escort with 225 crew members.

“The Corbesier had a two-fold job,” Mergen said, “It needed to prevent the Japanese submarines and other reinforcements coming in from the mainland. Then, also their job, and this was really Stan’s job, was to make fresh water out of the salt water. He had to make sure he was running that equipment. I was under the impression that they take all the salt out of it, and Stan tells me, ‘No, that’s not the case.’ You actually leave some salt in there, so the U.S. troops didn’t have to take salt tablets.”

Mortenson enlisted when he was 18 because, “I was going to be drafted, and I wanted to get into the Navy. So, I made sure I got my choice.”

Flag-raising The Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal took the historic photo of U.S. troops raising a flag on Mount Suribachi on Feb. 23, 1945, which was the fifth day of the battle.

“That’s the day of the famous flag raising. But on Day Five, the U.S. only controlled Mount Suribachi.

Remember, they thought they’d have the whole island at this point, that they’d control everything. That battle went on for another 31 days,” Mergen said. “When that (photo) got back to the U.S., everybody thought the fight-

“

It’s amazing with all the gunfire that I came back.

Roger Tipka

ing was over. Everybody was astonished to find out it was going to go for a month yet.”

Rosenthal’s photo actually portrayed the second flag raising, which took place about two hours after the first flag raising, Mergen said.

Both Tipka and Nordlie were on the island when the first flag was raised.

“And they’ll tell you, when that first flag went up, everything got quiet for a few minutes on the island. I suspect it got quiet for two reasons: one, for the Japanese, that was the first time in their history that a foreign flag had ever been raised on sacred Japanese territory. Two, the U.S. troops knew they had finally secured part of that island after five days of battle.”

However, the battle waged for 36 days, ending March 26, 1945.

Different mindsets The Japanese were led by Gen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi.

“Kuribayashi told his troops that they were never going to come back.

This was a totally different mindset from the U.S. Marines who hit that island. They were hopeful they were going to come back. Kuribayashi also wanted to make sure the U.S. was inflicted with so many injuries and casualties, that they would have second thoughts about doing an invasion of mainland Japan, which might preserve what was left of the Japanese empire,” Mergen said.

In the end, 6,800 U.S. Marines were killed and more then 23,000 wounded, Mergen said.

The Japanese also suffered casualties, with more than 22,000 killed, and less than 1,000 captured, Mergen said.

“Between the two countries, almost 30,000 people were killed at Iwo Jima, Mergen said. “Imagine going around Litchfield and laying 30,000 bodies across that town. That’s about how big that island was. That was how many people died.

|||||||||||||||||||||||||

COVER STORY

“It was a massacre for the Japanese.

It was a massacre for the U.S.,” Mergen said. “Was it worth it?

Consider, five months later, the U.S. dropped the atomic bombs on Japan.

Was it worth it, if the U.S. knew it was that close to developing the atomic bomb? Should they have just waited and dropped it on Iwo Jima? It was all military personnel there anyway. I can tell you that each one of these three men that were part of that battle, will tell you, it was worth it. The U.S. absolutely had to control that island to continue that war ... to stop the bombing runs the Japanese were making on the U.S. troops, whether on their carriers or on land. It was worth it.”

The United States returned Iwo Jima to Japan in 1968. Today, it’s basically uninhabited. Although the Japanese do keep one of the air strips open to do training exercises and occasionally allow the United States to do some training, as well, Mergen said.

Here to remember While Tipka, Nordlie and Mortenson lived through the Battle of Iwo Jima, Mergen knows many lost their lives, including people who once lived in the area.Wendall Miller of Atwater was killed in Iwo Jima; and Don Nygaard, who grew up south of Grove City, died Feb. 17 at Iwo Jima, Mergen said.

“The U.S. started their pre-invasion bombings three days beforehand. Don was on a ship that got hit from artillery off of Iwo Jima and died two days before the invasion started. He died on the ship,” he said.

“That’s why we’re here today We’re here to remember that,” Mergen told an attentive crowd of about 100 people who gathered at a Memorial Day presentation in Grove City this spring to listen to his talk.

Mergen’s presentation “is wonderful,” Mortenson said afterward. He likes that Mergen has been able to give the presentation to more people to share the stories of Iwo Jima.

Tipka agreed. “He did a beautiful job. I enjoy Tim’s presentation. I didn’t think people would care about it because we had enough war.”

Mergen deflects any praise saying, “I’m just honored that they trust me to do this. I’m humbled by the whole experience.” I

SEPTEMBER 2014 | ZEST

13

|||||||||||||||||||||||||

FOOD & FUN

Whole-Wheat Dark Chocolate Zucchini Brownies 1 cup white whole-wheat flour 1/3 cup Nestlé Toll House Baking Cocoa 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt 1 cup Nestlé Toll House Dark Chocolate Morsels, divided 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 large egg whites 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups grated zucchini (about 3 medium) Preheat oven to 350. Line 9-inch-

square baking pan with foil. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Melt 3/4 cup morsels in large, microwave-safe bowl on high (100 percent) power for 1 minute; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Stir in oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg whites and vanilla extract. Stir in flour mixture; fold in zucchini. Spread into prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup morsels over top. Bake for 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Lift brownies from pan; cut into 16 squares. Store in airtight container for up to five days.

SOURCE: WWW.CULINARY.NET/NESTLÉ

Crossword puzzle Across 1. Bouquets 7. Prejudices 13. Emissary 14. Cause of hereditary variation 15. Spruce up 16. Power tools for smoothing wood 18.“Unforgettable” singers 19. Decide to leave, with “out” 21.Arch type 22. Cuckoos 23. Pigtail, e.g.

25. Bluster 26.Affranchise 27. Fixed 29.After expenses 30.Aridity 32. Baton wielder 34.Appropriate 35. Charge 36. Sack 40. ___ Island,TV show 44. Backstabber 45.Vine-supporting latticework 47.“So ___ me!”

48. ___ acid, a product of protein metabolism 50. Lieu 51.“Empedocles on ___” (Matthew Arnold poem) 52. Data

14

Crossword puzzle answer on Page 15 53. Sylvester, to Tweety 54. Ishmael’s people 55. Collapse 58. Some theater 60. Farmer, at times 61. Sacred Zoroastrian writings 62. Fitting room endeavors 63. Cash in

ZEST | SEPTEMBER 2014

Down 1. One who distributes charity 2.That which exists 3. Baddies 4. Foot pads 5.Absorbed, as a cost 6. Married women (Spanish) 7. Christian rite involving

water 8. Down with the flu 9. ___ king, food (2 wds) 10. Man of La Mancha 11. Chic 12. More tranquil 15.Almost boil 17. Begin 20. Crash site?

23. Rouses to action 24. Hearing impairment device (2 wds) 27. Cache 28. Parenting challenges 31. 40 winks 33. Undertake, with “out” 36.Ancient Celtic priest 37. Heartfelt 38. More rigid 39.A through Z 40. Freight car without sides or roof (2 wds) 41.Ancient fertility goddess 42. Ray of sunlight 43. Bakery supply 46. Grassland 49. England Dan and John Ford ___, singing duo 51. Clear, as a disk 54. Lying, maybe 56.“Much ___ About Nothing” 57. Big ___ Conference 59.“___ Maria”

|||||||||||||||||||||||||

FOOD & FUN

Prairie Senior Cottages

Apple-Cranberry Oatmeal Scones With Maple Vanilla Glaze 1/2 cup evaporated cane juice 4 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese 4 tablespoons canola oil or trans-fat free spread 4 large egg whites 1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 1/4 cups (6 packets) Kashi Heart to Heart Instant Oatmeal (any flavor) 3/4 cup whole wheat flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 cup apples (tart varieties) diced into small cubes 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins

Prairie Senior Cottages features • 24-Hour On-site Caregivers • Secured Building • Nutritious Family Style Meals • Specialized Programming • RN Supervision & Case Management • Medication Supervision • Daily Personal Hygiene • Personal Laundry • Housekeeping • Personal Transportation • Professional Management

Prairie Senior Cottages, LLC

Built on Preserving Dignity SOURCE: WWW. CULINARY.NET/ KASHI CEREALS

Preheat oven to 350. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick vegetable spray or line with parchment paper. Cream evaporated cane juice, cream cheese and oil until smooth. Beat in egg whites and mix in yogurt and vanilla. In another bowl, mix together oatmeal, flour and baking powder. Add diced apples and cranberries to dry mixture. Gently fold dry and wet ingredients together (if mix is too dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons nonfat milk). Place spoonfuls of dough onto prepared sheet, leaving room between scones. Bake 20 to 25 minutes (only until bottoms of scones slightly golden).

To make glaze, cream all ingredients together until smooth. *Add more milk if too thick or more powdered sugar if too thin.

Place in refrigerator to set-up into firmer consistency if desired, or spread glaze over warm scones. Makes 16 scones.

For more information, call John Peterson.

Hutchinson: 320-587-5508 Alexandria: 320-763-8244 Willmar: 320-235-6022 New Ulm: 507-359-3420

N02183

Glaze 1 cup powdered sugar 1 to 2 tablespoons nonfat milk* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon maple extract or 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup

When a comfortable, stress-free environment is combined with trained caregivers, people with Alzheimer’s Disease or related memory disorders experience a better quality of life.

www.prairieseniorcottages.com

Answer to Crossword Puzzle published on Page 14

SEPTEMBER 2014 | ZEST

15

We serve people wherever they choose to live Ecumen of Litchfield provides a full array of services:

Senior Housing

Community Services

Independent Living & Housing with Services • Gloria Dei & Emmaus Place • Bethany Assisted Living • Memory Care

• Adult Day Services • Home Care & Hospice Care • Hospice Care • Foot Care Clinics • Lifeline® • Meals on Wheels • Support Groups

Care Center Long Term Care & Rehabilitation Services • Emmanuel

Transportation • Meeker Public Transit • Meeker Council on Aging Volunteer Drivers

For more information: Call 320-693-2472 ————————— Visit our website: www.ecumenoflitchfield.org

Rustad Tours

2014 Tour Schedule Pacific Northwest... ......................................September 6 – 22 National Park Tour.......................................September 6 – 18 New England States...................... September 28 – October 11 Door County..............................................September 27 – 30 Minot Hostfest I............................... September 30 – October 3 Minot Hostfest II................................................ October 2 – 5 Smoky Mountains.......................................... October 13 – 20 Italian Vistas (Italy & Switzerland) ..................November 1 – 13 Christmas on the Danube (Germany & Austria) .......November 28 – December 6 ***Christmas Tours to be announced later Hawaii ................................................January 4 – 18, 2015 208 N 12th St. Box 346 Kerkhoven MN 56252 320-264-2987 1-800-525-0730 www.rustadtours.com info@rustadtours.com