Mason City Police calls, Feb. 6

02/06/19 00:13 SO1905129 S PIERCE AVE / 19TH ST SW, MASON CITY, IA Power/Water/Signs &

02/06/19 00:32 SO1905130 4TH ST SW / WINNEBAGO WAY SW Traffic Stop Vehicle

02/06/19 02:02 SO1905138 3RD ST NE / N CONNECTICUT AVE, MASON CITY, Traffic Stop Vehicle

02/06/19 04:12 SO1905142 2ND ST NE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Fire call - other

02/06/19 06:45 SO1905148 19TH ST SW / S BENJAMIN AVE, MASON CITY, IA Property Damage Collision

02/06/19 07:54 SO1905149 1625 S PENNSYLVANIA AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Disorderly/Disturbance/Fight/Out of

02/06/19 08:17 SO1905150 2261 4TH ST SW #A, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Business Alarm

02/06/19 08:31 SO1905152 1016 N FILLMORE AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Welfare check of person

02/06/19 08:39 SO1905153 304 3RD ST NE #314, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Disorderly/Disturbance/Fight/Out of

02/06/19 08:52 SO1905154 15TH ST SW / S TAFT AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Property Damage Collision

02/06/19 09:29 SO1905156 1822 43RD ST SW, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Fire Alarm

02/06/19 09:37 SO1905157 4700 4TH ST SW, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Business Alarm

The Mason City School District is choosing not to relay COVID-19 percentages to the community.

Number of restaurants: More than 100 places to eat.

Number of bars: About 15

Movie theaters and other theaters: 3, Mason City Community Theater, Cinema West Movie Theater and Stebens Children's Theater.

Trails: Trolly Trail, Lime Creek Nature Center, Georgia Hanford, East Park and miles of bike and waking trails through town.

Other outdoor activities: East Park, Georgia Hanford Park, Lime Creek Nature Center, speedway, many parks, fishing, swimming and more.

Annual tourism impact: $95 million in visitor spending.

Available hotel rooms: Nearly 500.

Must-see sites: The Music Man Square, The Stockman House, The Historic Park Inn, Mason City Aquatic Center, Mason City Motor Speedway, North Iowa Bulls Hockey, North Iowa Events Center, East Park, Central Park, Cannonball 457, Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, Kinney Pioneer Museum, Meredith Willson Boyhood Home, Prairie School Architectural Tour and more.

Top annual events: North Iowa Band Festival, Up in Smoke BBQ Bash, North Iowa Fair and Great River City Festival.

Areal shot of Newman Catholic schools.

• The first public two-year college in Iowa

• 2018 marks its 100th anniversary

• College-credit enrollment of nearly 3,000

• Retention rate for first-time/full-time is 58 percent

• 239 full-time employees, including 84 faculty

• More than 250 students are involved in intercollegiate athletics

• Performing Arts & Leadership Series offers entertainment lineups each year, including Broadway musicals, children’s productions, artists, speakers and Nobel Peace Prize winners

02/06/19 10:02 SO1905158 4TH ST SW / S EISENHOWER AVE, MASON CITY, IA Traffic Stop Vehicle

02/06/19 10:26 SO1905159 116 17TH ST SE #5, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Verbal Domestic

02/06/19 10:32 SO1905160 328 14TH ST SE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Animal Complaint

02/06/19 10:39 SO1905161 1625 S PENNSYLVANIA AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Fire call - other

02/06/19 11:06 SO1905162 2424 N CAROLINA AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Residential Alarm

02/06/19 11:42 SO1905164 10TH ST NW / N PIERCE AVE, MASON CITY, IA Traffic Stop Vehicle

02/06/19 12:05 SO1905166 1700 4TH ST SE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Assault

02/06/19 12:11 SO1905167 2701 4TH ST SW, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Reckless Driver/Driving Complaint

02/06/19 12:14 SO1905168 1701 S CAROLINA AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Found Property

02/06/19 12:23 SO1905169 694 1ST ST SE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Theft or Shoplifting

02/06/19 12:41 SO1905171 6TH ST NE / N FEDERAL AVE, MASON CITY, IA Property Damage Collision

02/06/19 13:46 SO1905176 1ST ST NW / N CRESCENT DR, MASON CITY, IA Property Damage Collision

02/06/19 13:52 SO1905177 1000 4TH ST SW, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Fire Alarm

02/06/19 14:01 SO1905179 326 1ST ST NW, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Medical Call

02/06/19 14:20 SO1905181 2150 COUNTRY CLUB DR, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Fraud/Swindle

02/06/19 14:37 SO1905183 19TH ST SE / S HAMPSHIRE AVE, MASON CITY, IA Property Damage Collision

02/06/19 15:04 SO1905185 1004 QUINCY AVE N, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Civil Situation/Custody/Property

What is wrong with these people? That's what my dear mother would say if she was alive today!

Returning after nearly half a century, I am baffled. So before I got back to whence I came, I'll throw by 50 cents worth in. Mason City's economy is nonexistent. If y'all want to kick-start Cerro Gordo (fat hill), I'd suggest the economic development council hire a jam-up grant writer instead of raising utilities and taxing the middle class for all these past foo-pas your city's council seems to dream up.

That bottle bill is no longer working. Use a closed-down plant or factory and build a state-of-the-art recycling facility. Get some people working and get rid of these flies!

Use that boarded up Marshal and Swift building a nonprofit alternative education program. Teach vocational skills, small-engine repair, welding, plumbing and such. Use Patrick's Place as a culinary school for healthy foods, growing herbs and seasonal veggies.

And now that Younkers is gone, bulldoze Southbridge! Turn it into a park, with food truck vendors and artisans. Have a splash station for summertime fun. Ice it over in the winter for outdoor skating, cocoa shacks and soup stations. The grants are out there.

Lastly and of grave concern is your court system. I cannot call it a judicial one. The plea deals or probation for crimes against the innocent and vulnerable sickens me. And I have no suggestions for that.

Dear Mother would say at times, "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!" Needless to say my experience has been enlightening. I've made some awesome friends and learned a lot about this weather!

Jo Parker, Mason City

Congratulations to Mason City Newman on its baseball championship this summer. However, I wonder if it is somewhat tainted. While attending a Lisbon game this summer, I overheard a fan say, "Everyone hates Newman because they recruit players." It is evidently legal in Iowa but could be considered morally objectionable.

Putting all that aside, here is my main reason for this letter. I was not able to attend the championship game in Des Moines but was kept apprised of the progress. When hearing that my grandson, Brett Givens, who pitched for Lisbon, hit three batters in the first inning, it raised a question mark for me. Is the Newman coach teaching his players to get hit by pitches? My grandson does not throw exceptionally fast but is very accurate, can spot his pitches very well and did not hit another batter all year in over 15 games pitched.

While looking at Iowa high school baseball statistics, I noticed that Newman pitches were hit by pitches 106 times and that no other team in all of Iowa was hit 100 times. I wonder if Newman would have won as many games if it hadn't been "lucky" enough to for the players to get hit by pitches at possibly exact opportune times.

One wonders if this is really luck or a set pattern by a super egotistical coach who wants to win at any and all costs? If so, I hope there's not a "slip up" one of these years and one of his players gets seriously injured. Also, I wonder if the Iowa High School Athletic Association should initiate an investigation, and could a reprimand, suspension or worse be in order?

James Givens, Rio Hondo, Texas

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

I am a grandfather of three Newman graduates who played baseball on state championship teams, including this year. Mr. Givens’ ill-informed rant ("Sour grapes over baseball title," Aug. 29) full of personal attacks, skewed facts, and disingenuous congratulations must come from his lack of understanding of the game and a superficial analysis of the statistics, or perhaps just gossip.

Congratulations to Mason City Newman on its baseball championship this summer. However, I wonder if it is somewhat tainted. While attending a …

Mr. Givens character is reflected in his personal attack on Coach Bohl, whom I’m sure he hasn’t met, and the Newman organization. The Newman baseball program enjoys a reputation of excellence in our community, the state of Iowa and beyond. Coach Bohl and his assistants demand and get the best from their players on and off the field. Newman teams offer respect to all but quarters to none.

The assertion that Newman recruits to build a team is refuted by the fact that all but one player on this year’s team started kindergarten at Newman. Which 5-year-old is your next star? A tradition can’t be imported; it must be built. If excellence is the goal, wins and losses take care of themselves.

While I am sure that Brett Givens is a fine young man, being on that large of a stage and facing that storied opponent might rattle a person and affect his accuracy. The hit batters stat only speaks to the quality of opposing pitchers and the toughness of Newman batters. Scoring 477 runs in a year doesn’t suggest luck.

I do observe that Mr. Givens diminishes the achievements of his grandson and the Lisbon team by denigrating the Iowa High School Athletic Association, umpires and opponents. Instead of celebrating their great season, he puts a sad footnote to their accomplishments. There is no disgrace in being beaten by a better team – just in being a poor sport.

Arlin Beemer, Mason City

This is in response to John Johnson's letter regarding the left's supposedly hypocritical stance on border control versus gun control.

First off, most people on the left do not have any problem with having a border that is safe and secure, both for the sake of the citizens of the United States as well as the citizens of Mexico. Our issue with border control relates more to how some politicians choose to implement those security measures, and the ideas they have to try and solve the problem (building a wall that will do nothing to actually stop people from coming here, for instance, and which would be a complete waste of money that could be put to much better use).

We also take issue with the nasty rhetoric used by some to describe immigrants. Whether they're here legally or not, they deserve to be treated like human beings. Stereotyping and discriminating against them is not the way to tackle the issue.

Second, an immigrant's legal status does not have any bearing whatsoever on how likely they are to commit murder. That's not how it works. The vast majority of undocumented/illegal immigrants are non-violent. Besides that, plenty of people have been killed by citizens who were either born and raised in this country or came here legally, too.

Finally, John, if you want your view points to be taken seriously and respected, maybe drop the snide tone and dismissal of "lefties", as well as the jabs at Hogg. Just saying.

Angela Niles, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

You may remember the Pentagon Papers case. The decision from the Supreme Court shows us why we can't have a delusional tyrant defame the free press. From Justice Black, concurring with Justice Douglas regarding New York Times v. United States:

"In the First Amendment, the Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy. The press was to serve the governed, not the governors. The Government's power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the Government. The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and inform the people.

"Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government. And paramount among the responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of the government from deceiving the people and sending them off to distant lands to die of foreign fevers and foreign shot and shell.

"In my view, far from deserving condemnation for their courageous reporting, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and other newspapers should be commended for serving the purpose that the Founding Fathers saw so clearly. In revealing the workings of government that led to the Vietnam war, the newspapers nobly did precisely that which the Founders hoped and trusted they would do."

Paul Barenthin, Northwood

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

It has been over a year since we started our journey to save Albert Lea's health care. We have rallied, lobbied, raised funds, attended countless meetings, written letters, called politicians and visited the state capitol. I and several others even learned how to tweet!

We are fortunate that Save Our Healthcare has the support of both city and county. There are many brilliant, determined and compassionate people working together to accomplish our goal to regain control of our health care.

Have you ever heard the song “Unanswered Prayers?" I believe that we will live to appreciate the turn of events that started a year ago. Let go of the past and look to the future! In the meantime, we still have ER, clinic, same-day surgery, Health Reach, and cancer center. Mayo will provide surgery here until 2019 and baby delivery until 2020. Soon Mayo will add inpatient behavioral health to treat the mentally ill (a disease like cancer or diabetes; with proper care, there is much hope.)

We are now in the first phase with the consulting firm that will guide us in restoring our lost services. We have had many calls from potential providers that are interested in our endeavor. They recognize that at the intersection of two interstates lies a beautiful city with caring residents, an historic downtown, vibrant businesses and thriving education institutions. They see a Blue Zone community with walking trails, bike trails, parks, gorgeous lakes, beautiful assisted living centers, and much more.

Remember that you are an important part of our success.

Merilynn Linde, Albert Lea, Minn.

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

The process for confirming President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee has started. As a member of Concerned Women for America of Iowa, I support the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Kavanaugh was confirmed to the D.C. Circuit Court in 2006, and his record is exemplary, supporting the Constitution and its original intent. Not only does his record show that he is a guardian of our liberties as spelled out in the Constitution, he is highly regarded by those with whom he has worked. He has an extensive resume from clerking in the Ninth and Third Circuit Courts to serving as associate counsel and senior associate counsel to President George W. Bush.

Alberto R. Gonzales, former Attorney General of the United States, has remarked that Kavanaugh understands the appropriate role of a judge, that he is disciplined and not arrogant.

Kavanaugh is the kind of individual that I want as a public servant. He has demonstrated that he bases his rulings within the confines of the Constitution and that he is a conservator of liberty. He is highly capable, and I believe he is an excellent nominee for the Supreme Court.

Carol A. Evers, Riverside

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Oh Skipper, there you go again! While there are certainly twists in this year’s elections, there are many more twists than what's been reported.

When writing about the challenge to incumbent Pat Wright who has been treasurer for eight years, and worked in that office for 40, you stated Natasha Lewerke was fired from the Treasurer’s office “for an error in dispersal of funds involving car dealerships.” The Globe Gazette newspaper reported on June 2016 that the State's audit revealed "based on the DOT's calculation, a dealership and a company performing upfitting avoided paying approximately $283,867.” That’s one heck of an error; it wasn’t a dispersal. I think it was one dealership and one company that turned chassis into saleable trucks; no cars involved. The devil’s in the details.

I’ve got to admit that Natasha is not short on moxie, responding to her termination by suing Cerro Gordo County, Pat Wright as treasurer and Pat Wright personally. The case was dismissed with prejudice. "The lawsuit continued to be drug out [sic] and it was most important for me to be able to run for this position," Lewerke said. "Pursuing my dream to be treasurer is much bigger than any lawsuit." I guess so! Her signs just say “County Treasurer Natasha Lewerke."

Skipper got one part very right, people are not real aware of county elections. Next time you look at one of Natasha’s signs, imagine an uninformed voter seeing it. Doesn’t she appear to be the incumbent? “Re-elect Pat Wright for Treasurer” seems a bit more forthright.

Oh well, this year it seems that the Republicans are abounding in truthiness … like attributing a political portfolio to a first-time candidate because her husband’s brother won a seat. My son-in-law’s a brewer; think Fat Hill will let me run their vats?

Tracy Smith, Clear Lake

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Hey lefties, question: If gun control is the answer to school shootings, would not border control be the answer to illegals killing American citizens?

And before you whine about politicizing the death of Mollie Tibbetts at the hands of an illegal immigrant, you and your happy cohorts in the media need to look at yourself and your gushing support the likes of David “cameraman” Hogg. Newspapers ran stories covering his nationwide bus tour.

John Johnson, Britt

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

In 2014, the Iowa Gun Owners sent their Federal Candidate survey to then candidate Rod Blum. They asked Rod Blum if he supports repealing the “Lautenberg Domestic Misdemeanor Gun Ban.” The Lautenberg Amendment, named after Sen. Frank Lautenberg, made it illegal for convicted domestic abusers to buy a gun. Domestic abuse victims need such protections because these victims are five times as likely to end up dead if their abuser can access a gun. Sen. Lautenberg argued that wife-beaters and child-abusers should not have guns. But Rod Blum wanted to repeal the Lautenberg Amendment, in essence saying, wife-beaters and child-abusers should have guns.

On this same survey, Blum vowed to oppose any expansion of background checks to purchase a firearm. Those who currently wish to purchase guns or ammo without undergoing a background check can do so through private gun sales or over the internet. Most gun owners and NRA members want universal background checks. They support universal background checks because, as law-abiding citizens, they do not want criminals and people with mental health issues to access guns. But Rod Blum opposed universal background checks.

In April 2017, I spoke to Rep. Blum in person. I wrote down questions about Blum’s survey answers, gave him the paper with my contact info, and asked him to respond to these questions. Blum took the paper, shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and promised to respond to these questions. Rod Blum never contacted me about this or answered my questions. As a concerned citizen, I do not want women and children who have suffered abuse to be shot by their abusers. And as a voter, I do not want a representative who tells me to my face he will answer these questions, and then breaks that promise.

Caleb Gates, Cedar Rapids

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

From the time Mary Markwalter took over at the library, she has been trying to get the society out of there. One of the first things she did was to remove about half of their shelving and put it in another room. It was not used for anything, just sitting there empty. But she asserted her authority.

She has not been friendly to the people working in the room (ask some of the genealogy members), being rude and constantly remarking how the society was taking up room, time and library assets while doing nothing meaningful.

Mary enjoys power, and some of us in the society wonder if she really wants (or needs) the room, or whether it's just another attempt to gain total control over her little fiefdom. She runs the building like a prison, which is another example of her desire for power. So I wish everyone would just step back, take a deep breath, and ask the real purpose in this proposed change. Is there a real purpose in this, or just another step in Mary's little game of total control?

Also consider this: once she gets the genealogy department out of there, how long before she sets her sights on the archives room?

The library is a needed, respected and loved part of Mason City. But it should not be run on someone's ego or desire for authority.

Lowell Swenson, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

James Givens, Rio Hondo, Texas

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Update on genealogy library (GL) eviction: Thirty-five supporters attended the library board meeting on Aug. 21. Twelve or more spoke 75 minutes on the importance of keeping the GL intact in its present location in the MCPL, plus we'd gathered 725 signatures on a petition. The board tabled it, as three members were absent. Two members stated they did not see the necessity of voting on this matter, as they had already voted on it. (May 5, voted to evict the GL). They approved an extension until Sept. 30, but told us to continue looking for alternate space.

City Council wants the two groups to reach a compromise. The Library Board proposes: 1) NCIGS turn ownership of our collection over to the MCPL. 2) The collection would be moved to another area. (Library director stated in July they only had room for 500 of our 5000 items.) 3) Our members can apply to become volunteers to conduct genealogy searches. (Impossible with 90 percent of the collection missing.) NCIGS Board learned of this proposal the night before the meeting. It was never formally sent. The "stinger" is the room is to become a meeting room with a fee. That is more important than a genealogy library?

NCIGS proposes: 1) GL be left as is, but renamed the Genealogy and History Center and operated by NCIGS. (MCPL is almost totally lacking in history resources, which the GL has); 2) NCIGS will pay $1,200 a year (FY2018 the library received $1,315 for all rented rooms). The Globe Gazette Editorial Board stated NCIGS should not have free space. We were never asked to pay anything.

Now, who has been willing to compromise? We need the public to speak up for us. Please contact your city councilman. Thanks for your support.

Carol Tinkey, Mason City

Gov. Reynolds understands Iowa farmers. She has signed into law affordable health care for farmers, testifying to the EPA in favor of Iowa's biofuel industry, and pressing President Trump's administration to support ethanol production and expand markets for Iowa farmers among this growing trade war.

Fred Hubbell's criticism of Gov. Reynolds as "nothing more than politics" shows an extreme negligence of the farming community.

This November, I am supporting our Governor, Kim Reynolds.

Nancy Rockman, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Library needs, genealogy materials, climate change, the republic

I've been saddened to read about the Mason City Public Library's threat of removing the genealogical collection from the building. The collection represents unknown long hours, days and years of hard work done by dedicated volunteers to preserve such important history for future generations.

Many people do not become interested in researching their family lineage until mid-life when they have more time and motivation to do the research. Libraries are the logical places for people to seek such help, as I did when finding our family's past.

I have used the MCPL, Forest City Public Library, St. Olaf College library and archives, plus many other resources in the past. I also used the local newspaper archives to obtain obituaries that were put on index cards in both the Lake Mills and Forest City libraries. This information has helped many people, locally and out-of-state, to flush out family ancestors. It has been exciting to connect descendants to early ancestors who were early residents of my hometown of Lake Mills.

A town's genealogical collections should be considered a "real gem" in the library collection, with those using it appreciating the volunteers' service of love by the preservation of the town/community's history for future generations.

Elaine Bergan, Northwood

• Letters to the editor: Library needs, genealogy materials, climate change, the republic

Of all the issues being discussed and debated in the run up to mid-term elections, it is quite disheartening that global warming and climate change are hardly mentioned at all.

Tariffs and immigration reform are, of course, pressing issues — they have an impact on our daily lives, and should be addressed. But is there anything more urgent than working together to find ways to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and at least attempt to mitigate the catastrophic effects of global warming, such as melting polar ice, rising sea levels, and drought? Aren’t we already seeing some of these effects in extreme weather conditions, wildfires, and massively destructive hurricanes?

I am encouraged by the efforts of people like Don Hofstrand, providing reliable information about the causes and effects of global warming, and by groups such as the Citizens Climate Lobby, organizing ordinary citizens, and helping us use the power of our voice and our vote to demand concrete actions by those we have elected to represent us at all levels of government.

Whether it is at a political rally or town hall meeting or just in conversation at the coffee shop, we should keep this issue out front. It should not be said by our children or by future generations that we were bystanders or silent witnesses to one of the most catastrophic disasters facing humankind. Please call, write, email, or speak directly to those we have elected to represent our voice, and to those who are seeking your vote, and let them know how important this issue to you.

Paul Collier, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy collection, drug offenders, Trump, Kavanaugh

I am deeply disappointed and dismayed that the Mason City Public Library Board and Director Mary Markwalter are demanding that the North Central Iowa Genealogical Society vacate the library's Genealogy Room, which houses over 5,000 historical reference materials relating to genealogy. While some of the items can be found online, many others are accessible only in print.

According to my (print) Webster's dictionary, a library is "a place where literary and artistic materials such as books, periodicals, newspapers, pamphlets, prints, records, and tapes are kept for reading, reference, or lending." Furthermore, the collection is a natural extension of the library's historical archives; both may be referenced by the same users. Properly promoted, the two sections can enhance the library's fine reputation.

In addition to personal interest, genealogy is a topic often assigned to students from elementary level through post-high school. Social studies and history teachers and their students often visit the collection.

NCIGS is a nonprofit organization maintained by volunteers who also staff the genealogy room during daytime library hours. Any proposed move is expensive beyond our means, in large part because any area housing the collection must be climate-controlled to prevent damage to valuable documents by heat, cold and humidity. The purchase or rent and remodeling of suitable quarters is vastly beyond the means of NCIGS.

To date, no other potential use of the space has been divulged.

Please join teachers, NCIGS and other interested citizens in preserving this valuable library of materials by attending the Mason City Council meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 21. The library board meets at 4:15 p.m. the same day in the second floor of the board room.

Doris Smith, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy collection, drug offenders, Trump, Kavanaugh

According to USA Today, genealogy is currently the second most popular hobby in the U.S.

Despite online resources, family history isn’t becoming an armchair-only hobby. A few years ago, University of Illinois Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism professor Carla Santos described “genealogy tourists” as a fast-growing segment of leisure travelers. They’re tourists in search of their own stories. After interviewing visitors to the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Santos described them as searching for a “generational sense of the self.”

“It starts at home, where they learn everything they can online. Then they want the tactile experience of research, of going to the library to learn more.”

“This form of tourism is growing rapidly and is increasingly popular as western societies age,” Dallen Timothy, professor at Arizona State University and editor of the Journal of Heritage Tourism.

During the last major library remodeling, the club and the library worked together, planning club space in the library as part of the library’s long-term plans. Now some club shelving has been removed at the librarian’s instructions causing irreplaceable documents to be stored on the porch of a club member.

Genealogy resources that can’t be found on the internet are a draw to the genealogist. Not all resource material can be digitized; old maps and plat books are valuable for research and information.

The genealogy group depends on membership dues for its finances and doesn’t have funding or cash flow to be able to buy or rent space elsewhere.

Library use is trending down. Libraries need to support resources that bring people in the door to justify their existence.

Library board: reverse the eviction order and support this valuable part of your community.

Patty Paul, Boerne, Texas

I am worried for our country. If we do not get off our backside and stop this violent movement that is happening now by the far left and right, we will lose our republic and Constitution to socialism. We have a right to march and protest peacefully, but we do not have a right to violence.

As a citizen of the United States, we not only have a right to vote, but it is our duty to vote. We need to elect people who will represent us and enforce all our laws equally without a two-tier system.

In Webster's dictionary, look up the definition of a republic and socialism. Then decide which we want to be governed by. Let us act now, so we don't have to react later.

Alyce Hugeback, Hampton

On June 1, Mark Suby, president of North Central Iowa Genealogical Society, received a letter from librarian Mary Markwalter. It stated: “Due to the changing space utilization needs of the library, the Mason City Public Library Board of Directors is requesting that the North Central Iowa Genealogical Society remove the items owned by the Society and its members and vacate the space currently used by the Society at the Mason City Public Library by August 1, 2018.”

The Genealogy Library has been located in the MCPL since 1979. The first few years, they operated out of a few boxes but over the years through grants and donations, the library has grown to over 5,000 books. There are books on immigrants from European countries, passenger lists from ships, several sections on Iowa with histories of towns, cemetery records, church histories, plat maps, family histories, census, military records, and vital records from 1855-1940, and so much more.

It is considered a top-notch genealogy library, a place where not only citizens of Mason City and Cerro Gordo County come for information about their ancestors, but also serves the surrounding eight counties, plus people all across the country who stop in or write us.

There is renewed interest in genealogy with DNA testing and the TV show, plus, Rod Hungerford is in the library most weekdays to assist people who don’t have a computer or have no idea how to use one to find genealogy records.

So what is to happen to this valuable genealogical collection we have amassed? NCIGS is a small organization and doesn’t have money to pay rent, so will it end up in the city dump? We need help and input from the citizens of Mason City.

Carol Tinkey, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed “eviction” of the Genealogy Room at the Mason City Public Library. This Genealogy Room holds an extensive collection of genealogical materials including local, regional and state family histories, cemetery records and other related items of interest – gathered over many years. These materials are of great interest to people in the North Iowa and southern Minnesota areas. This collection is one of the most complete and most sophisticated of its type in Iowa and Minnesota. Many volunteers have spent hours collecting and collating these materials and have organized them into albums, journals and displays.

My granddaughter and I have spent hours there obtaining family records. It has been an educational experience for both of us. She, as a young girl, was able to learn of some of her ancestry and to establish a hobby of studying genealogy. I have often thought of how blessed we are to have such a wealth of information close to us in the Mason City Public Library.

It would be a shame, a tragedy to move this extensive collection to another location. Most likely, it would result in it being fragmented and located to multiple locations.

I am hopeful that the Library Board and the City Council will reconsider and give second thought in order to keep this very valuable Mason City resource in its current location.

Judy Evans, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

I see in the paper that due to a shortage of personnel in the military we are now going to allow people in with past drug use and other issues with the law. In the 1950s and '60s similar people were given a choice of prison or military duty when in trouble with the law. Let's save the $200 million the government is now offering in bonuses for new recruits, offer the old either-or choice to offenders, and also take some burden off our prison system.

Robert Freund, Greene

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Donald Trump called on Attorney General Jeff Sessions, or Mr. Magoo as Trump once called him, to end the special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, just the latest in a series of actions indicating Trump believes he is above the law.

These actions have not been actions and words that we would see from an innocent man. An innocent person would fully cooperate in every way possible to expedite a conclusion and clear their name and get back to running the country. Trump has shown time and again that he intends to thwart the investigation, even at the risk of triggering a constitutional crisis.

Yet in a recent poll, 37 percent of Americans said Trump was honest and trustworthy. This also tells us that this same 37 percent from the poll are idiots and/or woefully uniformed. I am begging for Mueller to subpoena Trump's income tax returns. The only reason anyone would not release them voluntarily as all previous presidential candidates have since it has been expected over the last 50 years, is obviously because they don't want voters to know what is there. Duh?! Is the audit still ongoing after two years?

For those of us that thought that maybe after elected he would tame down and do a respectable job, you can kiss that thought goodbye. It is much worse than I could have ever imagined. He has embarrassed Americans and insulted our allies over and over and again. He represents the greatest danger this great country has been in for decades. He makes stupid Americans even more stupid! Trump has proven at least one thing: the Constitution may have given the president too much power, at least in Trump's case.

Steve Epperly, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

After the filing of the Freedom of Information Act request by the Democratic senators was denied, I became concerned about the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Why are the Republican senators sanitizing Kavanaugh’s government records during his service under President George W. Bush? Is it the possibility that Kavanaugh lied to the Senate prior to his confirmation in 2006? Why not turn over all the records that will show whether Kavanaugh was or was not involved in discussions about Guantamino Bay torture?

Any member of Congress, including Sen. Grassley, should be concerned enough to let the record speak for itself.

Julie Stewart Ziesman, Waukee

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

There seems to be a great deal of conflict surrounding the genealogy society's use of a room in the Mason City Public Library. The room has been in use for the past 40 years and is lauded as one of the great collections for persons searching for their ancestors. The service is used not only by locals but by many across the state of Iowa and internationally as well. Since the availability of tracing ancestors through DNA, the process has become a phenomenon worldwide.

The service of the society is not only widely known, it has the ability to provide necessary help required by those of us who need help and are not Internet-savvy. Placing this service on the Internet is not a viable solution because the society has the guidance of a valuable person to give help to those of us who need it. Let's face it: I still recall having to leave my comfortable chair to walk across the living room and turn the knob on the television to channels 3, 6 and 10.

I don't understand why this service, which is such a gem and a star in Mason City's history, can be closed without a win-win agreement. The library board meets at the library on Aug. 21 and is open to the public. Please attend to fight to keep this service that Mason City should be proud of.

Nancy Hewett, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

I read with a heavy heart Steve Bohnel's article about the Mason City Public Library's decision to force the North Central Iowa Genealogical Society to move out of the public library building. As both a Mason City native and as a genealogist, I am appalled at the library's decision.

Public libraries all across the country -- small and large -- know that family history researchers are among their most important patrons and supporters. Libraries have changed a lot over the past half-century, but one thing remains the same -- it is a place people can go to get help with all kinds of research.

Small nonprofit genealogy societies like NCIGS really have few options. Many small genealogy and family history societies across the Midwest rely on public libraries and historical societies for their physical existence.

Yes, there is a lot on the internet, but family history researchers know that there is no substitute for getting help from local volunteers (and professional librarians) who know the local territory. What better place than a public library?

I am a director of the Minnesota Genealogical Society, a past president of MGS, and a past director of the Association of Professional Genealogists. I graduated from Mason City High School in 1968, and have always thought the Mason City Public Library was one of the best things about Mason City -- a real gem the Mason City should be proud of.

I hope there is a happy ending to this story.

Jay Fonkert, Roseville, Minnesota

I raise my toilet plunger to the cast, crew, orchestra, design and production team of Urinetown the Musical.

Using comedy to present a serious subject is tricky, but the lively choreography and amazing singing talent on stage at Mason City Community Theater carry it off splendidly. The outstanding talent of both new and returning members reminds me that we don't have to travel to a big city for professional live theater; it is right here under our noses. You won't want to miss the youngest members of the cast who don't miss a beat and appear to be having the time of their lives.

So get on over to Mason City Community Theater for the remaining shows Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m., and better bring a little extra change in case you need to to use "the facilities." Just kidding!

However, our donations to One Iowa North Scholarship Fund are welcome and the tips on conserving water that are posted on the walls remind us of what not to take for granted.

Beverly Butler, Mason City

Factory farms are detrimental to public health. They contribute to hazardous water conditions where people and animals can get sick by drinking or even touching water. It makes a person think, why are so many confinements going up?

Part of the reason is because counties and local folks have no say in the construction of factory farms. Even if a community opposes them due to environmental, health or other reasons, the DNR gets the final say -- and they almost always get rubber stamped.

We need local control in every county so the people can decide what they want.

Thankfully, more people and their county supervisors are saying enough is enough! Twenty-two counties have passed resolutions or written letters requesting action from the Legislature. They are nonbinding but sent a clear message to the Statehouse that people on the ground want more protections from factory farms. Has your county taken action?

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is listening to people who want change. No more factory farms until we have local control and fewer than 100 impaired water bodies in Iowa.

Shannon Walker, Clarion

As a past member of the Board of Directors and past employee of Timely Mission Nursing Home, I was sadden by the death of Virginia Olthoff and the mistakes that may have been made. However, it should also be noted that Timely Mission has a long history of treating residents with respect and dignity.

While no nursing home is perfect, I know that the staff and board of Timely Mission care deeply for the residents they serve. The people of Buffalo Center and surrounding communities have been very fortunate to have this facility in our community for 50 plus years.

Timely Mission has always passed yearly inspections by the State of Iowa with few or any discrepancies. The threat of the state imposing a $30,000 fine will only impose hardship on the current residents and staff. This money would need to be made up by higher fees to residents or lower employee pay. It will do nothing to fix the mistake that was made.

I sincerely believe that while Virginia may have not been treated correctly, everything necessary is being done to make sure it never happens again. The people of Buffalo Center should continue to have full confidence that their loved ones will be treated with the respect and love they so deserve.

Denny Murra, Buffalo Center

BUFFALO CENTER | Virginia Olthoff's daughter says she was a cheerful, kindhearted woman who loved to give others affectionate nicknames like "…

Kristen Arnold recently shared her opinion whose to blame for Iowa's pollution ("Iowa deserves better waterways," published Aug. 1). Her view was corporate farmers. My contention is she needs to evaluate her footprint first.

Does she know the water quality in the Des Moines River before and after it passes thru her community? A farmer is required to test his soils. Does she know what emissions are emitted from her car? A new John Deere tractor's engine actually has cleaner air coming out than going in. Does she know her personal trash probably goes to a landfill which as it decays, if at all, produces methane gas?

We all have ownership in our water issues. Each of us leaves a footprint on the environment each and everyday.

Instead of blaming someone else for the problem, let's focus on creating and solutions.

Brent Fedders, Mason City

My family went to Pine Lake State Park for a greatly anticipated weekend of camping, swimming and beach picnics. When we arrived, we learned t…

In response to Roxann Newell's letter to the editor ("Touched by aunt's forgiveness," July 25): One should not make a judgement until they are sure they have all the facts.

Before my statement was read, I asked the judge if I could say a few words. She said yes. I told everyone that my statement was not at attack on Codie, but an attack on what Codie did. The Globe did not post that part.

Very few people besides myself and my wife knew what was going on. Many times we shared a meal with Ken, Kathy and Codie, and sometimes just to visit.

Both me and my wife would offer words of encouragement to Codie. Many times we would listen to Ken and Kathy's hopes and frustrations concerning Codie.

As far as Sharon being able to forgive Codie: Sharon did not know Codie personally due to a 35-year rift that Sharon had with Ken. The rift continued up to Ken's death.

It's easy to forgive when you don't know what's going on.

Marv Hackbart, Mason City

What is wrong with these people? That's what my dear mother would say if she was alive today!

That bottle bill is no longer working. Use a closed-down plant or factory and build a state-of-the-art recycling facility. Get some people working and get rid of these flies!

Jo Parker, Mason City

My family went to Pine Lake State Park for a greatly anticipated weekend of camping, swimming and beach picnics. When we arrived, we learned the water was unsafe due to bacterial contamination. How disappointing for the weekend but how tragic for life!

I'm happy to pay taxes to protect public land, but now we can't even enjoy them. In Iowa where there are seven times more pigs than people, our waterways are under perpetual toxic harm. We know that corporate agriculture is the biggest contributor to water pollution in Iowa.

It doesn't have to be this way. Can you imagine the amazing recreational/tourist possibility of our rivers and public parks if our waters were pollutant-free?

Bottom line: this isn't just our swimming water, irrigating water, life-sustaining water. To get the clean water that Iowa's families deserve, we need polluters to pay to clean up the mess they made.

Kristyn Arnold, Des Moines

No justice. It was very disheartening and disappointing to see another admitted pedophile to be given a very soft plea deal, as reported in the Globe Gazette on July 17.

This time it's Hancock County County Attorney, Robert Blake Norman, making the shameful deal with Damien Kyhl, who sexually assaulted multiple children over multiple years.

Instead of taking him to trial and being able to take this sexual offender off our streets for decades, it appears he'll be serving what could be five years of a negotiated 10-year sentence.

In no time. this pedophile will be back out and able to reoffend against our children. Also, no justice for the victims. Shameful.

We can only hope that the judge presiding in this case sees this as the dangerous plea deal this and refuses to accept it. It's past time for our county attorneys to quit making these soft plea deals with these dangerous individuals.

Pat Ropella, Mason City

It takes the debt of the lowest 55 counties to equal the combined debt of Winnebago and Mitchell counties. Sixteen of those 55 have no debt what so ever. If it wasn’t for Polk, Winnebago would be first at $40 million and Mitchell second at $32 million. Even counties with large cities like Waterloo and Cedar Rapids have lower debt.

And before a supervisor pens a reply to this paper remember this: You can drive from one county to another and your tires will always be on gravel. For the amount of debt you buried your constituents under, yours ought to be gold plated.

It really makes me wonder who was in charge to let your counties get in such disrepair that you had to borrow all that money and how you plan on repaying it while servicing current needs.

Note to the taxpaying residents of Winnebago and Mitchell who owes $72 million to bond holders: the movie "The International" has a tag line that fits your situation. “(Bondholders) control your money. They control your government. They control your life. And everybody pays.”

Hancock County is one of those debt-free 16, and for that, I thank the supervisors.

Also when you ask a Mitchell County Supervisor about the debt he piled on you, thank him for filing a lawsuit against opioid drug makers. Thanks to him and the big law firm pushing this lawsuit, the price of drugs will go up and you will get to pay for that too.

John Johnson, Britt

Dear Northwest Iowa, Please evolve. Sincerely, The Rest of Iowa.

Kevin Young, Sheffield

Trump is the worst and most dangerous president in modern times or longer. Christians, how can you support someone who was cheating on his third wife while his son was being born and admitted to assaulting many women. Remember the "Hollywood Tapes" and the 16 women who came forth, most credible? The same is true with his first two wives.

The Mueller investigation has already proven Trump has committed known crimes in his campaign for president. We probably don't know the extent but Bob Mueller and his team do. So far, Michael Cohen and General Flynn have pleaded guilty for crimes and are cooperating. Trump campaign chairman and Trump long-time associate, Paul Manfort, is not cooperating, but I don't think he will get pardoned.

Trump and his "deplorables" say it is all a "Democratic conspiracy." Really? Fired FBI director, James Comey, is a Republican and his replacement, deputy director Andrew McCabe, an independent who Trump also forced out. Current FBI director is Christopher Wray, a Republican. Fired deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, is a Republican, and Matt Whitaker is a Republican replacing the fired Jeff Sessions, a.k.a." Elmer Fudd," also a Republican who Trump called "Mr. Magoo." Bob Mueller, special prosecutor heading the Russia probe, is a Vietnam hero and former FBI director, also a Republican.

Shame on a GOP Congress which didn't want Trump either, but selfishly fell in line after the election knowing the potential for disaster.

I watched the entire George H.W. state funeral. What a stark contrast to how an American president should be and what we have. Maybe the most qualified ever and served honestly and for the good of the country, never for himself.

He was a patriot, war hero, exemplary family man, honest businessman and politician, all the opposite of Trump. Amen.

Steve Epperly, Mason City

John Skipper should retire completely. His negative “guest” columns are the last thing Mason City needs.

Across the country, brick-and-mortar retail malls are in trouble. Sears, JC Penney, Younkers, and numerous other retail giants have been leaving malls because they are no longer profitable. Mall operators need to look for alternatives to department store anchors to populate their malls. Specialty stores, restaurants, services, and entertainment represent the mall of the future.

The closing of the Younkers store presents a unique opportunity for Mason City, not the dark days indicated by Mr. Skipper in his negativity-loaded column. The redesign of the mall can now include the hotel as an integral part of the mall instead of building it in the parking lot. Take the Younkers store and convert it into the lobby of the new hotel, with meeting rooms and restaurants, with connections to the mall with its specialty stores, music events, sports events and special events that will become part of the mall in the future. Build the hotel rooms on additional floors above the mall level. The location will still be adjacent to Music Man Square, allowing for the use of that property as a conference center. The parking lots that exist would be maintained as they are.

I know that this change of direction will mean an extension of the project with the various grants changed to fit the new direction. This new direction will mean a positive direction for downtown Mason City, affirming the vote of the people and ignoring the naysayer’s dark days predictions.

Michael M Roddy, Mason City

I wonder how many Iowans and our elected officials are aware that Iowa is soon to become a dumping grounds for garbage from Minnesota. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Minneapolis suburb of Burnsville announced that they were running out of space to dump their refuse. However, waste management is working out an arrangement to solve that problem by shipping their garbage and dumping into sites in Iowa.

I can’t help but wonder if our legislators are willing to become the “go-to” garbage state for Minnesota. Why can’t they find their own site or sustainable environmental solutions instead of bringing their potential pollution problems into our state?

I think we have enough of our own problems to deal with instead of becoming the garbage state of the Midwest for other state’s problems.

What do you think Linda Upmeyer?

Robert Wolfram, Ventura

As an MCHS alum who ran track as a Mohawk, and whose brother was on the Mohawks' state championship football and swim teams, and whose sister played Mohawks sports and served as a class officer, I’m appalled at the effort underway to deep-six the name Mohawks from Mason City athletics.

According According to the respected, pro-Native American website Warpaths2Peacepipes.com, “the Mohawk were one of the most feared of all the native Indian tribes, and terrified their enemies due to the violent and brutal way in which they waged war.”

News flash to members of the Mason City School Board: Don’t even consider trying to ruffle the feathers of today’s Mohawks and their legions of fans. Any board member who votes for this ludicrous, politically correct proposal will be about as pleased with the results of their next election as Gen. Custer was with Little Big Horn.

Todd Blodgett, Clear Lake

Band Festival Parade, I remember them well. I used to look forward every year for the parade to march down State Street. Saturday I went, mainly to watch the veterans ride by. Something was drastically wrong with the whole setup.

Nowadays, this parade has turned into a mass giveaway of candy for the kids. They line the front of the onlookers, running into the street to what? Retrieve a Tootsie Roll or two shouted on by mothers and grandmothers who, if they see one, rush out in front of everyone. Kids enter into the parade route to watch for upcoming treat-throwers. There is no thought of safety for them. The throwers enter into the onlookers, also disrupting the parade enjoyment. Many throw candy into the crowd, hitting us in the face. I saw no sign of anyone keeping kids back so one can see what is coming up.

And since I'm at it, what makes the public entitled to spread out their blankets and post-off sections as early as Thursday to reserve their spot on city-owned property? Is there no order to anything anymore? I see the photos of parades past, and they are well organized and the crowd can enjoy the parade without all of the screaming of kids and mothers to "Get out in front. More candy is coming!" Next year, no parade for me, thank you!

Pat Blanchard, Mason City

In response to Le Anne Clausen de Montes's letter regarding the use of name "Mohawk" by the Mason City School District:

Most, if not all, names used today to refer to individual Native American tribes were coined by European settlers and the later independent nation states of the Americas. These names are often based on translations of derogatory terms used by enemy tribes. The "Mohawks" called themselves the "Kanien'kehá:ka" (i.e., the people of the flint). Competing Native American tribes referred to the them by various unfavorable terms such as "muhuwe:yck" which translates to "cannibal monsters" or "real snakes."

Dutch settlers paraphrased these terms into the new word "Mohawk", which first appeared in 1630. This Dutch phrase was later adopted into the English language just as Kanien'kehá:ka adopted various cultural traits from other peoples for their own benefit.

The Mason City School District does not need permission to use the English language.

Greg Schotanus, Plymouth

1. On one of his last Talk to the Mayor programs, Mayor Bookmeyer said the loudest noise is often made by the person who doesn't know the facts.

2. People who were not present at the Symonds sentencing don't know the facts. I do as I was there.

3. People in attendance know the Judge relied upon the contents of the pre-sentence report prepared by the Department of Corrections, which was also used by the prosecution and by the defense, who asked for, but did not receive, a deferred judgment.

4. People in attendance saw the victim impact statement given by the victim's father.

5. People in attendance heard the explanation of the Assistant Attorney General Scott Brown for the appropriateness of an Alford plea in this case.

6. An Alford plea allows the defendant to admit that if the case went to trial, the State would be able to prove the offense charged, which is often a lesser included offense. The use of the Alford plea allows the prosecutor to avoid bringing the family of the victim through at least one set of depositions and through a full blown trial, and allows the prosecutor to often achieve much the same result as to sentencing. Most families appreciate not having to relive the trauma all over again at depositions and trial.

Robert S. Swanson, Mason City

I am writing this to urge that you vote for Rob Sand for Iowa state auditor on Nov. 6. I have served as a director of the Iowa Law School Foundation for about 14 years and became acquainted with Rob about 10 years ago when he was a student representative to our board.

Rob grew up in Decorah, and he exudes strong Iowa values. He was assistant attorney general of Iowa for about eight years and prosecuted public corruption and financial crimes, including the successful prosecution of the "Hot-Lotto" court case. He knows the state auditor must call a spade a spade regardless of partisanship, and during his time with the attorney general, he prosecuted Democrats and Republicans alike.

Rob Sand has said, and I fully concur, that the auditor's office is "supposed to be a watchdog for Iowa taxpayers" and should be "sniffing around" whenever there is a major change in a program affecting Iowans. While the media was raising concerns about Medicaid privatization over two years ago, the current state auditor, Mary Mosiman, only requested an audit this past June after pressures from a state senator to do so. I would further note that while the executive director of the Iowa Communications Network stole $380,000, Mosiman missed more oversight meetings for that agency than everyone else on the board. What kind of watchdog would you call that?

What corruption might a proactive state auditor discover? We desperately need a watchdog like Rob Sand as state auditor. Rob Sand is a man of high character and integrity, and he will devote every ounce of energy he has to being a great "watchdog" for all Iowans. I am proud to support him even though I am a lifelong Republican, and I urge you to vote for him on Nov. 6.

Raymond M. Beebe, Forest City

I hope there is a happy ending to this story.

Jay Fonkert, Roseville, Minnesota

My neighbors and I have recently received mailings and Facebook postings that deliberately misrepresent our Iowa State Sen. Amanda Ragan (D-Mason City). These are sponsored by the Republican Party of Iowa and are a shameful attempt to falsify the record and delude the public before the upcoming November elections.

They make the same fraudulent claims of silly spending such as heated sidewalks that Republican campaigns have been putting in their advertisements against Democratic legislators for the last 10 years. The same cunning lies were used successfully by Americans For Prosperity two years ago to vilify and “take out” Mary Jo Wilhelm and Brian Schoenjahn. One would think that Republican ad-men, for the money they are paid, could at least invent new ones instead of running the same old pathetic lies.

The truth is that Amanda Ragan has been an exemplary representative for the people of Senate District 27 in Cerro Gordo, Franklin, and Butler counties. She is one of the most hard-working, knowledgeable, and caring public servants in Iowa government and has received awards for being an outstanding legislator.

Amanda Ragan has called time and again for oversight of the disastrous turnover of Medicaid to private out-of-state insurance companies that has resulted in wasted money and lower standards of care. She has fought for better funding of education and other vital services, while the all-Republican-statehouse has frittered away the state’s surplus on corporate give-a-ways.

The disgraceful defamation spread by the Republican Party may backfire on Shannon Latham of Sheffield, the opponent slated to run against Amanda Ragan. Latham could condemn and disassociate herself from this politics of personal destruction, but if this early smear is any indication, we may have a down and dirty campaign coming.

David Mansheim, Parkersburg

I came to Mason City early October 1958 to join the carpentry apprentice program. I retired in 2003, and that's worked out OK for me. Forty-five years of building (mostly housing, some commercial), and 35 years of real estate. Sears' new shopping center was being rushed to completion that fall for the Christmas shopping rush. That seamed to have worked out OK.

Seemed like not that many years later a North Iowa developer and a Clear Lake realtor decided to build a smaller shopping center along Highway 18 to the west.That seems to be working out OK.

Then came the talk of needing to do a downtown shopping area. I don't recall who owned it or who built it, but it seemed to work out OK for a long time.

I have not completed a large amount of research on the details of these owners. However as far as I know, all of the many houses I built are still paying taxes.

I have never herd of anyone selling, transferring, improving, or mortgaging property with three or four years of tax leans on any or all of the parcels.

First thing tomorrow morning, there needs to be a tax sale filed on Southbridge Mall.

Then the Chamber and or the City can start the planning of what would be nice downtown. Maybe the first thing could be renaming it City Center or something.

It's really a nice location for shopping and has a great center court for our less-than-perfect weather.

Don Kibsgaard, Mason City

This is in response to John Johnson's letter regarding the left's supposedly hypocritical stance on border control versus gun control.

Finally, John, if you want your view points to be taken seriously and respected, maybe drop the snide tone and dismissal of "lefties", as well as the jabs at Hogg. Just saying.

Angela Niles, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Paul Barenthin, Northwood

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Remember that you are an important part of our success.

Merilynn Linde, Albert Lea, Minn.

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

The process for confirming President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee has started. As a member of Concerned Women for America of Iowa, I support the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Alberto R. Gonzales, former Attorney General of the United States, has remarked that Kavanaugh understands the appropriate role of a judge, that he is disciplined and not arrogant.

Carol A. Evers, Riverside

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Oh Skipper, there you go again! While there are certainly twists in this year’s elections, there are many more twists than what's been reported.

Tracy Smith, Clear Lake

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Hey lefties, question: If gun control is the answer to school shootings, would not border control be the answer to illegals killing American citizens?

John Johnson, Britt

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Caleb Gates, Cedar Rapids

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Also consider this: once she gets the genealogy department out of there, how long before she sets her sights on the archives room?

The library is a needed, respected and loved part of Mason City. But it should not be run on someone's ego or desire for authority.

Lowell Swenson, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

James Givens, Rio Hondo, Texas

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Now, who has been willing to compromise? We need the public to speak up for us. Please contact your city councilman. Thanks for your support.

Carol Tinkey, Mason City

Fred Hubbell's criticism of Gov. Reynolds as "nothing more than politics" shows an extreme negligence of the farming community.

This November, I am supporting our Governor, Kim Reynolds.

Nancy Rockman, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Library needs, genealogy materials, climate change, the republic

Elaine Bergan, Northwood

• Letters to the editor: Library needs, genealogy materials, climate change, the republic

Of all the issues being discussed and debated in the run up to mid-term elections, it is quite disheartening that global warming and climate change are hardly mentioned at all.

Paul Collier, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy collection, drug offenders, Trump, Kavanaugh

To date, no other potential use of the space has been divulged.

Doris Smith, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy collection, drug offenders, Trump, Kavanaugh

According to USA Today, genealogy is currently the second most popular hobby in the U.S.

“It starts at home, where they learn everything they can online. Then they want the tactile experience of research, of going to the library to learn more.”

Genealogy resources that can’t be found on the internet are a draw to the genealogist. Not all resource material can be digitized; old maps and plat books are valuable for research and information.

The genealogy group depends on membership dues for its finances and doesn’t have funding or cash flow to be able to buy or rent space elsewhere.

Library use is trending down. Libraries need to support resources that bring people in the door to justify their existence.

Library board: reverse the eviction order and support this valuable part of your community.

Patty Paul, Boerne, Texas

In Webster's dictionary, look up the definition of a republic and socialism. Then decide which we want to be governed by. Let us act now, so we don't have to react later.

Alyce Hugeback, Hampton

Carol Tinkey, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

It would be a shame, a tragedy to move this extensive collection to another location. Most likely, it would result in it being fragmented and located to multiple locations.

I am hopeful that the Library Board and the City Council will reconsider and give second thought in order to keep this very valuable Mason City resource in its current location.

Judy Evans, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Robert Freund, Greene

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Steve Epperly, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

After the filing of the Freedom of Information Act request by the Democratic senators was denied, I became concerned about the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Any member of Congress, including Sen. Grassley, should be concerned enough to let the record speak for itself.

Julie Stewart Ziesman, Waukee

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Nancy Hewett, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

I hope there is a happy ending to this story.

Jay Fonkert, Roseville, Minnesota

I raise my toilet plunger to the cast, crew, orchestra, design and production team of Urinetown the Musical.

However, our donations to One Iowa North Scholarship Fund are welcome and the tips on conserving water that are posted on the walls remind us of what not to take for granted.

Beverly Butler, Mason City

We need local control in every county so the people can decide what they want.

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is listening to people who want change. No more factory farms until we have local control and fewer than 100 impaired water bodies in Iowa.

Shannon Walker, Clarion

Denny Murra, Buffalo Center

BUFFALO CENTER | Virginia Olthoff's daughter says she was a cheerful, kindhearted woman who loved to give others affectionate nicknames like "…

We all have ownership in our water issues. Each of us leaves a footprint on the environment each and everyday.

Instead of blaming someone else for the problem, let's focus on creating and solutions.

Brent Fedders, Mason City

My family went to Pine Lake State Park for a greatly anticipated weekend of camping, swimming and beach picnics. When we arrived, we learned t…

In response to Roxann Newell's letter to the editor ("Touched by aunt's forgiveness," July 25): One should not make a judgement until they are sure they have all the facts.

Very few people besides myself and my wife knew what was going on. Many times we shared a meal with Ken, Kathy and Codie, and sometimes just to visit.

Both me and my wife would offer words of encouragement to Codie. Many times we would listen to Ken and Kathy's hopes and frustrations concerning Codie.

As far as Sharon being able to forgive Codie: Sharon did not know Codie personally due to a 35-year rift that Sharon had with Ken. The rift continued up to Ken's death.

It's easy to forgive when you don't know what's going on.

Marv Hackbart, Mason City

What is wrong with these people? That's what my dear mother would say if she was alive today!

That bottle bill is no longer working. Use a closed-down plant or factory and build a state-of-the-art recycling facility. Get some people working and get rid of these flies!

Jo Parker, Mason City

It doesn't have to be this way. Can you imagine the amazing recreational/tourist possibility of our rivers and public parks if our waters were pollutant-free?

Bottom line: this isn't just our swimming water, irrigating water, life-sustaining water. To get the clean water that Iowa's families deserve, we need polluters to pay to clean up the mess they made.

Kristyn Arnold, Des Moines

No justice. It was very disheartening and disappointing to see another admitted pedophile to be given a very soft plea deal, as reported in the Globe Gazette on July 17.

This time it's Hancock County County Attorney, Robert Blake Norman, making the shameful deal with Damien Kyhl, who sexually assaulted multiple children over multiple years.

Instead of taking him to trial and being able to take this sexual offender off our streets for decades, it appears he'll be serving what could be five years of a negotiated 10-year sentence.

In no time. this pedophile will be back out and able to reoffend against our children. Also, no justice for the victims. Shameful.

Pat Ropella, Mason City

To the Iowa 4-H Youth Development Program:

For several years our family has given out a scholarship to a student from West Hancock. I’ve included a couple from this year for you to view. This will be the last year based on membership in 4H. I got a lot out of FFA back when I was in school and my daughter the same with 4H. Once you caved to the gay lobby you lost my support. I’m done being told what I have to accept.

Next year’s application will be open to all kids with one simple question.

Pick two news stories that are currently hot topics and write me an opinion on each.

Far too long I have given my money to students without looking at their world view. I’m done. If all these special interest groups want to shape the world in their view I see no reason for me to fund them. I’ll fund students who think like me. I’ll be damn if I’ll write a check to a student I might see on TV protest what I believe in, be it the LGBT issue or the right to keep and bear arms.

John Johnson, Britt

"Massive tax cuts for the middle class" is a hoax!

A married couple making $80,000 a year will pay about $1,600 a year less in taxes. Is that what Trump calls a massive tax cut? What are they going to do with all that extra money? How much will that increase their standard of living? Not enough to notice.

How about a couple making $120,000 a year? Their take-home pay will be about $3,200 per year more or double the first couple. Still far from "massive and spectacular."

Now let's jump to $600,000 a year. Now we are well above "middle class." This couple's tax savings amounts to $37,576 per year. Their income is five times that of the couple making $120,000, but their Trumped-up tax savings is 11.5 times as much.

The next example we double this couples income to $1,200,000 per year. Their tax savings will be $105,149 after the cut. Their income is double the previous couple, but their increased tax savings is nearly triple.

Are you getting the reality yet?

Those earning $400,000 a year and upward into the millions will save tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands to millions in taxes. But it will not stimulate the economy if not the reverse, because the very rich already have about everything they could want. The result will be the loss of tons of government revenue without the increase of jobs and income expected.

Then a Republican Congress and an insane idiot President will start talking about deep cuts in entitlement programs to balance loss of revenue. This bill was not the largest U.S. tax cut in history as Trump claimed, but the eighth. The SOTU speech sucked except that Trump was able to stay on teleprompter and not trip over his own stupidity.

Steve Epperly, Mason City

Just what exactly is it with white Americans these days, such as #PoolPatrolPaula, #PermitPatty and #BBQBecky who have nothing better to do with their time than to flaunt their supposed white privilege and call the police on black Americans who are doing nothing more than living normal lives, doing normal things, and even just having a good time together?

Enough already. Please, stop it. Just stop. We're tired of constantly nursing black eyes because of jerks like you.

Kevin Young, Sheffield

Well done, North Iowa Fair Board and everyone else involved.

Congratulations!

The North Iowa Fair was awesome this year. What a joy to see so many people attending.

With it being free, there were so many that could enjoy it, and there was no financial burden felt for any family.

We were amazed at how many events could be attended, and the many rides.

Keep up the good work. Thanks to you all.

Harlan and Marge Baack, Mason City

Thank you, John Johnson, for your letter regarding the debt in Mitchell and Winnebago counties ("Thankful to live in Hancock County," Jan. 3). In the past eight years, I have argued against the use of the money gained from wind farms as an excuse to bond money for often unnecessary projects in our county. My protests fall on deaf ears. Our local supervisor verbally attacks anyone who disagrees with him. When I have used expert opinions like, Dave Swenson of Iowa State, my supervisor indicates no one knows as much as he does about these matters, period. He insists that debt is good and an asset to the county.

The existing wind farms and the newly proposed one should have been literally a wind fall for Mitchell County. Instead it has turned into an endless use of property tax money that should have gone into the general fund. Mitchell County should be one of those debt-free counties. Now we have the distinction of a county with a population of 10,000, having a debt of $32 million. If the supervisors get their way, soon to be more. Maybe we can be No. 1.

Deo Koenigs, St. Ansgar

It takes the debt of the lowest 55 counties to equal the combined debt of Winnebago and Mitc…

Tired of Republicans blaming Democrats for Kavanaugh. Democrats had no problem letting Gorsuch in.

Kavanaugh is a big problem and should not be confirmed. Even if he is innocent of the sexual abuse, he showed his true colors in the hearing.

He is a liar and totally biased. That will not make a good judge. In fact, I don't believe he should be the judge he is now with his total bias and lies.

Everyone knows 17 has never been a legal drinking age.

The Republicans thought nothing of not allowing President Obama to select another SCOTUS and they said if Clinton won, they would leave the SCOTUS position open for four years! They are such hypocrites!

We don't want this lying, biased person on the court!

Phyllis Maskarina, Mason City

Liberal hypocrisy....Christine Ford has accused Judge Kavanaugh of sexual assault that supposedly occurred over 36 years ago with very vague details including lack of date, place it occurred, and who may have been present. Yet many Democrat leaders believe her without question.

On the flip side, Democrats have elected Keith Ellison in Minnesota to run for Attorney General, and he holds the No. 2 position in the DNC. Mr. Ellison has been charged with assault by his ex-girlfriend, where there is a credible 911 call tape describing the assault as evidence.

Democrats still hold the Clintons in high regard despite the numerous claims of sexual assault by Bill while governor of Arkansas, and of course his affair with Monica Lewinsky while in the White House, an intern less than half his age, is well documented. Hillary verbally attacked all his victims, yet she was selected by the Democrats to run for president, and remains a major voice for the party.

Are only women who accuse Republicans not Democrats to be believed?

Pat Ropella, Mason City

After reading Mr. Hestness letter, I feel compelled to reply.

No, people are not "uninformed" in regard to farmers or ag entities. Quite the opposite in today's world, the taxpayers fully understand who feeds and accommodates the world. The taxpayers do! Without the safety net of taxpayer subsidies, entitlements, the many perks... For example, no contributing to road tax, crop insurance that is nothing more than a subsidy, depreciation, and all of the numerous ways to avoid paying income tax (the majority of farmers operate at a loss most of the time....right?)...there would not be farmers! Today, taxpayers are the real backbone of agriculture.

Yes, the farmer has long hours with spring planting and fall harvest. It certainly is not a 52 weeks out-of-the-year job. I wonder, how many farmers would punch a time clock every day, week after week, year after year? This is what the majority of laboring workers are required to do, plus many have required overtime hours, meaning weekends. If you are fortunate enough to not punch a time clock, and happen to be in management, that isn't just a spring or fall position either! If a worker loses his job, nobody is there to bail him out!

Now about animals raised in humane conditions: let them have free range. That is the only truly humane way. Enough of the confinements, before our once pristine state is totally taken away because of greed and power.

When you travel the countryside, I really do not see too many struggling farmers, as there homes and farms pay witness to that, but if you are struggling, then possibly, when you have those "over the top" years, better stick some back for a lean year!

Myrna Marnin, Mason City

I do not understand why one person's complaint/opinion (LeAnne Clausen seeking publicity and her name in the paper), should result in any action directed to renaming our high school's athletic teams. The Mohawks have been Mason City's mascot and team name for nearly 100 years, and now, an unorthodox pastor is claiming reason to suggest that name be changed.

I am 69 years old and have never in my lifetime heard anyone complain about the Mason City school system mascot or team name, that is unless they were just beaten by a Mohawk team in a sporting event. So now Leanne is talking to Mohawk representatives to get their take on the issue and stirring up more publicity, this time on the front page of the Globe, above the fold yet (prime space). Seems to me the pastor should be concentrating on the needs of her flock.

Despite the claim that the Mohawk Nation had "no connection to Iowa," if true, does that mean we should not be able to honor them if we choose. I say no! I appreciate, honor, and respect daily our military personnel (hero warriors) and never think about whether they are associated with my specific geographic area, because their dedication, skills, and honor are deserving of my gratitude and respect. The same is true of the Mohawk Nation and Mason City's choice to honor them since 1925.

Maybe Leanne thinks that Texans only live in Texas, or all Angels and Saints are in Los Angeles and New Orleans, or that Detroit is a natural habitat for Lions. Really, it makes no difference. The Mohawks have been at home in Mason City for nearly 100 years and should remain a fixture there for another 100 years.

Thomas Frank, Mason City

Why does Trump claim NBC, CBS, ABC, and CNN and the other reliable news media as "fake news" and that only Fox News reports the truth? Do you really buy into that? Trump supporters do!

Fox News people, such as Chris Wallace, Shephard Smith, Neil Cavuto, and White House correspondent John Roberts and a few others, are generally fair and unbiased, but at night, their programming turns into a politically biased, lying, right-wing fiasco. Anyone who is pretty well-informed and reasonable in their thinking, and at least half-way intelligent, would see that quickly. But the regular viewers are hearing what they want to hear and watching with blinders on. The price they pay is political and factual ignorance.

In covering politics, CNN covers all points of view and brings in political and non-political experts from many fields, Democrat, Republican, and non-partisan to discuss and debate issues. I don't see this approach with Fox News. Hosts such as Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingram, Jeanine Pirro (disgusting) Shawn Hannity and a couple of other goons, are way far right. Hannity makes $36 million a year and has net worth of over $80 million. It is no wonder he loves the Trump tax cuts for the very rich, while the middle class takes it in the shorts from Republicans once again.

It is my belief that when the Mueller investigation ends the Trump presidency will end. Justice and the law must prevail to save this greatest country ever and its institutions and way of life that Trump threatens. Republicans, he is going to tear your party apart!

In closing, I would like to direct you to a Fox News segment of May 4 by Fox News host Neil Cavuto that is exemplary. Just google "Fox News host Neil Cavuto blasts Trump for 4 straight minutes."

Steven Epperly, Mason City

Meghan McCain completely and thoroughly destroyed Cadet Bone Spurs in the eulogy she gave for her father, tearing him limb from limb. I sincerely trust that Ivanka and Jared were forced to skulk their way out of the Washington National Cathedral with their tails between their legs after the verbal browbeating their spoiled-brat, man-child father so richly deserved.

Kevin Young, Sheffield

This is in response to John Johnson's letter regarding the left's supposedly hypocritical stance on border control versus gun control.

Finally, John, if you want your view points to be taken seriously and respected, maybe drop the snide tone and dismissal of "lefties", as well as the jabs at Hogg. Just saying.

Angela Niles, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Paul Barenthin, Northwood

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Remember that you are an important part of our success.

Merilynn Linde, Albert Lea, Minn.

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

The process for confirming President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee has started. As a member of Concerned Women for America of Iowa, I support the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Alberto R. Gonzales, former Attorney General of the United States, has remarked that Kavanaugh understands the appropriate role of a judge, that he is disciplined and not arrogant.

Carol A. Evers, Riverside

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Oh Skipper, there you go again! While there are certainly twists in this year’s elections, there are many more twists than what's been reported.

Tracy Smith, Clear Lake

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Hey lefties, question: If gun control is the answer to school shootings, would not border control be the answer to illegals killing American citizens?

John Johnson, Britt

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Caleb Gates, Cedar Rapids

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Also consider this: once she gets the genealogy department out of there, how long before she sets her sights on the archives room?

The library is a needed, respected and loved part of Mason City. But it should not be run on someone's ego or desire for authority.

Lowell Swenson, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

James Givens, Rio Hondo, Texas

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Now, who has been willing to compromise? We need the public to speak up for us. Please contact your city councilman. Thanks for your support.

Carol Tinkey, Mason City

Fred Hubbell's criticism of Gov. Reynolds as "nothing more than politics" shows an extreme negligence of the farming community.

This November, I am supporting our Governor, Kim Reynolds.

Nancy Rockman, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Library needs, genealogy materials, climate change, the republic

Elaine Bergan, Northwood

• Letters to the editor: Library needs, genealogy materials, climate change, the republic

Of all the issues being discussed and debated in the run up to mid-term elections, it is quite disheartening that global warming and climate change are hardly mentioned at all.

Paul Collier, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy collection, drug offenders, Trump, Kavanaugh

To date, no other potential use of the space has been divulged.

Doris Smith, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy collection, drug offenders, Trump, Kavanaugh

According to USA Today, genealogy is currently the second most popular hobby in the U.S.

“It starts at home, where they learn everything they can online. Then they want the tactile experience of research, of going to the library to learn more.”

Genealogy resources that can’t be found on the internet are a draw to the genealogist. Not all resource material can be digitized; old maps and plat books are valuable for research and information.

The genealogy group depends on membership dues for its finances and doesn’t have funding or cash flow to be able to buy or rent space elsewhere.

Library use is trending down. Libraries need to support resources that bring people in the door to justify their existence.

Library board: reverse the eviction order and support this valuable part of your community.

Patty Paul, Boerne, Texas

In Webster's dictionary, look up the definition of a republic and socialism. Then decide which we want to be governed by. Let us act now, so we don't have to react later.

Alyce Hugeback, Hampton

Carol Tinkey, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

It would be a shame, a tragedy to move this extensive collection to another location. Most likely, it would result in it being fragmented and located to multiple locations.

I am hopeful that the Library Board and the City Council will reconsider and give second thought in order to keep this very valuable Mason City resource in its current location.

Judy Evans, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Robert Freund, Greene

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Steve Epperly, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

After the filing of the Freedom of Information Act request by the Democratic senators was denied, I became concerned about the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Any member of Congress, including Sen. Grassley, should be concerned enough to let the record speak for itself.

Julie Stewart Ziesman, Waukee

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Nancy Hewett, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

I hope there is a happy ending to this story.

Jay Fonkert, Roseville, Minnesota

I raise my toilet plunger to the cast, crew, orchestra, design and production team of Urinetown the Musical.

However, our donations to One Iowa North Scholarship Fund are welcome and the tips on conserving water that are posted on the walls remind us of what not to take for granted.

Beverly Butler, Mason City

We need local control in every county so the people can decide what they want.

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is listening to people who want change. No more factory farms until we have local control and fewer than 100 impaired water bodies in Iowa.

Shannon Walker, Clarion

Denny Murra, Buffalo Center

BUFFALO CENTER | Virginia Olthoff's daughter says she was a cheerful, kindhearted woman who loved to give others affectionate nicknames like "…

We all have ownership in our water issues. Each of us leaves a footprint on the environment each and everyday.

Instead of blaming someone else for the problem, let's focus on creating and solutions.

Brent Fedders, Mason City

My family went to Pine Lake State Park for a greatly anticipated weekend of camping, swimming and beach picnics. When we arrived, we learned t…

In response to Roxann Newell's letter to the editor ("Touched by aunt's forgiveness," July 25): One should not make a judgement until they are sure they have all the facts.

Very few people besides myself and my wife knew what was going on. Many times we shared a meal with Ken, Kathy and Codie, and sometimes just to visit.

Both me and my wife would offer words of encouragement to Codie. Many times we would listen to Ken and Kathy's hopes and frustrations concerning Codie.

As far as Sharon being able to forgive Codie: Sharon did not know Codie personally due to a 35-year rift that Sharon had with Ken. The rift continued up to Ken's death.

It's easy to forgive when you don't know what's going on.

Marv Hackbart, Mason City

What is wrong with these people? That's what my dear mother would say if she was alive today!

That bottle bill is no longer working. Use a closed-down plant or factory and build a state-of-the-art recycling facility. Get some people working and get rid of these flies!

Jo Parker, Mason City

It doesn't have to be this way. Can you imagine the amazing recreational/tourist possibility of our rivers and public parks if our waters were pollutant-free?

Bottom line: this isn't just our swimming water, irrigating water, life-sustaining water. To get the clean water that Iowa's families deserve, we need polluters to pay to clean up the mess they made.

Kristyn Arnold, Des Moines

No justice. It was very disheartening and disappointing to see another admitted pedophile to be given a very soft plea deal, as reported in the Globe Gazette on July 17.

This time it's Hancock County County Attorney, Robert Blake Norman, making the shameful deal with Damien Kyhl, who sexually assaulted multiple children over multiple years.

Instead of taking him to trial and being able to take this sexual offender off our streets for decades, it appears he'll be serving what could be five years of a negotiated 10-year sentence.

In no time. this pedophile will be back out and able to reoffend against our children. Also, no justice for the victims. Shameful.

Pat Ropella, Mason City

Steve Epperly, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Being a member of the high school student section, I believe that our side of the story needs to be heard ("Racism charge spoils game," Jan. 26).

The USA theme was just one of many that we have done throughout the season, as well as many others against various teams in our conference. No racism was intended, we did not chant "USA" or "Go back where you came from." There were no voices of the Storm Lake student section that chanted back at us, or of one of their players that received a technical foul for the words he spoke.

I feel that our support for our basketball players has definitely been twisted at least nine different ways. We had a theme that shows the colors of our country. The key dangling was directed at one student of the opposing team who reportedly stole a car; we did not chant anything racist.

I cannot speak for everyone, but I know that our student section as a whole would not chant something to be seen as racist. We have minorities in our school, even though we are majority Caucasian. We know how to act respectful and are not racist toward minorities in our own school and of the surrounding communities.

Morgan Roberts, Spencer

After reading a letter to the editor in the Globe Gazette, I felt very strongly the need to defend those of us Trump supporters who were "hornswaggled" or who were put in the box of Deplorables.

First I have to say that after eight long years, we finally have a president that honestly loves our great country and truly wants to see it prosper.

The economy that Trump inherited was far from healthy. Most employers were paying huge amounts of taxes, not to mention Obama made it extremely hard for the small business owner to stay in business and almost impossible for anyone to start a new business. Next, we have the disastrous Obamacare, which made thousands of people have to decide between having health care or putting food on their table. This is exactly what the left wants - everyone dependent on the government for everything needed to live.

Having strong relations with our allies is good, and with Trump, it will only get better. I'm more concerned with our enemy - the enemy that Obama gave pallets and pallets of money to - with which they are using to better their nuclear warheads and other terroristic ideas they come up with.

Trump is at least taking steps to protect the U.S. and other countries from his so-called friend "Kimmie" and North Korea.

Let's remember it was Obama who opened the flood gates for the illegals to enter the U.S. These people are breaking the law, the law that is here to protect our country and the people in it. Why on Earth can't we follow the laws and send them back to where they came from? It is so sad that the U.S. is being laughed at by so many because we are allowing the illegals to take over this great country.

PJ Kruger, Clear Lake

We are gun owners. We have four: my late father-in-law’s FBI service revolver, my wife’s late husband’s 38 special, and my late father’s 22 revolver. I also have a single-shot 18 gauge shotgun I hunted with as a kid. I have a constitutional right to own these and wouldn’t want any legislation passed that would change that.

In 1762, Jean-Jacques Rousseau coined the term “social contract.” With apologies to him, let me summarize. The only completely free human is a castaway on an island where his actions have no effect on anyone else. Those who live with others compromise their personal rights to make society work. In the interest of societal safety, we have agreed to limit our 1st amendment freedoms by making it illegal to yell “fire” in a crowded auditorium.

Similarly, we have made the same choice to limit our 2nd amendment rights. We have deemed it unwise for our society to allow private ownership of surface to air missiles or functional Sherman tanks. Consequently, the issue is not limiting our 2nd amendment rights. That decision has already been made. It’s how we rationally limit them. The test: when does a personal freedom harm the greater society?

For what reason do we require personal ownership of assault rifles? Personal and family protection? Do we really think we are likely to need a weapon to protect ourselves that is capable of killing 17 & wounding another 14 kids in less than 60 seconds?

The 2nd amendment is not going away. The question is how we use it to protect our freedoms without harming society. Our children are currently trying to educate us. Let’s listen. We, as Americans, are better than the NRA!

Walter Bate and Martha Ryan, Mason City

Residents of Cerro Gordo County, Patricia Wright claims she is running a transparent campaign for County Treasurer.

With that being said, I feel it is necessary to share a few things that she is choosing to not be transparent about.

In 2013, Pat Wright's tax deputy was using county computers to do online shopping while "working." She allowed a foreigner to remote into her computer and breach the county's computer program which cost the taxpayers over $40,000. Many people know about the breach but few know that the deputy was using the computer for personal shopping. All employees have to sign the IT policy stating they won't use the computers for personal issues, but this tax deputy is still working there for some reason.

Pat also claims to be a proven leader but yet less than two months ago under her leadership she cost the taxpayers another $8,000-$10,000 when ballots were printed wrong! As a proven leader did she take responsibility? No! She blamed her deputy for that. A true leader would have stepped up and taken ownership. After all, a leader would make sure things are checked and double checked for errors.

People need to understand that under Pat's leadership there have been several issues that get swept under the rug.

The biggest complaint in that office is poor customer service and I believe that is a result of the "proven leader."

Vote Natasha Lewerke on or before Nov. 6.

Roxane Francis, Mason City

I am 80-year-old, an Iowan born-and-bred and educated. A daughter lives in Iowa City. We own property. I love the state. I have always regarded Iowans as common sensible, reasonable, intelligent, never met an illiterate person.

Now I find the Legislature has, among other things, legalized sawed-off shotguns, approved stand-your-ground laws, sharply cut public educational funds and at the same time turned a nearly $1 billion surplus into a multi-million-dollar deficit.

Do Iowans really fear their neighbors so much they legalize weapons banned in civilized states since before I was born? And give them to children? Do they now have so little regard for life they approve killing an aggressor even if given an equally available means of escape without killing? Do they really approve crippling the public educational system of a state once regarded as the envy of the entire nation? Do they punish victims of rape and incest twice, once the original crime and second forced to carry pregnancy to term even at risk of their life? Do they really approve a governor supposedly of the entire population, who gives a speech promoting the idea that one party, the Democrats, is trying to sabotage the actions of the other?

I once supposed I might like to retire to Iowa City. A delightful small college town. Active, intellectual, Big 10 sports, safe, four seasons. No more. Now I must reconsider those plans, as should anyone else. Apparently the population has changed sharply and not for the better.

John Rasmussen, Palm Desert, Calif.

Because I was born and raised in northern Iowa, I have followed your politics with great interest. Rep. Steve King’s re-elections baffle me.

King sponsored H.R. 3599 which could subvert state and local measures addressing animal welfare laws, food safety, food labeling, environmental requirements and more.

He has questioned the historical contributions of non-white “subgroups” and retweeted a neo-Nazi promoting views of unabashed white supremacists.

King doesn’t support campaign finance reform. He voted no on grants for making backup paper ballots available and no on extending provisions of the Voting Rights Act.

King voted over 60 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, has proposed using Medicaid reimbursements to pay for a border wall by defunding Planned Parenthood, co-sponsored bills to protect life beginning with fertilization and to include pre-born human beings in 14th Amendment protection.

He voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

He voted against medical marijuana and for preventing states from authorizing its use.

King is against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which oversees financial institutions and has returned $12 billion in restitution to roughly 29 million Americans.

King’s voting record includes:

No on regulating the subprime mortgage industry.

No on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.

Yes on constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman.

Yes on barring the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases.

No on protecting whistleblowers from employer recrimination.

No on expansion of Medicare.

No on giving mental healthcare equity with physical healthcare.

No on extending SCHIP to cover 6 million more kids

No on requiring negotiated drug prices for Medicare Part D.

No on restricting no-bid defense contracts.

Yes on allowing electronic surveillance without a warrant.

We all have opinions, assumptions and beliefs, but what are they based on? A vote for J.D. Scholten would be a vote for civil rights and a compassionate society.

Jackie Aase, Port Townsend, Washington

The mall/downtown area could be fixed by the city taking over the mall, and putting a casino where Penny's was. The stores would fill up in the mall and be able to charge less for rent to keep them there.

They could build their hotels and have potential customers and more visitors for Music Man Square, the art museum, and other surrounding businesses. The movie theater could open back up, maybe a steak house in the mall, all possible through revenue from the casino or from taxes from a casino.

More people means more business. It's a win, win, win! Take a lesson from Worth County: only the local people would spend their money here instead of driving 20 miles. And it's also closer for a number of surrounding communities to gamble here.

Wake up Mason City, or deal with the consequences.

Jay Sheahan, Mason City

To the people of Mason City: Shame on you!

A missed opportunity on your part! You want state money to fund your renaissance project, but when the most important state official is supposed to be in town, instead of a warm greeting, she’s being set up for ridicule and protests. I, for one, don’t blame her for canceling the event at the Farmer’s Market on Friday, June 1. Again, shame on you!

You don’t have to agree, but weren’t you taught to give respect to the office? After all, Gov. Reynolds is the first woman governor of Iowa. Throughout the 2016 election, I kept hearing we need a woman leader. Here in Iowa, we have one! OK, so she’s not a Democrat – so what!?

If you could clean the filter between your ears, you’d understand she really does have Iowa and its people first and foremost on her list!

No. 1 for me is the “heartbeat bill.” Those of you against this – seriously?! No abortion after 20 weeks – that’s five months, half way to term. If you wait that long, why not wait four more and let someone who really wants a child have him or her?

No. 2 is the “tax cut bill.” How are a few extra dollars in your paycheck a bad thing?

But once again, shame on you! You could have been waiting to show our governor that Mason City is a great place to visit. Instead, you got all mean and snarky, so she canceled. Weren’t we taught better than that?

Oh, and when the Dems have their pictures taken with Abraham Lincoln in the background, you know he was a Republican right?

Pat Weydert, Rockwell

Let's face facts: President Trump does not want the assault rifles banned, as he is in bed with the NRA. He has been bought and paid for. Our Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst is another senator bought and paid for by the NRA. As is our Chuck Grassley. The NRA owns their votes. So nothing will be done about outlawing these weapons of murder. Arm the teachers? That is not the answer. Why does he want to turn our schools into a war zone?

Why does he wish to add to the problem instead of fixing the obvious solution? Why? Because he is owned as is our congress by the NRA!.

When the next terrible slaughter occurs, and it will, it is the NRA who has blood of innocent victims dripping from their hands.

Dan Mumby, Mason City

Earlier this year an important issue with organic livestock, USDA National Organic Program Animal Welfare Law, was in the review and public comment process. Our farmer-owned marketing cooperative, Organic Valley, which I am a member of, asked its farmers to contact their U.S. senators and representatives in regards to this legislation. There were over 40,000 people that responded with support for this rule. Approximately two dozen people were opposed, yet the legilsation ruled in favor of those who were opposed! And this is a democracy?

Sen. Grassley responded with a two-page letter to me, and while I do not agree with his position, at least a thoughtful reply was received. The only response that I got back from Rep. Steve King’s staff was that “Congressman King is not receiving communication from his constituents.”

As a member of the ag committee, Congressman King has no respect or time for the smaller, family farmer. He supports big ag corporations. What has he accomplished as a congressional representative for this district? You cannot serve the people if you will not communicate with those you represent.

Congressman King is an embarrassment to our state. Let’s elect someone who can represent the needs of our district, and that person is JD Scholten.

Tom Frantzen, New Hampton

To John (J.B.) Johnson ("Thankful to live in Hancock County," Jan. 3) and to those of you who do not understand tax increment financing, or TIF, allow me to present a simple explanation:

Let's say you are a farmer wanting to obtain more land. You have an uncle who is worth millions. The uncle comes to you and says, "Nephew, if you purchase this 160-acre piece of land over time, I will be willing to make the payments for you, and in the end, you will own the land without having to place your own personal money into the project." Who wouldn't take up an offer such as this, especially when you know the uncle has always been honorable?

With TIF, a large project (such as windmills) comes to a county. Windmills pay a huge amount of property taxes, taxes that go to all taxing bodies within that district. A county has to have debt, certain kinds of debt, in order to utilize TIF. So the counties incur debt by improving roads and bridges and then by utilizing TIF, divert the property tax monies from the other taxing bodies to the county to pay for the debt. The state back-fills the school district 87.5 percent of the lost revenue, so there is virtually no lost revenue to the schools. Due to the back-fill, the county receives more than 140 percent of the money that would be generated from the windmill property taxes if those taxes were not TIFed. The county is the big beneficiary.

Yes, Mr. Johnson, Winnebago and Mitchell counties have debt. But this debt is not being paid for by the rest of the property taxpayers of the county. Instead, those taxpayers are benefiting by improvements made with TIF, thus holding down property taxes that otherwise would need to be raised to pay for the necessary repairs to our crumbling roads and bridges.

As a Mitchell County Supervisor, I am proud to understand how to stretch the property tax dollars to benefit all taxpayers of the county, a win-win for everyone.

Stan Walk, St. Ansgar

It takes the debt of the lowest 55 counties to equal the combined debt of Winnebago and Mitc…

I took the opportunity to attend a local legislative forum. The Legislators in attendance were, Mr. Guth, Baxter and Gassman. I thank them for the opportunity for us to express our views. It was a lively discussion.

The audience had many concerned questions on a variety of important topics. During the gun control discussion, we learned from our legislators that guns do not kill people, people kill people. There apparently is no need for further gun control measures, because that means we are coming to take their guns away. We were told this is a societal issue.

Too many divorces and single-parent households. The cure for all of this is the need for religion in schools, they stated. When someone asked about increasing funding for our schools, a legislator stated we can't increase funds to schools because there are 600,000 people on Medicaid.

I then asked, does that mean people should not have health care? The legislator asked me which church I belong to. I asked why does that matter. He said, because that is where you should get you health insurance from.

So, if it takes you two or three jobs to cover your bills, too bad. Our state government is not interested in you having a living wage. I bet you also did not realize the negative impact you have had on our society, due to your divorce.

More guns will fix our problems.

Religion in our schools will fix all of our ills.

And if you do not belong to the "right" church, too bad when it comes to health coverage. Wow!

These are the people writing our laws. It is time we decide if we want to continue as a democracy, or be a theocracy such as Iran. We need to take action now.

Lissa Holloway, Britt

Mason City no longer biggest shopping hub. With our mall empty and Shopko filing for bankruptcy, the pharmacy so far, store closing may be coming. Our choices for shopping are limited.

It's hard being in business. Too many people shop online. For the convenience and sent right to your door. Our society have gotten so lax and lazy, drive-up food lanes, online grocery delivery and the list goes on.

We the people are doing it to ourselves, putting stores out of business, plus jobs lost. Now people drive to Des Moines or Minneapolis for the day or weekend to shop and spend their money and have fun doing it. Instead of adding jobs, we're losing jobs. People drive 30-50 miles to go to work but live here.

So I may be old-fashioned, but we are hurting ourselves. I believe in shopping local and supporting hometown business.

Kay Bessman, Mason City

Regarding the latest school mass killing, I’ve come to believe politicians actually say, “My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims’ families, but not my vote.”

Why? Fear of NRA reprisals, even though most of its members want background checks. They want responsibility, accountability. Unfortunately, the NRA is merely a lobby for the gun industry.

Did you know that of the top ten recipients of NRA money, No. 7 was Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst receiving $3,124,273 — the only woman on that list. How will she please her big donor without deflecting to the mental illness strategy, that complex issue where gun legislation gets lost or marginalized?

In 1994 we had an Assault Weapons Ban, but it expired in 2004. We must pressure (through our votes) politicians to ban them permanently. They’re only for military and law enforcement. I was shocked when my seventh grade grandson’s baseball coach displayed an AR 15, this killing machine, as his lottery fundraiser prize. I did not contribute.

The gun deaths in our country point to a corruption of the Second Amendment. It is our duty to stop this corruption by voting only for lawmakers who will fight for thorough background checks and a permanent assault weapons ban.

Johanna Anderson, Osage

I am a "Mohawk" writing in support of your kind community member Le Anne Clausen de Montes and her efforts to teach her four children respect for others by suggesting a Mason City High School mascot name change based on the consent of the St. Regis Indian Reservation residents.

There are enrolled tribal members from Akwesasne living in all 50 states, including Iowa. This is a far cry from 100 years ago when the population of Native Americans was at the lowest point due to centuries of disease, forced relocation and a broken way of life since 1492.

There is no connection between legitimate Native history and the whimsical short-lived nostalgia that Mason City Mohawks supporters are clinging to in response to the admirable efforts of your progressive city resident Le Anne.

A troubling pattern is emerging in the review of the stated justifications of the supporters of similar tribal-themed mascotivism across America, also seen with some professional sports franchise fanatics. The assertions of tradition and honor are referenced from afar without any basis in reality or relevance to the actual descendants of those few survivors a century ago from an original estimated population size ranging from 1,000,000 to 50,000,000 depending on whose data you embrace.

Instead of focusing on historical warlike traits to be modeled on the Mason City athletic playing surfaces, why not change the name to the Americans? This is what the colonists referred to their Native neighbors in that era, as opposed to their European origins.

Hard-earned Iowa tax dollars are being committed to a public school district in your community that is engaging in idolatry by committing to produce quality citizens while maintaining a double standard of preference and entitlement. And by the way, Mohawk is an Algonquin word for “flesh eaters.”

Charles Kader, Cleveland, Ohio

Unless we're willing to ask approval from the families of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Mckinley, John Adams, Roosevelt, Harding and others, to use their names for our schools, I think we can keep our long and proud tradition using the Mohawk mascot and name for out sports teams without consulting the Mohawk Nation.

Mason City teams have been the Mohawks with little or no objection until now, when a local minister has decided to seek publicity and attention. She says it's been on her mind for a long time. My suggestion would be for her to consider her flock and spend more time thinking about how she could serve them and do something useful, something to help those in need.

I really don't think the Mohawk Nation minds having a small school in Iowa that chooses to honor their tribe by claiming their traditional courage and honor as an object of respect and aspiration.

Thomas Frank, Mason City

It was very refreshing to read of Dean Snyder Construction's graciousness in the handling of the unexpected Gatehouse-G8 outcome. When I saw last week's headline: "Clear Lake construction company claims Mason City, developer ignored legal letters about hotel drawings" I cringed, thinking that the city would have another lawsuit on its hands. Instead, Snyder's spokesperson indicated, "Many exciting things are to come involving the River City Renaissance Project, and we are confident that with the new council and mayor, they will be handled with great care."

This letter is not an indictment on the decision that was made - in fact, given all of the facts that I became aware of, I really believe the City Council made the best decision for the city of Mason City. But, importantly, it's an acknowledgment of civic-minded behavior and graciousness. Honestly, we didn't see much of this in 2017, from the Prestage project to elements of this hotel development. Here's to giving our best to supporting our City and each other in 2018.

Steve Weiss, Mason City

MASON CITY | Dean Snyder Construction Co. of Clear Lake was treated unfairly during the proc…

Congressman Steve King is a steadfast supporter of life, the Constitution and agriculture. He continues to work hard in the best interest of Iowans. Because of leaders like King, the average Iowan will see a $2,000 increase in take-home pay in 2018, America is seeing its lowest unemployment levels since 1969, black and Hispanic unemployment are at all-time lows, and consumer confidence is approaching a record high. He has my vote and hopefully yours, too.

Nearly 75 percent of King’s individual donors come from within Iowa. King’s top donor city is Sioux City. More than 70 percent of his opponent’s individual donors come from outside of Iowa. His top donor cities are San Francisco and New York.

Why are Californians and New Yorkers trying to influence your vote?

King has been named “Friend of Agriculture” by the Iowa Farm Bureau. He’s been endorsed by the NRA and has the full support of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. He introduced the “Heartbeat Bill” in Congress. Before office, King started and ran a construction company and has lived his entire life in Iowa.

His opponent is endorsed by: Bernie Sanders, a socialist; Cory Booker, an anti-meat, animal rights extremist; Elizabeth Warren, a radical leftist; and, most notably, the Des Moines Register. He has never held a real job, started a business, made a payroll or even run for dog catcher but somehow believes he’s qualified to be your Congressman.

Are 4th District Iowans more aligned with the Farm Bureau, NRA, renewable fuels and the sanctity of life, or are they more aligned with socialists, animal rights extremists, San Francisco and the habitually unemployed?

Iowa is ranked No. 1 in the country. Democrats like King’s opponent want to change that.

Please support a better Iowa and a better America by re-electing Congressman Steve King.

Craig Williams, Manning

Former President Obama and his wife, Michelle, signed a contract with Netflix to create a documentary series that he hopes will unite people from all walks of life.

Now isn't that a hoot! He had eight years to unite this country and bring races, religions, and income classes together, but all we ended up with was a very divided nation.

President Obama was always quick to blame the police for incidents that took place. He drastically increased the hostility levels between citizens and police officers.

He was very adept at creating a hostility between the earning classes in this country. He once said that just because you're rich doesn't mean you created the wealth based on your talents. He said the wealthy person did not make it on his own, and that everyone else should get credit for the success of the individual. His words smacked of socialism or communism.

Mr. Obama can make his so-called documentaries, but he shouldn't expect many to buy into his theories and anti-capitalistic rhetoric.

Pat Ropella, Mason City

It doesn't have to be this way. Can you imagine the amazing recreational/tourist possibility of our rivers and public parks if our waters were pollutant-free?

Bottom line: this isn't just our swimming water, irrigating water, life-sustaining water. To get the clean water that Iowa's families deserve, we need polluters to pay to clean up the mess they made.

Kristyn Arnold, Des Moines

My heart aches and the tears are flowing. I just finished reading the impact statements made by relatives of Ken and Kathleen Hackbart at Codie Matz's sentencing for double homicide.

What a contrast there is in those opposite statements! I'm very sad at the anger that filled Marv Hackbart's remarks, read by Pat Hackbart, calling Codie a pathetic loser, as well as other rage-filled names.

And then I read statements from another sibling of Ken Hackbart, Sharon Badenschier, whose remarks spoke of forgiveness, wishes for healing, purpose in life, and helping others find peace.

Wow, Sharon, you are a shining example of understanding and choosing forgiveness. You have touched my heart and the tears came as I read your statement. I pray the rest of the family will find that healing power of forgiveness that you have found.

I had a powerful, life-changing event in my life that required forgiveness nearly six years ago.

Our 24-year-old son died hours after seeing a doctor for nausea and a horrendous headache that he was experiencing for a day and a half.

I felt the doctor "killed" my son for not sending Ben to the hospital, for not ordering a blood test and in general for not getting how very sick he was.

She sent him home to rest for the afternoon and he died a few hours later.

For months, my anger at that woman doctor in North Liberty, Iowa, was consuming me and the bitter root of unforgiveness was growing inside my heart and soul.

It took time, God's grace and work on my part to heal my grief and bitterness, and I was able to forgive.

Forgiveness is transforming; it changes you.

Thank you, Sharon, for the courage you had to share your forgiving statements to the court and to your nephew, Codie.

I'm very sorry for your loss and for all the family's loss. May all the family find peace and healing and even forgiveness following this tragedy.

Roxann Newell, Mason City

I can't believe the council and search committee presented questionable men for the city administrator position, especially when at the last minute one is recommend by a friend on the committee.

Have you read their qualifications? Any one from mayor on down who presented these men for this position should resign or step down. This is a clear example of subterfuge on the residents of Mason City.

I don't feel any one of them is qualified. Surely there are better qualified candidates than these!

Willis White, Mason City

By STEVE BOHNEL | [email protected]

MASON CITY | This past week, the Globe Gazette took a closer look at the five finalists for Mason City's city administrator vacancy.

The five chosen by the city, and a search firm led by Story City Administrator Mark Jackson and Brent Hinson — a former city administrator in Garner who now works in Washington — boast a significant amount of accomplishments at their prior jobs, ranging from downtown development projects to better management of the public's money. They also all have more than two decades in the city management experience, and master's degrees from various universities related to their fields.

Four of the five, however, have also resigned or been fired from previous positions. The other candidate now works in Garner, where Hinson — one of the key players in helping Mason City narrow the candidates — used to be in his position.

This letter is directed to all city elected office holders: Hey, guess what?!

Our mall will go under in May. Younkers is closing. That means all the other small stores will also close. People will lose their jobs!

Do you think without those stores, we can still have our sports complex? I really doubt that. If the mall stores were still there, maybe people would come and buy things before and after an event.

Mr. Chouder has never come through on any of his projects! What makes you think he will now?!

As elected office holders of this city, you need to wake up and do something ASAP to keep our downtown alive and thriving.

We don't have time to play what-ifs.

I'm proud Mason City is where I live, but we need to do more for our central core downtown.

Kathy Sage, Mason City

I watched a good majority of Trump's campaign speeches and got more horrified the more I watched and listened. He is the one who started the rioting and hating.

He encouraged it (by telling the police not to be too nice to criminals and praising a guard for body-slamming), and he even encouraged the crowds by his rhetoric and making statements that he love "chaos." That's very obvious!

After all the shameful displays he put out there, he has the audacity to say the media re the problem and that they should tone it down. They are just reporting what they see. He has brought out the worse in everyone (me included), not just his groupies.

In his eyes, the Dems are the cause of the migrants coming in. It would not be a surprise to be if his own party is behind it to rev-up the elections coming up. And who would be surprised if his supporters are sending the bombs to so many big politicians?

He is a conning, egotistical, know-it-all who thinks he is a gift to the world, but in reality, he is a want-a-be dictator. If things continue as they are, our country is going to be a banquet for every dictator in the world and have him as their guide. Where did the people that elected this guy come from?

I can't believe some of the legislators think it is OK for him to "express" himself in the manner he is comfortable with. He's a disgrace! But maybe we should feel sorry for him, as all the name he calls others is what he feels about himself.

Everything I see and hear about him I believe – he couldn't tell the truth if it hit him in the face! His truth is making up stories and only he believes it.

Beverly McCormick, Garner

Editor's note: This letter to the editor has been removed from the Globe Gazette's website and will not appear in print. Several sentences were identical to a column by Wayne Allyn Root, published June 28 in the Las Vegas Review Journal. The letter-to-the-editor was sent to the Globe Gazette electronically on July 1.

It’s time to cut all the crap about the midterm election. Let’s get down to reality, not conjecture.

Since President Trump took office, his unusual tactics have been scrutinized but they have all produced the desired results. Jobs, economy, tax breaks, more fair healthcare, North Korea talking denuclearization, UN countries paying more of their agreed-to fees, tariffs are getting results. I can go on and on.

Let me ask: when have you ever heard a school system or teacher say they were happy with their funding? Not even when Democrats were in charge. Mr. Hubbell specifically says he won’t raise taxes on “middle” income, but he won’t say he isn’t raising taxes on businesses. If he were to win, the company you work for loses money (probably freezes wages, cuts jobs, trickle down to you getting less).

I respectfully request you all keep the growth blessing Iowa and our nation by getting out and voting Republican right down the line. You can even do it at the county auditors office before Tuesday, Nov. 6.

James Killius, Mason City

What is this world coming to? It's so sinful, dark, upset. How do you straighten is out?

Seems the only answer is to ask God for forgiveness and get back to His word, do what He says.

Disciples asked Jesus what will be the signs of thy coming? He said, "Take heed, do not be deceived." Also as it was in Noah's day, eating, drinking, marrying, sexual immorality, etc. That's our world today.

Many disasters, worldwide famines, starvation, storms, floods, fires, killings, greed, unrest, rich-richer, poor-poorer.

But hey, I keep looking up. Jesus could come for His bride any moment. All these things happening is for all, especially for Israel, to turn to God.

Jesus also said, "When the fig leaves (Israel) are tender, His coming is at the door."

Israel's so hated by the world, but they are still going back to their homeland, just as Jesus said in the end times.

Have you asked Jesus to forgive you and invited him into your heart and live for Him? If not, do so today, no promise for tomorrow. Have that peace in your heart. This world can't give.

Delphia Foell, Sheffield

• Letters to the editor: Library needs, genealogy materials, climate change, the republic

A jury convicts a man of murder because he shot through his apartment door and accidentally killed someone he thought was breaking it but turned out to be an innocent person. Based upon what I've read, it does sound like an accident, but it doesn't sound like murder. If the citizen had been a police officer, he'd have gotten a paid vacation instead of trial and prison!

Nowadays, during jury selection, they overly screen out and dismiss any who indicate a knowledge of their Constitutional rights, so they end up with intimidated puppets (bound by a bunch of technicalities and legal mumbo-jumbo) willing to feed the defendant to the lions to satisfy the prosecution system.

Jurors have a right to judge law as well as facts, but no judge or prosecutors want jurors to know that.

The state of New Hampshire (the Freedom State - no seat belt law for adults, and they have a lower fatality rate per mile of travel than seat-belt Iowa has) enacted a law to require their courts to remind jurors of their Constitutional right to put the law on trial as well as the defendant. This is something our power-hungry officials here in Iowa don't want to happen.

Herman Lenz, Sumner

In the June 10 Globe Gazette, there was a letter to the editor titled "Settle down, God picked Trump" by Melba Muhlenbruch from Hampton. I would like to refute her statements.

The only news about Hillary Clinton that is referred to lately is what Donald J. Trump digs up and tweets about. Hillary did not win the election because Donald J. Trump and his Russian pal Vladimir Putin and their cronies infiltrated our democracy so Trump could win. Hillary did, however, win the popular vote by over 3 million votes. Doesn't it make you shudder to think that this president can undo all of the freedoms that so many gave their lives for over the decades?

Mr. Trump is not a native American. He must have had ancestors who came to this country from somewhere in Europe or possibly Russia to live in this great nation years ago. Why is he so against immigration?

God does not vote in our elections. If he could, he would not pick someone with half a brain and an ego as big as a blimp! Nor would God put someone such as Trump in as president who shows all of the world how to bully or dictate or be "king." Why should Trump continue to make the United States look bad all over the world?

My Bible tells me that in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, those that followed would be given the right to choose. When we choose the wrong things, we end up paying a big price. How much longer do we have to pay the price of having Trump for our president?

Dorothy Abbas, Hampton

“There are two things you can not avoid in life - death and taxes.” These were words from one of my father’s sermons when I was growing up. I think about them at this time of year as I am getting ready to file my own taxes and to prepare taxes for Spanish-speakers. It makes me think about the necessary services which are paid by our taxes.

With recent tax cuts, which are permanent for corporations and the rich, and temporary for the rest of us, some of us will pay more in other ways. The lowest income Americans will receive a tax cut of about $60 a year. However, they will pay in reductions in Medicaid, food assistance, and other programs that are their safety net and that they need to survive.

Neither party talks about the poor, but prefer to talk about the middle class. As we have increased national disasters and demands from the President and his party to build a border wall, our representatives voted to cut taxes, mainly on the rich. The poor will pay for “tax reform” the most.

There’s a misconception that undocumented immigrants don’t pay taxes. As a tax preparer I can attest that this is not true.

Taxes are withheld from everyone’s paychecks, regardless of immigration status. The difference is that illegal immigrants will never receive benefits for Social Security taxes of the approximately $13 billion paid each year into Social Security by the undocumented.

Many immigrants file taxes to obtain the amount of taxes they overpaid and receive a refund. However, there are others who do not file taxes or receive refunds due to fear that information will be shared with ICE.

We ought to remember that we are a nation of immigrants, even (or especially) at tax time.

Kris Gannett-Sanchez, Mason City

It is high time Mason City gets out of the mall business.

No more city (taxpayer) money for this continued boondoggle.

Get rid of it, sell it completely to private investors, and let them do with it as they wish.

Do the leaders of this community ever learn?

Michael Syverson, Mason City

In response to the headline ("Council scraps finalists," March 9), about the city of Mason City not selecting any of the candidates for city administrator, I am wondering why we should continue the search and just stop it right now.

I have heard over and over from our mayor that Jacobson is doing a fine job, and we have a fine staff supporting him. Why do we need to add another $100,000-plus job to our payroll when it is working fine right now?

I agree with the mayor to a point: if it is working with the system in place right now (he said we are comfortable,) why don't we just name Jacobson administrator with his fine staff.

Our population is not getting any larger, and if things are working, why do we need to add more payroll?

John Lindsay, Mason City

At the time of his retirement in 1996, Gen. Barry McCaffrey was the most highly decorated four-star general in the Army. In 2017 he said, "Trump lacks the emotional and intellectual complexity to steer a super power, and if left unchecked, he will eventually degrade our once great country until it’s as twisted, hateful, and small as he is. It really makes me sick, to be honest.”

The Anti-Defamation League reports hate crimes went up 34 percent in 2016, 57 percent in 2017, and are on pace with 2017's numbers in 2018. After the killings in Pittsburgh on top of the pipe bombs sent and all the other violence the U. S. has experienced since Trump became president, it is clear we need to vote a check on this president.

A check Congress is constitutionally tasked to be, but that the current cowardly Republican Congress refuses to be. As another general and former Fox News contributor (he quit) Gen. Michael Hayden said, “If this is who we are or who we are becoming, I have wasted 40 years of my life. Until now, it was not possible for me to conceive of an American president capable of such an outrageous assault on truth, a free press, or the First Amendment."

What has changed in the past two years? The rhetoric of our leader. No other president in my 70-year lifetime has acted or spoken in the hateful manner Trump does. Telling his supporters to beat people up. Leading them in chants to "lock her up." Calling the press the "enemy of the people." The pipe-bomber saw him as a “father figure.”

Americans must vote Blue this election to ensure some restraints on the worst instincts and impulses of this president and his followers.

Lonna Gooden Van Horn, Northwood

Let's congratulate some of the Iowa cities in Rep. Steve King's District 4:

Sioux City, Forest City, Klemme, Hampton, Sibley, Pomeroy, Hornick, Lawton, Orange City, Hawarden, Rock Rapids, Mason City and Council Bluffs.

Your Congressman attacked Emma Gonzalez's heritage because he is a bully who cannot empathize with the horror she and her fellow students endured of gun violence and murder.

Rep. King attacks her family heritage while for years, he has boasted of his own maternal heritage relationship to Abraham Lincoln.

Lee Hazer, Council Bluffs

I was always told growing up that if you hated someone, it would hurt you more than it hurt them. The hatred that is rampant in America toward our president today is going to hurt our country immeasurably if tempers don't cool down.

Congress is toying with our destruction if it doesn't see to it that our military has the backing it needs to protect us from North Korea, Iran and others who would be most happy if we met our demise.

There are so many things on Congress's plate that need to be attended to and if they would only cooperate with each other and seek God's guidance they could come up with solutions that would be fair. The idea of having only one's own way like a spoiled child is repulsive and gets very "old."

As groups roam the streets in protest, I often think it would be a good lesson in appreciation for the freedom we have if those protesters spent a week in North Korea under the Kim regime without food, etc. Maybe there could be a rude awakening and a change of heart. Some in the leadership of the Democrats urge them to resist and block anything Trump or the Republicans want you to do even if it destroys us and they seem to be following that advice.

I say, "Wake up Americans before your own hatred comes back to haunt you." Thank God you are free, at least for the moment.

Melba Muhlenbruch, Hampton

We in Iowa are facing ever-increasing threats of water and air pollution from factory farms. The industry knows it, our governor knows it, our legislators know it, the Department of Natural Resources knows it - but nobody seems to have a spine anymore. I love Iowa, and it is very hard to watch the hog industry destroy our beautiful state.

We are in the midst of an environmental disaster, and all Iowans - both urban and rural - should be concerned. Factory farms are using our good water and returning it to us in the form of toxic waste. One would think we'd have some protections for our resources, but sadly, money has been too much of a motivator for our local and state leaders to resist.

The DNR reports that 750 waterbodies are impaired in Iowa. Yes, they continue giving their stamp of approval for more and more factory farms. It appears that the DNR is not concerned with protecting our water.

We must rise up, or factory farms will continue plaguing our landscape. The time for politicians to ignore our voices is over. We must be heard by our votes, our written words, and our calls. We need a moratorium now!

Jim Batton, Rowan

Enough already. Please, stop it. Just stop. We're tired of constantly nursing black eyes because of jerks like you.

Kevin Young, Sheffield

It would surprise most Americans to know that slavery still exists...it surprised me. In fact, right now, more than 40 million people are someone else’s property — enslaved in factories, fishing boats, and brothels. Today, (June 29, 2018) the U.S. State Department released the 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report, which shines a spotlight on human trafficking, and ranks 188 countries on their efforts to bring an end this crime within their borders.

It is essential that this annual report tell the truth about slavery so we can effectively work towards a world where everyone is free. The Trump Administration and Congress should utilize U.S. diplomacy and foreign aid to combat slavery, specifically by protecting the integrity of the report, reauthorizing the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, appointing a new Ambassador to head the Trafficking in Persons office, and fully funding U.S. efforts to bring an end to this stoppable crime.

While this problem is a global problem, it is also a local problem. Our state is at the hub the interstate sex trafficking network. As responsible citizens, we must do all in our power to see that this problem is erased in our communities, in state and in our world. I urge you, the reader, to read the TIP Report to become more aware of this horrendous problem – then do something about it!

Jim Stern, Osage

I would love to see just one Democrat with a moral backbone stand up to Maxine Waters and tell to her stop promoting violence towards people. What an embarrassment she is. Her behavior and comments are despicable.

Phyllis Rodgers, Mason City

As we head into the fall election, rumblings about “negative” campaigning have already begun. What do we mean by “negative’ tactics? The bipartisan board of directors for 50-50 in 2020 would like to share our perceptions on the subject with candidates from all parties, at every level.

What’s positive? Explaining how your policy on a particular issue differs from that of your opponent. This is a legitimate, in fact, necessary element of any campaign. Tell us what you stand for and how it is different from your opponent’s policy.

Painting a vision of the future. Tell us what you plan to do and why that will make our state better.

Working hard to connect with as many voters as you can. Explain your record. Tout your experience and your abilities without criticizing your opponent personally.

What’s negative? Launching personal attacks on your opponent. That practice should have been left behind in junior high (or as it’s now called, middle school).

Defining your opponent with derogatory labels and slogans. They are not informative and they insult the voters’ intelligence and sensibilities.

Demonizing your opponent. This practice only demeans the one doing it.

Taking words and phrases out of context and twisting their meanings. This practice should be beneath the dignity of honest candidates and parties. Manipulating your opponent’s visual image is a similar form of deceit.

We can have a hard-hitting, full-bore campaign on the issues without sinking into the muck of negative campaigning. Iowa voters are more than ready for a civil, respectful contest. We sincerely hope the candidates and their parties will deliver.

Christine Louscher, Algona; Cheryl Jahnel Erb, Charles City; and 10 other 50-50 in 2020 board members

Once again, Mason City was astounded by the production of "Brigadoon" by Mason City High School. That should not be surprising as the high school has done an excellent production each year. The cast and crew along with their director are truly to be commended. What a talent we have in our high school students.

One would think that this production would come from a professional troupe. Everyone was in character at all times even during the musical numbers during the show. Truly an excellent performance. If you were fortunate enough to witness this event, you know what I am saying.

If for some reason you missed this, you truly missed one of North Iowa's best enjoyments. No one but the actors and directors know of the hours spend during rehearsal and time at home working to make this truly a night to remember. I am already looking forward to next year's production.

Pat Blanchard, Mason City

There is no longer any justification for being a Trump supporter. I could see during the campaign and election and Hillary's unpopularity that some could have been hornswoggled by Trump's unconscionable lies, poor judgement, and lack of knowledge about most everything. But after a year and a half of "much worse than we could have ever imagined," it's time for a reality check.

Trump inherited a healthy and recovering economy, no wars, unemployment rate at 4.7 percent and dropping, and we had strong and healthy relations with our allies, while we were sanctioning foes like Russia and North Korea. The stock market had tripled over the last eight years. There was economic momentum, and Trump quickly started taking credit for it even before the inauguration.

There is not one positive action taken or positive result under Trump, and with all the executive orders and legislation that has occurred, there is only one direction for the country to go. Do you think if Trump could push a button and make himself "supreme ruler", he wouldn't do it?

Republicans are too gutless to take charge of their party and pay the price to do what is right for democracy and America's future. Now Trump wants to have his new friend "Kimmie" at the White House, along with Putin, for a dictator party. Kim is a psychotic killer of his own people, even his uncle and half-brother. Trump excuses it by saying ,"Well other countries have done bad stuff." Trump brags that he "did a hell of a job over there and that the nuclear threat is gone."

Really? I predict Mueller with have his ducks in a row, and Trump will be one of them. He is a consummate law-and-order professional, and Trump can only act guilty in the meantime.

Steve Epperly, Mason City

After the 2016 Medicaid debacle, the 2018 Iowa Legislature went after private insurance. They passed a bill that will allow the sale of a "product" to avoid the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

What does this mean for Iowans? It means the belief you are covered in the event of illness or injury may be illusory. Think you are covered for a stroke? With this product, the company may deny coverage because of previous high blood pressure. Believe that $500,000 hospital bill is covered? Sorry, your coverage limit is $100,000 per claim. Think your children are covered until they are 26? They may only be covered until they are 18. These policies were rampant before the Affordable Care Act, leaving many families no options other than bankruptcy after serious illness or injury.

While these plans may appeal to a healthy 32-year-old, what happens when that 32-year-old is struck by illness or injury? Suddenly this Iowan may be facing hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical bills only to find there is little to no coverage for them.

There is no doubt that the cost of health care is outrageous. But selling illusory products is not the answer. Other states have tackled and are continuing to tackle this problem in ways that provide real coverage to their residents at a reduced cost. We need a process in the Iowa Legislature that examines all possible options for Iowans rather than ramming through a bill that provides only the illusion of coverage. We’ve been down that road before, and it led to bankruptcy for many Iowa families. If elected as your representative, I will work for real solutions to our health care problems.

Tim Knutson, Northwood

It’s hard to remember what it was like before Iowa’s Smokefree Air Act went into effect. Restaurants and bars had two sections: one smoking and the other for secondhand smoking. Dining tables had ashtrays on them. Smoking was allowed at malls and bowling alleys.

In the 10 years since the law’s implementation on July 1, 2008, all that has changed for the better.

But despite this progress, Iowa could do more to reduce smoking rates, protect our kids and improve the health of our communities. We can raise the tax on tobacco products to discourage kids from taking up smoking and encourage those who are trying to quit. I support a tax increase of $1.50 per pack of cigarettes and a similar amount for other tobacco products. Such an increase is projected to save Iowa more than $750 million in long-term health care costs from adult and youth smoking declines. It is projected to reduce youth smoking by more than 16 percent and help more than 20,000 adults finally quit.

Join me in celebrating what we have accomplished in the 10 years since the Iowa Smokefree Air Act passed and encourage our lawmakers to reduce tobacco use further by raising the tobacco tax. It’s time to take our tobacco policy into the future.

Carolyn Sunde, Forest City

Before proceeding with the Gas Pipeline proposed by the Mitchell County Board of Supervisors there are questions to be answered. MCBOS along with supervisors from Cerro Gordo, Worth, and Winnebago counties created a new level of government that is unaccountable. Members include Merlin Bartz, Worth County supervisor, Stan Walk, Mitchell County supervisor, and Jennifer Andrade, director of Mitchell County Economic Development. Andrade never faces voters in an election. Who belongs from your county?

The Port Authority approved a lease option between Midstream Methanol and the Port Authority on June 22, 2017. The land was owned by Merlin and Lisa Bartz. Bartz abstained from the vote. Lease options were signed between the Port Authority and Merlin and Lisa Bartz. Again, Bartz abstained.

Fast forward to the MCBOS meeting June 19. Mitchell County Attorney Mark Walk requested a closed session to discuss the gas pipeline. Walk announced he would not proceed with the closed session. He explained that it had to do with citizens concerned about Merlin Bartz acquiring certain property that was being leased to the Port Authority. The attorney stated he interviewed former Supervisor Shannon Paulus and decided there would be no reason for further discussion. That simple?

Finally, Stan Walk wrote an email that has been widely circulated and carries threats of physical violence. In the email he states, “Mess with my projects one more time behind my back and the gloves come off, never to go back on again, understood?” Doesn’t the title of county supervisor mean you work for the entire county and the citizens as a whole? What are “your” projects Supervisor Walk?

For many years the Walk/Voaklander agenda has been operating mostly unchecked. Remember, one man cannot run the whole show. It always takes two votes to pass “Walk’s projects.”

Al Winters, Osage

In the June 10 Globe Gazette, there was a letter to the editor titled "Settle down, God picked Trump" by Melba Muhlenbruch from Hampton. I would like to refute her statements.

Dorothy Abbas, Hampton

I was with the First Marine Division as a combat infantry man on the line fighting in North and South Korea for most of 1951. I fought against Kim Jong Ung's father and watched Kim Jong Un rise to power. His father started the invasion in 1950 without warning and was determined to take control over South Korea. Both are ruthless killers and have been trying to take control ever since.

This sudden change of hear on Kim's part is just another attempt to conquer South Korea. He has tried several times to eliminate the governing members of South Korea. He has and continues to infiltrate by digging tunnels. He tried bluffing with atomic weaponry. I think he will continue to keep his atomic weaponry. They have a lot of mountains in which to hide them. The next trick will be probably be opening free passage of their borders. History has shown the ruling bodies of South Korea have been shaky at times.

In 1951, U.S. prisoners were badly treated by North Korean soldiers. Just ask any surviving former U.S. prisoners. I have witnessed atrocities to South Korean civilians, too. Kim Jong Un has eliminated those who oppose him and will continue to subjugate South Korea.

I have been in combat with North Korea soldiers a number of times. When they hit our line and discover we were Marines, they usually bounced back and tried those on our flanks. Concerning their meeting, I am reminded of the poem about "the young lady from Niger who sat on the back of a tiger..."

Beware of the tiger, President Trump.

Robert Echelbarger, Mason City

"Gays not allowed" signs are popping up again in store fronts. And the U.S. courts have ruled it is OK to do so.

You – who cast people away, deny entrance, dismiss as though you are too righteous and sinless to even acknowledge their existence – don't know the spiritual and emotional scars you are causing, often so deep and long-lasting.

Jesus identified himself more with the outcasts of his day than those who believed themselves a part of the "in crowd" in the temple.

I once knew a preacher who once a month visited a prison to administer to the inmates, until his own outside supporters so hounded and vilified him, he had to stop it.

All are sinners, and all come short of the ideal God wishes for each of us. But by Jesus' scars, all our scars will be healed. But what purpose is there in making more scars for others to deal with?

"Group not allowed" is not only un-American but also unbecoming of the people of Jesus Christ.

How many other groups will be "not allowed" in the future?

Steven Russell, Clear Lake

Former President Obama and his wife, Michelle, signed a contract with Netflix to create a documentary series that he hopes will unite people from all walks of life.

Now isn't that a hoot! He had eight years to unite this country and bring races, religions, and income classes together, but all we ended up with was a very divided nation.

President Obama was always quick to blame the police for incidents that took place. He drastically increased the hostility levels between citizens and police officers.

Mr. Obama can make his so-called documentaries, but he shouldn't expect many to buy into his theories and anti-capitalistic rhetoric.

Pat Ropella, Mason City

Some people say that they do not “begrudge Fred Hubbell for his wealth.” However, that is exactly what they are doing. They even cite Citizen's United that only dealt with spending for political campaigns by organizations, not by the candidate.

Should Hubbell be excluded from spending his own money to support his own candidacy? Most candidates spend their own money on their own campaigns as well as asking for individual contributions. Besides his own money, Hubbell raised more money than any other Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

Fred Hubbell has a history of spending his time and money for the betterment of Iowans. Chastising Democrats for electing a proven public servant for his generosity only causes a division.

Julie Stewart Ziesman, Waukee

I am surprised whenever I see Republican State Senator Bill Dix quoted in your paper. Why is he still in the Iowa Senate, and why is he still in leadership?

The woman in the Senate Republican office who expressed concerns to him about the sexual harassment of women in the office and on the senate floor was fired by Dix. She reports intolerable conditions, and his instinct is to fire her?! What a disgusting reaction!

Dix might not have been harassing women, but he was in charge, and he allowed it. The harassment in that Republican office was so egregious that a court awarded her $1.75 million, and the Republicans expect the Iowa taxpayers to pay. We should not have to pay!

Let those who are unable to act like decent human beings pay the bill and give us their names. Dix should be gone.

JoAnn Hardy, Mason City

When adult members of society suggest that we allow our college-age children to educate us and make major societal decisions for us, that is when society is lost. I submit, those who make such suggestions are obviously unfit to decide anything for themselves and fortunately they do not speak for everyone. You can be sure the rest of us stand willing and capable of making sound and responsible judgments for ourselves. Just stay out of the way.

Thomas Frank, Mason City

Oh, come on Mason City Leaders! "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me!" How many times does it take for Gatehouse Capital to fool you?

I am so frustrated with the leadership of this neighboring city that I spend a lot of time in. I love Mason City and see nothing but potential every time I visit. There is no finer place in northeast Iowa than that beautiful plaza and Central Park area. So, why does it struggle to be vibrant?

You don't need to look any further than your wonderful Mason City Community Theater; the beautiful sculptures that grace the City; the Frank Lloyd Wright complex that brings visitors from the entire world; or Music Man Square to validate my vision.

No, a defunct shopping mall is not the problem.

Sound community development requires visionary, strong leaders and decision makers. It requires citizens who believe and are willing to become invested. As a former city council member and a state senator, I have seen this formula successfully implemented multiple times in communities I served.

Get with it Mason City! Tomorrow is waiting!

Betty Soukup, Clear Lake

Also consider this: once she gets the genealogy department out of there, how long before she sets her sights on the archives room?

The library is a needed, respected and loved part of Mason City. But it should not be run on someone's ego or desire for authority.

Lowell Swenson, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

The "blue wave" from election day keeps getting bigger and bluer. Thirty-six House seats flipped now, and Orange County, California flipped totally blue for the first time in 70-plus years.

What happened to that "invasion" of the murderous caravan from Central America that Trump hyped out on 45 times the three weeks before election day but not one time since?

What happened to the "10 percent additional middle class tax cut" Trump promised before the election and hasn't mentioned since?

Trump has chosen arms deal money over justice in believing the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia over our own CIA on the slaughter and dismemberment of an American journalist and resident.

He has been played a fool by Kim Jung Un on nuclear disarmament, as we have discovered 16 secret silos we didn't know he had and there is no deal in writing.

Putin's election interference has been proven and agreed on by our 17 intelligence agencies, and the U.S. president does not take it seriously.

Now, we find daughter Ivanka, senior adviser to Trump, has breached security in the use of her personal email for government business just like what Hillary was accused of. This was Trump's main campaign theme against Hillary for the 2016 election.

The turbulence and drop in the stock market shows indices have lost all those big gains for the year. The 18-month investigation and evidence by the Washington Post that Trump's father was very rich, and by tax cheating schemes, siphoned $800 million to son Donald who said daddy gave him $1 million at age 30 and he paid it back with interest.

The Mueller Russia investigation will wrap up, and I'm not sure they even need Trump's testimony. If he is innocent, he should be demanding to testify.

He doesn't pass that test!

Steve Epperly, Mason City

Mayo is flaunting their success reflected in Becker's Healthcare report in having two of the eight Minnesota hospitals that recently received five-star (top) ratings from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. One of these is Mayo Clinic Health System-Albert Lea.

Instead of rewarding Albert Lea's hospital’s efforts in achieving this distinction, Mayo has removed ICU services from Albert Lea to Austin, Minnesota without any prior discussion. Mayo’s future plan is to remove inpatient surgery and Baby Place. We are sad to be left vulnerable without a full-service hospital.

So for those in other areas that wish for the “honor” of having Mayo as your local hospital, be wary: they are great at what they are known for but they do not belong in rural health care. I feel bad for the Mayo legacy as this is not what the Mayo brothers intended. I think of a quote from Warren Buffett: "It takes at least 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently."

I hope that Mayo will once again honor its value that “the best interest of the patient is the only interest to be considered” before it’s too late to salvage its reputation. We continue to fight for our rights in our community and to preserve our legacy. Please join our cause! This is so important to us as individuals, to retain our history and for the future of our communities.

Merilynn Linde, Albert Lea, Minn.

Poor liberal democrats, you've overplayed your hand and you're losing badly.

The more they talk about Stormy, the more they turn off Americans.

Want to watch liberals lose their minds? Tell them that President Trump is about to win the Nobel Peace Prize. That he's actually earned as opposed to President Obama, who got it for doing nothing.

Isn't that a hoot?

The good news keeps coming for Trump. The economy is booming. Last week it was reported unemployment fell below 4 percent, the lowest since 2000. ADP also reported that in April U.S. Private Companies added more than 200,000 jobs for the fifth month in a row.

Obama bragged nonstop about quantity, never mentioning that his job growth consisted mostly of crappy, low-wage, part-time jobs that required food stamps to survive. Trump's new jobs are great jobs. Manufacturing, mining, and professional service jobs led the way in the April report. Over the past 12 months, manufacturing has added 245,000 high wage jobs.

The Democrats response? Bring up Stormy the porn star. It's all liberals want to talk about. CNN and MSNBC have given Stormy wall-to-wall coverage for the past two months.

The result? Trump and the GOP are exploding in the polls. Blue wave in November? Not anymore. This obsession with Stormy is a disaster for Democrats.

Most recent polls show Trump at a robust 51 percent approval at Rasmussen. Far above where he was on Election Day, and also far above where Obama was at the same time in his presidency.

So here's my message for Democrats: Please keep talking about Stormy. Ignore jobs. Ignore the economy. Ignore the tragedy of Obamacare. Ignore illegal immigration. Make it all about Stormy 24/7.

Pat Ropella, Mason City

I, Jack McCourt, plan on beating the school board on their asking for renewal of two levies.

A retired school teacher told me they hired Versteeg because he was a good financial expert. According to the Globe, his first budget is $700,000 short.

The common people in Mason City still run this town when they get out and vote. There is a lot more of us than the ones that are called the elite. Who in their right mind would approve giving any tax spenders 10 years of your taxes against your house?

I hope the student enrollment doesn't keep going down, 110 students a year. Our buildings are built to hold 6,000 kids. Do we still even have 3,000?

The gas and list cost is the same, regardless of how many are attending. When I went to school, we had a school dentist and free drivers training.

Jack McCourt, Mason City

The respect by the Mason City Police Department and former staff to one of their own, Lloyd Boone, was appreciated.

The officers were part of the honor guard and escort to the cemetery with several cops standing beside their vehicles in the blowing cold and stopping traffic for the motorcade.

Especially touching to me was the salute Lloyd received by a young policeman.

Thank you.

Janis Garrard, Mason City

Oh Skipper, there you go again! While there are certainly twists in this year’s elections, there are many more twists than what's been reported.

Tracy Smith, Clear Lake

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Iowa Consumer Advocate Mark Schuling is opposing Alliant Energy’s smart meter rollout at an Iowa Utility Board hearing Nov. 5 in Des Moines. Many Attorneys General and state utility boards around the country have opposed smart meters due to many studies showing no cost benefit, just rate hikes.

Smart meters cost about six times more than analog meters, with one-third the lifetime. There is also the multi-million-dollar initial cash expense to replace 481,000 working analog meters.

Studies show that the faster outage reporting that Alliant and other utility companies claim do not result in faster service restoration.

U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry has warned about serious dangers to America’s security from the smart grid and smart meters. So has former CIA Director James Woolsey, calling the smart grids “stupid” on national TV (along with many other cyber security experts and institutions).

The ACLU and many others oppose smart meters for privacy violation: a $2.2 trillion per year data market is expected, for selling detailed customer personal lifestyle data. Alliant claims it will not sell data, but Alliant customer service reps have told me, “We may change any policy at any time without notice.”

Although Alliant’s planned opt out meter has been shown to be acceptable for health, Alliant’s proposed opt out proposal is severe: We would read our own meter, pay $15/month (Alliant saves millions each year by laying off meter readers), with a four-day monthly window to submit readings (our travel scheduled around reading our meter, and no more opt outs allowed after an temporary opt out period - in perpetuity).

Oppose the smart meter roll out by contacting the Iowa Utility Board.

Einar Olsen, Fairfield

The narcissistic personality occurs where a person has an inflated sense of their own importance and seeks to gain recognition of this from others. Other symptoms could be preoccupation with fantasies of power, success, intelligence and focus on self with little empathy for others. Behaving in an arrogant and entitled manner and seeking constant admiration, praise and approval, exaggeration of achievements and abilities are others.

Because the narcissistic personality has such focus on them, they have little time for considering the needs of others. In order to be successful, they must be better than others, which may make other people the enemy. Their lack of real concern for others also leads them to prodding and bullying people into making them feel good. When they find such compliant people they will make full, unfair and unkind use of them.

Count up the number of staffers Trump has trashed and fired. Either he made some huge errors in judgement or he couldn't have his way with them. His attitude may be characterized as 'you're either with me or against me'. Fired FBI director James Comey would come to mind here.

Narcissistic personalities are often successful in business, where their need for praise leads to hard work and success. Initially they may project a friendly and helpful image, but their true nature emerges later when there is blame (which they cannot take) and recognition (which they crave) being handed out. They make terrible managers (or presidents), stealing all the glory and blaming others for their own failures.

Narcissists are different from psychopaths, although there may be significant overlap. The psychopath values control while the narcissist seeks to inflate their sense of identity. I think it is obvious that Trump qualifies for both, and that scares me! He must go!

Steven Epperly, Mason City

OK. So people are finding it more and more difficult to redeem their cans and bottles to recoup the 5-cent (per container) deposit they paid when purchasing beverages.

Iowa law requires beverage sellers to redeem the 5 cents for containers they sold.

But what about the people (and I'm pretty sure there are many of us) that purchase a six-pack at one store. And a 12-pack at another store. And a six-pack at a different store. And a 24-pack at a (still) different store; etc., etc.

Some of these people may not ever return to the store(s) of purchase because of the inconvenience or whatever.

Others prefer to "amass" their 5-cent containers and cash them all in at once. At one location.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that: A) landfills will soon be flooded with beverage containers; and B) so will Iowa's roadways.

People will toss them out their car windows. Or throw them in their trash. People who search for these nickels (helps keep roadways cleaner) will no longer bother if there is no longer a reliable redemption center where they can easily cash them in. Just a few things that would make recipients of all those 5-cent deposits able to keep that cash. Cha-ching!

A possible solution might be that the State of Iowa should establish its own redemption centers. Either that or the beverage wholesalers should put their competitiveness aside and open their own redemption centers.

So wake up, Iowa!

Bill Amos, Plymouth

I have lived in Hardy since 1999. I moved to the country with the great outdoors in mind – but boy, was I wrong!

In the fall of 2014, I learned that two 2,500-head hog factories were being built just 2,599 feet east of my acreage. I was never asked or told anything about it – just that Hawker Farms II (one of Iowa Select's many LLCs) was moving in next door.

My home is becoming a prison due to the smell. Yardwork and sitting outside is no longer a joy – it has become a nightmare.

The amount of money that has been spent on Golden Malrin just to kill the flies is outrageous.

My property value will be lower when I decide to sell the acreage.

I fear for my health and water contamination by the way this factory farm manure is being spread near me.

It's already bad enough, but now, Iowa Select is putting up yet another hog factory south of me.

We get the pollution while CEO Jeff Hansen gets all the profits. These buildings are still sprouting up all over Iowa. This has got to stop. We need a moratorium!

Kathy Johnson, Hardy

Really? I predict Mueller with have his ducks in a row, and Trump will be one of them. He is a consummate law-and-order professional, and Trump can only act guilty in the meantime.

Steve Epperly, Mason City

Illegal and legal immigration has been a big issue that has divided many of us.

As Christians, we believe God gave us the Ten Commandments to live by, as our government gives us laws to live by. We have God's laws and our government's laws to keep order in our lives and country. When the government does not enforce these laws, it causes great disorder that we are experiencing.

When should you stand for the laws or when do you stand for compromise? Or do we have to give up one for the other? We all need to compromise, but at what point do you compromise if it is giving up your laws and values?

Of all the countries in the world, the U.S. leads in the number of immigrants we let into our country to become citizens. We should welcome people into our country to become citizens, if they come here legally. The U.S. can only allow so many people across our borders. Compare our country to a big boat. We can only allow so many people across our borders, or, as a boat, we too will surely sink.

Ask yourself: is my business, church or house ever locked? If yes, why? Why do I not have more children? Why not 20 or 30? Do I not try to monitor my children so they choose friends wisely? People coming into our country to become citizens should be monitored very carefully for their principles and willingness to assimilate. Why do we have a broken immigration system?

What is the answer? To me, the answer is to enforce the laws we have now until such time they can be changed. We need to control immigration first by controlling our borders. Only then can we reform immigration.

Alyce Hugeback, Hampton

Help me stop public ownership of handguns for civilians. Only law enforcement and military should have handguns. It does not take away your right to bear arms. You can still have guns that kill – shotguns and rifles!

Sex for money is illegal and everyone knows this, so why isn't porn against the law? It is the same as prostitution!

Same-sex marriage should not be in the church. It is against the morals of the church!

Reginald Noling, Rudd

Are only women who accuse Republicans not Democrats to be believed?

Pat Ropella, Mason City

I know there are North Iowans like me who are either on our Medicaid program or know people who are. We know how important it is for Iowans of little income or who are severely disabled to get the medical care and treatment they need and still be able to enjoy some quality of life. We cannot continue to “experiment” and fail with such an essential program that is desperately needed by over half a million Iowans.

Gov. Reynolds, who appears to dish out happy talk like “It will get better tomorrow,” recently hired a subsidiary, Iowa Total Care, of Centene, a huge Missouri company that has paid over $23 million in penalties in over 12 states, to replace AmeriHealth Caritas.

Fred Hubbell says he will return our failing Medicaid program to a state-run program like Connecticut did for its people. Fred knows how to strengthen any weaknesses in the old program and make it better. As a caring sensitive and sensible businessman, Fred Hubbell knows it is wise not to continually put profit above people.

Johanna Anderson, Osage

I just returned home to Minnesota after spending an exhilarating weekend in Mason City for the Class of 1968's 50th reunion! And we are all 68 – how often does that happen? We had an excellent turnout, nearly 200 attendees from a class of 480-plus, and we have at least 77 deceased that we know of.

The local committee did an outstanding job planning and carrying out the reunion and it was so much fun to see classmates we've known lately only through Facebook, and before Facebook probably not at all.

Lynne Ploetz, Hanover, Minn.

September marks the beginning of Fall Festivals and fun activities for many but for many others this month is for Childhood Cancer Awareness and trying to publicize the need for new and better treatments for the children diagnosed with childhood cancer.

In our geographical region, a child diagnosed with cancer will be treated in one of three locations: University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City, Mayo Clinic in Rochester or Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines. For these kids and their families, this involves hospitalizations at those locations for varying amounts of time, ambulance rides because of fevers or other reactions to treatment and often one parent leaving the workforce to become a full time caregiver. Of the precious children diagnosed, one out of five will die, survivors are more likely to develop secondary cancers, heart failure and other health problems with about 35% dying within 35 years of diagnosis.

But what is truly unacceptable is that so little progress has been made in finding new treatments for these kids! Only 4 percent of the National Cancer Institute’s budget is designated for childhood cancer research. In the last 30 years, only three new drugs have been approved that were specifically developed to treat children with cancer. When you consider that childhood cancer is not one disease but is comprised of 12 major types and over 100 subtypes, it is easy to see much more is needed.

So, with September being designated Go Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness, please find a way to support further research for kids. One way is to support a fundraiser Stomping Out Childhood Cancer on Sept 29 at Surf District Rock ‘n Roll Grill, Clear Lake.

Please help stomp out childhood cancer!

Donna Buol, Clear Lake

Fred Hubbell and Rita Hart are the perfect pair to rid our state of this Medicaid privatization nightmare, and once again restore a system that is run by Iowans and delivers the health care to Iowans that we need.

Fred, since he began campaigning, has been a stalwart advocate for reversing the disastrous privatization that the Branstad-Reynolds administration enacted unilaterally. That move wasn't just a terrible display of partisanship – it stole health care from Iowans who need it the most.

Not only that, it is delaying and denying payments to Iowa providers that are struggling to stay in business, and many of them, especially in rural communities across the state, are closing their doors as a result.

I am voting for Hubbell-Hart, because from Day One they will turn around this failure, and instead create a system run by Iowans that will expand good, quality health care.

This is the type of leadership we need in Iowa. Iowa needs a governor who can deliver results in restoring access to health care.

Bob Wymore, Mason City

I thought the city adopted quiet zones for certain areas of the city? Why aren't they being enforced?

Over the last several weeks, the train horns have been sounding for every train that has passed through the city north and south of State Street. Shouldn't the city or the police be able to make contact with Union Pacific and issue citations or fines for violating the ordinance?

Why did the city spend the money for the additional barricades for several of the crossings and allow the closure of other crossings if they are not going to hold the railroad to their part of the agreement?

Are there other frustrated citizens out there that want something done about this?

Where are our city council members that live in these areas? Why are they not saying something about this?

They can certainly hear the whistles. Was the five-year battle to get the quiet zones for nothing?

Jon Wiese, Mason City

More than one-quarter of Iowans – or more than 600,000 people – rely on Medicaid for their health care. Among them are people regarded as vulnerable in our society: those who are disabled, economically disadvantaged, or elderly.

Unfortunately, they often don’t have a voice that gets heard on political issues. They certainly didn’t ask for Medicaid privatization. Gov. Branstad did it without legislative collaboration. Gov. Reynolds and Rep. Tedd Gassman refuse to recognize the harm they are inflicting.

Privatization began in April 2016. Since then, Iowa has thrown billions away to out-of-state corporations. The new system has been a disaster despite what the current administration says. Underpayments to medical providers, denial of coverage for medical goods, and denial of care previously covered have harmed people locally. Families now strain to fill gaps once provided for by the state system.

Iowans acknowledge the need for Medicaid. I lived unaware of how vital it was until I had a son who needed it. I regret this is a dangerous time. Many of our current legislators refuse to admit that privatization isn’t working. It won’t be easy, but the former system of Iowans providing care for Iowans must be restored.

Debra Jensen, candidate for Iowa House, is ready for the task. As a public health nurse, she witnessed problems first-hand and understands what needs to happen to fix them. As my wife and I get older, we need to know a quality Medicaid system will be there for our son when we aren’t. Help our family and others by voting for Deb Jensen.

Mark Newcom, Forest City

Will the Library Board of Trustees – John Henry, president; Dennis Reidel, vice president; Carrie Berg, Mark Dodd, Jennifer Lee, Dave Moore, Shelly Schmidt; and Library Director Mary Markwalter become heroes or villains? The board has an opportunity at its Sept. 18 meeting to make that decision.

They can become heroes by rescinding their vote to evict the Genealogy Library, or villains by evicting the Genealogy Library on Sept. 30. Note: Mark Dodd and Jennifer Lee were not trustees when the eviction was voted on.

They might become heroes in the eyes of the North Central Iowa Genealogical Society, that owns the collection of 5,000-plus books and materials housed in the Genealogy Library and their thousands of supporters who have come forward upon hearing of the eviction. Many supporters are not genealogists but feel the Genealogy Library should remain as an integral part of the MCPL.

They will definitely be villains if they uphold their vote to evict the Genealogy Library. Notes from library board meetings:

In March, noted the GL provided no income, need to determine what revenue it might generate.

In April, director stated she needs to talk to NCiGS about paying rent, (but never did contact us).

In May, voted to evict GL.

In August, interview announced room to become meeting room with usage fee.

Records show that the library only generated $1,315 FY2018 from the rooms it rents, yet it needs to add another rental room? NCIGS has offered to pay a guaranteed $1,200 a year, which has not been accepted.

The thing is, NICIGS would have gladly paid a nominal rental fee all the years it has occupied the space in the MCPL. We were never asked for rent, but now they are making us look like the villains.

So will the library board choose to be heroes or villains?

Mark Suby, Mason City

I want to go on record endorsing Richard Dedor to represent Iowa House District 19 as an Independent. Since he isn’t tied to the Republican or Democratic parties, he offers a unique option to voters this election. I know Richard will focus on the job to be done and in making the right choice for Iowans. Our future leader is willing and eager to put people ahead of political parties.

One example of what he plans to do in office is offering real solutions to help the state’s economy. While reviewing his jobs plan, I realized its great potential, when matched with key education reforms, to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, doctors and teachers. His new approach gives the same stale problems of the past new life and new hope.

Richard exemplifies honesty, fairness, balance and innovation. I know he’s excited to take on this new challenge and move Iowa toward a better future for all. I ask you to throw your support behind him this election and give him the chance to work for you.

Tracie Dedor, Mason City

On May 30, the Mason City Library Board served notice to the North Iowa Genealogical Society to vacate the space that they are using at the library. The Genealogical Society has been housed in the library for about four decades. I read the reason for the eviction at first was the space was to be used for youth. Now it’s my understanding the reason has changed to the library would like to rent the genealogical room space out for meeting space to the general public for additional income.

I read the July 17 financial report for the Mason City library. It reflects the total amount of meeting room fees collected at the library in fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018) was $1,315.

On Aug. 21, the North Central Iowa Genealogical Society offered to pay rent in the amount of $1,200 a year to the library. If the genealogy board rental offer is accepted by the library board, this would nearly double the annual rental income for the library.

As a former banker, that if the library doesn’t accept their offer, it would seem the eviction may be for other than financial reasons.

The library should be truthful for the reason for the eviction, not only to the genealogy club members, but to the taxpayers that have come to the library board meetings in support of leaving the genealogy room in the library. Perhaps cool heads will prevail and a compromise can be reached.

Patty Paul, Boerne, Texas

My mind drifts back to the presidential campaign of 1972 when I was a young boy. There were many contenders in the race, but two would surge to the forefront: Richard Nixon and George McGovern.

McGovern was the democratic hopeful. He believed in the immediate pull out of the war in Vietnam. He wanted amnesty for draft-dodgers and deserters. He wanted tax cuts for middle income Americans. In short, he was as close to a Democratic socialist as you could get in 1972. He was ultimately brought down by a poor choice for vice president.

Nixon was already under investigation for his role in the Watergate break-in. Running on a conservative platform, he whipped up a rabid following, even though there was strong evidence building that he was a "crook," a charge he would vehemently deny. His followers chose to ignore the evidence and Nixon was elected for a second term.

Fast forward to 2016. We had two choices in our presidential election, neither of them were worthy of our vote. Hillary looked as crooked as Nixon, and Trump filled his rabid followers with rhetoric that sounded like it came from the mouth of an inexperienced 14-year-old boy.

The election was Hillary’s to lose, and lose she did. She was brought down under the weight of her husband’s scandals as well as her own poor judgement.

Scandal after scandal and a propensity for making false statements and grandiose plans wouldn’t keep Trump out of the White House. Haven’t we heard this story before?

All in all, America has been sold a bill of goods, and was left with only two choices, very bad choices, to lead this nation and the free world. All we can do now is hunker down and wait for 2020, hoping history will not repeat itself.

Paul Barenthin, Northwood

The Republican Party, lead by Donald Trump, were and are willing to:

• Give large tax breaks to the top 1 percent of Americans, which sky rocketed the national debt, while denying pay raises to federal employees. Have you heard our Republican governor, senators or House members rebuke this? No.

• Allow so-called health insurance policies to be sold without knowing what will, or will not be covered. And to legally allow discrimination towards those persons who have health issues.

• Deny Medicaid patients the care they so desperately need. Deny adequate reimbursement to healthcare providers for their services due to Medicaid privatization. Medicaid privatization was done as a cost saving measure. But Gov. Reynolds can't show us the numbers that she has actually saved our state money. This so-called saving was done at the expense of health care services to Iowa families.

• Allowing alternative facts known to be false to serve the purpose of their political cause.

• Cast aside American values, principles and ideals, while watching Mr. Trump show lack of respect towards John McCain, and veterans in general. All the while Republicans being too afraid to speak out against this kind of behavior.

Please consider voting for the Democrats values:

• Honesty, truthfulness, respect and inclusiveness.

• Health care for all without discrimination.

• Equitable taxation the puts people first over corporations.

• Immigration reform done in a humane fashion.

• Where care for Iowans and our environment takes precedence over profits.

• Providing adequate resources/funding for our public schools to ensure a stable and 21st century education for all Iowa children.

As for our local elections, I support Connie Price for House Representative District 8, as she believes in all of the above democratic values. Please vote on Nov. 6.

Lissa Holloway, Britt

U.S. Rep. Rod Blum ripped a page straight from President Trump’s playbook when news broke that the two-term Republican is under investigation by the House Committee on Ethics: He lashed out at his opponent — and news outlets for reporting the story.

Democrats and the media aren’t to blame for the Blum's ethical shortcomings any more than politics played a role in the decision to open an investigation.

The case was referred by the Office of Congressional Ethics, an independent and nonpartisan panel that reviews allegations of misconduct by members of Congress. The House Committee on Ethics, which agreed that Blum’s actions warranted further investigation, is similarly balanced. The committee has an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, with a representative from Blum’s own party serving in the top post as chair.

Blum accused his opponent and other Democrats of waging "a crusade of personal destruction on me and other principled leaders working to drain the swamp in Washington — this is the Swamp fighting back."

He also attacked the media for simply doing their job by covering the story: “Still, the complicit media continues to take its cues from the Democratic party and they work to make mountains out of molehills in order to deliver an election scandal headline.”

No, Representative. For all your bullying and misdirected finger-pointing, this is the House Committee on Ethics holding you accountable for your own misdeeds.

The Ethics committee won't announce its findings, including any penalties, until December. First District voters will have an opportunity to make their voices heard before that, on election day.

Cynthia Moothart, Minneapolis

Farming and other professions come with some hard lessons, many the result of unintended consequences of past policies, practices and good intentions.

Even engineers inside companies like Facebook and Google wrestle questions whether sacrificing principles for a paycheck are really worth the risk.

“Business as usual” that obsesses on lucrative balance sheets and “growing the economy” may be futile if the outcomes are adverse climate change, melting ice caps, species extinction, more severe storms, flooding, droughts, fires, famine, and economic collapse.

Human nature is tempted to seek short-term personal comfort and wealth. Regrettably, it is easier to succumb to the temptation to ignore or marginalize the long-term consequences on the rest of creation.

We seem to be preoccupied with pursuits of lifestyles and methods of commerce that cultivate an unsustainable false economy. How long can we “cut corners” to exploit our ability to maximize profits without regard for the enormous cost of restoring our mutual life support systems?

By ignoring externalized costs, we risk adverse climate change that jeopardizes our ability to sustain abundant production of healthful food. As stated by retired ISU Professor and Nobel-Prize winning panelist Gene Takle, imagine corn trying to pollinate in a 108-degree oven, or “look at adding air-conditioning” to hog buildings when temperatures are 13 degrees higher in the dead of summer.

Transitioning to regenerative ag and restoring healthy soils are urgent.

Dr. Edward Wenk, Jr., in his 1979 book, Margins for Survival, stated, “We seem to have spun a cultural web where the predilection for the short run may constitute a self-fulfilling prophecy that by benign neglect of the longer run, there may be none.”

Only about two months remain for citizens to vote for responsible congressional, state and local candidates who comprehend the gravity of the consequences of climate change.

Roger R. Patocka, Estherville

I have written over 40 family histories using resources of the Genie Room. Regarding the Sigdal Eggedal Family and Farm Book, I translated the 1,208 pages. I did not ask for or receive money for the Danish and Swedish dictionaries, nor the 800 sheets of paper and two ink cartridges.

The Library Board must not be aware that I own the intellectual property rights, as does everyone who gave a family history to the Genie collection. I will not assign my rights over the the library to place my books into the public domain. I have information of still living people that I must protect.

I hope that someone will find information from the translation.

Carol Pannhoff, Mason City

RE: Pat Wright, Cerro Gordo County treasurer

Having known Pat for nearly 40 years, I feel I have a good measure of her character. Pat is experienced, honest, watchful and hard working.

Re-elect Pat Wright to continue to keep our county treasurer office under competent leadership.

Rosalie Boozell, Mason City

The Supreme Court is filling a vacancy. All who want a Constitutional court want Kavanaugh to get the post.

The Court should rule on original intent, not a new law, as it proved in the abortion issue.

Since the Court slammed its gavel against decency and the meaning of a civilized nation, the Court has allowed 300 million abortions.

That is something to drink your coffee in the morning by.

Russell McAfee

Seemed like not that many years later a North Iowa developer and a Clear Lake realtor decided to build a smaller shopping center along Highway 18 to the west.That seems to be working out OK.

Then came the talk of needing to do a downtown shopping area. I don't recall who owned it or who built it, but it seemed to work out OK for a long time.

I have not completed a large amount of research on the details of these owners. However as far as I know, all of the many houses I built are still paying taxes.

I have never herd of anyone selling, transferring, improving, or mortgaging property with three or four years of tax leans on any or all of the parcels.

First thing tomorrow morning, there needs to be a tax sale filed on Southbridge Mall.

Then the Chamber and or the City can start the planning of what would be nice downtown. Maybe the first thing could be renaming it City Center or something.

It's really a nice location for shopping and has a great center court for our less-than-perfect weather.

Don Kibsgaard, Mason City

This is in response to John Johnson's letter regarding the left's supposedly hypocritical stance on border control versus gun control.

Finally, John, if you want your view points to be taken seriously and respected, maybe drop the snide tone and dismissal of "lefties", as well as the jabs at Hogg. Just saying.

Angela Niles, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Paul Barenthin, Northwood

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Remember that you are an important part of our success.

Merilynn Linde, Albert Lea, Minn.

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

The process for confirming President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee has started. As a member of Concerned Women for America of Iowa, I support the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Alberto R. Gonzales, former Attorney General of the United States, has remarked that Kavanaugh understands the appropriate role of a judge, that he is disciplined and not arrogant.

Carol A. Evers, Riverside

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Oh Skipper, there you go again! While there are certainly twists in this year’s elections, there are many more twists than what's been reported.

Tracy Smith, Clear Lake

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Hey lefties, question: If gun control is the answer to school shootings, would not border control be the answer to illegals killing American citizens?

John Johnson, Britt

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Caleb Gates, Cedar Rapids

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Also consider this: once she gets the genealogy department out of there, how long before she sets her sights on the archives room?

The library is a needed, respected and loved part of Mason City. But it should not be run on someone's ego or desire for authority.

Lowell Swenson, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

James Givens, Rio Hondo, Texas

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Now, who has been willing to compromise? We need the public to speak up for us. Please contact your city councilman. Thanks for your support.

Carol Tinkey, Mason City

Fred Hubbell's criticism of Gov. Reynolds as "nothing more than politics" shows an extreme negligence of the farming community.

This November, I am supporting our Governor, Kim Reynolds.

Nancy Rockman, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Library needs, genealogy materials, climate change, the republic

Elaine Bergan, Northwood

• Letters to the editor: Library needs, genealogy materials, climate change, the republic

Of all the issues being discussed and debated in the run up to mid-term elections, it is quite disheartening that global warming and climate change are hardly mentioned at all.

Paul Collier, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy collection, drug offenders, Trump, Kavanaugh

To date, no other potential use of the space has been divulged.

Doris Smith, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy collection, drug offenders, Trump, Kavanaugh

According to USA Today, genealogy is currently the second most popular hobby in the U.S.

“It starts at home, where they learn everything they can online. Then they want the tactile experience of research, of going to the library to learn more.”

Genealogy resources that can’t be found on the internet are a draw to the genealogist. Not all resource material can be digitized; old maps and plat books are valuable for research and information.

The genealogy group depends on membership dues for its finances and doesn’t have funding or cash flow to be able to buy or rent space elsewhere.

Library use is trending down. Libraries need to support resources that bring people in the door to justify their existence.

Library board: reverse the eviction order and support this valuable part of your community.

Patty Paul, Boerne, Texas

In Webster's dictionary, look up the definition of a republic and socialism. Then decide which we want to be governed by. Let us act now, so we don't have to react later.

Alyce Hugeback, Hampton

Carol Tinkey, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

It would be a shame, a tragedy to move this extensive collection to another location. Most likely, it would result in it being fragmented and located to multiple locations.

I am hopeful that the Library Board and the City Council will reconsider and give second thought in order to keep this very valuable Mason City resource in its current location.

Judy Evans, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Robert Freund, Greene

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Steve Epperly, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

After the filing of the Freedom of Information Act request by the Democratic senators was denied, I became concerned about the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Any member of Congress, including Sen. Grassley, should be concerned enough to let the record speak for itself.

Julie Stewart Ziesman, Waukee

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Nancy Hewett, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

I hope there is a happy ending to this story.

Jay Fonkert, Roseville, Minnesota

I raise my toilet plunger to the cast, crew, orchestra, design and production team of Urinetown the Musical.

However, our donations to One Iowa North Scholarship Fund are welcome and the tips on conserving water that are posted on the walls remind us of what not to take for granted.

Beverly Butler, Mason City

We need local control in every county so the people can decide what they want.

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is listening to people who want change. No more factory farms until we have local control and fewer than 100 impaired water bodies in Iowa.

Shannon Walker, Clarion

Denny Murra, Buffalo Center

BUFFALO CENTER | Virginia Olthoff's daughter says she was a cheerful, kindhearted woman who loved to give others affectionate nicknames like "…

We all have ownership in our water issues. Each of us leaves a footprint on the environment each and everyday.

Instead of blaming someone else for the problem, let's focus on creating and solutions.

Brent Fedders, Mason City

My family went to Pine Lake State Park for a greatly anticipated weekend of camping, swimming and beach picnics. When we arrived, we learned t…

In response to Roxann Newell's letter to the editor ("Touched by aunt's forgiveness," July 25): One should not make a judgement until they are sure they have all the facts.

Very few people besides myself and my wife knew what was going on. Many times we shared a meal with Ken, Kathy and Codie, and sometimes just to visit.

Both me and my wife would offer words of encouragement to Codie. Many times we would listen to Ken and Kathy's hopes and frustrations concerning Codie.

As far as Sharon being able to forgive Codie: Sharon did not know Codie personally due to a 35-year rift that Sharon had with Ken. The rift continued up to Ken's death.

It's easy to forgive when you don't know what's going on.

Marv Hackbart, Mason City

What is wrong with these people? That's what my dear mother would say if she was alive today!

That bottle bill is no longer working. Use a closed-down plant or factory and build a state-of-the-art recycling facility. Get some people working and get rid of these flies!

Jo Parker, Mason City

It doesn't have to be this way. Can you imagine the amazing recreational/tourist possibility of our rivers and public parks if our waters were pollutant-free?

Bottom line: this isn't just our swimming water, irrigating water, life-sustaining water. To get the clean water that Iowa's families deserve, we need polluters to pay to clean up the mess they made.

Kristyn Arnold, Des Moines

No justice. It was very disheartening and disappointing to see another admitted pedophile to be given a very soft plea deal, as reported in the Globe Gazette on July 17.

This time it's Hancock County County Attorney, Robert Blake Norman, making the shameful deal with Damien Kyhl, who sexually assaulted multiple children over multiple years.

Instead of taking him to trial and being able to take this sexual offender off our streets for decades, it appears he'll be serving what could be five years of a negotiated 10-year sentence.

In no time. this pedophile will be back out and able to reoffend against our children. Also, no justice for the victims. Shameful.

Pat Ropella, Mason City

Kevin Young, Sheffield

This is in response to John Johnson's letter regarding the left's supposedly hypocritical stance on border control versus gun control.

Finally, John, if you want your view points to be taken seriously and respected, maybe drop the snide tone and dismissal of "lefties", as well as the jabs at Hogg. Just saying.

Angela Niles, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Paul Barenthin, Northwood

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Remember that you are an important part of our success.

Merilynn Linde, Albert Lea, Minn.

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

The process for confirming President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee has started. As a member of Concerned Women for America of Iowa, I support the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Alberto R. Gonzales, former Attorney General of the United States, has remarked that Kavanaugh understands the appropriate role of a judge, that he is disciplined and not arrogant.

Carol A. Evers, Riverside

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Oh Skipper, there you go again! While there are certainly twists in this year’s elections, there are many more twists than what's been reported.

Tracy Smith, Clear Lake

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Hey lefties, question: If gun control is the answer to school shootings, would not border control be the answer to illegals killing American citizens?

John Johnson, Britt

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Caleb Gates, Cedar Rapids

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Also consider this: once she gets the genealogy department out of there, how long before she sets her sights on the archives room?

The library is a needed, respected and loved part of Mason City. But it should not be run on someone's ego or desire for authority.

Lowell Swenson, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

James Givens, Rio Hondo, Texas

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Now, who has been willing to compromise? We need the public to speak up for us. Please contact your city councilman. Thanks for your support.

Carol Tinkey, Mason City

Fred Hubbell's criticism of Gov. Reynolds as "nothing more than politics" shows an extreme negligence of the farming community.

This November, I am supporting our Governor, Kim Reynolds.

Nancy Rockman, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Library needs, genealogy materials, climate change, the republic

Elaine Bergan, Northwood

• Letters to the editor: Library needs, genealogy materials, climate change, the republic

Of all the issues being discussed and debated in the run up to mid-term elections, it is quite disheartening that global warming and climate change are hardly mentioned at all.

Paul Collier, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy collection, drug offenders, Trump, Kavanaugh

To date, no other potential use of the space has been divulged.

Doris Smith, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy collection, drug offenders, Trump, Kavanaugh

According to USA Today, genealogy is currently the second most popular hobby in the U.S.

“It starts at home, where they learn everything they can online. Then they want the tactile experience of research, of going to the library to learn more.”

Genealogy resources that can’t be found on the internet are a draw to the genealogist. Not all resource material can be digitized; old maps and plat books are valuable for research and information.

The genealogy group depends on membership dues for its finances and doesn’t have funding or cash flow to be able to buy or rent space elsewhere.

Library use is trending down. Libraries need to support resources that bring people in the door to justify their existence.

Library board: reverse the eviction order and support this valuable part of your community.

Patty Paul, Boerne, Texas

In Webster's dictionary, look up the definition of a republic and socialism. Then decide which we want to be governed by. Let us act now, so we don't have to react later.

Alyce Hugeback, Hampton

Carol Tinkey, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

It would be a shame, a tragedy to move this extensive collection to another location. Most likely, it would result in it being fragmented and located to multiple locations.

I am hopeful that the Library Board and the City Council will reconsider and give second thought in order to keep this very valuable Mason City resource in its current location.

Judy Evans, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Robert Freund, Greene

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Steve Epperly, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

After the filing of the Freedom of Information Act request by the Democratic senators was denied, I became concerned about the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Any member of Congress, including Sen. Grassley, should be concerned enough to let the record speak for itself.

Julie Stewart Ziesman, Waukee

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Nancy Hewett, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

I hope there is a happy ending to this story.

Jay Fonkert, Roseville, Minnesota

I raise my toilet plunger to the cast, crew, orchestra, design and production team of Urinetown the Musical.

However, our donations to One Iowa North Scholarship Fund are welcome and the tips on conserving water that are posted on the walls remind us of what not to take for granted.

Beverly Butler, Mason City

We need local control in every county so the people can decide what they want.

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is listening to people who want change. No more factory farms until we have local control and fewer than 100 impaired water bodies in Iowa.

Shannon Walker, Clarion

Denny Murra, Buffalo Center

BUFFALO CENTER | Virginia Olthoff's daughter says she was a cheerful, kindhearted woman who loved to give others affectionate nicknames like "…

We all have ownership in our water issues. Each of us leaves a footprint on the environment each and everyday.

Instead of blaming someone else for the problem, let's focus on creating and solutions.

Brent Fedders, Mason City

My family went to Pine Lake State Park for a greatly anticipated weekend of camping, swimming and beach picnics. When we arrived, we learned t…

In response to Roxann Newell's letter to the editor ("Touched by aunt's forgiveness," July 25): One should not make a judgement until they are sure they have all the facts.

Very few people besides myself and my wife knew what was going on. Many times we shared a meal with Ken, Kathy and Codie, and sometimes just to visit.

Both me and my wife would offer words of encouragement to Codie. Many times we would listen to Ken and Kathy's hopes and frustrations concerning Codie.

As far as Sharon being able to forgive Codie: Sharon did not know Codie personally due to a 35-year rift that Sharon had with Ken. The rift continued up to Ken's death.

It's easy to forgive when you don't know what's going on.

Marv Hackbart, Mason City

What is wrong with these people? That's what my dear mother would say if she was alive today!

That bottle bill is no longer working. Use a closed-down plant or factory and build a state-of-the-art recycling facility. Get some people working and get rid of these flies!

Jo Parker, Mason City

It doesn't have to be this way. Can you imagine the amazing recreational/tourist possibility of our rivers and public parks if our waters were pollutant-free?

Bottom line: this isn't just our swimming water, irrigating water, life-sustaining water. To get the clean water that Iowa's families deserve, we need polluters to pay to clean up the mess they made.

Kristyn Arnold, Des Moines

No justice. It was very disheartening and disappointing to see another admitted pedophile to be given a very soft plea deal, as reported in the Globe Gazette on July 17.

This time it's Hancock County County Attorney, Robert Blake Norman, making the shameful deal with Damien Kyhl, who sexually assaulted multiple children over multiple years.

Instead of taking him to trial and being able to take this sexual offender off our streets for decades, it appears he'll be serving what could be five years of a negotiated 10-year sentence.

In no time. this pedophile will be back out and able to reoffend against our children. Also, no justice for the victims. Shameful.

Pat Ropella, Mason City

Congratulations to Mason City Newman on its baseball championship this summer. However, I wonder if it is somewhat tainted. While attending a …

Arlin Beemer, Mason City

This is in response to John Johnson's letter regarding the left's supposedly hypocritical stance on border control versus gun control.

Finally, John, if you want your view points to be taken seriously and respected, maybe drop the snide tone and dismissal of "lefties", as well as the jabs at Hogg. Just saying.

Angela Niles, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Paul Barenthin, Northwood

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Remember that you are an important part of our success.

Merilynn Linde, Albert Lea, Minn.

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

The process for confirming President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee has started. As a member of Concerned Women for America of Iowa, I support the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Alberto R. Gonzales, former Attorney General of the United States, has remarked that Kavanaugh understands the appropriate role of a judge, that he is disciplined and not arrogant.

Carol A. Evers, Riverside

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Oh Skipper, there you go again! While there are certainly twists in this year’s elections, there are many more twists than what's been reported.

Tracy Smith, Clear Lake

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Hey lefties, question: If gun control is the answer to school shootings, would not border control be the answer to illegals killing American citizens?

John Johnson, Britt

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Caleb Gates, Cedar Rapids

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Also consider this: once she gets the genealogy department out of there, how long before she sets her sights on the archives room?

The library is a needed, respected and loved part of Mason City. But it should not be run on someone's ego or desire for authority.

Lowell Swenson, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

James Givens, Rio Hondo, Texas

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Now, who has been willing to compromise? We need the public to speak up for us. Please contact your city councilman. Thanks for your support.

Carol Tinkey, Mason City

Fred Hubbell's criticism of Gov. Reynolds as "nothing more than politics" shows an extreme negligence of the farming community.

This November, I am supporting our Governor, Kim Reynolds.

Nancy Rockman, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Library needs, genealogy materials, climate change, the republic

Elaine Bergan, Northwood

• Letters to the editor: Library needs, genealogy materials, climate change, the republic

Of all the issues being discussed and debated in the run up to mid-term elections, it is quite disheartening that global warming and climate change are hardly mentioned at all.

Paul Collier, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy collection, drug offenders, Trump, Kavanaugh

To date, no other potential use of the space has been divulged.

Doris Smith, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy collection, drug offenders, Trump, Kavanaugh

According to USA Today, genealogy is currently the second most popular hobby in the U.S.

“It starts at home, where they learn everything they can online. Then they want the tactile experience of research, of going to the library to learn more.”

Genealogy resources that can’t be found on the internet are a draw to the genealogist. Not all resource material can be digitized; old maps and plat books are valuable for research and information.

The genealogy group depends on membership dues for its finances and doesn’t have funding or cash flow to be able to buy or rent space elsewhere.

Library use is trending down. Libraries need to support resources that bring people in the door to justify their existence.

Library board: reverse the eviction order and support this valuable part of your community.

Patty Paul, Boerne, Texas

In Webster's dictionary, look up the definition of a republic and socialism. Then decide which we want to be governed by. Let us act now, so we don't have to react later.

Alyce Hugeback, Hampton

Carol Tinkey, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

It would be a shame, a tragedy to move this extensive collection to another location. Most likely, it would result in it being fragmented and located to multiple locations.

I am hopeful that the Library Board and the City Council will reconsider and give second thought in order to keep this very valuable Mason City resource in its current location.

Judy Evans, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Robert Freund, Greene

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Steve Epperly, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

After the filing of the Freedom of Information Act request by the Democratic senators was denied, I became concerned about the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Any member of Congress, including Sen. Grassley, should be concerned enough to let the record speak for itself.

Julie Stewart Ziesman, Waukee

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Nancy Hewett, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

I hope there is a happy ending to this story.

Jay Fonkert, Roseville, Minnesota

I raise my toilet plunger to the cast, crew, orchestra, design and production team of Urinetown the Musical.

However, our donations to One Iowa North Scholarship Fund are welcome and the tips on conserving water that are posted on the walls remind us of what not to take for granted.

Beverly Butler, Mason City

We need local control in every county so the people can decide what they want.

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is listening to people who want change. No more factory farms until we have local control and fewer than 100 impaired water bodies in Iowa.

Shannon Walker, Clarion

Denny Murra, Buffalo Center

BUFFALO CENTER | Virginia Olthoff's daughter says she was a cheerful, kindhearted woman who loved to give others affectionate nicknames like "…

We all have ownership in our water issues. Each of us leaves a footprint on the environment each and everyday.

Instead of blaming someone else for the problem, let's focus on creating and solutions.

Brent Fedders, Mason City

My family went to Pine Lake State Park for a greatly anticipated weekend of camping, swimming and beach picnics. When we arrived, we learned t…

In response to Roxann Newell's letter to the editor ("Touched by aunt's forgiveness," July 25): One should not make a judgement until they are sure they have all the facts.

Very few people besides myself and my wife knew what was going on. Many times we shared a meal with Ken, Kathy and Codie, and sometimes just to visit.

Both me and my wife would offer words of encouragement to Codie. Many times we would listen to Ken and Kathy's hopes and frustrations concerning Codie.

As far as Sharon being able to forgive Codie: Sharon did not know Codie personally due to a 35-year rift that Sharon had with Ken. The rift continued up to Ken's death.

It's easy to forgive when you don't know what's going on.

Marv Hackbart, Mason City

What is wrong with these people? That's what my dear mother would say if she was alive today!

That bottle bill is no longer working. Use a closed-down plant or factory and build a state-of-the-art recycling facility. Get some people working and get rid of these flies!

Jo Parker, Mason City

It doesn't have to be this way. Can you imagine the amazing recreational/tourist possibility of our rivers and public parks if our waters were pollutant-free?

Bottom line: this isn't just our swimming water, irrigating water, life-sustaining water. To get the clean water that Iowa's families deserve, we need polluters to pay to clean up the mess they made.

Kristyn Arnold, Des Moines

No justice. It was very disheartening and disappointing to see another admitted pedophile to be given a very soft plea deal, as reported in the Globe Gazette on July 17.

This time it's Hancock County County Attorney, Robert Blake Norman, making the shameful deal with Damien Kyhl, who sexually assaulted multiple children over multiple years.

Instead of taking him to trial and being able to take this sexual offender off our streets for decades, it appears he'll be serving what could be five years of a negotiated 10-year sentence.

In no time. this pedophile will be back out and able to reoffend against our children. Also, no justice for the victims. Shameful.

Pat Ropella, Mason City

RE: Letter to the editor "Writer has it wrong about the left," Sept. 2:

We are a country of laws, and protecting our citizens is the No. 1 priority of the federal and state governments, or at least should be. According to our Constitution, it's simple if you're not supposed to be here, you can't hurt somebody here.

There is enough crime by our own citizens we don't need help from illegals. A few weeks back, 380 illegals were detained after crossing the border illegally, and not one of them went to a port of entry and asked for asylum, which by law we have to. But they will also be vetted – why do you think that is?

So here is the point: we have walls all over the world - governments, institutions, private businesses, and homes have walls and they all work quite effectively, not perfect but they definitely serve their purpose. And yes, everybody has rights.

Why does the Left push illegals' rights and then work to diminish mine that are protected by our Constitution?

Terry Morris, Belmond

This is in response to John Johnson's letter regarding the left's supposedly hypocritical stance on border control versus gun control.

Finally, John, if you want your view points to be taken seriously and respected, maybe drop the snide tone and dismissal of "lefties", as well as the jabs at Hogg. Just saying.

Angela Niles, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Paul Barenthin, Northwood

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Remember that you are an important part of our success.

Merilynn Linde, Albert Lea, Minn.

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

The process for confirming President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee has started. As a member of Concerned Women for America of Iowa, I support the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Alberto R. Gonzales, former Attorney General of the United States, has remarked that Kavanaugh understands the appropriate role of a judge, that he is disciplined and not arrogant.

Carol A. Evers, Riverside

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Oh Skipper, there you go again! While there are certainly twists in this year’s elections, there are many more twists than what's been reported.

Tracy Smith, Clear Lake

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

Hey lefties, question: If gun control is the answer to school shootings, would not border control be the answer to illegals killing American citizens?

John Johnson, Britt

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Caleb Gates, Cedar Rapids

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Also consider this: once she gets the genealogy department out of there, how long before she sets her sights on the archives room?

The library is a needed, respected and loved part of Mason City. But it should not be run on someone's ego or desire for authority.

Lowell Swenson, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

James Givens, Rio Hondo, Texas

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

Now, who has been willing to compromise? We need the public to speak up for us. Please contact your city councilman. Thanks for your support.

Carol Tinkey, Mason City

Fred Hubbell's criticism of Gov. Reynolds as "nothing more than politics" shows an extreme negligence of the farming community.

This November, I am supporting our Governor, Kim Reynolds.

Nancy Rockman, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Library needs, genealogy materials, climate change, the republic

Elaine Bergan, Northwood

• Letters to the editor: Library needs, genealogy materials, climate change, the republic

Of all the issues being discussed and debated in the run up to mid-term elections, it is quite disheartening that global warming and climate change are hardly mentioned at all.

Paul Collier, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy collection, drug offenders, Trump, Kavanaugh

To date, no other potential use of the space has been divulged.

Doris Smith, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy collection, drug offenders, Trump, Kavanaugh

According to USA Today, genealogy is currently the second most popular hobby in the U.S.

“It starts at home, where they learn everything they can online. Then they want the tactile experience of research, of going to the library to learn more.”

Genealogy resources that can’t be found on the internet are a draw to the genealogist. Not all resource material can be digitized; old maps and plat books are valuable for research and information.

The genealogy group depends on membership dues for its finances and doesn’t have funding or cash flow to be able to buy or rent space elsewhere.

Library use is trending down. Libraries need to support resources that bring people in the door to justify their existence.

Library board: reverse the eviction order and support this valuable part of your community.

Patty Paul, Boerne, Texas

In Webster's dictionary, look up the definition of a republic and socialism. Then decide which we want to be governed by. Let us act now, so we don't have to react later.

Alyce Hugeback, Hampton

Carol Tinkey, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

It would be a shame, a tragedy to move this extensive collection to another location. Most likely, it would result in it being fragmented and located to multiple locations.

I am hopeful that the Library Board and the City Council will reconsider and give second thought in order to keep this very valuable Mason City resource in its current location.

Judy Evans, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Robert Freund, Greene

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Steve Epperly, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

After the filing of the Freedom of Information Act request by the Democratic senators was denied, I became concerned about the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Any member of Congress, including Sen. Grassley, should be concerned enough to let the record speak for itself.

Julie Stewart Ziesman, Waukee

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Nancy Hewett, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: Genealogy society, hog confinements and 'Urinetown'

Farmers and agricultural producers, this is a challenge. I challenge you to tell your story.

I challenge you to communicate what we do to put healthy food on the table, to fuel the growing population, and how we clothe the masses.

I challenge you to communicate how one percent of the population of the United States feeds the world.

I challenge you to tell your story on how you're planning on passing down your farm to your kids and how you're going to leave it better than when you had it passed to you.

I challenge you to communicate how you care for your livestock and the commitment you have to raising that animal in a humane manner.

I challenge you to show the world how hard working and how technologically advanced we have become so that we can be efficient enough to feed the world while only just scraping by ourselves.

My challenge to you is a hard one. We have never been under fire the way we have been recently from an uninformed populous. It's not their fault. It's on us. The populations have grown farther and farther away from that connection to the farm.

We have to communicate why we must exist and why that disconnect must be forgiven. We have to continue to innovate, grow, and work harder than we ever have before.

But remember my challenge, we must share our story.

Trae Hestness, Clear Lake

No justice. It was very disheartening and disappointing to see another admitted pedophile to be given a very soft plea deal, as reported in the Globe Gazette on July 17.

This time it's Hancock County County Attorney, Robert Blake Norman, making the shameful deal with Damien Kyhl, who sexually assaulted multiple children over multiple years.

Instead of taking him to trial and being able to take this sexual offender off our streets for decades, it appears he'll be serving what could be five years of a negotiated 10-year sentence.

In no time. this pedophile will be back out and able to reoffend against our children. Also, no justice for the victims. Shameful.

Pat Ropella, Mason City

I have been through many presidential elections and have never seen anything like this after an election. You don't have to be too smart to see what the Democrats are doing with the nominee for the Supreme Court.

It looks to me like their game plan now is anytime they're afraid they're going to lose something they will find someone to come up and say that person sexually assaulted them 20 or 30 years ago. I always thought in this country you were innocent until proven guilty but not according to those on the left.

They feel it is your job to prove that you're innocent. It's a sad day for this country when politicians can't accept that they lost and try to work together to make this country better.

Why would a liberal senator get a letter about an assault in July and not release it for nearly two months? I'll let you figure out the answer to that.

Ed Buchanan, Clear Lake

I raise my toilet plunger to the cast, crew, orchestra, design and production team of Urinetown the Musical.

However, our donations to One Iowa North Scholarship Fund are welcome and the tips on conserving water that are posted on the walls remind us of what not to take for granted.

Beverly Butler, Mason City

January we commemorate the 45-year anniversary of the passage of Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in our country. The United States is one of only seven countries in the world with legalized late-term abortions that go as far they do, with Iran and North Korea two others. Great company to be in; very sad.

For the past 45 years over 300,000 innocent pre-born babies are murdered every year in our country. How does this happen with us being a largely Christian country with approximately 75 percent identifying as Christians? As Christians we know and believe human life begins at conception and science has caught up with us. That's why pro-abortionists don't use "a clump of cells" in describing a human fetus any longer, but rather argue it's a women's choice to murder her baby, if she's still carrying it. Very sad.

Back to my question of how do we let this continue? It's because as Christians we're mostly silent on this issue, maybe even complicit. Abortion is a serious sin in all Christian faiths, as a Catholic it's a mortal sin, the most serious of all. Yet it's rarely called out, and when it is it is, many times diluted in a sermon of the "sanctity of all human life," and nobody leaves their mass or church service being any more of an advocate for God's most innocent and vulnerable children than when they came in.

As Christians we all need to be stronger advocates for the pre-born children, and do what we can to help overturn this evil law, if we truly put our Christian faith first in our lives. We also need our Church leaders to be stronger advocates using their influence and reach.

Pat Ropella, Mason City

I taught Rob Sand in high school. Not only was he a clever, funny, personable, smart student, he was determined, even as a young adult. My first recollection of Rob’s determination was when he championed the cause of a skate park in Decorah. He worked tirelessly for several years. His goal became reality.

I coached Rob as a student in speech and drama activities. He was a quick study and a fun person to work with. In addition to talent, he also had brains. He was determined to make a difference and leave his mark on Decorah High School. His goal became reality.

As a lawyer working for the Iowa Attorney General’s office, Sand pursued criminals who had been scamming the system, especially the lottery, bringing them to justice and, saving the state millions of dollars. Once again, his goal became reality.

Now, Rob is running for state auditor. Once again, Rob has pursued this office with diligence, just as he has tackled so many other causes in his life. Rob will figure out ways to make the system work better. He’ll doggedly pursue what is right and fair. He has my vote, and I hope he can count on yours. I have no doubt that just as he has achieved so much in the past, his goal will become reality.

Please vote for Rob Sand on Nov. 6. He is a person who will protect our tax dollars and our state.

Susan Cantine-Maxson, Lansing

With Republicans running our state and federal governments, they say they are working for the betterment of their constituents. Is this really the world we choose to live in?

Where truth and facts don't matter? Take our President, Alex Jones and Fox News conspiracy theories.

Where climate and science deniers are in charge of our environmental safe guards, and they make cuts to the budget of the EPA in spite of the worst natural disasters?

Where clean up of Iowa waterways is paid by the public rather than the abusers, and are still only voluntary?

Where crumbling infrastructure is the norm, yet the wealthy still get their tax cuts?

Where the new strategy for the CFPB is to deter the agency from aggressively pursuing its mission to protect Americans from financial firm rip offs? Equifax can breach our most personal information without penalty.

Where health care is not a right, and budget cuts are made to the safety net for health care for our most vulnerable population (privatized Medicaid)?

Where contraceptive and medical care for women is much less available, abortion is a crime, medical providers can face a potential lawsuit for a lifetime, and social services budgets are cut, thereby not able to appropriately care for our ever increasing number of vulnerable persons?

Where a public school opponent (Betsy Devos) is in charge of our public schools, funding for public education continues to deteriorate and higher education costs skyrocket? And yet our state Legislature still wants to take more money away from public education to give to private, under-regulated, for-profit schools.

Where religious rights trample over human and equal rights?

Where Russian cyber aggression is not acknowledged or attempted to be prevented?

We all need to take a step back, take a deep breath, and reconsider our priorities.

Lissa Holloway, Britt

After my last letter in regard to the realism of the tax cuts, someone pointed out to me that the average family income in Mason City was about $50,000 and my example started at $80,000.

So I have revised the income examples: Income at $50,000 and the tax savings is $708. Income at $100,000 and the tax savings is $2,538. Income at $200,000 and the savings is $6,242 or 2.5 times more than $100,000. Income at $400,000 and the tax savings is $43,972, seven times greater than at $200,000. Income of $1.6 million is 32 times the $50,000 income, but the tax cut savings on $1.6 million is $63,401, or 89 times as much.

The truth is in the numbers and not what Trump and the Republicans tell us! We were promised a "huge tax cut for the middle class," and it did not happen! Republicans looted the treasury and passed massive tax cuts for some of the wealthiest Americans and corporations in the world.

Now they are coming back in the name of "deficit reduction" predictably proposing major cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, education and other valuable programs essential to the middle class. This is nothing less than a major transfer of wealth from the middle class to the wealthiest.

In a survey of 42 top economists by the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, just one thought GOP tax cuts would improve growth. Both the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Tax Policy Center show that for the past 60 years, whenever tax rates were the highest, more jobs were created than when tax rates were lowest.

Quickly on guns and massacres: We will never stop massacres and have sensible and effective gun control until we elect a democratic President and Congress, it's just that simple! Trump must go soon!

Steven Epperly, Mason City

For the past 15 years, my husband and I have had the opportunity to take off from work on Good Friday of Holy Week. We do that so we can partake in the crosswalk through downtown Mason City as a way to remember the last steps Jesus took before being crucified for our transgressions. This year was no different, except for one thing – the event did not happen.

The person who usually organizes this event stepped away, and unfortunately no one from the Ministerial Association took on the task of getting it done or finding persons to do it. Disappointing to say the least. I do hope that prior to Easter and Holy Week of 2019 that this group will decide to organize it once again.

My life would not be the same if I didn't believe in God. Some days are tough, some days are beautiful. God gave us his son Jesus to show us how to live, and through his death he saved me from dying. On the beautiful days, I praise him! On the bad days, I pray to him for help and strength.

Being able to walk a few steps, carrying a portion of the cross, reading some scripture and singing, is at the least one way of showing him I love what he did for me that day. Then the rejoicing of Easter is so grand. He is risen! He is risen indeed!

I hope the members of the Ministerial Association of Mason City will not forget next year and once again have this event available for myself and others who would want to be a part of this cross walk.

Sue Simmons, Mason City

My money. If the GOP tax bill, now law, is such a horrible travesty for the middle class and the poor, the Democrats should be filled with uncontrollable excitement because its passage will be political suicide for the Republicans.

The opposite, however, is true. Not a single Democrat voted for the tax bill, and members of the Democratic leadership disparage the legislation at every option. Democrats speak of a partisan bill. They say that we the people are being scammed. Yet they do not acknowledge the partisan Democrat Obamacare bill passed behind closed doors.

Remember Nancy Pelosi's comment that we have to pass the bill to know what's in it? Democrats also mention the new tax law will add $1 trillion of debt. Where were they when President Obama added almost $10 trillion in debt in his eight-year term. That's more than all other presidents combined!

Democrats speak of millions of people losing their health care with the repeal of the the Obamacare mandate. Yet, once again, they fail to mention the millions who lost their health care with passage of Obamacare and were no longer able to keep their plan or doctor, as promised.

And finally, the Democrat chant of "it's a tax cut for the rich", that corporations, billionaires, and millionaires will benefit while half of middle class tax cuts are temporary and will last only until 2027 unless they are extended. Well, if our President wants to give me a tax break for the next 10 years, I'll take it. And I believe most Americans will be happy with that as well.

Pat Ropella, Mason City

I work at a local hospital and last year I was admitted to my work place as an inpatient. I know quite a few people and have coworkers. I needed to go to Nuclear Medicine for a test. I was in my hospital gown and wheeled to Nuclear Medicine. There was a nurse who just seemed to know I was in distress although I didn't say anything. My biggest fear was my gown would pop open and I would give someone I probably knew "the full moon." The nurse instantly must have known. She said to me, "We are going to give you pants to match your gown."

Today, I saw her again, and her name is Amy Erin. I hope I'm getting that right.

She is intuitive, caring, and must be able to read minds as she certainly knew what I was thinking. The world would be a better if we had more like her. She took an awkward situation and made me laugh, and we all know "laughter is the best medicine."

Sue Stallwood, Mason City

This is in response to John Johnson's letter regarding the left's supposedly hypocritical stance on border control versus gun control.

Finally, John, if you want your view points to be taken seriously and respected, maybe drop the snide tone and dismissal of "lefties", as well as the jabs at Hogg. Just saying.

Angela Niles, Mason City

• Letters to the editor: More on the library, genealogy

• Letters to the editor: The left, the right, the library, the grapes

This letter goes out to both Republicans and Democrats:

First off, I am all for making America great again, however, my opinion of how that looks is different than how I feel that either of our parties sees it. I think America would be great again if we attempted to be civilized Americans first. I am not saying that you can't have an affiliation to a certain party, but don't close your mind to all that the other people of another party due to your insecurity that people might see that "they" might have some validity, which then lessens your validity.

How about if we could treat others with a sense of respect instead of being critical, cynical, violent and darn right rude? You want to make America great again? Put your need to be a comedian on hold and speak with others and about others as human beings and not stereo-typed party affiliates. Yes, we can be great again, but it will take the very same thing that we stress to our students in the elementary school system.

When given opportunities to engage with others, first and foremost, take a deep breath. Slow things down. Look at your classmate as a classmate and not a foe. Find a neutral party to work through the issue. Respect their right to have a different opinion.

Don't you think this would be great qualities to suggest as a core for our politicians? So, let's make America great enough that our children see a brighter future for them.

We wonder why the bullying, the depression, the cynicism, the rudeness. It is not in their DNA. It has been a learned response that our society thrives on.

Mark Doebel, Clear Lake

For many years the Walk/Voaklander agenda has been operating mostly unchecked. Remember, one man cannot run the whole show. It always takes two votes to pass “Walk’s projects.”

Al Winters, Osage

02/06/19 15:11 SO1905186 811 N MADISON AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Welfare check of person

02/06/19 15:43 SO1905194 320 1ST ST NE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Traffic Stop Vehicle

02/06/19 15:57 SO1905197 221 2ND ST NE #4, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Theft or Shoplifting

02/06/19 16:01 SO1905200 411 S BROADWAY AVE, ALBERT LEA Follow up

02/06/19 16:05 SO1905202 1700 4TH ST SE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Property Damage Collision

02/06/19 16:09 SO1905203 1000 4TH ST SW, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Fraud/Swindle

02/06/19 16:22 SO1905207 1180 15TH ST SW, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Parking Complaint

02/06/19 16:28 SO1905208 540 VILLAGE GREEN DR SW, MASON CITY, IA Civil Situation/Custody/Property

02/06/19 16:30 SO1905209 15 WESTWIEW DR, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Suspicious Person/Vehicle/Other

02/06/19 16:41 SO1905211 2708 S JEFFERSON AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Medical Call

02/06/19 17:15 SO1905216 410 N PENNSYLVANIA AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Civil Situation/Custody/Property

02/06/19 17:16 SO1905217 800 12TH ST NW, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Suspicious Person/Vehicle/Other

02/06/19 17:37 SO1905218 223 N HAMPSHIRE AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Welfare check of person

02/06/19 17:47 SO1905220 408 S FEDERAL AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Drug complaint/violation

02/06/19 18:09 SO1905222 1303 N FEDERAL AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Follow up

02/06/19 18:18 SO1905224 3450 4TH ST SW, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Fraud/Swindle

02/06/19 18:32 SO1905225 721 S MONROE AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Welfare check of person

02/06/19 18:34 SO1905226 930 8TH ST SE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Property Damage Collision

02/06/19 19:05 SO1905229 525 6TH ST SW, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Business Alarm

02/06/19 19:21 SO1905232 7 STATE ST W, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Parking Complaint

02/06/19 19:22 SO1905233 S GROVER AVE / 4TH ST SW, MASON CITY, IA Property Damage Collision

02/06/19 19:51 SO1905235 17262 LARK AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Follow up

02/06/19 19:51 SO1905236 213 N PENNSYLVANIA AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Business Alarm

02/06/19 20:02 SO1905238 305 N FEDERAL AVE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Follow up

02/06/19 20:03 SO1905239 19TH ST SW / S PIERCE AVE, MASON CITY, IA Property Damage Collision

02/06/19 20:14 SO1905242 123 WINNEBAGO WAY, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Medical Call

02/06/19 20:17 SO1905243 38 CLOVER LN SW, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Parking Complaint

02/06/19 20:19 SO1905244 47 CIRCLE TER SW, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Suspicious Person/Vehicle/Other

02/06/19 21:06 SO1905251 322 4TH ST NW, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Suspicious Person/Vehicle/Other

02/06/19 21:14 SO1905253 1ST ST SW / S MONROE AVE, MASON CITY, IA Property Damage Collision

02/06/19 21:20 SO1905254 E STATE ST / 1ST ST NE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Parking Complaint

02/06/19 21:45 SO1905255 7TH ST SE / S FEDERAL AVE, MASON CITY, IA Traffic Stop Vehicle

02/06/19 21:54 SO1905257 S DELAWARE AVE / E STATE ST, MASON CITY, IA Traffic Stop Vehicle

02/06/19 22:12 SO1905258 73 BRIARSTONE CT SW, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Disorderly/Disturbance/Fight/Out of

02/06/19 23:34 SO1905260 226 5TH ST NE, MASON CITY, IA 50401 Physical Domestic

ALTA VISTA — Engineering skills came in handy for a 1957 Osage High School graduate while he was stationed in Vietnam.

Chuck Machin, Alta Vista, enlisted and first served in the Air Force from 1958 to 1962, later working as a foreman in an Osage body shop for a few years.

“I didn’t have no money to buy the place, so that’s when I decided to go back to the Air Force,” said Machin, 77, who re-enlisted and served from 1965 to 1969.

While in the Air Force, Machin attended six different schools, learning to repair aircraft with sheet metal and to X-ray planes to find internal cracks.

He had no combat training when he was deployed to Vietnam in 1965 at age 26.

Although Marines could fix aircraft in a neighboring hangar with an M16 slung across their back, Machin said he wasn’t allowed to have a weapon due to his lack of training.

“When I got there, they took our rifles away,” he said. “I didn’t have a rifle or pistol the whole year there, no protection.”

Machin worked on planes within a guarded perimeter in Da Nang, the central part of the country. Since he had to “start over” when he re-enlisted, he often worked on big jobs, which meant a number of second shifts.

While their compound was supposed to be guarded, Machin said they were overrun by the enemy one time.

“I had bullets flying by me,” he said.

He was often in downtown Da Nang riding around in trucks, something he said wouldn’t have been safe near the end of war. “They would have shot you in a minute,” he said.

Skilled in plumbing and carpentry, Machin transformed his tent into deluxe accommodations, making a screened-in porch, floor, sidewalls and picnic table. He also had electricity, but since the wattage was different the light from bulbs was dim.

“I was kind of an engineer,” he said.

A handmade sign on the entrance read, “Home sweet home.”

But sometimes it wasn’t so sweet, sleeping close to the flight line.

“The young lieutenants would take off straight up, causing a sonic boom,” Machin said. “It was terribly noisy.”

He was also responsible for installing plumbing in a building that went up and he made a couple of inventions — a motor-operated sled ejection system and an apparatus to keep hands from getting burned while using flares at night.

Machin, who was married at the time with a family, was paid $3,000 — about $23,000 in today’s dollars — for his year in Vietnam. He fixed bicycles as a side job and used some of his earnings to buy equipment to shoot photos and video.

He also got to see a couple of celebrities — Roy Rogers and Dale Evans — in a USO show while in Vietnam, and was able to see Bob Hope from a distance.

He laments the fact that he missed an opportunity to talk with John Wayne by just a couple of minutes.

As he repaired bullet holes on aircraft, Machin was exposed to Agent Orange, which he said was stored in huge tanks inside the planes.

“It soaked into my shoes,” he said. “They didn’t wash the aircraft, so you had to watch your step because it was slippery.”

Machin has since had health problems he believes are related to Agent Orange exposure. He also struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, which he says “comes and goes.”

“My opinion of PTSD, it is real and it will get you,” he said.

After he returned home from Vietnam — to “not one person shaking your hand, no party, no parades” — he built an auto body shop in Topeka, Kansas.

Machin, who says he struggled in school and had trouble reading, has since owned five businesses and has been a plumber for 58 years. He is also a classic car enthusiast.

Proud to wear his newly-acquired Vietnam veteran cap, Machin has kept track of everyone who’s thanked him for his service — 30 people to date, he says.

OLIVE BRANCH, Mississippi — A Buffalo Center native who served in Vietnam and Iraq has spent 31 years in the armed forces as a Marine and soldier.

In 1966, Mark Smith had the choice of taking a site test or enlisting in the Marines.

“With all the wisdom of an 18-year-old, I joined the Marines,” said Smith, who was attending Mason City Junior College at the time.

He enlisted with two others from Buffalo Center — Jerome Jensen and Walt Calhoun, who were his roommates and classmates at the junior college.

They went through boot camp together and were in Vietnam at the same time with different units in close proximity, but never saw each other.

Smith, who worked in general supply, was sent to northern Vietnam’s An Hoa Combat Base later that year. As a supply runner he saw a fair amount of action, especially July 4, 1967.

“The bad guys decided to make that a special holiday,” Smith said. “They provided all the fireworks.”

After completing his two-year enlistment, Smith returned to college as an education major, later teaching in Iowa for 20 years.

During that time, he sought to join the Marine Corps Reserve, but ended up in the Army Reserve as there wasn’t a Marine unit available.

In 1996 Smith was asked to enlist full-time in the Army. As a former Marine, he says, soldiers looked up to him.

Smith was deployed to Iraq for a year in 2004, working in counterintelligence. While he said he can’t talk much about what he did in the Middle East, he worked briefly at the Abu Ghraib prison, assisting interrogators with information they received.

He was later moved to Baghdad, where he says he lived in a tent and worked as an analyst in a palace — one of many formerly owned by Saddam Hussein.

Smith found combat situations in Vietnam and Iraq to be similar.

“We had a lot of trouble with booby traps along the road in Vietnam,” he said. “In Iraq, it was the same thing, but they were much more powerful and sophisticated.”

He struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder after Vietnam, which was reignited in Iraq.

“I had come to grips with Vietnam’s demons but Iraq opened that can of worms again,” he said. “I had two to deal with but I got help. I was encouraged to get help.”

The experience returning home was “day and night.”

“When you came back from Vietnam, you didn’t tell anyone you were there other than family and close friends,” Smith said. “When I came back from Iraq, there were people at airports applauding and welcoming people home.”

He retired in 2008 after 29 years in the Army, 12 of which were active duty. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Olive Branch, Mississippi, a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee.

He feels it was an honor to serve his country.

“Without hesitation, I’d do that again,” Smith said. “I miss it — the military is like a close-knit community.”

CHARLES CITY | A Charles City Marine seriously injured in Vietnam says fear helped keep him alive.

“Some guys got so lax with what they were doing and ran into problems,” said Jim Marlow, 66. “Staying on my guard helped me survive.”

Marlow, a Tama native, was 17 when he enlisted in the Marine Corps in Mason City in 1967.

“This may sound corny, but I wanted to be the best,” he said of choosing the branch.

Marlow was sent to Vietnam’s demilitarized zone in 1968 to provide motor transportation services. He ended up being in the country for 24 months.

“As a young kid over there, I hated it,” he said. “When they told me I would have to do two tours, I hated it even more.”

Marlow had a variety of responsibilities, He worked on a gun line; hauled ammunition, beer and food; and backed up door gunners on helicopters.

“I enjoyed every one of them,” he said.

Marlow sustained two life-threatening injuries while in southeast Asia. He lost a leg to an anti-tank mine and took a shell fragment to the chest.

After 18 months in the Philadelphia Naval Hospital, Marlow was honorably discharged in November 1970.

He then tried to put his life back together. Marlow married a woman he had been dating before the war, but they soon divorced.

“When I came home, I wasn’t the person she had fallen in love with,” he said.

He moved to Charles City, marrying his current wife, Connie, in 1970. Marlow held a number of jobs — truck driving, roofing, working in a management office and managing the Charles Theatre.

He says he still has trouble coping with loud noises, especially thunder.

“It just bothers the heck out of me because I saw a significant amount of combat while I was there,” he said.

Operation LZ in Forest City last summer was a healing experience, he said.

Marlow has also been part of the Marine Corps League for about 20 years, currently serving a co-coordinator for Floyd County for the League’s North Iowa Detachment No. 859.

“Being around former Marines, it helps with processing,” he said.

The League, which is for Marine Corps veterans, supports injured Marines, youth programs and Toys for Tots and assists with veterans benefits.

NORA SPRINGS — Army Staff Sgt. Jerry Kelley’s fiancee met him at the airport with a change of civilian clothes when he flew home from Vietnam in 1969.

Kelley, of Nora Springs, changed in the airport bathroom, threw his Army uniform in the garbage and walked out the door.

At the time he would never have imagined going back to Vietnam, but five years ago that’s exactly what he did.

He’s been there every year since.

“I always wanted to go back, because I thought it was … I liked the country myself,” Kelley explained. “A lot of these guys are like, ‘What the hell’s wrong with that guy?’ But, I had the opportunity to go back.”

Drafted into the Army in 1967, Kelley did basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Advanced training was in Fort Knox, Kentucky.

He went to non-commissioned officer school and arrived in South Vietnam in August 1968 as a sergeant in B Troop in the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Americal Division.

A commander of an armored personnel carrier, Kelley rode on top of the vehicle issuing commands to the driver and two gunners as they rolled along wood lines and through the rice paddies.

They had some close calls as they went on search-and-destroy missions based out of Firebase Hawk Hill near Tam Ky, Vietnam.

His carrier hit two land mines and was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, or RPG.

Although the land mines were not direct hits, each triggered blasts that blew Kelley off the vehicle and the carrier off its track.

The RPG didn’t detonate, but left a fist-sized dent next to the Snoopy decal on the side of the personnel carrier.

“We didn’t know it was a dud until the next morning (when) it was laying on the ground,” Kelley said. “We were real fortunate nobody got killed.”

Kelley was injured later that night.

“The same night that that RPG rocket hit us, all this artillery was coming at us – rockets coming at us,” Kelley said. “Most of us got shrapnel in several places.”

He was eventually transferred to headquarters troop, whose commander oversaw the activities of the A, B and C troops. Kelley’s responsibilities at headquarters included keeping an eye on the Chinese man who served as the unit’s interpreter.

That could be an adventure.

“He could speak difference languages so they needed him,” Kelley said. “So, when he went to town, I had to go with him at night, too. I was scared.”

When asked to participate in the Globe’s series, Kelley wasn’t sure whether he wanted to share his story.

He eventually decided it was something he wanted to do. His wife, Connie, who met him at the airport in 1969, sat in on the interview.

Kelley figures that a lot of people probably don’t know he is a Vietnam veteran. It’s not something he’s talked about much, even to his sons.

“There’s a lot of veterans out there that people don’t know are Vietnam veterans,” Kelley said.

Many were recognized for the first time at Operation LZ, a large welcome-back event for Vietnam veterans held last year in Forest City.

Kelley’s convinced there’s more.

He hopes they’ll be able to step forward and get recognition for their service.

MASON CITY — When J.O. Benson was on a plane approaching Vietnam, where he was to serve in the infantry, he looked down and saw explosions on the ground.

The Mason City resident remembers thinking, “Whoa, this is for real.”

Serving in the Vietnam War was “quite a life-changing event,” said Benson, now 71.

Benson, who is originally from a small town in Minnesota, was drafted into the Army in 1968 after graduating from Winona State University with a degree in business administration.

He said the draft board told his father, “We are just waiting for him to graduate.”

He was sent to Vietnam in May 1969 as part of a rifle platoon. He was a sergeant and second in command under a lieutenant.

“It made you grow up in a hurry,” he said. “You are responsible for guys’ lives.”

Benson said the most difficult part was “keeping everybody alert and aware.”

They would be inserted by helicopter into an area and left there for five to seven days. They did patrols during the day and ambushes during the night.

He said it was stressful but “you grew accustomed to it.”

Benson said the members of the platoon didn’t know each other at the beginning but became close as time went on. He said some of his friends were killed and others were injured.

He said he is glad there were no accidental shootings in his platoon.

“You are always worried about that,” he said.

He said some of the others had the following saying written on their helmets: “When I die I know I’m going to heaven because I’ve spent my time in hell.”

They fought mosquitoes, leeches and red ants. Benson came back with a staph infection in both feet because “we were always wet.”

A lot of the men developed skin issues, he said.

Benson was in Vietnam for 10½ months. He was sent home when President Richard Nixon began drawing down troops.

“I was elated,” he said.

After coming home he began working for Briggs Transportation in Minneapolis. In 1973 he moved to Mason City to become a Briggs terminal manager. He later served as manager of Fast Food Merchandisers.

In 1994 he developed a hearing problem that led to his retirement.

He and his wife, Gwen, have been married for 47 years. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Until recently “I didn’t talk about my experiences (in Vietnam) much,” he said.

Benson said a lot of people aren’t even aware he served there.

“The They Served With Honor” series in the Globe Gazette on Vietnam veterans “made me think a lot about that period of time,” he said.

Attending Operation LZ in Forest City with his friend Bob Kolbet also made him reflect on Vietnam.

“It was a hell of an experience,” he said. “I’m glad I did it, but I wouldn’t want to do it again.”

FOREST CITY — Larry Kearney had worked at Winnebago Industries for less than a year when he received an Army draft letter.

It was March 1969. At 19, he figured it was his excuse to exit from the company.

Even if he came back from Vietnam, he figured he would find another job. Any career he might have had there was over before it had a chance to begin.

“Head of personnel came to me and said, ‘Sign this leave of absence form,’” said Kearney, 66.

“And I did,” he said. “I was a smart-ass kid and I thought, ‘I’ll never come back here.’”

But he went back to work upon his return. And, 45 years later, as head of maintenance, he is Winnebago’s longest tenured employee.

Rather than fight an inevitable path to Vietnam, he reported for basic training 13 days later in Fort Polk, Louisiana.

He said, “Let’s suck this up.”

At Fort Polk he trained for artillery, which became obsolete the moment he went to Vietnam in March 1970.

“They handed me a rifle and put me in the bush,” he said.

As part of the First Cavalry Division, he was stationed near Song Be by the Cambodian border.

“I’m in infantry,” he said. “I did not have that much training in maps and compasses.

“That was on-the-job training,” he said. “I was out of my realm at that time, but a couple of the other sergeants helped.

“You learn quick,” he said.

He celebrated his 21 birthday expecting guard duty.

“I turned 21 in the bush,” he said. A few buddies slipped him a few beers and worked his patrol shift that night.

“That was nice of them,” he said. “I would have done that for them, too.”

In July, he was less than three miles from a fire base in Vietnam near the Cambodian border when his patrol came under attack.

“We were in a bad spot,” he said. “A rocket came in and I think most of the energy got absorbed in the hill.”

The force of the blast “knocked me out,” he said. “I was peaceful and a few seconds later, I wasn’t.”

Bullets were flying over his head.

“I’m looking just above my head. It looked like ants above my head,” he said. “I grabbed my radio buddy and we slid down the hill.”

He was wounded with shrapnel in the chest and later received medals including a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

“I was the last one on that medevac chopper,” he said. “I ended up in the helicopter and I was the least hurt of anyone.”

“If you are a veteran and you have been in combat, war changes you,” he said. “After that, I decided I wasn’t going to be close to anybody.

“I tried to stay upbeat. I don’t dwell on the things the have happened. You want to reflect on it and put it aside and get busy again,” he said.

Of the 115,000 Iowans who served in the Vietnam War, 869 were killed in action, 56 of whom were from North Iowa. Their names are inscribed on …

115,000 Iowans served in all branches of military during the Vietnam War years, 1964 to 1973.

Their average age was 19.

Most were in Vietnam for at least one year.

Of those 115,000, 869 were killed in action, 56 of whom were from North Iowa. Their names are inscribed on the Iowa Vietnam War Monument, which was dedicated in 1984 on state capitol grounds.

Five Iowans were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their bravery.

The Iowa Legislature officially thanked Vietnam veterans for their service in 2005, 30 years after the war ended.

OSAGE — Patrick Mackin of Osage never stepped onto Vietnam soil. Instead, he spent his three Vietnam deployments on the U.S.S. Long Beach, a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser.

“I had a different veteran’s experience,” Mackin said. “I didn’t lay in the jungles and get shot at.”

Mackin, 68, graduated from Osage High School in 1966 and was appointed to the Naval Academy in Annapolis that year. He graduated in 1970, then was accepted into the Navy’s nuclear propulsion program.

He was then assigned to the Long Beach to help operate the plants.

“Work days on a ship are very long because there’s a lot to keep functioning. They’re like a small city,” Mackin said. “I’d say we generally put in 16-hour days.”

His primary job was to ensure that the ship had propulsion and he was responsible for the electrical division.

“When I started I was a lieutenant junior grade, O2, and when I left the ship I was a lieutenant which is O3,” Mackin said.

The Long Beach monitored the Gulf of Tonkin, providing radar support and assisting damaged aircraft.

His first deployment lasted eight months, the second six months and the final deployment was scheduled to last six months.

“Halfway through that last deployment I was transferred off the ship to another assignment,” Mackin said. “I was off the coast the whole time.”

The ship monitored aircraft over Vietnam.

“We had missiles on our ship that were capable of engaging the enemy aircraft and on two occasions I remember, we actually fired missiles at North Vietnamese aircraft that was threatening returning aircraft and the ships we were with,” Mackin said.

Mackin did not see too much action during his service but he remembers those few times as tense. The whole ship is informed of the possible dangerous encounter, he said.

“You might save or not save the life of one of our pilots or our ship itself could be attacked,” Mackin said. “You don’t know what’s going to happen.”

The long hauls at sea made him miss civilian life, he said. “Go out with friends, go somewhere in your car, play sports, just those kinds of things.”

Adjustment back to civilian life was quick for Mackin, just a few days.

“You looked forward to getting back home,” he said.

Mackin spent 20 years in the Navy before retiring in 1990.

“The Vietnam War really did divide our country and various people have their strong opinions on whether that was something we should have done or not, but I would say those fighting the war were doing their duty,” Mackin said. “They are certainly not accountable for whether or not our country did the right thing or not.”

Mackin said he believes that the United States has learned important lessons from the war and has seen decisions over the years where the country has learned from that history and times where it has forgotten the past.

After living in California for a while and later San Antonio, Mackin came back to Osage with his wife three years ago.

LATIMER — Randy DeBour of Latimer still has a small notebook he used during the Vietnam War.

The notebook has words such as “hammer,” “nail” and “cement” written in English, with the Vietnamese translation written beside them.

The 67-year-old Latimer resident, who was a U.S. Navy Seabee, used this notebook while serving as part of a mobile advisory team that traveled between six coastal bases in South Vietnam.

They worked with the Vietnamese on construction projects. They would show the Vietnamese how to do things and advised them while they did the work.

“Our job was to teach the Vietnamese to take care of themselves,” DeBour said.

DeBour served as the electrician for the four-person team, which also included a builder, a plumber and a chief petty officer who was in charge of the group.

“Some of our biggest difficulties were from Mother Nature,” he said, recalling the time they sat through a typhoon.

Then there were the mines, some of which would float.

Language barriers were another difficulty, he said.

He spent some time learning Vietnamese before starting work with the team, but he mostly picked up words as he went along.

DeBour, who grew up in Latimer and graduated from CAL High School in 1966, enlisted in the Navy in 1968.

He served in Vietnam from 1971 to 1972.

Compared to others who went to Vietnam, “I was kind of a latecomer,” he said.

After he returned to Iowa in 1972, DeBour moved to Des Moines to learn more about the electrical business. He returned to Latimer in 1979 and now has his own business, DeBour Electric Inc.

He and his wife, Sue, have been married almost 46 years. They have three children and five grandchildren.

DeBour said he is glad to have served in Vietnam.

“It enlightens all those who went about a lot of different conditions,” he said.

DeBour said he did have a problem with those who protested the war.

“Things weren’t exactly like they think they were,” he said.

MASON CITY — Jerry Knoll of Mason City vividly recalls the difficult conversation with his best friend’s mother in 1971.

It was in the kitchen of her home in Horton, Kansas. A photo of her son — Knoll’s friend and fallen soldier Danny Petersen — was hanging on the wall with medals he earned in Vietnam.

Petersen, in Knoll’s unit, was killed in a firefight on Jan. 9, 1970, in Tay Ninh Province. He would later be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Knoll, there with his wife, Barb, tried to answer as many questions from Petersen’s mother as he could.

It would be the last time he talked about Vietnam for decades.

“I wouldn’t talk about this to my kids,” Knoll, 67, said recently. “My kids, they, I don’t think they realized I was in Vietnam until somebody asked me one day and I admitted it.”

He was drafted into the Army shortly after graduating from North Iowa Area Community College in 1968.

Basic training was in Fort Polk, Louisiana. He landed in Vietnam in August 1969.

Knoll drove an armored personnel carrier for Company B, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. The unit worked an area west of what was then Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City.

A few firefights from the approximately one year he spent in the country are burned into Knoll’s mind.

He remembers the day he drove down a stretch of road that hadn’t been swept for mines. They never did that, not without clearing the road first, but did it that day because another unit was getting hit by enemy fire.

Tension filled the air as Knoll’s vehicle safely rolled slowly through a big puddle filled with water. But the crew’s relief was shattered when a mine blast blew the next vehicle that rolled through that spot into the air and upside down.

Knoll can’t remember the day his friend, Petersen, was killed. Normally they rode in the same vehicle, but were separated because a platoon sergeant needed a replacement driver.

“I’ve forgotten so much,” Knoll said. “I’ve wiped a large portion of this out of my mind. For years.”

He figures part of it was his mind coping with the trauma. The hostile reception that greeted soldiers returning from Vietnam had a lot to do with why he never talked about it, Knoll said.

That reluctance began to fade in recent years. The breakthrough came at a reunion with soldiers in his unit last year.

They met in Kansas.

Knoll and his former unit-members traded stories and photos for hours, in many cases talking about things they hadn’t shared with anyone.

A few units of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a VFW auxiliary, local law-enforcement and 38 members of Petersen’s family attended.

“It really helped, I think, all of us, that week we were there together and were able to renew our friendships again and talk about our families and what you did for a living,” he said. “And, obviously we got to know Danny’s family very well.”

Knoll and two other men had the honor of putting flowers on Petersen’s grave during a prayer service at a country cemetery near Horton.

“That was really special,” Knoll said. “We’re all brothers. I’ve got a bigger family now than I ever had before.”

MASON CITY — Retired Major Gen. Gary Wattnem of Mason City says it still bothers him when he hears people say the U.S. lost the war in Vietnam.

Wattnem, who spent 35 years in the military, much of it helping to train young soldiers, served in Vietnam for about a year in 1970 and 1971.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

“I don’t believe we lost the war. We never lost a battle. But politics didn’t see it that way,” he said, shaking his head. “War is just politics by another means.”

Wattnem grew up on a farm in eastern South Dakota and figured he would someday be a farmer himself.

He went to South Dakota State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in economics, but he also got involved in ROTC and received a commission as a second lieutenant in 1969.

That started him on a career that took him a long way from the farm fields of South Dakota.

In Vietnam, he served with the 71st Transportation Batallion at Long Binh.

When he and other soldiers were headed home from war in 1971, they received a directive in which they realized they would not receive a hero’s welcome.

“In the 1960s and early 1970s the country was torn apart at the seams by the war. When we came home, we were told to change into civilian clothes before we left the San Francisco airport,” he said.

Wattnem entered the active reserve in November 1971. He was a company commander in Waterloo, a signal officer in Ames and then was assigned to the 103rd Corps Support Command where he served as communications-electronics officer; executive officer, special troops battalion; plans officer; and movement control officer.

In 1987, he was named commander of the special troops battalion of the 103rd. In September 1993, he was selected chief of staff for the 19th Theater Army Area Command in Des Moines.

In June 1999, he was assigned to the Pentagon as the assistant deputy chief of staff for logistics. He retired in November 2003.

When he looks back on his days in Vietnam, he says, “It was not enjoyable when I was there. But when I look back, I know it sort of shaped me.

“I was watching leaders lead. I saw what it was like to have someone take you under his wing. I saw the value in it. We used to call it raising pups. And one day it was my turn,” he said.

Wattnem has lived in Mason City for more than 40 years and says he couldn’t have had the military career without the support of his wife and family, which includes two grown daughters and five grandchildren.

He also credits the support of his employer, Reichert Technologies, for whom he worked for 34 years before his retirement.

If there is a message he could impart from his days in Vietnam and later leading soldiers, he said it is this:

“Never underestimate the ingenuity of the American GI. If there is a way of getting it done, we’ll do it.”

MASON CITY — Two years ago, David Frederick was relaxing at a fishing camp when someone set off a cherry bomb outside.

“I hit the deck,” he said, an instinctive reaction to the sounds of war 46 years ago that have stayed with him for all the decades since.

“I hate the sound of loud noises,” said Frederick, a pharmacist who worked at both Easter’s and Drugtown before his retirement.

Another thing that was an after-affect from the war — prostate cancer, the result of Agent Orange being sprayed on and around the waters he patrolled in the Navy. From that he has fully recovered.

In looking back on his days in Vietnam, Frederick prefers to focus on the people he met, the Vietnamese who were innocent victims. “All that they wanted was to carry on their lives in peace,” he said.

One image that stays with him is that of an old man with gray hair and a long gray beard, a cigarette in the corner of his mouth, fishing from what the U.S. military referred to as a “junk” — a dilapidated boat typical of what many of the Vietnamese lived in.

“I think of that nice man and all that he wanted was to continue the peaceful life he had been leading,” said Frederick.

A native of Garner, Frederick graduated from Garner High School and North Iowa Area Community College. He joined the Naval Reserve in Mason City and went to Vietnam in 1969 after undergoing SERE training (survival, evasion, resistance, escape). “It is week-long training for going into a war zone,” he said.

He spent his entire tour at Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam. One of the first people he met upon his arrival was Louie Schmidt, who lived across the street from him in Garner.

Frederick was assigned to harbor patrol, which was involved with protecting the airport, hospital and the waters of the bay.

They were responsible for checking the junk boats as they came in to make sure there were no arms or supplies for the enemy Viet Cong on board.

“We were like the highway patrol,” said Frederick. “We went on board with our guns. The people were scared. They had to show their IDs. We always took candy with us to give to the kids. Most of the people there were your best allies. They meant no harm.”

Nighttime duty was the most dangerous, said Frederick. “We would go on patrol and throw grenades into the water to scare off the enemy. They had swimmers who were armed with grenades. It was scary at times.

“One time we were sent upriver and got caught in a crossfire. There was definitely friendly fire you had to be aware of,” he said.

Another time, a sniper had been firing for about a week at Frederick and those on patrol with him. They were given the go-ahead to go ashore and find him.

“I was having eye trouble at the time and it was dark, making it even more difficult to see. I had my M79 grenade launcher with me and it was my best friend. It was deadly accurate and had the range of three football fields,” said Frederick.

“We spotted the sniper and shot him. I don’t know who killed him and I’m glad I don’t.”

He would prefer to think about the old man fishing and the children who got the candy he passed out.

“My hope is they were able to return to the life they once had,” he said.

ELKHORN, Neb. — Former North Iowan Dick Parcher served in Vietnam for only a little over two months, but 47 years later he bears the scars and the memories of one fateful day.

June 10, 1969 — the day he was shot.

Parcher, 72, now of Elkhorn, Nebraska, grew up in Rockford and graduated from Rockford High School in 1962. He studied forestry at Iowa State University where he was in the ROTC program. After graduating he went into the Army.

Parcher went to Vietnam on March 23, 1969, as a helicopter pilot, flying what he calls “ash and trash” missions — “supplying the grunts on the ground with whatever they needed — food, ammunition, transports, that sort of thing.”

June 10 started out as a normal day with not much happening. After lunch, he was sent on a mission as co-pilot on another routine “ash and trash” mission into a remote area.

As the helicopter approached, he and the pilot both noticed their destination had an extremely small landing zone.

“We tried to get into it but started taking the tops of trees off with our blades,” said Parcher. “We pulled back and tried to set down again. We were about 10 feet from the ground when a sniper fired off one shot and hit me in the arm,” he said.

“The bullet went all the way through my arm. We got out of there. I was going into shock,” said Parcher, who was 25 at the time and had a wife and child back home.

They flew to a first aid station for immediate help. Then Parcher was flown to Da Nang for further treatment and then home.

The bullet damaged the nerve in his left hand and resulted in Parcher having permanent limited use of his left thumb.

But, he said, he is ambidextrous, and that helps him compensate for his injury.

“When I was a kid, I was predominantly left-handed and my dad didn’t like it,” said Parcher. “So I had to learn to do things right-handed and even today I am able to do many things with either hand.”

He hasn’t had any other lasting effects but admits to looking up in the air anytime he hears the sound of a helicopter such as the ones hospitals use.

When he got out of the service, he went back to Iowa State on the GI Bill and got a degree in horticulture.

Now retired, he held several jobs over the years, including ones in forestry, horticulture and landscaping.

One day he got a special package in the mail from the pilot he was with on the day he was shot in Vietnam.

The gift was the bullet that had gone through his arm and lodged in padding on the helicopter.

Is it framed or in a display case in his home, he was asked.

“No,” Parcher said with a laugh. “It’s in a drawer somewhere.”

Retired Army Lt. Col. Ron Richtsmeier, a native of Hampton, was shot down in July 1966 while flying a helicopter gunship near the tri-border area of South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

“You don’t have time to be scared,” Richtsmeier, 74, who now lives in San Antonio, recalled in a phone interview with the Globe Gazette.

The helicopter fell through 200 feet of jungle before hitting the ground so hard that his seat was torn off its mounts.

He had a concussion but was able to get the crew out of the aircraft, except for the co-pilot, whose legs were trapped.

They knew they were 18 miles from a Special Forces camp. Ricthsmieier tried to lead the way there, but he was so disoriented that he went in the wrong direction.

He said if an Air Force helicopter hadn’t rescued them, they would have kept going into Laos and probably never have been heard from again.

After coming out of surgery the next morning at the hospital at Pleiku Air Base, he woke up and saw his future wife — Judie Dexter, now retired Col. Judie Richtsmeier — sitting beside him, asking him how he was doing.

Judie was the Army nurse assigned to care for him. The first thing she did was give him a shot because after the crash he and the other crew members drank from a stream the hospital staff knew was contaminated with Agent Orange.

Ron later learned the rest of the crew also survived the crash despite serious injuries.

Ron and Judie got to know each other well in the six weeks Ron was grounded because of his concussion. They got married in August 1967 and will celebrate their 50th anniversary next year.

Ron enlisted in the Army in 1960 at age 19. He trained as a paratrooper, but then decided he wanted to be a pilot instead.

In September 1965 he learned he was going to Vietnam as an aviator. He was assigned to the 119th Assault Helicopter Company based at Camp Holloway, which was a 20-minute flight from Plei Me.

He arrived in November. Two days later he was flying Huey gunships in support of "mop-op" operations following the LZ X-Ray battle. That battle was depicted in the movie “We Were Soldiers.”

Richtsmeier continued flying gunships almost every day until he was shot down eight months later.

After being stationed in Germany following the crash, he was sent back to Vietnam in October 1969. He was the chief of flight standards for the 101st Airborne Division for six months and then was given command of a Cobra helicopter gunship company based in Hue Phu Bai.

He left Vietnam after flying 868 combat missions. He received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Purple Heart and many other commendations.

Ricthsmeier retired from the Army in 1981 but kept flying as a Boeing 737 jetliner pilot for Southwest Airlines. He is now retired from that job as well.

He said the second time he was sent to Vietnam he was reluctant to go because he had become disenchanted with how the war was being fought.

“They weren’t letting us do what we needed to do,” he said.

But he is proud to have served.

“I would do it again,” he said.

FOREST CITY — Jim Cleveland was working as a carpenter in Boulder, Colorado, when he received an Army draft notice from Winnebago County. It was April 1965.

“I was kind of expecting it,” he said, reflecting 51 years later. “You just gotta take it for what it is. It is your responsibility. You just have to do it.”

At 21, he found himself headed to Vietnam within the year.

As a helicopter flight engineer assigned to the 147th Aviation Company, he was responsible for its maintenance and flight operations as his Chinook transport helicopter hauled troops, artillery, ammunition, fuel and American troops and Vietnamese evacuees around the country.

When he arrived in Saigon, then Vung Tau base in Easter 1966, “the war was really escalating,” he said. “In fact, that was what we were doing, help move new units into the country.”

Every time they flew they were vulnerable to enemy fire, he said.

“Sometimes in the morning you get on the aircraft and you wonder if it’s going to be the last time,” he said.

He was back at the base about halfway through his one-year tour when another Chinook helicopter landed with a hole blown out of its side.

“We were coming off the flight line one day and one Chinook got damaged so we went to see what had happened,” he said.

“These guys on the gun crew thought they would copy the Vietnamese troops and pull the pins out of their grenades and put rubber bands on them,” he said somberly. “They got up in the air and one of the guys got the handle of his grenade caught on the webbing on the seat.”

The grenade exploded mid-air not far from the Vung Tau base. Two were killed and others grievously wounded.

“That was all over foolishness,” Cleveland said.

The crew managed to fly the helicopter back to the base despite its damaged condition, saving several lives.

“They could have just set down where they were and had someone rescue them. But, there would have been more died,” Cleveland said. “How some people think there’s football heroes and baseball heroes — that’s the real heroes.”

Cleveland and some of the crew members cleaned the helicopter out after it returned.

“Quite a mess,” he said tearfully.

Now 71, Cleveland married and later divorced after his return from Vietnam. He has two children and four grandchildren.

Reflecting on his service, Vietnam “probably made me a little harder to get along with people,” he said. “There was just things that you didn’t talk about to anyone.

“There was no homecoming. People would shun you, ignore you. Look down their nose at you like you were some kind of a creep or something,” he said.

“A lot of people say the war was a waste, but I can’t totally agree with that,” he said. “My idea was that we were there fighting communism, but there hasn’t been any spread of communism since then.”

“It was a lot of work in Vietnam. We were busy all the time,” he said. “Us draftees just sort of took it as it came and did our jobs.”

FERTILE — Jim Eggers spent his first night in Vietnam crouched on a rooftop in Saigon.

It was February 1968, the second month of the infamous Tet Offensive.

Not exactly what Eggers had in mind when he became a Navy firefighter.

“I spent the night on a rooftop behind a pile of sandbags with an M-14 rifle with orders to shoot anything that moved out there and my thought was, ‘How in the hell did a sailor get in a place like this?’,” the 67-year-old Eggers said recently, laughing at the memory.

Fortunately, it was only temporary.

Eggers, who now lives in Fertile, was assigned to the USS Colleton, a ship with the Mobile Riverine Force. Also called the APB-36, the ship patrolled the massive Mekong River from the ocean to near the Cambodian border. It provided medical care and gun support for the Army’s 9th Infantry division.

As a firefighter, Eggers was busiest when helicopters brought dead and wounded to the ship’s hospital.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

“If there was a crash or anything like that we made sure we’d try to do the rescue and put out the fire,” he said. “We had a few of them — they never really caught fire but they were so shot up they kind of crash-landed.”

It could get very intense on deck.

“There were some battles where as soon as you got one landed (and) got the people off, there’d be one right behind it waiting to come in,” Eggers said. “Then you’d unload the dead and the wounded out of that one and another one would come right behind it.”

Always on the move, the Colleton was constantly trying to avoid enemy fire and mine blasts. At dark it would move to a new area to anchor for the night.

“During the night we would let out our anchor chain, so that’d move us 100 yards this way, and then they’d take (the slack) back up,” Eggers explained. “Every so often they’d run the engines and it would suck the (enemy) divers up through the propellers.”

One of the flotilla’s support ships, the USS Westchester County, was hit by a mine blast on Nov. 1, 1968.

Eggers was sleeping in the Colleton at the time.

“You could feel the arch,” he said. “The whole ship raised up out of the water and came down again.”

Supplies and artillery brought in by the Westchester County and other supply ships were loaded onto a barge towed behind the Colleton.

The barges also had another purpose — recreation.

Alcohol was banned on Navy vessels, but barges were not Navy vessels, which meant sailors could grill out, watch movies and have few beers on the barge.

The crew also passed time playing football on deck.

“It was more of a brawl than a football game, but we only had one football and if it went over the side into the river we’d turn the boat around and go get it,” Eggers said, chuckling.

Eggers spent a year in Vietnam and then worked as a firefighting instructor for a year and half on Guam. He also spent time traveling the Pacific on a repair ship, the USS Jason, and spent two more months on a ship offshore of Vietnam in 1971.

The Navy was a good experience, Eggers said, but he remains disappointed how the United States left the South Vietnamese in the lurch when it left Vietnam.

He sees a lot of similarities in the ways American forces pulled out of Vietnam and, much later, in Iraq.

“At the end (the South Vietnamese) didn’t have money for fuel, they didn’t have money for ammunition, because Congress cut off all the funding,” Eggers said. “And that’s why they couldn’t fight back on their own.”

CLEAR LAKE | Ed Buchanan spent 11 months in the jungles of Vietnam and Cambodia.

It was difficult to comprehend at the time. Forty-six years later, it's almost hard to believe it was real.

"I can remember sitting in the jungle just as clear as it was yesterday, with leeches crawling on me, thinking this has got to be a bad dream," said Buchanan, now of Clear Lake "This is all gonna be over and it's going to be like it never happened."

A Marshalltown native, Buchanan was a specialist fourth class in the 1/12th Bravo Company, First Cavalry Division air mobile.

Drafted in March 1969, he enlisted after he got his notice. The theory was those who enlisted were treated better than those who were drafted, although Buchanan said he never noticed a difference.

Basic training was in Fort Polk near Leesville, Louisiana. Buchanan stayed at the sweltering base in southern Louisiana for much of the hot, humid summer in order to complete advanced infantry training.

"Honestly, the climate was worse than Vietnam, I thought," he said, laughing.

The flight into Vietnam was a terrifying experience.

"The only time I was really, really scared was flying in that first night into Vietnam, because I didn't know if they'd been shooting at us when we were getting out of the plane," Buchanan said. "I didn't know what was going to go on."

Those moments of trepidation before landing were worse than his duties of patrolling the jungle.

Buchanan was sent on missions with 12-14 other soldiers. They'd be dropped off and told to be at a predetermined location by a certain day.

Although based in the city of Bien Hoa, Buchanan spent most of his time west of there in the jungle along the Vietnam-Cambodian border.

"When I walked point I wasn't really scared, because all of your senses have to be on high alert so you can't really be scared," he said.

The goal was to get home. Going slow and paying attention helped get him there.

"I have to be here for a year and I'm going to stay alive for a year and I'm going to go home," Buchanan remembered telling himself. "I'm not in a hurry to get anyplace other than home."

He and his fellow soldiers saw some strange things.

Leeches as big as a man's finger. Communist propaganda stapled to trees.

Once they found a North Vietnamese flag hung in the middle of a patch of jungle they'd recently patrolled.

Then there was the tiger.

Although he'd heard tigers roamed the jungle, Buchanan had never seen one.

That changed when one of the elusive animals hit a mine tripwire strung around the American campsite and was killed by the blast.

"Our company commander wanted the hide so we butchered it and we said, well, let's eat it," Buchanan said. "It was wild-tasting. A little stringy."

He still has a faded picture of the tiger, it's hindquarters damaged by the mine blast, lying at the soldiers' feet while they skinned it the next morning.

He was in Vietnam from Dec. 5, 1969, to Nov. 11, 1970.

Overall, Buchanan considers it a good experience. He doesn't want everyone to have to go to war, but believes everybody should serve at least two years in the military.

And, he doesn't hold anything against the North Vietnamese soldiers or Viet Cong communist fighters.

They didn't want to go to war any more than he did. And Buchanan just wanted to do what he was told, get home and get on with his life.

"I just wanted to go home," he said.

FOREST CITY — Two weeks past his college registration deadline, Stephen Olmstead received an Army draft letter.

In Oct. 1969 he was a 19-year-old business major. He decided to enlist.

“What options do you have?” he said. “Go to jail. In those days you had to go. You had no choice.”

After basic training in Fort Polk, Louisiana, he switched out of helicopter flight training to air traffic control school, because it was the longest training he could find.

“I was trying to stay out of Vietnam,” he said.

But the orders came anyway to go to Vietnam with the 1st Aviation Brigade.

“I was engaged to be married,” he said. “Three days before I was to come back to Cedar Rapids for (my) wedding. I told my fiancé, ‘you better cancel the wedding.’”

Beginning June 1970, Olmstead spent the next year in Vietnam, originally stationed at Quan Loi near the Cambodian border.

“They took a ... bomb and dropped it and that was our base,” he said.

Nine days in the country, he was wounded by a mortar round in the chin, back and shoulder.

“I was up in the tower,” he said, “That’s where I got hit. (The) mortar came, hit the top of the tree, then it came in.”

“You don’t really feel any pain,” he said. “It hurts later, but at first you don’t feel it.”

He ran down 40 feet of stairs and was knocked down with a concussion from a rocket.

He was transferred to Saigon for his last seven months, and then moved around south Vietnam setting up air traffic control towers.

He returned home, emotionally drained and unsure if he was ready for marriage.

“After a year you don’t know what your feelings were anymore,” he said. “I didn’t know how I had changed. I guess it was a matter of I wasn’t ready then.”

After a ten-day fishing trip with his brother, he married his fiancé, Barb, in July 1971, Olmstead said. They had three children, but divorced about 25 years later.

He remarried his wife, Audrey, about eight years ago.

Over the years, his war experiences were something he tried to bury. Although he helped organize Operation LZ last summer, for many the recognition was “too late,” he said.

“A lot of people, when they came back, we didn’t talk about it,” he said. “I didn’t tell my children about it.”

He felt the draft was a system that allowed the privileged, like sons of politicians, to skip out of military service, he said.

“Nobody understands. Only another veteran understands what it is all about,” he said. “We had no reason to be there.”

MASON CITY — David Tvedt’s memories were so painful when he returned from Vietnam in 1967 that he felt the only way to cope was to set his service pictures and clothes on fire.

For decades after that he deliberately buried all memories of the time he spent there as a 20-year-old artillery gunner.

But traumatic memories flooded back after a brush with death during emergency surgery for a bacterial lung infection in 2004.

“Just matter of a few days, all hell broke lose,” he said. “All those nightmares and everything else just came out with a vengeance.”

His journey to Vietnam began at age 19, living in Garner, when he was drafted.

His plan had been to enlist in the Marines in November 1965, as his older brother had done. But when he received an Army draft letter one month before that date he chose to go into that branch, because it only had a two-year service commitment instead of four.

After basic and specialty training in Army intelligence at Fort Leonard Wood, he spent November 1966 to September 1967 in the 7th Battalion, 8th Field Artillery just northeast of Bien Hoa Air Base in Vietnam.

“When you’ve got big guns like that you don’t see anything up close,” he said of most of his combat experience. “Positions would be called in and our guys would shoot.”

One of his worst memories was watching a friend, also from Iowa, die after stepping on a landmine.

“You couldn’t even tell it was a human body,” Tvedt said. “The dirt was so embedded. We sat there and watched him die. His body was devastated with shrapnel and stuff.”

When he returned to Iowa, he said, he made every effort to forget about his experiences.

A year or two after he returned he decided fire was the best way to deal with his memories of the war.

“I destroyed all my clothes, destroyed everything,” he said. “Pictures ... that all went in the burning pile. Shoes, socks, anything I had that was military issue.”

Tvedt married his wife, Kay, in 1968. They had three children prior to her death in 1983.

He said his pain from Vietnam memories decreased as he buried them further and further in his mind, but his health trauma brought it all back.

“Since 2004 I haven’t been able to heal,” he said.

As a member of Vietnam Veterans of America, he said he wanted to go to Operation LZ last summer to hear retired Marine Lt. Gen. Dennis Hejlik, a former commanding general of Marine Forces Europe and Marine Corps Forces Command and a fellow hometown native.

“I always thought the world of him,” Tvedt said. He was “a little Garner, Iowa, farm boy made good.”

The event was the first time Tvedt felt he spent time with other Vietnam veterans without solely talking about the stress of their war experiences.

“It was a good time,” he said.

Lee Aldrich says his story is very different than that of many Vietnam veterans.

“I never fired my weapon in Vietnam,” said Aldrich, who was born and raised in Belmond.

After attending Iowa State University in ROTC, Aldrich was commissioned in 1963 as an Army officer with the rank of second lieutenant.

“I didn’t know what would happen; it was the Cold War, not long after Kennedy’s Bay of Pigs,” said Aldrich, 76. “I was sent to Germany first.”

He became a line officer in the 24th Infantry Division in Augsburg, Germany. At the time, troops in Germany were prepared for an altercation with Russia that, in their minds, could happen at any time.

“We were prepared for Russia: my wife had dog tags, my infant son had dog tags and we always had at least a half tank of gas in the car,” Aldrich said. “My wife had to learn to get to Switzerland, just in case.”

He was later sent to Bavaria to conduct military maneuvers in preparation for fighting with the Russians and East Germans.

He and his wife, Lynne, of 53 years, started the Aldrich Christmas Tree Farm near Belmond shortly after he returned to farming because of their time in Bavaria’s Black Forest.

After he was promoted to captain, Aldrich was given orders to attend Vietnamese language school in California and special warfare school.

Aldrich served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967, one year beyond his commitment, to work with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as an agricultural adviser on loan from the Army.

Raised on a farm, Aldrich also had a degree in agricultural education.

He was sent to Ban Me Thuot in the Darlac Province. It was a small city in the Vietnamese highlands where he helped locals learn better farming methods including animal husbandry, fishery, forestry and agronomy.

“I made flights in a Huey helicopter each Friday through Sunday to one of six Special Forces camps to assist their civil affairs officer,” Aldrich said.

The camps were near villages of the Montagnards, indigenous peoples in the highlands.

“They were and are an extremely honorable people,” Aldrich said.

He assisted in growing vegetable gardens, setting up a pig sty and helping fish populations in ponds flourish. At one point Aldrich went to Saigon to barter for silk worm eggs. He gave them to a farmer who had planted mulberry trees, the food silk worms eat.

“After they were grown and had spun cocoons, we sold them to the silk factory in Saigon,” Aldrich said.

Once, a small South Vietnamese detachment escorted Aldrich to a Montagnard village to help improve rice patty irrigation. According to Aldrich, he was the first white man to visit the village.

“My favorite ‘medal’ is the cross bow and darts that the Montagnard chief walked three miles to the airport to give to me on my departure,” Aldrich said. “It was to help ‘keep the monkeys out of my corn’ on my farm back in the U.S.A.”

He attended Operation LZ in Forest City, something he said was an amazing experience.

“Finally, somebody appreciated you,” Aldrich said.

Alan Ebert never planned on being in the Marines.

The 1968 Mason City graduate was drafted by the Army after one semester at North Iowa Area Community College.

He was getting ready to fly from Des Moines to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, when Marine officers approached.

Two Marines who had enlisted had been hurt in a car crash, so they wanted Army soldiers to take their places.

Ebert was one of the soldiers who switched.

“They just wrote a big ‘MC’ across my papers and sent me back in for processing and that was how it started,” said Ebert.

Much to his parents’ confusion, Ebert was flown to Marine Corps Recruit Depot south of Camp Pendleton, California, instead of Missouri.

He landed in Da Nang, Vietnam, in July 1970, with the 1st Marine Division. A quick reaction force, Ebert’s unit would be sent in when additional support was needed.

They worked an area from Da Nang to the Laotian border, clashing with the Viet Cong communist fighters as well as the larger, more disciplined units from the North Vietnamese Army.

It got bloody, and there are sights and smells that are with Ebert to this day.

Ebert, who now lives near Denver, knows his personality was affected.

“My ex-wife told me I have the emotions of a rock. And I know that,” Ebert said. “Because nothing excites me any more.”

He believes it stems from the intensity of combat compared to everyday life.

“You spend a year in those situations and they say that the experience is so overwhelmingly intense that it just puts your mind in a place where it just takes a higher level (of stimulation), and you don’t get that stimulation on a daily basis, so lots of times you just feel numb,” he explained.

Ebert is proud to have served in Vietnam, but doesn’t think the end result justified the sacrifices people made.

So many people died, but the effort didn’t improve the lives of people in Vietnam, he said.

“To me it was just a waste of lives for politicians to, you know, play their games,” he said. “When we were over there our hands were tied in so many situations by politics.”

He and the other members of his unit were there to do what the government told them to do. For that reason, Ebert doesn’t harbor any animosity toward the Vietnamese.

“Those soldiers were put in the same situations we were,” he said.

Even though he’s proud to have done his part, Ebert wouldn’t want to do it again.

“A lot of people say they wouldn’t trade that experience for a million dollars, but I wouldn’t give a nickel to do it again,” he said.

NORTHWOOD — After Mavis “May” Schmidt graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1962, she enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps because she wanted more education and an opportunity to see the world.

“I made a pretty good run at it,” said Schmidt, who now lives in Northwood.

She served in Vietnam for three years. She was a secretary/stenographer/receptionist for Gen. Creighton Abrams, who was first deputy commander and then commander of Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV).

One of her tasks was typing top-secret messages.

She met movie stars touring with the USO, as well as ambassadors and TV news broadcasters. But it wasn’t all glamorous.

She said Americans in Vietnam were in danger of being bombed or shot at everywhere they went.

On Jan. 30, 1968, the beginning of the Tet Offensive, Schmidt was at a hotel in downtown Saigon with some friends. That night the Viet Cong tried to take over the city. Schmidt and the others heard machine guns firing and explosions all night long.

She said she and two GIs decided to leave the hotel and go back to MACV headquarters, which was just a few miles away.

As they were driving through a dark alley, an MP on the roof of a nearby building yelled at the top of his lungs, “Get the (bleep) out of here!” Schmidt recalled.

As they took off, they heard automatic weapons firing right behind them.

“We were scared to death,” Schmidt said.

When they got to the Third Field Hospital there were 13 dead bodies hanging on the wire. Schmidt said they were members of the VC who were trying to get into the hospital and were killed by American MPs.

When Schmidt and the GIs got back to headquarters, they found out no one else had been able to make it in.

Schmidt watched two Cobra helicopters dive-bomb the VC.

“I’ll never forget the sound,” she said.

Before being transferred to MACV headquarters, Schmidt was at Long Binh Post for eight months.

When Schmidt first joined the Army, she played the trombone in the Women’s Army Corps Band in Alabama. The band toured the country and played at places like Cape Canaveral.

Then she worked as a clerk/typist for Army Chief of Staff Harold K. Johnson at the Pentagon, as well as Abrams, who was vice chief of staff at that time.

“I just happened to be at the right place at the right time,” she said.

She remained in the Army for a time after returning from Vietnam.

After she was honorably discharged from the Army in 1974, Schmidt went to Colorado. She attended college and worked as a geologist in the oil fields in Wyoming.

She returned to Iowa to raise her daughter. Schmidt now has two grandchildren.

Schmidt said she feels lucky compared to all those who were killed in Vietnam. She said she doesn’t think they lost their lives in vain because the cause was just.

Schmidt is writing a book about her experiences.

“I never guessed I would do all this,” she said.

LATIMER — When Steve Lane dropped a single college class at Westmar University, it put him on a path to Vietnam.

In 1969, with more than half a million soldiers already in the country, he figured the draft board wouldn’t notice he was one credit short of the 12 required to keep his full-time college exemption.

“Well, they did,” he said.

At 20, faced with an Army draft letter, he decided to join the service.

“Everyone that enlisted at that time, you knew you were going to Vietnam,” he said.

In early 1969 he took the bus down to Fort Polk, Louisiana, for basic and advanced training. By late April he was an armored vehicle driver in Vietnam.

He spent 15 months there, first as a driver with the First Infantry Division, then as a helicopter gunner.

When he first became a helicopter gunner he was told the average life expectancy was 19 days, he said.

Near the end of his 12-month tour, the Army made an offer: If he stayed in Vietnam three more months he could leave the service outright. He accepted.

Once back home in 1970, he briefly returned to college, got married in 1971, had kids and farmed for about a decade until the 1980s farm crisis pushed him back to school. He became a history teacher then school superintendent, now at CAL in Latimer.

When a special education teacher asked if her fifth-grade students could write to him as if he were still a soldier in Vietnam, he dutifully responded to their handwritten letters telling stories from his time on the battlefield.

Lane said he couldn’t know for sure if he had killed anyone, but spoke of the anguish of war and how he was dismayed when he found pictures of families in the wallets of dead Vietnamese soldiers.

“Kids need to understand that war is not fascinating,” he said.

Looking back after nearly half a century, “you wonder how necessary it was,” he said. “By 1975, when the North Vietnamese took over, it was all for a lost cause.”

Coming home, he said, he was fine with folks not knowing he was a Vietnam veteran, simply choosing not to wear it as a central part of his identity.

But the solitary nature of how soldiers went and returned made it difficult to cope at times with his combat experiences.

“I went to a couple of parties right away when I came home and I guess my friends were just happy to see me,” he said. “I think they knew we didn’t want to talk about it, so nobody asked.”

While he was in Vietnam, writing gave him a different way to bond with his now deceased father, Joe, a reserved man who drove a truck in the Army Air Corps during World War II in France.

“He wasn’t emotional. I don’t remember in my lifetime he ever said, ‘I love you,’” he said, “but, he did a few times in those letters.

“That time, I did get a hug out of him,” Lane said when he returned home. “He said, ‘I’m glad to have you home all in one piece.’”

The number of casualties from Mason City when Dennis Withers joined the Army was around 5 or 6, he said.

“I knew them all and most had been personal friends,” said Withers, who now divides his time between Mason City and Cañon City, Colorado.

Withers thinks the loss of his friends was his motivator to join the Army. He said the patriotism for him didn’t really come until he was serving.

He joined the Army in November 1968, the same year he graduated from Mason City High School.

He took basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and Fort Knox, Kentucky.

In the service, Withers would mention that he was from Iowa. He often heard the response, “Oh, where they grow the potatoes.”

“My comment back would be, ‘No, that’s a little further northwest; we grow corn so the rest of the world can eat,’” Withers said.

Withers went to Vietnam in June 1969 with the 1st Infantry Division’s scout platoon, a mechanized infantry with armored personnel carriers.

He refers to the second day he spent with the platoon as a “day of wonder.”

“At the end of that day and night, I no longer wondered what it would be like to be fired at by the enemy or could I fire back and hit the target,” Withers said.

He didn’t have to wonder if blood and bodies would bother him. Withers saw a lot though his 24 months in Vietnam.

“What you did in combat was to keep you and your buddies alive. You were working on a bond that would always be there,” he said.

The importance of the senses in combat are a part of what sticks with veterans that others can’t fully understand, Withers said.

“The sights and sounds of combat have been reproduced by movie makers over the years and are becoming, with the help of technology, very realistic,” Withers said. But the smell, taste and feel cannot be reproduced.

“You do your best with what you’ve got and face the mission head on,” he said. “I can remember several times when the guys were complaining about the wet, cold dampness in the jungle rainy season.”

He mentioned several times to his friends that he would give anything to be back in a 10-below-zero day in North Iowa.

“You’re not going to be able to go to war, be in combat and come back unchanged,” Withers said. “That’s the nature of the beast.”

He returned to Mason City after his combat tour.

Today, Withers lives with his wife, Kim, in Cañon City, Colorado. He has a picture frame with his medals in it — several Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.

Withers took an interest in veterans coming home with post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) and the psychology involved. He wrote an article, “Reflections of a Veteran and Advice on Becoming One,” for Fremont County, Colorado’s War Memorial Park website.

“It took about 30 years for the first reunion of our platoon; now, we meet every year,” Withers said. “You were on the ground with these guys so there’s a lot of camaraderie.”

For him, reunion events and talking about the service are healing.

“I would recommend that to anybody who’s been in combat,” he said.

He attended Operation LZ in Forest City last summer, and said that event made him feel truly welcomed home.

GARNER — A year after graduating Charles City High School, Rod Tripp found himself on perimeter guard duty 10 miles from the DMZ in Vietnam.

A member of the Army motor pool, he was armed with a rifle, grenade launcher and other weapons, but it was a lonely, solitary duty.

“They put you out in the middle of nowhere, just you and your sleeping bag,” said Tripp, now 68. “You’re on, like, four hours, off two hours, back on for four.

“Rain or shine. Lots of rain.”

Tripp, now in Garner, had joined the Army after losing his welding job to a large layoff.

He figured he might as well get it over with.

Basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas, was followed by track vehicle mechanical training in Huachuca, Arizona.

He and his unit, the 108th Artillery Group, met up in Fort Riley, Kansas, and then took a troop ship from Oakland, California, to Da Nang, Vietnam.

Then it was up the river to the post in Dong Ha, an area about 10 miles from the Demilitarized Zone, separating North Vietnam and South Vietnam territories.

Tripp’s pictures of Dong Ha show a barren, almost prairie-like place.

“We had to build our own compound, make our own living quarters, build bunkers,” he said. “I pulled perimeter guard for like the first three months and there was no foxholes or bunkers or anything at the time.”

Troops lived in plywood buildings called hooches. They were protected from incoming artillery fire by bunkers, which were about half the size of a metal shipping container and buried into the ground with sand bags thrown on top.

Tripp and other soldiers ran to the bunkers at the first sign of incoming artillery rounds. It often happened at night.

“You didn’t have to wait for an explosion. You could tell when a round went over your hooch, and you automatically jumped up and ran to your bunker,” he said.

Tripp’s unit was tasked with tracing back the incoming fire to its source. They sent this information to other American units in the area, which would fire at the now-known enemy locations.

“Our company would figure out where they had shot and how far the round had traveled,” he said. “And, then we would give commands to the other outpost artillery to start firing back.”

One day, the Viet Cong hit the Americans’ ammo supply.

Tripp, who had driven a lieutenant to the airport, was stranded and unable to get safely back to his unit. The explosions lasted eight hours, causing such compression that it blew in the sides of buildings at the Marine compound in which Tripp sheltered.

“I sat in a Marine bunker with a Marine like a half a mile away, because there was no way I could drive back to the compound,” Tripp said. “So, I just parked on the road and ran into his bunker and we sat there and watched the fireworks.”

Six of the seven hooches burned to the ground, but solders escaped injury by hunkering down in the bunkers.

Tripp spent 13 months in Vietnam.

He finished his career with stints at the U.S. Field Artillery School in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and at Fort Irwin in the Mojave Desert near Barstow, California.

The transition to civilian life was a difficult one.

Tripp says he drank a lot, until his first marriage.

“I could be up five, six times a night. Wouldn’t be able to sleep,” he said. So I’d be up, spit-shine my shoes. Or, any little noise outside...I knew something was going on.”

Even now, 50 years later, he still has a difficult time sleeping through the night.

He also has symptoms of exposure to Agent Orange, a herbicide widely used in Vietnam, and post-traumatic stress.

He finds it helps to talk about it, especially with other veterans. He also participates in a veterans motorcycle group.

“It’s easier to talk about it now,” he said.

CLEAR LAKE — When Jim Knutson drove a tank retriever during the Vietnam War, he faced two foes: the Viet Cong and the jungle.

“It was no place for a tank,” said the Clear Lake resident. “The terrain was terrible. The enemy could see us coming a mile away.”

Knutson and the others in his unit had to deal with mud during the monsoon season as well as mosquitoes and biting ants. They also were in danger of contracting disease.

His unit’s job was to seek out the enemy and keep them from establishing themselves deep in the jungle.

Knutson said the Viet Cong tried to pick them off one at a time through snipers and land mines.

“You never knew when your number was up,” he said.

Knutson was injured during an ambush and received a Purple Heart.

He said he was never a lucky guy but considers himself “very lucky to make it out alive.”

Knutson, 70, grew up in southern Minnesota and graduated from Kiester High School in 1963.

He was drafted in 1965 and enlisted in the Army after that so he could get a better choice of what he would do and where he would go.

Knutson said he had the chance to train as a helicopter pilot but turned it down because “all those guys were going to Vietnam.”

He went to tank mechanic school instead, but still ended up going to Vietnam.

A tank retriever is like a wrecker for tanks, according to Knutson. The M-88 retriever he operated weighed 62 tons.

It was his job to pull out tanks that got stuck in the mud or tow tanks that got hit.

“We never left anything behind,” Knutson said.

He once towed away a tank while it was still burning after being hit. Ammo was still going off at the time.

The four members of the tank crew were badly burned.

Another time five tanks got stuck in quicksand. Knutson said they couldn’t be moved so they had to spend the night where they were.

“Good thing the enemy didn’t know,” he said.

The next day chainsaws were flown out to them so they could build a log road to get out.

Knutson’s unit lived in the jungle for two or three months at a time and ate C-rations. He said he would dream about McDonald’s cheeseburgers, fries and chocolate shakes.

Knutson served in Vietnam from January 1967 to January 1968.

When he flew back to the U.S. it was “one of the happiest days of my life,” Knutson said.

He said he kissed the ground when his plane landed in San Francisco.

Knutson worked at Jerry’s Body Shop in Clear Lake for a decade after coming home. He has worked for McKiness Excavating in Mason City for the past 38 years.

Every Vietnam veteran had a different experience, according to Knutson.

“I think about Vietnam every day, but don’t let it affect my daily life,” he said. “I forget a lot about it until I start talking about it.”

OSAGE — Ten days before his 21st birthday, Bob Marreel received his Army draft letter.

Sitting as his kitchen table nearly 50 years later, he flipped through a wartime scrapbook, recalling a conflict he felt Americans were never allowed to win.

Marreel was drafted in 1968 and spent about a year in Vietnam in Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 47th Regiment of the 9th Infantry Division, stationed near a base in the Mekong Delta.

“I was trained in the States here for anti-tank fare and demolition,” he said. “When I got to Vietnam, down in the Delta that wasn’t needed so I carried a machine gun.”

He carried a machine gun for 3½ months, and then served as a radio operator.

“You never saluted anybody,” he said. “Some of the people who first went to Vietnam, they wore bright (patches) and they paid for it.”

In charge of bridge security, his unit often saw combat, he said.

“Most of our combat was during night ambushes, but during the daytime we would search various areas, secure engineers, roads and bridges, and medics while they treated the Vietnamese people,” he said later in an email.

Once, while he was recording a message to send home to his family, mortar rounds inched closer until one “landed right on us” and he got wounded with shrapnel to the back.

It was on April 1, 1969, he said. “I was the fool that day.”

His platoon sergeant was killed the next day.

Graffiti from American soldiers was present all over Vietnam, he said. One he later recalled: “If I had a farm in Viet Nam and a home in hell, I would sell my farm and go home.”

Marreel came home with combat honors including three Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge.

In 1979, he met his wife, Donna. They eventually had two children. Marreel worked for the Postal Service for 33 years and was a Mitchell County supervisor for more than six years.

“When I came back from Vietnam there was nothing here for veterans,” Marreel said. “You just came home, you threw all your stuff in the closet and you went about being a civilian again.”

Of five men including himself that joined his unit in the same day, all survived their tours. He began to reunite with men from his unit more than 25 years later.

“I think the Vietnam vets are supportive of (post-9/11 vets) coming back now, because we knew how bad we were treated,” he said.

“I was never called a ‘baby killer’ myself,” Marreel said. “People wanted to fight. They wanted to pick a fight with us. I said, “We were not trained to fight, we were trained to kill,’ and that kind of solved it.”

“The press said we lost,” he said. “We did not lose, because we weren’t there. Saigon fell two years after the Americans left.”

“It was a war just to have a war. There was never a plan to win,” he said. “We weren’t allowed to win.”

Mark Reinsmoen, 70, grew up in Joice, graduated from Luther College and became an English teacher before he was drafted for Vietnam.

“In June 1969, I received that infamous letter that said ‘Greetings...’,” Reinsmoen said. By then, Reinsmoen was married.

He made a personal appearance before the draft board where he was told that he already received two deferments, one for college and a two-year deferment for work when he taught in New Hampton.

“They told me that if I were a math or science teacher then maybe I could get a deferment, but I was an English teacher and the country had a lot of those,” Reinsmoen said.

From Worth County he left for Fort Polk in Louisiana for training and was sent to Vietnam on Thanksgiving Day.

Reinsmoen said he was scared to death and didn’t know what to expect when he arrived.

He served as an M16-carrying infantryman in the 3rd Brigade of the Ninth Infantry Division at Rach Kien.

For a while he patrolled in rice paddies. They would also run ambush patrols.

He later became a combat photographer.

“I would go up in a helicopter and shoot pictures of soldiers doing their jobs,” Reinsmoen said. “If I have one claim to fame, it’s that one of my photos appeared in the Pacific Stars and Stripes.”

Reinsmoen continued to serve until March 1971 when he was honorably discharged. He worked his way up from private (E-2) to sergeant (E-5).

Reinsmoen ended up going “back to the world” to Fort Benning after a little less than a year in Vietnam from November 1969 to November 1970.

“While I was there I believe I had a whole entire fleet of guardian angels watching over me,” he said. “When I came back I was physically, mentally and emotionally unscarred and I was able to step right back into society.”

Veterans of different wars cannot be compared, according to Reinsmoen, because veterans of other wars left and came back in groups while Vietnam veterans left and returned as individuals.

“When I came back from Vietnam, I didn’t tell anyone I was a vet,” he said. “We didn’t expect parades but we didn’t expect to be spit on.”

When he returned, he went to graduate school and taught elementary school in Rosemount, Minnesota, for 34 years.

“I was living a good life after the conflict,” he said.

Like many others who served in Vietnam, Reinsmoen was exposed to Agent Orange and was unaware that his health was at risk.

“In 2006, at age 60, the hammer fell and I was diagnosed with prostate cancer,” he said.

When he was diagnosed, his mother, Lois, told him he needed to get in touch with the Veterans Administration. According to the VA, he is considered “permanently and totally disabled.”

“I go the VA monthly for treatments and medication,” he said. “My wife, Dianne, is just a wonderful supporter.”

In the summer, the Reinsmoens live in Burnsville, Minnesota, and they spend the winter in Surprise, Arizona, closer to their children and grandchildren.

Though he no longer lives in Iowa, he still feels connected. In 2013, he self-published a fictional book, “J-Hawk Nation,” about growing up in Joice by following a basketball team in their final season before school consolidation.

Even 45 years since his return from Vietnam, he thinks about the destruction and the loss of life.

“I find that if I ever watch a Vietnam film, I find myself sinking further and further into my chair,” he said. “I wonder if it was worth it.”

The nightmares were vivid and frightening for Dan Gatton after serving two tours of duty in Vietnam.

“I would see four cadavers at the end of my bed. I don’t know why I dreamed that. I never killed anybody to the best of my knowledge,” said Gatton, 66, who grew up in Algona and now lives in Mason City.

“In another dream I was caught in an ambush. I could feel the bullets hitting my chest and blood coming out of my nose. It was the feeling of blood coming out of my nose that woke me up,” he said.

The nightmares are gone now, but the memories of war remain.

“Anytime anyone says they can imagine what we went through, I tell them that unless you were there, unless you saw the blood, heard the explosions, smelled the stench, you have no idea what it was like.”

Asked how he got rid of the nightmares, he laughed and said, “Maybe it was because I quit drinking.”

Gatton, who is retired after 37 years with Mason City Rent-All (now United Rent-All) said his military experience started because of an argument he had with his father when he was in high school.

“He wouldn’t let me have a car,” said Gatton. “We argued about it. I got mad and decided to join the Army. And the next thing you know, I’m in Vietnam. When I look back on it now, I think, all of that over a ’55 Ford.”

He was assigned to the Army Seaborne on the USSN Corpus Christi Bay ship, whose job it was to supply parts to repair helicopters.

“We were referred to as the floating machine shop,” said Gatton.

The Corpus Christi Bay was a built-up superstructure topped by a helicopter landing pad measuring 50 by 150 feet.

With the advent of ships like the Corpus Christi Bay, damaged helicopters could be barged out to the ship and lifted on board by two 20-ton capacity cranes to be repaired, rather than being shipped back to the U.S. for repairs.

Gatton and others were there to supply the parts needed for the repairs.

But when he thinks about his days in Vietnam, his thoughts quickly turn to people rather than ships or helicopters. “What I remember about Vietnam is there was a lot of dying going on. You knew every day could be your last day.”

Gatton was never in combat, but like all service personnel, he was always in danger.

“One day when I was on leave in downtown Saigon a jeep in front of me blew up. Here I was, a 19-year-old kid in the middle of all of this.

“On my second tour, I came out of a building one day and someone flung a grenade at me. But it didn’t go off. That was my lucky day.”

Gatton said when he came home from Vietnam, arriving at the airport in Oakland, he heard people shouting “baby killer” and other insults at him and other soldiers as they got off the plane.

It was disappointing and discouraging, he said, but he was able to put it in perspective. “At least I never had feces thrown at me like some of the guys did,” said Gatton.

Another thing he remembers about coming home: “I wasn’t old enough to buy a beer. I guess I wasn’t responsible enough.”

Public reaction to his service in Vietnam has changed in the past 50 years. He now proudly wears a cap and jacket (in Iowa Hawkeye colors) that proclaim his status as a Vietnam veteran.

People notice it and treat him with respect, he said. “It’s cool to be a veteran now.”

ALEXANDER — When Don Latham returned on leave from Vietnam for his brother’s wedding, he didn’t think he’d make it home again.

“I was never afraid of dying when I went to Vietnam,” said Latham, who flew Huey helicopters. “I’ve never been afraid to this day.

“It’s just what I felt because of what we were going through, with a couple close friends of mine being shot down and killed.”

As an Iowa State student, Latham trained as a pilot through the Army’s ROTC program. After graduating college and finishing flight school, he joined the 129th Assault Helicopter Company in November 1970, where he regularly flew South Vietnamese and Korean troops on combat missions.

His company had a good relationship with those soldiers, Latham said. They felt especially secure with the Koreans, who had a reputation of not taking prisoners.

A week after he arrived, he was involved in a skirmish at a base overrun by a North Vietnamese Army unit. After diesel fuel was dropped by Chinooks, his and other helicopters were to fire, in an effort to ignite the gas.

Latham said it took three passes, since weapons had jammed.

“After the third pass, we had tracers (ammunition) coming back at us,” he recalled. “You’re so busy, you don’t have a chance to think about that much, but later that night, it hit me — these guys are trying to kill me.”

Another memorable task involved rescuing Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) soldiers who were scattered in trees after a fire base was overrun near the Cambodian/Laotian border.

“I still vividly recall the helicopters hovering into the 200-foot-tall trees and the ARVN soldiers just piling on,” he said.

The capacity of his Huey was 13. At one point the helicopter had 27 on board and was unable to take off. Latham said the crew chief and gunner had to push people back out, instead making multiple rescue trips.

“It’s an experience I would never want to go through again, but it’s an experience I’d never give up,” he said of his year in Vietnam.

Latham was later stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he worked as an instrument instructor pilot and officer in charge of school for pilots returning home.

Following four years in the military, Latham returned home to Alexander, where he spent 37 years as owner/operator of Latham Seed Co. He has since retired from the seed business but continues to farm.

He hasn’t felt any lasting effects of serving in combat.

“My wife might disagree with me on that,” Latham said. “She likes to joke for a couple of years I’d be standing up in bed in the middle of the night, trying to untie rotor blades.”

Latham has been back to Vietnam twice on business, which he said was an emotional experience.

In talking with a friend who was a major in the North Vietnamese Army and now manages the American Soybean Office there, he learned about the regard North Vietnamese had for American soldiers, who targeted the military, not civilians.

“They had a lot of respect for our ethics and the way we conducted ourselves in the war,” Latham said.

As an agronomy major on a trip to Communist Poland in 1968, a professor from the University of Warsaw was excited to talk to his group about his sister, who was living in Philadelphia.

A guide questioned what the professor had been telling them — he said just crop talk — and told their group to disregard anything that was discussed.

“I’m not sure if there was retribution for that little man, but it made a lasting impression on me about what communism’s control mindset can do to a population,” Latham said.

“The fact that the U.S. took a stand in Vietnam — we stopped the spread of communism in southeast Asia,” he continued. “What we did was the right thing. It was successful in a way that most people don’t realize.”

MASON CITY — Chuck Thome of Mason City helped build airstrips and mess halls while serving in the Army in Vietnam.

He and other members of the engineering battalion he was with once loaded their earth-moving equipment onto a ship and went up the South China Sea so they could build an airstrip near Bong Son.

They arrived to find the beach was being shelled.

“That was quite an experience,” he said.

Fortunately, they didn’t meet any further resistance.

“We were lucky,” Thome said.

Thome, 70, grew up in Stacville. He’s a 1963 graduate of Visitation High School.

He was 20 years old in 1965. He didn’t have a job and his draft number was up. He decided to volunteer for the Army so he wouldn’t have to wait another month.

Thome was assigned to the 84th Engineering Battalion. He was sent to Vietnam as a radio operator, but was assigned as a driver for a sergeant because radio operators weren’t needed.

He also operated earth-moving equipment.

When Thome and other members of his company were working on a construction project, they had to have an armed guard with them.

As the sergeant’s driver, Thome did the courier run several times a week. The trip was 70 miles one way.

“You didn’t dare do it at night,” he said.

In February 1966 his company was sent to An Khe. They set up camp next to an artillery unit.

“They would shoot off the big guns all night long,” Thome said.

Thome finally got his orders to go home but he had to go to Germany for six months first.

When he got back to the U.S., he was sent to Fort Sheridan near Chicago for the final five months of his service. He was part of the honor guard that traveled all over Illinois for military funerals.

After he came back to North Iowa, he went to work at Blue Ribbon Beef in Mason City for a few years before going to work for Pepsi for 30 years. He now drives a truck for a farmer.

He and his wife, Diane, have five children and 13 grandchildren. Their son, Bruce, spent 20 years in the Navy.

Thome said he still has dreams about the war, but the dreams aren’t as bad as they used to be.

He had a triple bypass two or three years ago. He said the doctors attributed his heart disease to exposure to Agent Orange.

For the past decade Thome has been in the local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America.

“What a wonderful bunch of guys,” he said. “They are all like brothers.”

Thome attended Operation LZ, a five-day thank-you event for Vietnam veterans held in Forest City in August.

“It healed a lot of broken hearts,” he said.

Thome said his attitude toward his time in Vietnam is, “I would go again if I got called up.”

THORNTON — Frank Uhde Sr. of Thornton served in the U.S. Army for 21 years as a medic. He enlisted in 1953 and went to Vietnam in 1966.

“I had been to Korea, Japan, two tours in Alaska and then stateside duty at Fitzsimons Army Hospital before I went to Vietnam,” said Uhde, 79.

He was in the 25th Infantry Division as a medical platoon sergeant.

“The first big operation I went on when I got there was Christmas Eve of 1966. It was an air assault,” Uhde said.

There were more than 20 choppers sent in to Cambodia to pick up some American POWs, but when they arrived the prisoners had already been moved. He remembers that there was a firefight.

“In January of 1967 I was on Operation Cedar Falls in the Iron Triangle,” Udhe said.

Operation Cedar Falls was a mission to eradicate the Iron Triangle, a major Viet Cong stronghold in a 125-square-mile area close to Saigon. It was the largest American ground operation of the Vietnam War, involving 30,000 U.S. and South Vietnamese troops.

“We set up the aid station and I went out with the infantry platoons — that’s when I was hit with shrapnel,” Uhde said.

On another operation his company spent 21 days in the jungle and suffered a few casualties.

“You’d roast in the daytime and freeze at night,” he laughed. “Oh, at night it was damp and cold and you’d give anything for a little space heater, then in the daytime you’d wish you had an air conditioner!”

He was later promoted to first sergeant then relocated to the 25th Medical Battalion and became first sergeant of D Company.

“I lost a lot of good men, a lot of medics,” Udhe said. “In 1967 I commanded a young man who came up from Eldora. He was so proud to say his first sergeant was from Marshalltown — that’s where I was born and raised. It wasn’t about a month later he was killed.”

Uhde said the worst part was the casualties he saw.

In 1968 he was stationed in Madison, Wisconsin, where he was an adviser for the Army Reserve program, which he said he enjoyed. Unfortunately, that station had to do death notifications for next of kin, which he said was the worst part.

“My wife and I dreaded when the phone would ring because I knew I would have to go,” Uhde said. “That was hard.”

He was there for two years before he was sent back to Vietnam.

“You never knew who your enemy was,” Uhde said.

The military would hire indigenous personnel to help out in the camps. Uhde said that there would be firefights at night and in the morning they would find out that some of the people who they had hired were attacking them.

“Someone planted a mine in the mess hall. You’d see them counting their steps, marking off for mortar targets at night and a kid could come up and drop a grenade at your feet,” Uhde said. “I mean they used kids, women, old people and when we got home, they called us baby killers and whatnot, but you never knew who you were fighting.”

Like many others, the return home was difficult.

“I was like a lot of the rest of them — when you came back, you were treated like dirt,” Udhe said. “Not so much here in Iowa.”

The big cities were the worst, he said.

When Uhde returned to North Iowa he worked for the Cerro Gordo County Sherriff’s Department at the jail and Metalcraft for a while.

“I retired from the military in December 1973,” Uhde said. “I’d do it again if I had to.”

MASON CITY — Ernie L. Martinez expected to be drafted, but it was a brush with the police that sent him to Vietnam.

He got busted drag racing in 1969 in Pueblo, Colorado.

The judge made him choose between jail and the military.

“Everybody got drafted into the Army, and Fort Carson (Army base) wasn’t too far away and all the (Army) guys, we called ‘em doggies, they came to town and was dating all our girls in high school,’ Martinez, now of Mason City, said with a laugh.

“We didn’t like that, so I said ‘I ain’t gonna be a doggie,’ so the judge said that would be fine, but I had to do four years” in the Marines.

“So I was in for four years instead of two, like the draft, and I ended up doing six.”

In those six years he would go from the jungles of Vietnam to the rubble of a devastating earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua.

He was sent to Vietnam in 1970 as a member of a Combined Action Program, or CAP, unit. The program sent small teams to help protect Vietnamese villages from attacks from the Viet Cong communist fighters (VC) and to help with local projects.

American troops killed many of the VC in response to the Tet Offensive, a series of coordinated attacks by VC and North Vietnamese military in 1968, but remaining communists were terrorizing villagers, Martinez said.

Decades later, Martinez is still disturbed by the horrors the VC inflicted on the villagers.

“They would attack villages, rape, pillage, kill, murder,” he said. “They’re the same as ISIS is right now. That’s the kind of people the VC were.”

Many of the VC’s operations were hit-and-run attacks, which meant Martinez and his comrades had to go after them.

“I humped a lot of hills,” he said. “We tracked them down and we went to a lot of different villages all the way from Phu Bai up north all the way down to Khe Sanh Valley.”

“Basically, our job was to hunt them down and kill ‘em. Period,” he said. “They’re just like ISIS. You don’t keep these kind of guys. What they did to kids and women was totally appalling.”

It’s the children and villagers that stand out the most to Martinez.

The children would chant “Marines No. 1!” Women in the village said, “Marines Dinky Dau,” he said.

The latter translates into ‘Marines crazy,” Martinez explained.

He was fascinated by the culture — it was the first time Martinez, a Wyoming native, heard about Buddha — and the people he met in the villages.

“It was really unique listening to the kids. And the girls, there was girls there that, at 17, 18 years old, they knew much about weapons,” he said. “They protected their own villages and that’s who we worked with to teach them to take care of themselves.”

He stayed in Vietnam for just over a year, then returned to the United States.

Martinez worked as a Marines range coach and later got clearance to join the Marine Security Guard, which provides security at American embassies and consulates

He almost ended up back in Vietnam, in Saigon, but that was now an in-demand post.

“There was people fighting to go to Vietnam. They wanted to go there,” he said. “They wanted to serve there and I’d already been there so someone took that spot.”

He almost got sent to the northwest African nation of Mali, but instead was assigned to the Central American city of Managua, Nicaragua.

“A sergeant was getting married down in Nicaragua and they needed a sergeant down there, so they changed me to Managua — which I went all over the map of Africa to look for,” he said.

It turned out to be a pivotal assignment. That’s where he met his wife, Minon.

They both survived Managua’s devastating earthquake in 1972

Officials say 3,000 to 7,000 residents were killed, 15,000 were hurt and three-quarters of the city’s population was left homeless. Because people were buried in mass graves the exact death toll is unknown.

Martinez saw those graves.

“You wanna talk about war zone. That was terrible,” he said. “Mother Nature can get ticked off. People don’t realize how mean an earthquake is.”

These days, Martinez is in the roofing business.

He runs Mason City Roofing and also serves as the main coordinator for Mason City’s Marine Toys For Tots program.

And, all his roofing bids bear the Marine Corps motto: Semper Fidelis: Always loyal.

MASON CITY — His life in the Army grew out of a childhood playing soldier in the yard.

After summers spent using sticks for guns and imitating John Wayne with friends outside his house, the journey toward military life for Carlos Melendez seemed inevitable.

“I was going to grow up to be a Marine,” he said via phone.

“We’d play army almost every day,” the Mason City native said of his childhood friends. “I had a wooden stick that was my tomahawk, was my machine gun.”

Now 76 and living in Tamarack, Florida, as a young man college was not his calling. The military’s offer of order and structure appealed over the temptations of college life.

“I was not what you call a stellar student,” he said. “In those days, you were a sissy if you got good grades.”

A lot of his free time was spent “partying and chasing girls and going to football games,” he said. “I’m just wasting my parents money, so I thought I’ll join the Army.”

By 1961, he had enlisted and was attending officer training school. He loved the structured environment, opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and ability to learn whatever job he wanted.

“The Army kept on saying, ‘Yeah , I will send you to that school,’” he said.

Over the course of a 20-year career in the service, Melendez, a retired major, served in several capacities including attending infantry, airborne and Ranger schools.

He went to Vietnam as a helicopter pilot first in first 1966 before returning for a second tour in 1969. He logged more than 1,000 combat flying hours transporting and extracting soldiers from combat zones, eventually earning a Distinguished Flying Cross.

His helicopter was hit three times by enemy fire, he said.

The second time, it was “pitch dark out in the mountains,” he said. “You could see all the tracers out there. It looked like the Fourth of July.”

Coming home between tours as an officer, he said he didn’t feel the same sense of being ostracized in the same way commonly felt by enlisted soldiers.

“Professional soldiers, which I considered myself to be at the time, you have a different perspective,” he said.

“My second I came (home), I went to San Francisco ... I was there at the time when” there were protesters.

Officers, “we’d go out, go get a drink,” he said. “Of course, aviators like to have a good time. There was a street there, we used to go in our uniforms, people used to buy us drinks.”

“Never forget the inhumanity of war and the men who we ask to send to war,” he said.

For combat, “There’s no way to anticipate what that’s going to be like,” he said. “It was a very intense experience in terms of requiring your attention and focus all the time.

“Were were very cocky back then,” he said. “And for the troops (we flew) to support them, so we (never quit).”

“You didn’t think about the politics of what (you were doing), because soldiers are not political,” he said.

“The guys that were there, we know what we did. We did our duty,” he said.

A Northwood native who had never traveled by public bus, train or plane prior to his military career found himself flying on a regular basis as an aerovac medic in Vietnam.

Teddy F. Bassett Jr. enlisted in the Air Force in May 1965 after receiving notice he’d been selected by the draft. After scoring high in the medical field, he was selected to be a corpsman, later working his way up to run the aerospace medicine clinic at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois.

Following advanced medical training, Bassett was chosen for aeromedical evacuation training at Brooks Air Force Base in Texas, where he learned how to provide in-flight medical care to injured soldiers.

Bassett was then reassigned to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines in December 1969.

He left behind his wife, Joyce, and two young children, Jeff and Lori, in Mason City. They were later allowed to join him in the Philippines after Bassett extended his assignment from 18 to 30 months.

He and Joyce were high school sweethearts. They married after Bassett completed 24 weeks of training in Texas and Alabama.

While in Southeast Asia, his squadron began supporting missions in Vietnam. They used C-118, C-130 and C-141 aircraft to transport injured or sick soldiers, sometimes making as many as five or six stops in one day at various bases.

“It was actually rather exhilarating,” he said. “When you’re that young, you don’t know what fear is.

“You’re fixated on getting the mission done and don’t think about the consequences; you just go and do what needs to be done.”

Bassett said the planes would hold 30 to 70 stretchers called litters, plus space for ambulatory patients, medics and nurses.

When he wasn’t flying in Vietnam, Bassett was assigned to rescue missions in Cambodia and Laos.

One mission required a C-130 aircraft to be flown into Cambodia to rescue injured soldiers. Pilots landed the plane on a dirt road and kept the engines running as patients were loaded to ensure a speedy take-off.

While aerovac flights were normally routed around hostilities, Bassett said that didn’t keep them from being shot at.

His plane was once mistakenly routed into an active air campaign, where bombs were being dropped and anti-aircraft guns were being shot. Bassett said the aircraft had to quickly leave the area and return another day for wounded soldiers.

During another mission, a Korean flight crew assisted as a C-47 was flown into Vietnam to rescue a valuable wounded asset.

Not being able to understand Korean compounded the challenge of providing medical care under fire, Bassett said.

During his last mission before returning home, their plane came under fire as it was taking off. Bassett said it had a fairly full load of 50 litters and several ambulatory patients.

“I felt really bad for the patients who were already suffering and now wondering if they were going to make it out alive,” he said.

Since he had to frequently monitor patients’ vital signs, Bassett couldn’t wear ear protection while flying on the noisy planes.

Like most aerovac medics, he has hearing loss and back problems due to carrying heavy litters. He was diagnosed with stenosis of the spine — narrowing of the spinal canal — which requires lifelong treatment.

Despite his injuries, he says it was rewarding getting wounded soldiers to treatment in a safe place.

After Vietnam, Bassett spent 11 months in the U.S. before being assigned to independent duty in Greece.

He served in the Air Force until 1985, retiring as a chief master sergeant. During his service, he was assigned to either temporary or permanent duty in 13 countries and nine states.

“I just really enjoyed it,” he said of his 20-year military career. “What I was doing was really rewarding.”

Bassett was awarded 11 medals, including the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm.

He now lives in North Carolina.

Mike Foster remembers it like it was yesterday.

It was 1971 in Vietnam and Foster and others were trying to rescue South Vietnamese soldiers and get them on a helicopter.

“I had my hand on this guy’s stomach trying to keep his guts from falling out and I felt his heart stop beating. He died in my arms,” said Foster, 66, a retired Union Pacific railroad engineer and a graduate of Mason City High School.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

“Those experiences stay with you for a long time,” he said.

There are other reminders. “The sound of river water always makes me think of Vietnam,” said Foster. “And the sound of a helicopter — oh, my God.

“When you were over there, when you heard a copter, you always hoped it was coming for you.”

Foster has suffered from prostate cancer and heart disease and he is convinced both are related to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

“Why would we do that?” he said. “There were babies over there who were exposed to that.”

But he dismisses the effects the war had on him. “I’m better off than 58,000 other guys who served over there,” said Foster.

“The Lord has been good to me,” he said, “to help me forget about a lot of this stuff. The Lord and my wife Kathy.”

Foster said when he came home, there wasn’t much time to adjust to civilian life. “I was in Vietnam one day, in San Francisco the next and in Mason City the next. That’s way too soon. There should have been maybe two weeks where we could have settled down a little,” he said.

“I loved the Vietnam people and I loved their country. We sure put a lot of holes in it,” he said.

“South Vietnam people just wanted to be left alone. They had to deal with their government, our government and the Viet Cong.”

Foster was an infantry airborne pathfinder. “I wasn’t really attached to a unit. I was attached to different people. I’d be dropped off somewhere, do my job and then be picked up days later.

“So I didn’t have the camaraderie that others had and that was probably a good thing. The guys you saw killed were not close friends so I suppose you could say it wasn’t as hard on your heart.”

He said when he first was drafted, he volunteered to go to one training school after another. “I tried to do that for my entire tour but didn’t quite make it,” he said.

His first night in Vietnam, he heard enemy rounds “and I thought, it sure would be nice to be back on the farm in Iowa.”

Nearly 50 years later, looking back on his days in Vietnam, Foster has mixed emotions.

“I always believed in stopping Communism and I still do,” he said. “But military operations should be handled by the military and not by a president. It should not be political.”

Another memory from Vietnam: “Every day I thought about food. Food and water. I missed that more than I missed my girlfriend.”

MASON CITY — Retired Mason City High School teacher Ron Stroup spent a year as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and took enemy rounds three times.

He escaped uninjured all three times and came away unharmed after flying 1,000 hours in a period of one year, a year full of many scary moments.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

A native of Corwith, Stroup was born two days after Pearl Harbor and grew up in an environment in which veterans were treated with great respect. “They were heroes in my hometown,” he said.

In high school, Stroup was a star pitcher on a Corwith High School baseball team that won a state championship.

He went to the University of Iowa on a baseball scholarship but injured his knee, eliminating any hope for future baseball glory.

But he was also involved in ROTC and got interested in the flight program. In the fall of 1964, six weeks after graduating from college, he went in the Army and 18 months later was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam.

“Our company was attached to the 101st Airborne, flying them into the highlands of central Vietnam,” he said.

“Our toughest missions are what we called LRRP — long-range reconnaissance patrols. We would drop five or six men, black-faced and in camouflage and hopefully undetected, so they could see what was going on.

“Then later we’d have to go get them. One time they came to the helicopter, threw a body in and the rest of them jumped in over it,” he said.

Stroup said a frightening moment came on one flight when the helicopter was supposed to put men down in what turned out to be a burned-out area.

“As the helicopter came down it blew all the ashes up and we couldn’t see what we were doing. When we plunked it onto the ground, a hole was punched in the bottom of the copter. Fortunately, we were still able to fly it,” he said.

Stroup said, as a pilot he was much more afraid of the weather than being shot down by the enemy.

“Bad weather and mountains don’t mix,” he said.

By far his scariest moment, he said, was when he had a general onboard and the helicopter went into a bank of clouds, making it almost impossible to see.

They found an opening in the clouds and flew above them, only to fly into a second bank. “We knew we were over mountains and we knew we didn’t have enough gas to get back over the ocean,” he said.

Finally, they found an opening in the clouds and were able to descend and find a place to land. “That was the scariest moment of my life,” said Stroup, shaking his head.

He said when he returned home, he didn’t experience the resentment that many Vietnam veterans endured. “It might have been because I came home alone and not as part of a unit,” said Stroup. “At any rate, nobody spat in my face.”

“I did my duty and I’d gladly do it again,” he said. “I know some say we shouldn’t have been there in the first place. I don’t look at it that way. I did what I was called to do.

“I’m not a ‘sit-around-and-tell-war-stories’ kind of guy. It’s not glorious — and I have a lot of other things to do.”

BUFFALO CENTER — Already drafted, Dennis Murra of Buffalo Center had every intention of going into the Army when he walked into a Minnesota recruiting office in 1971.

“A class at Southwest Minnesota State required that we interview a business owner, so I went to interview the Army recruiter,” Murra said.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

“When I arrived at the recruiting center the Army recruiter was out, but the Air Force recruiter was in. One month later I was in Air Force basic training.”

It would turn into a 21-year career that took Murra to Vietnam as well as several areas around the U.S.

In the 1970s, going into the military didn’t strike Murra as unusual. It was just what people his age did.

“It was so normal for guys at that time to get drafted and go into service I just accepted it as my fate,” he said.

After attending technical school, Murra was sent to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, where he was a jet engine specialist.

“It was quite a shock, yes,” he said of Tucson. “I’d never really been in a large city before so it was different. Of course, the heat there is a lot different than it is here, too.”

Murra wasn’t fazed by the possibility of being sent overseas. As he puts it, “I was 19 and single and didn’t care.

“I grabbed my toolbox and my duffel bag and away we went,” he said.

Murra ended up in Thailand, where the United States launched missions into Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

He worked on planes at Royal Thai Air Force Base Udorn, in northern Thailand, and Khorat, in central Thailand.

Some planes had bullet holes. Others had frames stressed from too much downforce.

In Korat, Murra and his fellow airmen would watch for lights of returning B-52s from the balcony of old Thai Army barracks. After flying missions the bombers returned to Korat via U-Tapao Royal Thai Naval Airfield, a base south of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand.

“Sometimes there wouldn’t be as many as what left,” Murra said.

The relative secrecy was essential during the war so Thailand could avoid invasion by claiming neutrality, Murra said.

“Forty thousand North Vietnamese regulars (were) just north of us,” he said. “As long as Thailand remained neutral they wouldn’t bother us.”

They didn’t.

He was deployed twice, first for 179 days and then back for a year.

During his second stint he got a glimpse of semi-secret Air Force activity.

Missions were supposed to be over, but there was clearly continued action in Cambodia and Laos, Murra said.

“We would see airplanes loaded with bombs, but they would be back an hour later with no bombs on them,” he said. “So, we knew something was going on. They weren’t going very far.”

After his service was over, Murra stayed with the Air Force as a recruiter.

“After I’d been in four years I kind of wanted to come home, but my dad and brother were farming. They didn’t need another partner,” he said.

He recruited in St. Paul, Minnesota; San Antonio, Texas; and eventually in Spencer. He and his wife are now back in Buffalo Center.

He retired in 1992 as a master sergeant.

As a crew chief in Vietnam, Jerry Merrick recalls washing blood off the floor of his Chinook helicopter, but remembers little about the injured soldiers he transported.

A doctor once told him the mind is an “unbelievable mechanism” that can seal off certain bad memories.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

“He said, ‘You probably ought to feel lucky that you don’t remember the wounded,’” said Merrick, an Osage native now living in Dubuque.

Although he doesn’t remember more graphic details of the war, Merrick knew of others who weren’t able to handle the stress of combat.

“When I was over there, a lot of the guys couldn’t take it, and a couple of them shot themselves in the foot to get out of there,” Merrick said. “I considered other guys — infantry, artillery — as having it worse than me, because I didn’t think I had it that bad.”

One thing that remains vivid in his mind is nine comrades who were killed in action.

Merrick recalls talking with John Powers, a Washington state native, a half hour before his helicopter was blown up in April 1970. On the day Powers died, Merrick was flying in one helicopter, Powers another.

“You hear about survivor’s remorse — I thought maybe I could have saved him,” he said. “You never, never, never get it out of your head. You never do.”

Two years into college, Merrick went to a recruiting station because he was running out of money and knew he would be drafted.

Merrick, then a 20-year-old with extremely curly hair, first stopped in the office for the Marines, where a recruiter crooked his finger at him and said, “Come in, little girl, we’ll make a man out of you.”

He instead settled on the Army, where he learned his education would allow him to fly helicopters.

After flight and mechanic school, Merrick was sent to northern South Vietnam in 1970 with the 101st Airborne Division.

“Vietnam all in all was just an absolutely beautiful country that I loved flying over,” he said. “There was always something different — rice paddies, jungles and a Buddhist temple, often in the middle of nowhere.”

He worked with the Montagnard, indigenous people in the country’s central highlands, and was responsible for dropping off and picking up troops and resupplying, regularly under tense conditions.

“It was pretty frightening, having someone shooting at you and having artillery pieces going off,” he said.

Upon returning to his hometown nine months later, Merrick said he didn’t run in to many problems.

“I think it’s because I’m from the small town of Osage,” he said. “If you cut everyone on the hand, they bleed red, white and blue.”

A decade after Vietnam, Merrick enlisted in the Iowa National Guard. After 21 years of service as an infantry officer, he retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2000.

When he joined the Guard, he planned on flying helicopters again due to the age requirement being dropped. After a spat with a senior officer during career day, Merrick learned the requirement had been reinstated, effectively disqualifying him.

“I never got to fly a helicopter after Vietnam,” he said. “It’s too bad, because flying helicopters was absolutely wonderful.”

Merrick was employed by John Deere for 13 years before working as a logistics manager for several different corporations. He is now retired.

ORCHARD — He had flashbacks for years.

“It could be a sound. It could be a smell. It could be a touch. It could be almost anything,” said John Ross of Orchard, recalling the effects of the year he spent in Vietnam.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

“Whatever it is will put you back in the war zone. You can’t help it,” said Ross, 65. “I’m over most of it now but I still can’t watch movies about Vietnam and I don’t go to fireworks shows. I can watch them from a distance but I can’t handle the sound.”

Ross was drafted into the Army and was in Vietnam for 364 days in 1970-71. “I was actually there exactly a year — but I lost a day coming back,” he said with a laugh.

During that time, he was shot down twice —once in a helicopter and once in a plane.

“The helicopter was headed into a hot zone when we were hit. I would call it a controlled crash. We hid in a crater and were really pinned down. I kind of knew how Custer felt,” said Ross.

“You’re not really scared. But you do wonder who’s next — and is my number up?”

The incident with the plane came at a time when the company clerk helped Ross make arrangements to get home for a few days to see his girlfriend and future wife, Paula. He flew back into one area of Vietnam and then took another plane to get back with his company.

When that plane left the runway, it was hit by enemy fire when it was about 500 feet off the ground. “We did kind of a half-roll down and landed on another runway. We got out of there safe but it was pretty intense,” said Ross.

He said the experience of being in a war is hard to explain. “It’s like you’re waiting for the school bully to come after you and it can happen when you’re eating, when you’re sleeping, any time. You’re under this stress 24-7,” he said.

Ross said today he often gives talks to school children about his days in Vietnam. “I have to vary it, depending on the age of the kids. But I’m often asked why we were there.

“I tell them about an old man over there who always shook my hand when he saw me. Why did he do that? Because as long as I was there — as long as we were there — the North Vietnamese wouldn’t come down and steal everything he had,” he said.

“And he didn’t have that much — a few things in a little hut. But it was all he had, and we protected it for him.”

Ross said his homecoming back in the U.S. was not pleasant. “When we were flying back, we were to land in Seattle. We were told to get into civilian clothes as soon as we could. If we didn’t have any with us, go buy some, we were told,” said Ross.

It wasn’t long before he found out why. “When I first got back in the U.S., it was bad. If people knew I was a soldier in Vietnam, they were vicious. I was spat on and called a baby killer,” he said.

“Even when I got home to where I lived at that time, Austin, Minnesota, the townspeople weren’t very nice. It got to the point where you didn’t tell anyone you were a vet and it was even difficult getting a job,” he said.

At the urging of Mitchell County Sheriff Greg Beaver, Ross reluctantly went to the Operation LZ reunion last summer in Forest City. “I didn’t want to go but it turned out to be therapeutic,” he said.

When he thinks of his days in Vietnam, many memories come to mind, said Ross, but one in particular stands out.

“Anytime I held a wounded soldier in my arms, they always wanted two things — Mom and God, as in ‘God, please don’t let me die.’”

MASON CITY — When Bob Mogk of Kensett returned home from Vietnam in 1968, he wasn’t legally old enough to have a beer.

“It was strange because over there, they rationed beer and soda to us twice a month,” said Mogk, 68, an Army draftee who served exactly one year in Vietnam in 1967-1968.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

Mogk was a combat engineer, building roads and bridges and detonating explosives as part of the job. So while he was not directly in combat, Mogk said, “We weren’t there looking for trouble but we could deal with it if it came.”

He said often he was put on a helicopter, taken somewhere to blow up a bridge and be left alone for a few days until the job was done. Then he would be picked up and be ready to go somewhere else.

“One day I was on an island doing my job when I saw some F-4 Phantom jets above me. Somehow, they got their coordinates wrong and bombed my island. I crawled under a dump truck and didn’t get hurt,” said Mogk.

“But that wasn’t my most unique experience. That came the day I was working in a quarry ready to set off some explosives. I had everything ready to go. There was about a two-minute leeway before it would blow up.

“I looked up and saw a helicopter headed right for the blast area. There was no way to warn it. I got in my bunker and hoped for the best.”

Mogk said when the blast went off the helicopter was directly above it.

“It seemed like that helicopter rose about 500 feet, but of course I’m just guessing,” he said.

When the huge mountain of dust settled after the explosion, the helicopter landed.

“And guess who got out,” said Mogk. “Gen. Westmoreland.” He was referring to Gen. William Westmoreland, commanding general of the troops in Vietnam.

Mogk recognized Westmoreland and was shocked to see him. He saluted and Westmoreland returned the salute, and said, “What in the hell was that?”

Mogk said he explained he was doing his assigned task and there was no way of warning the helicopter.

Westmoreland said, “Soldier, do you know who else is in this chopper?”

Mogk looked over and watched Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara emerge from the helicopter. “He was white as a sheet,” said Mogk.

Westmoreland concluded his conversation with the young soldier from North Iowa. “You could have changed history,” he said and walked away.

Mogk said the day-to-day experience in Vietnam was hard work in hot conditions.

“We slept in tents just about every night for that year. My father wanted me to keep a log of the weather while I was there, and I can tell you the temperature was 127 degrees on the hottest day,” he said.

Another memorable experience occurred when his tour in Vietnam was over and he was headed home.

“It was about a 20-hour flight with a stop to refuel and I think there were about 268 of us on board,” said Mogk. “Several on board had rifles with them. I don’t remember why.” The plane was to land in Seattle.

He said when their plane flew over Hawaii, the pilot radioed to the soldiers that they were over American soil. “It was a good feeling, but we still had several hours to go,” he said.

Several minutes later, the pilot advised that the plane would have to be diverted because there were 2,000 war protesters gathered at the Seattle airport.

“The captain got on the microphone and told us, ‘We’ve been gone for a year, we’re heading home and we will not be diverted.’ He ordered that the plane land in Seattle as planned.

“He told all the soldiers with rifles to get off the plane first with the rest of us to follow. It wasn’t exactly the kind of ‘welcome home’ we expected,’” said Mogk.

Led by soldiers with rifles in hand, the returnees proceeded through the airport without incident.

They hadn’t expected any trouble, said Mogk, and were thankful there was none.

“All we wanted to do was kiss the ground,” he said.

MASON CITY — Jay Lee served 28 years in active and reserve duty in the Navy.

“I have always been super proud to be an American,” said Lee, a 73-year-old Mason City resident. “I am extremely proud to serve 28 years in the military. I would do it all over again, even Vietnam if my government asked me to do it.”

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

He spent 14 years in reserves and 14 in active duty.

Lee enlisted in 1961 and served with amphibious squadron COMPHIBRON 5 staff from 1962 to 1966. He served a total of four tours in Vietnam ending in 1969.

“They were all over the place, it was wherever they needed you at the time,” Lee said. “Most guys went to a camp, I did not. I was called in to an area, did my job there.

“I did the same thing on ships. I would show on the maps where the enemy was at, and where the good guys were at.”

Since he was moved around a lot he served all the way from Saigon to within 13 miles from the demilitarized zone (DMZ).

He worked out of Saigon when he first arrived in 1961, which he describes as “not too bad,” since the fighting didn’t pick up there until the mid- to late 1960s.

“I was four tours, so I came home four times and every time you come home we had problems,” Lee said.

He said he didn’t have many problems once he was back in Mason City, but he had many negative experiences near the military bases.

“So you come home, you think you’ve done a job that your country wants you to do and you return home to all the hate, and that’s actually what it was, hate toward the serviceman,” Lee said. “You put up with it.”

He said he was beaten up once in Long Beach.

“You know, you’re called all kinds of names, baby killer to murderer, you were spit on,” Lee said. “It’s kind of heartbreaking.”

“I personally lost some of the bitterness when I got home from Desert Storm,” Lee said. “I was recalled to Desert Storm and that lasted three months, then I came home and had a great welcome home.

He said it also helped working on the committee and taking part in Operation LZ in Forest City last summer, adding that it was the first welcome home he received for his service in Vietnam.

Talking to other veterans at Operation LZ and knowing he was not alone helped with healing, he said,

“Vietnam veterans are the ones out there that are making sure that anyone coming back from a conflict is welcomed home properly,” Lee said,

Lee later served as a police officer in San Diego and Decorah, and then spent 25 years with the Mason City Police Department, retiring in 1996.

“We can serve our community and country in several ways, however we choose to do it,” Lee said. “We all need to serve.”

MASON CITY — Bob Rodgers, 66, says he can’t talk about parts of his service in Vietnam. Some memories are still too vivid, too real to revisit.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

Bob sits in his living room with his wife his wife, Phyllis, in Mason City. They’ve been together since high school.

Rodgers didn’t receive any major decorations during his time in Vietnam, and that is fine by him.

“He just got to marry his high school sweetheart,” Phyllis laughed.

Bob considers his marriage to be the “best prize of all.”

“We started dating when she was 14,” Bob said. “We graduated in 1968.”

When Bob was 19, he was sent to Vietnam after he volunteered for service. He served in the US Army and earned rank E-5 specialist in his three years in the military.

Bob had his basic training in Fort Lewis, Washington, and was later moved to Fort Rucker in Alabama. He finished at Hunter Army Airfield in Savanah, Georgia. In that time, he went to school to be a helicopter mechanic.

“I went to Vietnam in October of 69,” Bob said. “I started out in the maintenance department working on helicopters — I flew a little bit that way.”

Bob flew test flights and later decided that he wanted to be a crew chief. He never became a crew chief but he found himself volunteering for extra tasks.

“One of the volunteer jobs I went on, our commanding officer at formation in the morning was looking for two volunteers to go help rig a downed helicopter so we could get it out since it had engine failure,” Bob said. “That turned out to be a lot more than just going to pick up a helicopter. I don’t think I can talk about that part. It was quite an experience.”

Bob suffers from severe depression and PTSD because of things he witnessed though his service, he said.

After a while, he received training to be a technical inspector. He would look at the mechanics’ work on the helicopters and either approve it or decline it. He was stationed in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970.

Adjusting back to civilian life “was hard,” Bob said.

He is considered to be 60 percent disabled because of service life disabilities, Bob said.

“It caused a lot of things in our marriage. The evenings were terrible for me,” Bob said. “10 days after I got home from Vietnam we got married.”

Bob and Phyllis were married on Nov. 15, 1970. He was stationed in Savanah for 10 months after he returned from Vietnam.

“A 10-month-long honeymoon,” Phyllis said

The Rodgers attended OperationLZ in August.

“What they did in Forrest City was outstanding,” Bob said. “You could just see it in the vets that you met that they were very appreciative of what was going on. We didn’t get any of that when we got home.”

He sees a difference between people’s reaction to him being a Vietnam veteran now compared to when he first came home.

“I don’t remember any thank-yous when I came home,” Bob said. “Even when I would walk down Main Street in our small town in southwest Iowa, nobody would talk to me.”

Bob didn’t get welcomed home until 1986.

“The first time we had ever seen the Travelling Wall, he was wearing his fatigue shirt and as we were walking, someone said, ‘Welcome Home.’ That was the very first time, 16 years later,” Phyllis said.

He has also visited the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C.

Now, Bob and Phyllis are heavily involved in The Erdheim-Chester Disease Global Alliance.

Researchers may classify Erdheim-Chester as a cancer of the blood, which would be a good thing for Bob since he could possibly link it to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

Bob thinks that a lot can be learned from Vietnam in the United States.

“I think we need to be really careful about how we deploy our troops,” Bob said. “The welfare of the troops is very important and we need to pay attention to history.”

STACYVILLE — Dean Thome of Stacyville said not a day goes by that he doesn’t think about Vietnam.

When he first arrived there in December 1966 as a member of the Army’s 1st Logistical Command, he worked on the docks unloading Agent Orange from ships near Saigon.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

Thome, 68, has not been diagnosed with any of the diseases other Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange have reported, but he has skin breakouts that he believes are the result of unloading it.

Thome volunteered for the Army after graduating from Visitation High School in Stacyville in 1965 so he would have more of a choice of where he went.

He chose Germany and served as the driver for a captain before receiving orders to go to Vietnam.

In Vietnam, he worked for 18 hours a day, except when shifts were switched. He then received 18 hours off before going back on the job for six days straight.

He hurt his back one day after being hit by some lumber while unloading a ship. He got 21 stitches but was back on the job after just one day off.

However, he was soon sent to a classified area in the delta, serving as a “tunnel rat.” Being in a classified area meant he could not send or receive mail for a long time.

After two months in the delta, a warrant officer told him they looked up his records and learned he was an only son.

“He said, ‘I’m getting you out of here,’” Thome said.

At first Thome’s captain said no because of the shortage of troops, but he finally did get to go home.

When he was in line to board his plane the airport was attacked.

“I couldn’t get on that plane fast enough,” he said. “I never felt safe until the plane got up in the sky.”

Thome said he had post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. He was not diagnosed with PTSD until he was 50, which he said is common for Vietnam veterans.

The medication he is on has helped him a great deal. So did retiring from farming.

However, he still doesn’t like to be touched from the back or surprised in any other way. He also doesn’t like the sound of helicopters or the sight of people with guns.

He has nightmares to this day about the war.

The Stacyville area had a high number of Vietnam casualties, so Thome lost a lot of people he knew growing up.

He has four children, three from a previous marriage and one with Elaine, his current wife.

Thome said one thing he is thankful for is he knows where all his friends from his platoon are now.

“We all called each other brothers,” he said.

Upon returning from Vietnam in 1967, Bob Lembke was anxious to change out of his uniform and blend in with the rest of the world.

“Being a Vietnam veteran was not a badge of honor at that time,” he said. “For decades, you really didn’t feel any pride in being a veteran.”

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

Lembke, who grew up in Rockwell but now lives in Mason City, felt his true homecoming didn’t occur until nearly 50 years after his service.

“I finally came home this August with Operation LZ,” Lembke said. “That’s when I finally felt Vietnam veterans were welcome.”

At 22, Lembke was drafted into the Army’s Ninth Infantry Division. He served in the Mekong Delta, where temperatures reached 113 degrees.

Having previously worked in a bank before the draft, he worked as a senior finance specialist but was also responsible for other duties.

“One of the first things I found out, that if you’re in the infantry division, you’re infantry first, no matter what your military assignment is,” he said.

He spent close to two months on perimeter guard duty, something he said would “give you a real thrill” at times, especially when animals would hit trip wires, resulting in flares being sent up.

One night an oversized rat rustled through grass near Lembke’s camp, seeking a drink of water from a puddle.

“I thought for sure we were under attack,” he said, noting his camp experienced mortar and human wave attacks. “You always had to be under alert.”

Another part of Lembke’s assignment involved paying wounded troops, a job he said was an eye-opening experience.

“I would thank my lucky stars when I left the hospitals,” he said. “I was very, very blessed, because a lot of them were wounded very badly.”

After returning home, Lembke returned to banking, which ended up being a 49-career for him. He is now retired.

The thought of those left behind still weighs on him. While speaking with Mason City High School students this fall about the war, he began to choke up when speaking about casualties, which includes the loss of a younger friend he once attended church with in Rockwell.

He said the attitude change about the war in recent years has helped him and others feel comfortable talking about their experiences.

After retiring, Lembke taught lifelong learning classes at North Iowa Area Community College about Vietnam.

“I still get emotional, but it’s been a big turning point for me,” he said. “People are finally starting to realize there was some value to it (the war), which did make a difference in the world.”

He has no regrets about his military service.

“I did what I was supposed to do as a U.S. citizen,” he said. “I would do it again if I was 20 years old.”

IONIA | Bob Havner said his experiences as an operating room technician during the Vietnam War are always with him.

"I wake up with it in the morning and I go to bed with it at night," said the former Charles City resident who recently moved to Ionia.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

Havner, 69, has visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., eight times. He also visited the Traveling Memorial Vietnam Wall during Operation LZ this summer in Forest City, an event for Vietnam veterans that he helped organize.

He said it is difficult for him to visit the memorial wall with all the names of those who died during the war.

"There are so many names on there because I couldn't save them. But that's war," he said.

Havner, a 1965 graduate of Charles City High School, went to Mason City Junior College for a year before enlisting in the Navy in October 1966.

After boot camp he want to hospital corps school in San Diego, and then Naval Hospital Oakland near San Francisco. He got his orders to go to Vietnam in 1969.

As an operating room technician in the First Medical Battalion, "the front was wherever you were," Havner said.

They were attacked with rockets and one night a member of the Viet Cong managed to get inside the wire.

"It just wasn't too much fun," Havner said.

His duties included triage. One night when casualties were heavy, he was given a black pen and a red pen. The red pen was to mark which of the wounded would be sent to surgery and the black pen was for those who would not be treated.

He returned to the United States after a year in Vietnam, initially settling in California.

Vietnam veterans were not well received when they returned, according to Havner.

"I had coffee tossed on me," he said.

Another veteran he knows had mustard and ketchup thrown on him, according to Havner.

"For some reason they thought we were baby killers," he said.

Havner continued to work in the medical field after returning to civilian life. He became a registered nurse, working with premature babies.

He returned to Charles City in 2000 and commuted to Rochester, Minnesota, to work at the Mayo Clinic. He retired in July 2010.

For many years very few people in his life even knew he was a Vietnam vet, and he never talked about his experiences.

That began to change after he became involved with Honor Flight Winnebago, which allowed North Iowa World War II veterans to fly to Washington, D.C., free of charge on a one-day trip to visit war memorials and other landmarks.

Havner, who visited veterans who had health issues to make sure they were healthy enough to go on Honor Flights, said they asked him about his own service, so he told them.

Havner, who has post-traumatic stress disorder, said his experiences during the war have negatively affected his relationships with others. He has been through two marriages that ended.

"I'm not the easiest person to get along with," he said.

But ever since Operation LZ, "I'm a nicer person to be around," he said.

Looking back on his service in Vietnam, "If they called me up today and wanted me to go, I would go again," Havner said. "My nation needed me."

At 6 feet, 6 inches tall, David Steinberg was used to standing head and shoulders above everyone else during his high school years in Buffalo Center.

His height almost deterred him from being accepted by the Army in 1968. The average height for men at that time was about 5 feet, 8 inches.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

“I had to have a second physical because they assumed I was too tall for the draft,” he said. “After that, they said they’d take me.”

Then 20, Steinberg spent a year in southern Vietnam, stationed with the First Signal Brigade at the Long Binh military base.

As a clerk typist and someone who drove jeeps, he didn’t experience a lot of combat.

“While there were incoming rounds, we were in more of a safer area,” Steinberg said.

Although his winter holidays were spent 8,300 miles from his hometown, Steinberg was able to reconnect with two other men from Buffalo Center.

“It was weird, but it was the neatest thing,” he said.

While in the military, Steinberg was able to spend his weeklong R&R in Australia, visiting Sydney and the Blue Mountains. He says being among people taller than 5 feet was a highlight of the trip.

After returning home, Steinberg worked at Winnebago and attended college before working as a postmaster for 30 years.

While he had little difficulty adjusting to life back home, Steinberg says he sometimes wonders why he survived and an acquaintance — Bobby Davis, who had a wife and son in Forest City — was killed in action.

“I guess there’s a time and reason for things,” he said.

Now retired four years and living in Leon, he divides his time between his herd of 130 Angora goats and working as a substitute paraprofessional.

For a long time, Herb Waugh wasn't quite sure if he should call himself a Vietnam veteran.

Waugh, 68, of Clear Lake, worked more than three years as an aircraft mechanic at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, California, from June 1967 to Dec. 1970. He and his crews inspected and repaired C-141 cargo planes going to and from Saigon.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

"I look back now and I think, well, I didn't do much," Waugh said recently. "But then I think about it and yeah, I did. You know what I mean? I did do a lot. Just, on my part. What I did was important."

The inner conflict? Waugh fixed the planes. He didn't ride one of them to the front lines and fight.

"I still wish I would've went to Vietnam," he said. "I still wish that. Now, maybe I wouldn't be here today, either. Maybe I wouldn't have a leg. I don't know."

Waugh, of Ohio, volunteered for the Air Force on the advice of his brother. Expecting to be drafted, he wasn't surprised when a draft letter arrived a few days after he signed up with the Air Force.

He followed his brother's advice a second time and volunteered to do basic training in Amarillo, Texas, rather than a larger base. He remained at the Texas panhandle air force base for technical training, and then was sent to Norton Air Force Base in California.

At Norton, he and his crew performed 45-day and 90-day inspections of the cargo planes. Waugh worked the night shift.

It was a detailed process.

The night shift would remove all the access panels to the plane, readying it for inspection.

When the inspection was completed, the crews would begin repairs.

“We would get the aircraft, tow it out on the flight line and then start to work on it and fix all this stuff that they had found during the inspection,” he said.

One of Waugh’s jobs was to go through a log book and assign work from the various shops. When the repairs were completed, he cleared the work with the plane’s crew chief before turning the cargo plane back over to its crew.

“He’d say, ‘Well, Sarge, she’s in good shape. I’ll take it,’ and they would take charge of the aircraft,” Waugh said. “So, I’d pull my guys off and we would go work on another one.”

He loved it.

"I felt like I was doing something," he said.

During the work, he sometimes got a glimpse of what was in the planes. The flights brought servicemen and supplies to the battlefield, but they also brought things back from the front lines.

Once, Waugh saw body bags. They were stacked on racks in the hold of the plane, headed for the government morgue.

He couldn’t help but think of the young marines he’d seen come through Norton on their way to Saigon.

“You see that plane with all the body bags and maybe two or three weeks before that we’d be out there on the flight line and there would be marines sitting over on the flight line getting ready to board a plane to go,” he said. “They had backpacks on, their guns, helmets. Sitting on the flight line — just sitting there a couple hours.

It was an unsettling feeling, wondering if any of those young Marines that came through Norton were on that plane. And he'd lost friends in the war.

“They’re baby-faced kids just like me,” he remembered thinking. “They’re going over there and fighting and a month later you see a plane come in and you wonder.”

Moments like that made him feel like he should have been fighting in Vietnam, not fixing the planes.

Fifty years later, it still lingers. He thought a bit, trying to explain why he feels that way.

In the end, he settles on it being a matter of "honor to the country."

"That's the way I feel about it. Like if there was a conflict now and they needed people, I would volunteer to go do what I could do. Even at 68, I would still go do that," he says. "They wouldn't take me probably, but you know what I mean? But, I would still do what I could at home."

When recalling memories of serving as a fixed wing mechanic in Vietnam, a Ventura man prefers to speak about friends he made, lost and has since reconnected with.

“In the 10-month period of time I was there, it was just amazing the bond you get,” said Kenny Coe. “Every day they’re in your mind for some reason or another, but I’ll never, ever, ever forget them.”

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

Coe served in the Army’s First Cavalry Division in An Khe, an area in the central highlands region of South Vietnam. He says being chosen as a plane mechanic — something he had little experience in — was just “good luck.”

His job mainly consisted of keeping OV-1 Mohawk aircraft in tip-top shape. Regular repairs invovled replacing tires that blew during take-off or landing, patching bullet holes and repairing or replacing hydraulic pumps.

While in the service, Coe befriended James Makin, an English-born sports car mechanic who worked in aviation maintenance in Vietnam.

Makin died on March 16, 1968, his 28th birthday. Coe said his friend had gotten off guard duty at midnight and stopped by the sergeant's office, where shrapnel was used for paperweight. Similar shrapnel killed him during a rocket and mortar attack after he had crawled into his bunk for the night.

“He was a hell of a kid, a good kid,” Coe said.

He recalled a mission his captain, Cliff McKeithan, narrowly escaped.

McKeithan and another pilot were on a visual mission, flying much lower than they should have been. After spotting the enemy they turned the plane around to take a closer look when the upper windshield took a hit.

“They couldn’t see anything out the front, so they had to look out the sides,” Coe recalled. “They threw the autopilot on, knowing they would have to eject when they got over the base.”

Another pilot quickly launched and flew beside the plane, talking them through a blind landing.

After landing, a .50-caliber bullet was discovered, lodged in the console between their heads.

“That was really scary,” Coe said.

He and McKeithan were able to reunite this summer at Operation LZ in Forest City.

Jellybeans at the ready — McKeithan’s favorite candy — the two reunited much like they had parted ways 48 years prior.

While in Vietnam, Coe and his wife, Sharon, then his girlfriend, kept in touch through 213 letters, which Sharon says she’s saved all these years.

Faced with the possibility that he might not come home from Vietnam alive and leave her a widow, Coe was hesitant to marry Sharon before leaving.

“At least I would have had your last name,” Sharon said softly, as she placed her hand on her husband’s shoulder.

Dave Haugen spent 10 months and three days on the Mekong Delta during Vietnam.

He only remembers about two weeks.

"That’s probably a good thing," he said.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

Haugen, of Hanlontown, was a radio telephone operator in the 9th Infantry Division, 6-31st Infantry.

They were in the jungles and rice paddies, dodging booby traps while searching for enemy soldiers. Haugen was responsible for maintaining communication between the squads in his platoon and the commander of Charlie Company.

"Many times we’d get ambushed out on the rice paddy and the bullets would hit the water and it would splash in your face and didn’t make any difference," Haugen explained. "It didn’t bother me until I thought about it later. And I’ve thought about it for years since."

Even now, he often wakes up at night wondering about a frightened young soldier who was wounded by a booby trap. Or, he'll think about seeing a man walking behind him killed by a bullet to the head as they crossed a river.

"He was like one or two guys behind me and a sniper shot him in the head. And I think about that daily," Haugen said. "I was talking to him one minute and the next he’s laying there and he’s covered up with a poncho, just his boots showing. And I can’t ever forget that."

He credits his wife, Marilyn, for helping him through the years after the war. The first 10 years were particularly rough, he said.

“The good thing that came out of it is I met a wonderful woman, got married and been married almost 44 years," he said. "And, she's been a saint. She deserves a medal of honor. She's a trooper."

The post-war years were made worse by the hostile reception Haugen experienced when he got back to United States.

In California, he was spit on and called a baby killer. Things were better in the Midwest — Haugen remembers reactions being more indifferent, as opposed to outright hostile.

It's much different now. Haugen participated in Operation LZ, a massive welcome home held this summer in Forest City for Vietnam veterans.

He volunteered at the event's museum, telling school kids about the war. He and other volunteers left out the graphic details, of course, but the younger children were still fascinated, Haugen said.

Even before Operation LZ, the tide of public perception had turned.

“I wear a Vietnam veteran's hat and I've been thanked hundreds of times and met tons of nice people, but back in the day when I just got home you didn't do that," Haugen said.

Looking back, Haugen thinks about how hard the war was on his family, especially his parents.

"It was a trying time and I think what I feel bad about is I think it had to be harder on my folks back home than it was on me," he said. "Because, I didn’t get scared of what happened in Vietnam until 10 years later when I thought about it."

In 1966, Glen Pannkuk was drafted to fight a war while still a teenager.

In Vietnam, he spent two years as a sniper while he grew increasingly disillusioned with the war.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

But a decade after he left the service, he felt compelled to return to make the military a part of his life for decades, re-enlisting to serve with the National Guard through the first Gulf War.

In part, it was to make use of the skills he learned in war to make sure other soldiers were better trained to face combat.

"I saw soldiers in Vietnam die because they weren't prepared," said the Forest City resident, now 69. "With me, that was not going to happen.

"I've always been a realist," he said. "That's why the military has been easy for me to adapt to."

As a sniper he went on multiple combat missions in a solitary job that he said he embraced..

The job was "as close as you'll get to reality," he said. "If you see an enemy, you'll shoot him."

By the time Pannkuk shipped home in 1968 he was questioning the war's purpose.

Even so, upon landing in Oakland, California, he said he and other soldiers were met with protesters who threw beer bottles. Military police ushered the returning soldiers into bathrooms to change out of uniform.

For years, he said, he didn't realize he was struggling with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

He also battled anger issues. Rather than using drugs or alcohol, he preferred picking bar fights to deal with his emotions.

After 10 years in civilian life, in 1978, he made the decision to re-enlist in the National Guard. He was called up for the First Gulf War in 1991, working in water purification.

Even 23 years after his last trip to a combat zone, he was confident of his abilities to return to war.

"I knew if couldn't be any worse than Vietnam," he said.

Its end and how soldiers were greeted coming home was a completely different experience.

"The culture (had) changed a lot," he said.

Pannkuk retired from the National Guard as a master sergeant about a decade later.

In the end, he felt he "did the best I could to take care of my people."

Denny Hull of Charles City was a member of the "Sea Tigers" — the Army's 458th Transportation Company (Patrol Boat, River) — during the Vietnam War.

The duties of Hull and other members of his unit included escorts, ammo barges, security, night patrols, ambushes and recovery of dead bodies.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

The worst part was "picking up bodies out of the river," said Hull, 65.

When they were on the river, "We were just sitting ducks," he said.

The boats had a fiberglass hull so "bullets would pass right through it," he said.

Once while Hull and the rest of his crew were "goofing off" and doing some water skiing, the front of their boat was blown off, he said.

He wasn't injured then, but he was wounded in hand-to-hand combat while capturing a Viet Cong prisoner.

"He wanted to take my arm off," Hull said.

Another time he captured 13 Viet Cong prisoners, earning a Bronze Star.

"The Viet Cong actually had a bounty on me," he said.

Hull, a 1969 graduate of Charles City High School, enlisted in the Army in March 1970 at age 19. He said he enlisted in the Army because of the lack of jobs in Charles City.

He started his Army training on tug boats and then volunteered for river patrol, knowing he would be sent straight to Vietnam.

Hull said he was inspired by President John F. Kennedy, who saved the surviving crew of the PT boat he commanded when it sank in the Pacific Ocean during World War II.

Hull landed in Vietnam on Veteran's Day 1970.

River patrol was done in small groups, "so we got pretty close," he said.

His unit left Vietnam in September 1971 but he stayed behind for a while to help train the members of the Vietnamese Navy who were taking over the river patrol boats.

When Hull first came back from Vietnam, "I was very traumatized," he said.

However, looking back, "I would still do it again," he said.

Hull got a job at the White Farm tractor plant in Charles City when he came home. After the plant closed he started working at Curries in Mason City.

Seven years after he left the Army, he joined the Iowa Army National Guard. He was a member of the 1133rd Transportation Company based in Mason City and went with them to serve in the Gulf War.

They arrived in the Persian Gulf on Veterans Day 1990 — exactly 20 years after Hull landed in Vietnam.

He said the Gulf War was a different experience than Vietnam.

"I was more cautious," he said.

Then 40, Hull was one of the oldest members of the unit and was able to act as a mentor to the others.

He is now retired from both Curries and the National Guard.

Hull and his wife, Linda, have three children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He recently returned from a reunion of his Vietnam unit in Virginia Beach. Some of the boats they used, which had been restored and were operable again, were there.

"I'm proud of my service," Hull said. "I know it was the right thing."

A Mason City man who served in a heavy equipment maintenance company in Vietnam considers himself a proud veteran.

“When my country called me, I didn’t run and hide like some did,” said Jim Farghum. “I showed up and served.”

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

Farghum was stationed outside Da Nang for 11 months, where he says he worked more in supply than he did as a mechanic.

Before being drafted, he "did a little bit of everything" while working at a local Chevy dealership, which led to his position in the military.

"I wasn't really a mechanic, but that's what they put me down as," he said.

The company’s first compound was next to the Marble Mountain, a cluster of five marble and limestone hills. Across the road was a prisoner of war camp run by south Vietnamese, which supposedly held north Vietnamese soldiers.

Farghum was told someone broke into the camp to help the prisoners escape, but they didn't want to leave.

“They were better off in prison, I guess,” he said. "The conditions there were better than living underneath a tree."

Since their compound was located near a Marine chopper base, the men on guard duty would often watch Marine patrols sneak away in the cover of darkness and return about dawn.

Although the company didn’t experience combat, Farghum said they would be shot at occasionally or would see rockets passing overhead, aimed at the Marine base.

“Once in a while, one would land short,” he said. “We were in the line of fire, so that would cause some excitement.”

The company’s second compound overlooked a river valley, with rice paddies everywhere. A constant week of rain flooded the entire valley, but Farghum said his group was high enough the water didn’t reach them.

During his last few months in the country, Farghum served as the Army representative at the Philco-Ford tire recapping plant, where he says the boss was American, the supervisors Korean and the workers Vietnamese.

“It was an interesting combination to observe in action, but it worked,” he said.

HAMPTON | When he received his notice to sign up for the draft, Jim Zacharias chose not to fight the inevitable — he joined the Army.

Just weeks out of high school in 1965, he took a bus to Des Moines to sign his service papers without telling his parents. He made a phone call home that night.

"I told my mom I won't be home for dinner," he said.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

Six weeks of basic training and specialty training as a vehicle mechanic did not prepare him for Vietnam.

Although he did not see much combat, his experience at war has been a defining experience of his life.

It is a mission he continues today as a Franklin County commander in the American Legion.

When he landed onshore in Vietnam at 18, he didn't know what to expect. He picked the mechanic's job over the infantry figuring it would be a better change to avoid constant combat.

Stationed at Cam Ranh Base, he moved through different military occupations while completing his year tour of duty.

With tracers constantly in the night sky, he never really felt safe. The pressure and uncertainty of being in a war zone hardened him later in life.

"A little harder than I wanted to be," he said.

Danger was ever-present with Vietcong fighters dressing as and blending in with the population.

"You didn't know what you looked for each day over there," he said.

Vietnam taught him "how to be a man in a real big hurry," he said. "You knew if you didn't grow up at that point, you wouldn't have made it back."

Returning home in October 1967, he grew to view Vietnam as a lost cause.

"I felt like what we did was done in vain," he said. "It was a political war, not really a war to gain anything with."

He was offered a signing bonus to re-enlist, but turned it down, figuring he would go right back to Vietnam.

He eventually worked 18.5 years at Viking Pump in Cedar Falls.

The financial security of the military eventually called. Hoping to put in 20 years of service, he re-enlisted in the Army reserves in 1974.

He made it until 1977 when a back injury severely limited the weight he could support to no more than 5 pounds.

His return home from war was quiet, a painful reminder of the homecoming Vietnam veterans still have not properly received, he said.

People who dodged the draft and fled to Canada "got more of a welcome than we did," he said.

Despite his reservations about the conflict, he is still proud of serving his country.

"My country asked me to do a job and I did," he said. "I wasn't chicken enough to run."

Recalling comrades left behind during a 14-month tour as a combat soldier in Vietnam still brings tears to a Whittemore native’s eyes.

“Survivor’s guilt is a tremendous emotion to live with and come to terms with,” said Stuart Simonson. “There’s really no answer or explaining to it; it’s just something you have to learn from and accept.”

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

Simonson was drafted into the Army in 1969 at age 18. At the time, he had been studying accounting at the Spencer School of Business in northwest Iowa.

He was first assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, serving in the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam, an area Simonson said was “absolutely miserable” due to swamps, mud and mosquitoes.

There Simonson was part of a line company, which conducted ambushes, sweeps and experienced a fair amount of combat.

He was in that division four months before it was pulled out, due to Vietnamization, or turning over the war to southern Vietnam while reducing the number of U.S. troops. Simonson then moved north to join the 25th Infantry Division.

He worked as an RTO, or radio/telephone operator, someone who is responsible for the unit’s radio.

Instead of the Viet Cong’s booby traps hidden across the Delta, the division faced the North Vietnamese Army’s regularly-trained soldiers.

The day he first saw fellow soldiers killed — late September 1969 — sticks in his memory. Two fell victim to traps, one of whom was the company’s commander.

“It was awful,” he said. "I'm getting a little emotional talking about it."

During other combat, two friends fell to shells that left him untouched, while a third was shot in the head during an ambush. Simonson also witnessed a fellow RTO being pierced by shrapnel after his radio was hit by a shell and exploded.

“When those bullets were landing feet away from you, throwing up dirt and hitting guys around you, you wonder why they didn’t hit you,” Simonson said. “It’s just dumb luck that they missed you.”

Although wounded in combat and often thinking he wouldn’t return alive, Simonson came home relatively unscathed.

Today, he finds himself having more difficulty coping with the after-effects of war.

“For me, as I got older, then it seems it weighs on me,” Simonson said. “I look at my life, which is very nice.

“I survived that whole ordeal and got to experience everything they missed.”

Spending time with like-minded individuals — whether through Veterans Affairs or his local American Legion — has helped reduce the burden. Simonson, vice president of Farmers State Bank in Whittemore, is also active in his small town.

“If it had been me versus them, I’d want them to live a good life,” he said, referencing fallen comrades. “I’m trying my best to do that.”

Simonson plans to retire at the end of this year, but as a CPA will still prepare taxes in the winter. He says he’ll be active in his local Legion and will do community service work.

After Dan Bilharz graduated from Charles City High School in 1970 he enlisted in the Army, hoping for a better job opportunity.

"I got the heaviest equipment that the Army could produce — a rock crusher," said the 64-year-old Vietnam veteran, who now lives in Nashua.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

When he arrived in Vietnam, "They put me on an asphalt plant in the middle of nowhere."

His job was to haul asphalt from the plant to build paved roads.

"You never knew if you were going to make it back or not," he said.

When going past the rice paddies with people working in them, "You never knew if they were going to turn around and start shooting at you."

Fortunately, Bilharz was never shot at. However, he now has post-traumatic stress disorder and is easily startled.

If someone makes a loud noise near him or taps him on the shoulder, "I react really badly," he said.

Bilharz also forgets a lot of things and has ringing in his ears. He thinks the ringing is because of being around the asphalt plant. He said they didn't use ear protection then like they do now.

Bilharz is one of seven brothers who served in the military. He also has two sisters.

After Bilharz returned home from Vietnam, he worked at White Farm Equipment for eight years. He then worked for a hog farming operation. After that, he worked at Five Star Cooperative for 22 years.

He is now retired.

Bilharz and his wife, Patty, have two sons who both served in the U.S. Marine Corps. The couple also have six grandchildren.

Bilharz said he never talked about his experience in Vietnam until six or seven years ago, when he attended Rendezvous Days in Fort Atkinson. Others who were there who served in Vietnam saw he had his Vietnam cap on and they started talking to him.

He said the other veterans told him the best thing to do is talk about his experiences and to "stay away from the booze."

Bilharz, who has been arrested twice for operating while under the influence, doesn't drink anymore. He also quit smoking and chewing tobacco.

He even took up running, competing in lots of 5K events. However, running is difficult for him now because he has arthritis and a spur in his heel.

Bilharz attended Operation LZ, a homecoming event for Vietnam veterans that took place in August in Forest City.

"It was great," he said.

He knelt by the Fallen Soldier cross, said a prayer and put a small American flag beside it.

Bilharz said he never got his medals from Vietnam. He said he still hopes to get them, but it would mean dealing with a lot of paperwork.

He always wears his Vietnam cap in public and people come up to him and thank him for his service.

"I wouldn't trade it for anything," he said.

With a swift push from a comrade’s boots, a Mason City man’s introduction to ground combat in the Mekong Delta in 1968 began more abruptly than he anticipated.

Fellow soldiers told Larry Paul he’d receive training on transitioning from helicopter to battleground, but he only received brief instruction — jump off the chopper as quickly as possible.

The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories — starting on Veterans Day — about North Iowa’s Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays…

The then-26-year-old wasn’t prepared for the commotion he would encounter.

“As the doors opened, shells were flying and the noise was like hell,” Paul recalled. “I froze because I thought I was dead.”

After being pushed off the aircraft, Paul tumbled into the reeds and water as he heard screaming all around him.

“I remember thinking, ‘Wow, I have to do this for a year?’” he said. “I didn’t think I’d make it.”

Six months later, Paul survived a massive attack on his base camp that killed or severely wounded three-fourths of the Ninth Infantry’s Division Bravo Company and the majority of its cooks. The mess halls and officers’ club were annihilated.

As the mortars began to hit, Paul grabbed his clothes and ran barefoot to the perimeter, severely cutting his feet on a steel walkway in the process.

After slogging through water fertilized with buffalo manure, the cuts on Paul’s feet became infected, swelling to the point where his boots had to be cut off.

While on medical hold, he was assigned to an office job, where he wrote articles for the Alpha Company, detailing what was happening for the higher-ups.

The writing led him to work as a legal clerk, practical experience he was later able to transfer to a 33-year career with Iowa Workforce Development.

Upon arrival back in the U.S., Paul was part of a parade in downtown Seattle that was supposed to be a welcome home.

Parade-goers were divided, Paul said, with one side cussing and name-calling while the other side cheered and threw flowers.

Paul said Gen. William Westmoreland, who had led the parade with Seattle’s mayor, was livid. Westmoreland, who led U.S. forces during Vietnam, instructed soldiers to pack their uniforms away as they headed home.

“We didn’t realize how much hatred there was,” Paul said. “The country was divided almost like the Civil War — it was horrible.

“It didn’t take you long to learn that you didn’t mention anything about being a Vietnam vet.”

Paul, who had studied history and political science at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, planned to teach. The Army led him in a different direction — all over the world.

After seven years away from the military, he joined the Iowa National Guard’s 1133rd Transportation Company. Paul spent a total of 27 years in the National Guard, five months of which were spent during deployment in Desert Storm.

The climate there was much different than what he had witnessed in Vietnam — women asking him to hold their babies and villagers bringing them food.

“It was a huge, unbelievable celebration,” he said. “It really made everything worthwhile.”

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Local News Editor | Photographer

Tom Thoma, a Mason City councilmember, longtime journalist, volunteer, and musician, died Thursday at MercyOne Mason City.

A Mason City woman is accused of stabbing a man in the arm earlier this month.

Books are being pulled from the shelves of Mason City Schools' libraries to comply with newly enacted state legislation Gov. Kim Reynolds says…

Soldiers in Mason City-based company expected back in Iowa in the near future, with a ceremony at a yet-to-be determined future date.

A Mason City man is faing 25 years in prison after allegedly setting a hotel room on fire.

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