Still Serving Iowa Veterans

More than 5,400 American service members who gave their lives since the Global War on Terror are honored in the powerful Remembering Our Fallen memorial exhibit. In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin visit the exhibit in Shenandoah, Iowa, where they speak with Tyler Maher of the Veterans Memorial Museum. Tyler shares how the community came together to h...

Protein is one of the hardest items for food pantries to keep on their shelves, especially during the summer months when children are home from school. That's why the Deb & Jeff Hanson Foundation travels across Iowa delivering thousands of pounds of ground pork to local food pantries through its Commonground Iowa "Call for Hunger" program. In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Ve...

What makes a VA disability claim successful? What changes are coming to tinnitus ratings? How does the PACT Act affect veterans and their families? In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans, Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin sit down with Greg Hoenig , Dallas County Veteran Service Officer and former VA Rating Specialist, to discuss the latest developments affecting veterans and their benefit...

More than 15,000 women veterans call Iowa home, yet many remain unaware of the benefits, resources, and support available to them. In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin sit down with Jen Parolson and Joella Perry following the inaugural Iowa Women Veterans Program event to discuss why this organization was created and the impact it's already making....

What should you do when an American flag becomes worn, torn, or no longer fit for display? In this special Flag Day episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , Darlene McMartin and veteran Dave demonstrate a respectful flag retirement ceremony and explain proper flag etiquette when it comes time to retire Old Glory. In this episode you'll learn: • How to properly retire an American flag • The dif...

Why do veterans continue to gather long after their military service has ended? In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin explore the importance of veteran camaraderie, community, and connection. From local coffee groups and service organizations to statewide veteran events, they discuss why gathering with fellow veterans remains such an important part of l...

In this episode of Still Serving, hosts Darlene McMartin and Carlene Hall visit Avoca, Iowa, to tour the upcoming Avoca Veterans Community Center. Joined by Chad Brockman from the renovation commission, we get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the massive transformation of this historic building. This site, which once housed the old Harris Theater and Charlie's Barbershop, is being fully...

The Wall That Heals has arrived in Council Bluffs, Iowa, bringing a powerful tribute to the men and women who served during the Vietnam War. In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , Carlene Hall speaks with Sandy Nugent , site manager for The Wall That Heals , a traveling 3/4 scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Together they discuss: • The meaning behind the...

Step inside the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. One of the nation’s premier long-term care facilities for veterans and their families. In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin tour the Iowa Veterans Home with Commandant Todd Jacobus , who shares the history, mission, and daily life inside this remarkable campus. You’ll see: • Nursing and dementia...

A powerful and moving experience is coming to Council Bluffs this Memorial Day weekend. In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin sit down with Brad Powell , President of the Iowa Veterans Foundation, to talk about The Wall That Heals , a traveling 3/4 scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 📍 Location: Lewis Central High School (Council Bluffs, IA...

What starts as scraps of fabric becomes something far more powerful. A symbol of honor, gratitude, and recognition for those who served. In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , we visit Women for Veterans , a small but dedicated group creating handmade Quilts of Valor for veterans in their community. Go behind the scenes to see: • How quilts are designed, cut, and stitched together • The...

From a small town in Iowa to briefing leaders at the Pentagon, this is a story you won’t forget. In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , Darlene McMartin sits down with Navy veteran John “Jack” Ahart , who served 28 years and traveled to more than 70 countries during his military career. Jack shares incredible moments from his service, including: • Flying missions and training pilots • Se...

Discover how the Fisher House in Omaha is providing comfort, support, and a home away from home for veterans and their families. In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin tour the Fisher House near the VA Hospital and speak with Acting Manager Jennifer Servant about how families can stay free of charge while their veteran receives medical care. Learn: • Who...

This episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans breaks down how veterans can enroll in VA healthcare and what benefits may be available. Darlene McMartin sits down with David Conrad, Business Office Outreach Specialist, to walk through eligibility, priority groups, and why getting enrolled matters even if you already have insurance. From DD214 requirements to common misconceptions about coverage, this...

An Iowa veteran shares the moment he heard God say, “Don’t leave”… and how that changed his marriage forever. In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans, we follow Scott, a retired Army National Guard soldier, as he experiences equine-assisted wellness in Council Bluffs. From deployment in Afghanistan to rebuilding life at home, this is a powerful story of faith, vulnerability, and healing thr...

In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , we sit down with leaders from NAMI Southwest Iowa (National Alliance on Mental Illness) to have a real, honest conversation about mental health, stigma, and support for veterans and families . Hosted by Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin , this conversation dives into the challenges many veterans face after service—and why so many struggle in silence...

In this episode, we sit down with Mitzi Mossman, owner of Mitzi Moe’s in Glenwood, Iowa, to hear the story behind one of the area’s most unique and inviting shops. What started as a small furniture repurposing venture quickly grew into something much bigger. Today, Mitzi runs a boutique filled with:Home décor, furniture, and giftsDIY paint products and refinishing suppliesLocally made goods and ha...

Welcome to one of the most unexpected attractions in Southwest Iowa. In this episode of Mills County Roots, we take you inside the Junction Model Railroad Museum in Pacific Junction, Iowa… a former Methodist church that was completely rebuilt after the devastating 2019 flood. What started as a building filled with 7 feet of water is now home to a 2,700 square foot, three-level HO scale model railr...

In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , we visit Horses Help of Southwest Iowa to explore a powerful and unique form of healing: equine-assisted therapy . Certified therapist Jenn Leveritt shares how working with horses helps veterans process trauma, reduce anxiety, and reconnect with themselves—often without needing to say a single word . Unlike traditional therapy, this approach is: Gro...

Step inside a remarkable aviation museum hidden inside a working aircraft hangar in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin visit the Air Force Commemorative Museum at the Council Bluffs Airport. Curator Jim Frybert shares the incredible history behind thousands of World War II artifacts, aircraft engines, uniforms, manuals, and stor...

In this special episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , we celebrate the life and service of World War II Navy veteran Gene Jennings as he turns 100 years old . Hosted by Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin , this episode takes place in Council Bluffs, Iowa , where Gene’s family gathered to celebrate his milestone birthday. During the celebration, members of Women for Veterans from Woodbine, Iowa p...

If you are a veteran in Iowa, or you love someone who served, this episode is your starting point. In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , host Carlene Hall walks through the major state and federal resources available right here in Iowa. From the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs to the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund, Home Base Iowa, ForTheVeteran.com, federal VA hospitals, Vet Centers, and...

Specialist Dane Moyer is finally home in Iowa after serving overseas in Erbil, Syria. In this heartfelt episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , host Carlene Hall welcomes Dane back alongside his proud mom, Chris, for a powerful homecoming conversation. Dane shares what it was like actively working on vehicles during missions overseas, what he learned from the experience, and how it feels to be ba...

In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin shine a light on the realities, challenges, and leadership of women veterans in Iowa. Women have served in every era of American history, from the Revolutionary War to modern combat operations. Yet many still face unique obstacles when transitioning home, including higher rates of homelessness, divorce, mental healt...

In this episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , hosts Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin discuss the return of Iowa National Guard soldiers from deployment and what comes next for service members, families, and communities. Featuring an in-depth interview with Lt. Col. George Mosby of the Iowa National Guard and the Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs, this episode covers: • The phased return of 2...