Congratulations to Scott Boylen for his insightful, compassionate and heartfelt letter of November 3. We can all agree that there is entirely too much vitriol and divisiveness in the country at the moment and any effort to lessen that and to bring us together should be applauded.
However, Mr. Boylen appears to dismiss the reasons for what he is seeing without giving consideration to why what is happening is happening. There are myriad reasons for why the phenomena he dislikes is happening.
I feel compelled to write this letter, but being 95 years old in a couple days, writing is not easy. I feel so let down by the National Republican Party when they did get in power and could have changed some things, like Planned Parenthood, letting the clergy speak their mind regarding politics, putting the Bible and Ten Commandments back in public schools, securing our borders. Congress has low respect, only 11% approval - worse than a used car salesperson.
I feel let down by G.W. Bush, who I voted for and only to hear him criticize Trump, what a joke. You can bet your bottom dollar that Bush was a guest of Clinton’s many trips with Epstein to his fantasy island.
I guess I wrote The Standard before about honoring our vets who fought for our constitution and country, but yet you put half pages, probably free of charge, in The Standard by Grassley or Osmundson, who are members of the Trump and Republican party that held an insurrection of this country to invalidate an honest and fair election. They, in part, are in the process of passing voting laws to restrict people of color from voting.
Any Iowan, man or woman, who holds an elected position should be able to pay for their words. It’s funny, these people slip into town without anyone’s knowledge, but yet suddenly their picture appears in the paper with only a few select area people in the picture from a certain party. I didn’t fight for this country so the Republican party could try and take over this country and put in a dictator.
Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
November 11: Office closed in observance of Veteran’s Day
November 25: Office closed in observance of Thanksgiving
December 6: Deadline to Return COC Ballots
December 15: Fall Seeded Crop Certification Deadline
March 15: ARCPLC Program Deadline
Proud service heritage of three generations of the Haler family ... The family of the late George Haler of Waukon has the honor of having three generations of family members who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. George (left photo above) served in the U.S. Army National Guard in Europe and North Africa during World War II. George’s son, Don Haler of Waukon (center photo above), served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Eric Haler (right photo above), Don’s son and George’s grandson, is currently serving in the U.S. Air Force and was recently promoted to Colonel. George Haler has also had several other children and grandchildren who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces as well. Submitted photos.
Midwest Veterans of America will be hosting a Veterans Day event Thursday, November 11 at Lid’s in Waukon, beginning at 6 p.m. The event will honor 20 local veterans for their service. Those who have additional questions may contact Jerry Halverson at 563-568-5275.
The Waukon Patriot Quilters will be presenting quilts to several selected local veterans this Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11 at 1 p.m. at the Sweeney Shelter by the Allamakee County Freedom Rock at the Waukon City Park. The public is invited to attend the event and honor their service.
Area veterans organizations recently donated 55 classroom flags and brackets as well as four larger flags for gymnasiums to the Allamakee Community School District. Pictured above at the flag presentation are: Left to right - Front row: Seventh grade student Lauren Kelly and eighth grade student Noah Hager of the Waukon Middle School; Back row: John Regan, Jr. and Virgil Thorstenson, both of American Legion Post 62, Waukon; James Magner of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4117, Waukon; Waukon Middle School Principal Luke Steege; Waukon High School Principal Jennifer Garin; Joseph Kroack of American Legion Post 62, Waukon; and Buffy McGeough of American Legion Post 722, Harpers Ferry. Submitted photo.
Honored for her service as she fights another battle ... Jean Brink of Waukon is currently battling Stage 3 metastatic breast cancer and will have a complete mastectomy as of the date of this publication. Knowing she would not be available for their originally scheduled November 11 Quilts of Valor presentation, the Waukon Patriot Quilters presented Brink (a U.S. Army veteran) with her own quilt this past week. Pictured above at that presentation, left to right, are Jean’s husband, Darryl Brink of Waukon; Jean’s son, First Sergeant Joshua Brink of Germany; Jean’s mother, Janet Kaufman of Waukon; Jean’s daughter-in-law, Traci Brink of North Carolina; Jean Brink; Jean’s adopted daughter, Amanda Downey of Ohio; and Jean’s adopted son, Master Sergeant Patrick Downey of Connecticut. Not pictured are Jean’s son, Sergeant First Class Christopher Brink of Germany; and her daughter, Tanya Brink of Waukon. Submitted photo.
Benefit event for U.S. Army veteran this Saturday
by Lissa Blake
In the years since U.S. Army veteran Jean Brink moved back to Waukon, she has questioned whether it was a good decision for her and her family. “I missed the military. I missed the city. I’ve asked myself so many times, ‘Why did we move back here?’” she said. But in February of this year, when Jean was diagnosed with Stage 3 metastatic breast cancer (HR positive/HER 2 negative), the answer became clear. “When I got sick, I realized this is where God wanted me. This is where I needed to be. There was a plan,” she said. “I don’t think there is anywhere else I could live in the world where I would get the support I needed.”
Mr. & Mrs. Andy Gassman and family of Big Lake, MN and Mr. & Mrs. Garrieth Franks of Oelwein hosted a Quilt of Valor presentation and reception for Duane Franks of Waukon earlier this year. Jan Franks, Quilt Of Valor volunteer, provided information about the Quilt Of Valor’s history and purpose, then awarded a Villa Rose Honor Quilt to Duane Franks (in photo at right) as an expression of gratitude and thanks for his service, sacrifice and valor in serving this nation and its people.
