Still Serving Iowa Veterans

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 restored to serve both local veterans and the broader community.The extensive renovation preserves the rich history of the original theater, including the beautifully restored curved ceiling and the historic ticket window. Once completed, the facility will feature a spacious community hall available for weddings, graduations, and local events. It will also house "The Post," a new Legion bar that will be open to the public to help raise vital funds for veteran programs. The entrance will also showcase a special wildlife mount display donated by the family of Dr. Schultz to honor his legacy of community support.Most importantly, this new center provides a dedicated home for American Legion Post 227. Having a physical space is crucial for keeping veterans connected, sharing stories, and keeping the organization active as older generations age out. This project is a collaborative effort between the commission, the city of Avoca, and local volunteers, with sponsorship from the Iowa Veterans Foundation.If you are a veteran in the Avoca area or have a family member who served, please consider joining American Legion Post 227 or the Sons of the American Legion. Your involvement helps sustain these vital community services and honors those who have served our country.

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 58,281 names on the wall
• The importance of honoring Vietnam veterans
• Why this traveling memorial matters to communities across America
• Educational outreach for younger generations
• How visitors can locate and etch names from the wall

This moving Memorial Day event gives veterans, families, and communities the opportunity to reflect, remember, and heal together.

📍 Lewis Central High School – Council Bluffs, Iowa
🕒 Open 24 hours during Memorial Day weekend

🔗 Learn more about The Wall That Heals:
https://www.vvmf.org/The-Wall-That-Heals/

🔗 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund:
https://www.vvmf.org

If you know a Vietnam veteran, share this story with them and take a moment to say the words many waited decades to hear: “Welcome home.”

Made possible by the Iowa Veterans Foundation and our sponsors.

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 care facilities
• Veteran cottages for visiting families
• Therapy and recreation spaces
• Resident gathering areas and support services
• Why many consider IVH the “gold standard” for veteran long-term care

The Iowa Veterans Home serves veterans from every era, including WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and beyond. Families, spouses, and Gold Star families may also qualify for services.

🔗 Learn more about the Iowa Veterans Home:
https://ivh.iowa.gov

🔗 Iowa Veterans Home Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/IowaVeteransHome/

If you’re exploring veteran care options for yourself or a loved one, this episode provides an inside look at one of Iowa’s most respected veteran communities.

Made possible by the Iowa Veterans Foundation and our sponsors.

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)
📅 Dates: Arrives May 21 | Open through Memorial Day (24 hours a day)

This national exhibit brings the Vietnam Memorial closer to veterans, families, and communities who may never have the chance to visit Washington, D.C.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• What The Wall That Heals is and why it matters
• What to expect when you visit
• How to volunteer and be part of the event
• Other Memorial Day ceremonies happening locally

Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or simply want to pay your respects, this is an experience you won’t want to miss.

Come be part of something meaningful and help honor those who served.

Made possible by the Iowa Veterans Foundation and our sponsors.

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 time, effort, and teamwork behind each piece
• The impact these quilts have on veterans and their families
• How this group supports veterans beyond quilting

With fewer than 10 active volunteers, this group has already created dozens of quilts to honor service members who may have never been recognized before.

These quilts are more than blankets. They’re a lasting “thank you” for service and sacrifice.

If you want to support veterans or get involved, this story will inspire you.

Made possible by the Iowa Veterans Foundation and our sponsors.

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
• Serving in the Pentagon and briefing top military leaders
• Experiences during Desert Storm
• Encounters with historic figures like Sally Ride and Henry Kissinger
• Life after the military and giving back to fellow veterans

His journey proves how far military service can take you and why the camaraderie and lessons last a lifetime.

If you’ve ever considered serving or want to hear an unforgettable veteran story, this episode is for you.

Made possible by the Iowa Veterans Foundation and our sponsors.

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 qualifies to stay at Fisher House
• How referrals and eligibility work
• The support services available to families
• How you can volunteer or donate

With 100+ locations nationwide, Fisher House is a vital resource many veterans still don’t know about.

If you or someone you love is a veteran, this is information you need to hear.

Made possible by the Iowa Veterans Foundation and our sponsors.

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 conversation provides clear guidance for veterans and their families. If you have ever wondered what the VA offers or how to get started, this is information you need to hear.

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 through connection.📍 Horses Help | Council Bluffs, Iowa🎖️ Featuring a 20-year National Guard veteran

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.

NAMI is a peer-led organization built on lived experience, offering free support groups, classes, and resources to individuals and families navigating mental health challenges.

In this episode:

• Why mental health stigma still prevents people from getting help
• The real gaps in today’s mental health system
• How peer support can change lives
• The unique challenges veterans and military families face
• Why connection—not isolation—is the key to healing

You’ll also hear powerful personal stories, including the impact of deployment, postpartum depression, and the struggle to find care when it’s needed most.

“Everything we do is free… we never charge for a program.”

NAMI Southwest Iowa is working to make sure no one has to face mental health challenges alone.

• 🌐 Learn more: namisouthwestiowa.org
• 🚶 Join the NAMI Walk (Clarinda, IA – May 27)
• 🤝 Volunteer, donate, or attend a support group

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