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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📩 Know someone who needs support? Share this video—it could change a life

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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 handmade itemsSeasonal displays that keep customers coming backBut that’s just the beginning…Mitzi and her husband have gone on to purchase and repurpose multiple buildings in downtown Glenwood, helping breathe new life into the community while building a thriving small business.In this episode, you’ll hear:How Mitzi got started (and why teaching wasn’t her thing 😄)The reality of restoring old buildings in a small townHow she keeps her shop fresh, curated, and invitingHer new venture into home stagingWhy community collaboration matters more than competitionIf you love small-town stories, entrepreneurship, or just finding places that feel like a “happy place”… you’re going to enjoy this one.📍 Visit Mitzi Moe’s514 Sharp StreetGlenwood, Iowa👉 Subscribe for more stories from Mills County Roots as we highlight the people and places that make this area special.

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 railroad—built by volunteers, fueled by passion, and still growing today.You’ll see:A massive multi-level train layout with over 2,700 feet of trackA fully operational helix system and signaling networkDetailed miniature towns, rail yards, and historic recreationsA 13-stall roundhouse and working turntableThe story behind how this entire space was rebuilt from the ground upWe also sit down with Dave Carl, a retired Air Force veteran and key member of the club, to hear how this project came to life and why it continues to bring people together.This place isn’t just for train enthusiasts… it’s for anyone who loves craftsmanship, history, and a good comeback story.📍 Visit the Junction Model Railroad MuseumPacific Junction, Iowa(Open select days and by request)👉 If you enjoy local stories like this, make sure to subscribe for more from Mills County Roots.

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:

• Ground-based (no riding required)

• Open to all mobility levels

• Deeply experiential and personalized

• Designed to help veterans work through real-life challenges in a safe, natural environment

Horses naturally sense human emotion. They respond to what’s going on beneath the surface—fear, stress, calm, confidence—and reflect it back in real time. That’s where the breakthrough happens.

With support from Operation 22 Til Freedom, veterans can participate in sessions at no cost, making this an accessible and impactful resource for those who have served.

In this episode:

• How equine therapy works (and why it’s so effective)

• What veterans can expect during a session

• Why this method can be more powerful than traditional talk therapy

• A behind-the-scenes look at Horses Help’s 20-acre facility

• How families and individuals of all backgrounds can benefit

“Five sessions out here can equal twenty sessions of talk therapy.”

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 stories preserved inside Hangar B.

Jim grew up around airplanes and aircraft restoration, making this museum a natural fit. Today he oversees a collection that has grown to more than 5,000 cataloged items, including historic engines, flight gear, military uniforms, and aviation artifacts from World War I through modern conflicts.

You’ll also hear stories about:
• The iconic P-51 Mustang fighter plane once housed in the hangar
• Rare WWII aircraft engines like the Rolls-Royce Merlin
• The training aircraft that helped prepare thousands of American pilots
• Veterans and pilots who gather every week to share stories and camaraderie
• How local volunteers restore historic aircraft

The museum is more than a collection of artifacts. It’s a place where aviation history, military service, and community come together.

📍 Location: Council Bluffs Airport – Hangar B
📅 Open Wednesdays and Saturdays

If you love aviation history, WWII stories, or honoring veterans, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

Still Serving Iowa Veterans is made possible by the Iowa Veterans Foundation and our sponsors who help us share the stories of those who served.

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 presented Gene with a Quilt of Valor to recognize his military service and sacrifice.

Gene Jennings served in the United States Navy during World War II, holding the rank of Fireman First Class. He served aboard the USS Wiley, escorting carriers and cargo ships in the South Pacific and later helping clear minefields in the Yellow Sea after the war.

This heartfelt ceremony honors not only Gene’s service, but also the thousands of Iowa veterans whose stories deserve to be remembered.

In this episode you’ll see:

• A touching Quilt of Valor presentation

• A celebration of Gene Jennings’ 100th birthday

• A story reading about the meaning behind Quilts of Valor

• A second quilt presentation honoring Vietnam-era veteran Alan Stevens

• Discussion about preserving veterans’ stories and history

Across Iowa, there were over 266,000 Iowans who served during World War II, and only a small number remain today. Preserving their stories is more important than ever.

If you know a World War II or Korean War veteran in Iowa, the Still Serving team would love to help capture their story.

Thank you for helping us honor those who served.

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📬 Know a veteran whose story should be told? Send us a message.