Still Serving Iowa Veterans

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.

👍 Subscribe for more stories honoring Iowa veterans.
📬 Know a veteran whose story should be told? Send us a message.

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 community programs, this episode simplifies what can often feel overwhelming.

Most importantly, Carlene explains why your County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO) should always be your first call. Every county in Iowa has one, and they are trained to help you navigate claims, disability ratings, education benefits, healthcare enrollment, appeals, emergency assistance, and more.

Resources covered include:
• Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs
• County Veteran Service Offices (CVSOs)
• Iowa Veterans Trust Fund
• Home Base Iowa
• ForTheVeteran.com
• Veterans Group of Iowa
• VA Hospitals in Des Moines and Sioux City
• Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs)
• Vet Centers for counseling and readjustment

If this episode helps you, please share it with another veteran. Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing where to begin.

Still Serving Iowa Veterans is hosted by Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin and is proudly sponsored by the Iowa Veterans Foundation, which works to support veterans and military families across the state of Iowa.

Thank you to our sponsors:
Iowa Veterans Foundation
Full Metal Junket
Drake Roller

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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 back on Iowa soil. Chris reflects on life as a military mom and the emotional weight of deployment, especially after years as a Marine Corps family.

These moments remind us that service does not end when the uniform comes off. It lives in families, communities, and the quiet strength it takes to support those who serve.

Still Serving Iowa Veterans is hosted by Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin and proudly sponsored by the Iowa Veterans Foundation, supporting veterans and military families across the state.

🇺🇸 Welcome home, Dane. And thank you for your service.

If you believe in honoring those who serve, subscribe and follow along as we continue sharing the stories of Iowa’s veterans and military families.

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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 health challenges, and lack of recognition for their service.

This episode explores:
• The unique needs of women veterans
• Why advocacy and support groups matter
• The importance of camaraderie and safe community spaces
• Tri-State Women Warriors and their mission
• Coping skills, resilience training, and preventive support
• The Women’s Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Women veterans are not new. They are leaders, commanders, advocates, and history-makers. And their service deserves to be seen, acknowledged, and supported.

If you are a woman veteran in Iowa, we encourage you to:
• Connect with local advocacy groups
• Register with the Women’s Veterans Memorial
• Seek out community and support resources

Special thanks to:
• Iowa Veterans Foundation – Title Sponsor
• Full Metal Junket – Supporting Sponsor

Subscribe and follow as we continue highlighting resources, leadership, and real conversations that impact Iowa veterans and their families.

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 250 soldiers from Operation Inherent Resolve
• Post-deployment transition and mental health support
• Veterans benefits including GI Bill and state programs
• How Iowa supports soldiers before, during, and after deployment
• Why strong community involvement is critical to long-term success

This episode offers transparency, leadership insight, and practical information for veterans, families, and supporters across Iowa.

🎖️ Sponsored by:
• Iowa Veterans Foundation
• Full Metal Junket – Iowa’s elite junk removal service

📌 Stay connected, subscribe, and follow along as we continue highlighting resources and stories that support Iowa’s veterans and National Guard members.

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