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Korean War-era Veterans Association grows in Jasper County

Newton Daily News - 10/27/2017

Oct. 27--As the Jasper County Korean War-era Veterans Association has increased its membership over the last three years, it has grown to be larger than the state's group. Local veterans have found fellowship through the organization and have grown to talk about the "forgotten war."

Members and their families are set to meet for a veterans dinner at 5:45 p.m. Monday featuring a message and music. The organization was formed in January 2015 by local veteran Marvin Morris and Jasper County veterans advocate Doug Bishop.

Bishop said there are a large number of Korean War-era veterans, per capita, living in the county. He mailed out about 140 invitations to veterans, encouraging them to come to the meeting.

Morris said he was absolutely surprised at the number of attendees at the first meeting, and the association's membership is now at 66.

"I've belonged to many organizations, and this is the only time when I've been behind the podium everyone is smiling and laughing and patting each other on the back," Morris said.

That's what Monday night's dinner is all about -- conversing with one another and entertainment by Nelson and Rhonda Hoskins of Sully. Morris said the Hoskins will tell a story through song and music.

Morris said he believes the association is important and valued in Jasper County.

"I think No. 1 when you get to our age, 80s and 90s, it is nice to have a camaraderie there," Morris said. "The Korean War is known as the forgotten war, and I think if you eavesdrop, you'll find out there are a lot more funny stories being told."

Kurt Jackson, director of Jasper County Veterans Affairs, will discuss Certificates of Remembrance issued by the Grout Museum in Waterloo to two Jasper County veterans, Conrad William Scott and Ronald Earl Harbor, who were declared MIA during the Korean War. Efforts were unsuccessful to contact their families and plans have been made to donate the Certificates to the Jasper County Museum after the meeting.

Contact Kayla Singletary at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or ksingletary@newtondailynews.com

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(c)2017 the Newton Daily News (Newton, Iowa)

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