History abounds at Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Editor’s Note: This is the first of several stories reflecting on the history of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Look for more stories to come in the Times-Republican.
Earlier this month, members of an ad-hoc task force charged with determining a comprehensive use plan for the nearly 88-year old Veterans Memorial Coliseum met.
Their task: Determine the future use of the venerable VMC, a nearly 88-year old State Street fixture whose history is as varied as Marshalltown.
The team is Mary Lake, VMC veteran representative; Anne Selness, Marshalltown Parks and Recreation Department Executive Director; Jenny Hart, Parks and Rec staff; Michelle Spohnheimer, City Housing and Community Development Director; Steve Grasso, GTG Companies of Johnston, Nick Salesek, VMC veteran representative. GTG is a architectural and construction firm. It was hired by the city to help the task force develop comprehensive plan. At the session, GTG staff listened to comments from attendees regarding the VMC’s current and possible uses. Also participating were Third Ward Councilor Mike Gowdy and Steve Storjohann, VMC veteran representative.
Making the study possible was the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation of Marshalltown, which awarded a $25,000 grant previously.
“The process has been exciting, and I am equally excited to see what Grasso and his staff come up with on possible uses of this historic building,” said Selness.
Winter refuge
The VMC was used as a refuge to families without coal.
Specifically, T-R archives remind us this winter has been no comparison to the record-setting one of 1935-36.
On Feb. 5, 1936, the thermometer nose-dived to 32 degrees below zero, an all time low for Marshalltown, reported the June 6, 1949 T-R in its “50 Years of Progress in Marshalltown.”
There was a period of 133 consecutive hours that winter when it remained below zero.
Railroad lines were blocked with snow drifts and freight trains could not get make it into town with coal, then the heating fuel of choice for many a Marshalltown household.
The Lennox Furnace Co. closed its factory down for one week to make coal available to hotels and hospitals.
Farmers were caught in town and could not get to their homes.
Memorial Day 2013
The VMC has for years served as a back-up host for Memorial Day services should weather interfere with traditional services at Riverside Cemetery and Rose Hill Cemetery.
It admirably served May 27, 2013.
Morning showers canceled outdoor Memorial Day ceremonies, but the spirit of the day was carried with vigor in the VMC, and the T-R was on hand to report.
“I believe this is only the second time in 18 years we have had to move the event indoors because of rain,” said master of ceremonies Storjohann.
Flanked by the Marshalltown Municipal Band on one side and the American Legion/VFW honor guard on the other, a large crowd was treated to rousing patriotic music and an inspirational message by guest speaker First Sgt. Todd Eipperle of Marshalltown.
He is a highly-decorated member of the U.S. Army who, in his stellar career, also served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
While in Afghanistan, Eipperle earned a Bronze Star for valor and a Purple Heart.
Eipperle urged the attentive audience to “never forget” the ultimate sacrifice service men and women made to protect freedom and extinguish tyranny.
He gave stirring examples of heroism from Vietnam, Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq, World War I, the Korean War and World War II.
“May we always cherish their memories,” Eipperle said.
Eipperle also implored the audience to remember the service men and women who returned home after various conflicts, impacted mentally and physically.
“Men and women who served their country in time of need have returned wounded, some disfigured, with scars and illnesses from the stress of combat,” he said. “We live in an uncertain world, and we must always remember and give our thanks to the men and women volunteers who serve to protect us.”
Two audience members were Marnie Stone and daughter Olivia Stone, 12, both of Marshalltown.
“We always come,” Marnie Stone said. “And I was pleased with the good turnout despite the change in location.”
“The program was very nice,” Olivia Stone said.
Their comments were echoed by Jane Markey of Marshalltown.
Markey, like the Stones, has attended one of the two outdoor cemetery services
She had a special reason to attend.
“I buried two military husbands,” she said.
“Last August (I buried) John Markey in Riverside Cemetery,” she said. “My first husband, David Miller, was buried in Timber Creek Cemetery.
My first husband was a Private First Class. My second husband was in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was a retired military man.”
VMC History
Construction began in 1928, with dedication March 15, 1929.
Since the building was originally built to honor Civil War, Spanish American War, and World War I veterans, a special ceremony was held fittingly, on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2009, to rededicate the building to all veterans and celebrate its 80th anniversary.
The facility has served a number of purposes, including use as training quarters for the Iowa National Guard prior to World War II.
Many Parks and Recreation fitness and recreation programs, attended by hundreds of residents, are held within its walls annually.
Additionally, the local American Legion Post has used it for meetings, and the facility has hosted numerous Marshalltown Community College and Marshalltown High School basketball games, and residents have rented the building for dances, sports, and social events.
It is used extensively during the city’s annual Oktemberfest event.
Parks and Recreation manages it in conjunction with a commission comprised of local veterans.
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Contact Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com