Thank you Jack Dack
While I was working on my master’s degree many years ago, I did a placement in the Division of Mental Health of the Iowa Department of Human Services, which dealt with state institutions caring for the vulnerable Iowans.
One of the institutions was the Iowa Veterans Home. The directors of these institutions came to Des Moines once a month for meetings and it was then that I first met Jack Dack, commandant of the Iowa Veterans Home.
I quickly learned that Mr. Dack ran a top notch facility that was considered a model for veterans’ homes across the nation. I was lucky enough to work with Mr. Dack again when I became a state representative.
For more than 30 years, the Iowa Veterans Home was run by a professional who was skilled at patient care, knowledgeable about the long term care needs of veterans and their spouses, and who had gained the trust of federal and state officials alike. He served under Republican and Democratic governors and was respected by both political parties. During his tenure as commandant, he enjoyed broad support from veterans’ organizations across our state. Often, these organizations would come to the Iowa Veterans Home and between their visits, Mr. Dack visited them. He was an exceptional advocate for the Iowa Veterans Home and veterans from across our state came to live here.
There was a period of time when Gov. Vilsack appointed Mr. Dack to head not only the Iowa Veterans Home, but also the Iowa Veterans Council. The governor advised me that these services were the best managed during that time.
Mr. Dack was a World War II veteran and a child of the Great Depression. He knew what it was like to be out in the cold and what it was like to face the enemies of democracy. The Great Depression and World War II cemented his commitment to serve veterans in the manner and with the respect that they deserved.
I was deeply saddened to learn of Mr. Dack’s passing last month. He was a staunch advocate for quality care and, as a result, veterans not only at the Iowa Veterans Home, but across the nation, received better care. I’ll never forget his service and dedication to veterans and the people of Iowa.
You are missed, Mr. Dack. You deserve recognition for a job well done. Thank you for your service.
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Mark Smith is state representative for District 71 which includes Marshalltown, Albion, Liscomb, Bangor and Green Mountain. He can be reached at 816 Roberts Terrace, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158, by email at mark.smith@legis.iowa.gov or by telephone at (641) 750-9278.