T-R photos by Thomas Nelson Vehicles line up on 13th Street in preparation for the parade to honor the residents and staff at the Iowa Veterans Home.

It’s always a lovely day for a parade. 

Residents and staff were treated to an impromptu parade Wednesday afternoon in honor of their hard work and perseverance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The parade was held because last week and part of this week is National Nursing Home week. 

“To say thank you to the staff because of how great the staff has been throughout this all whole COVID-19 pandemic,” said Timon Oujiri, Commandant of the Vets Home. “They have gone above and beyond.” 

Several members of the IVH staff have taken on additional duties to help assist both the residents of the home and their fellow staff members. 

Members of the laundry staff have upped their hours to seven days a week, from their usual five days. 

The pharmacy at the home is doing two shifts of eight hours. 

“One is coming in at four o’clock in the morning until noon, the others come in at 12:30 p.m. and run until 7:30 p.m. at night,” Oujiri said. “The parade is to say thank you to the staff because of how great they have done, and for the residents to have a little something out to see of their windows, a little different than normal.”

The parade was staged on 13th Street and went up Summit Street and around the IVH campus with honks, lights and the occasional siren letting staff and residents know they were there. 

Staff were seen eagerly watching the event with masks from the entrances of the buildings. The cloudy but rainless day gave folks a good chance to see the show of gratitude drive through.

The Marshalltown Police and Fire Department sent vehicles to participate in the parade. 

Commandant of the Vets Home Timon Oujiri’s car is decked out with a large banner showing his appreciation of his staff and residents of the Iowa Veterans Home Thursday afternoon.

“It was our opportunity to say thank you for everything that they do for us,” Chief Mike Tupper said. “The staff in general is facing a lot of challenges and we appreciate all of the great service they provide our veterans and we honor the veterans that live there.” 

Oujiri is very thankful for the community support the IVH has received throughout the pandemic. 

“The community has stepped up and donated different snacks and masks that they’ve made and has abided by the request not to come on to IVH,” he said. “It really has made a world of difference. The residents can go out and feel safe.”

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Contact Thomas Nelson at tnelson@timesrepublican.com

Marshalltown Police and Fire Department vehicles travel through the Veterans Home grounds to put on a parade in honor their staff and residents.