Our Iowa Veterans Home commandant speaks well for the residents and activities at our proud Marshalltown-based facility. At least Marshalltown veterans attending the 95th Annual Iowa Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention the past weekend in Dubuque seemed to indicate that.

Commandant Jodi Tymeson’s scheduled address to the attentive veterans from all corners of Iowa during the general session brought wide applause. Her informative speech updated activities at IVH and offered facts likely unknown to some.

As for the Dack Care Center, she reported that building renovations are complete and an open house is set for July 26.

Jodi explained the conversion of the 550 residents toward private rooms in relation to recent multi-dollar construction of new buildings. She also described wide upgrading projects on campus such as sidewalks, laundry services and the courtyard. She reminded that “we are highly regulated by the Veterans Administration.” Regular inspections are conducted at IVH by the Iowa department and IVH has been ruled “deficiency free.”

As for questions about the IVH cemetery, she noted that the cemetery “is very close to capacity” and new admissions are referred to the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, north of Van Meter.

Jodi’s bottom line report to the veterans was “we are there for you if you need us. We are there to serve our veterans and you.”