A special presentation took place at Ever Greene Ridge in Jefferson on Tuesday.

A veterans reception was held in honor of the five residents who served in the military. Greene County Medical Center CEO Chad Butterfield and GCMC Foundation Director Nancy Houska introduced each resident, including Joyce Kurth who served in the US Navy, Hubert Vanvatter served in the Air Force, and Don Yepsen, Jack Lint, and Les Fister served in the US Army. Houska talked about the inspiration to hold a recognition event like this came after she learned about three of their residents that went on a recent Honor Flight to Washington, D.C, which prompted finding other residents that served in the military.

“We just wanted to recognize them a little bit more internally and make everybody aware. And again, interviewing (them) (Community Relations Marketing Coordinator) Chantelle (Grove) did that, but interviewing them and learning about them and their experiences, and their service was very humbling.”

Houska pointed out the learning experience she went through when she listened to each of the veterans talk about the times they grew up in.

“It was very touching. And unfortunately we get busy in our lives sometimes and forget about just 50, 60, 70 years ago how times were different then they are now, and their experience and the struggles that they had, that sometimes maybe we think we have struggles. Struggles are real, don’t get me wrong, but to live through what they lived through is again very humbling.”      

Greene County Veterans Affairs Director Micheal Bierl presented each veteran with a mini US flag, along with recognition of Shane Olson with Olson Iron Works who donated a metal US flag design to Ever Greene Ridge, as well as the staff and Foundation board members who were in attendance, including Scott Weber and Al Robson.