A contingent of Marines march along Jackson Street during the Brooklyn Flag Festival Parade on Saturday, June 11. The dedication of the life-size bronze statue to Harold "Pie" Keller followed that parade at the Avenue of Flags By J.O. Parker
Brooklyn features the Avenue of Flags and sports the boyhood home and monument to Hollywood movie star John Wayne. There is the restored Brooklyn Opera House and also the William Manatt House, which today houses the town historical museum. Manatt is one of the founding fathers of Brooklyn. And now, Brooklyn is home to the Harold “Pie” Keller Memorial located at the Avenue of Flags on Jackson Street. “Pie,” as he was called, was a life-long Brooklyn resident and 1939 graduate of Brooklyn High School. He was one of six Marines who made the trek up Mount Suribachi on Feb. 23, 1945 during the Battle of Iwo Jima and planted the American Flag at the peak. The iconic photo taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, which was actually of the second flag raising, became one of the most famous images of the war. An estimated 800 – 1,000 people from all across the Midwest and as far away as New Mexico, Arizona, Pennsylvania and South Carolina came to Brooklyn to pay tribute to “Pie,” and to take part in the unveiling and dedication of the life-size bronze statue in his honor. “Our family feels so overwhelmed and honored at what the Brooklyn Community did to honor our father,” said Kay Maurer, the daughter of “Pie,” who resides in Clarence, Iowa. ”I was overwhelmed by how many people showed up for the unveiling and the parade. The whole day, I was just in amazement. The statue is just amazing and is just perfect.” “The town of Brooklyn and all the people who organized and participated in the unveiling and the parade did an outstanding job,” added “Pie” Keller’s son, Wayne, who resides in Crystal Lake, Ill. The monument came about thanks in part to Brent Westemeyer, an amateur historian from Johnson, Iowa who spent more than a half dozen years researching photos, reading historical books and accounts of Iwo Jima and pouring over a Bill Genaust’s film from the battle of Iwo Jima to correctly identify “Pie.” The discovery came 74 years after the iconic photo was taken when in October 2019 the Marines announced that the number two man was actually Harold “Pie” Keller. The Marine in the number two position was originally identified as Pfc. Rene A. Gagnon. According to Westemeyer, Pfc. Gagnon contributed to the flag raising, but wasn’t actually pictured. Cpl. Harold “Pie” Keller served in the Marine Company E, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division. In less than three short years, the Brooklyn Community came together, formed a committee, raised funds, had the monument built and created in “Pie’s” honor. It was a day that most will never forget - the parade, the dedication and unveiling, the music and pageantry and the local and national military presence on hand. “A lot of people put in a lot of volunteer hours to make this happen,” said Rusty Clayton, a former business owner and member of the “Pie” Keller Memorial Committee. “I really thought it was super that we had three world War II veterans there - Dale Watts, Montezuma; Stan Walford, Brooklyn; and Dwight George, Grinnell.” Also remembered were three other Brooklyn Veterans who served at Iwo Jima. They are Don Ent, a Navy Corpsman; Robert “Bob” Dappen, Lt. US Navy; and Byard Braley, Cpl. USMC. Members of the Braley and Ent families were present and took part in the unveiling and dedication. Lt. Dappen was also recognized, but no family members were present. “I’m thankful for everyone who had a hand in Saturday’s events in Brooklyn for the flag festival,” said Jessie Lacaeyse of Brooklyn. “The parade with lots of entries. The Harold “Pie” Keller memorial….Wow! is all I can say. What a great historical event to witness. We enjoyed the food trucks and activities after the dedication, too.” Franci Kuntz McClenathan, a great niece of “Pie,” said her family will always remember this Flag Festival as one of the best. “To have my great uncle, Pie Keller, honored with a statue for his part in the flag raising at Iwo Jima is simply amazing,” McClenathan said. “Little did a humble man from the small town of Brooklyn, serving his country as a Marine, know how big of an impact he would someday make on our community. A huge thank you to everyone who made this day possible.” “I thought it was great,” said Tom Ryan, a member of the Brooklyn American Legion. “Glad it all came together. Glad there were so many people here.” “A very nice memorial to “Pie,” said Uwe Meyer, a veteran from Montezuma. “It’s nice to have a local boy do good.” “That (the Keller dedication) was one of two things that I was honored to be a part of as a veteran,” said Ron Hensel, commander of the Montezuma American Legion Post 196. “The first one was the burial of Seaman First Class Wesley Jordan, the man from Barnes City who went down with the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. He was buried on May 24, 2019. And the second one was the dedication of the Harold “Pie” Keller Memorial.” Former Iowa Senator Tim Kapucian of Keystone, who was present at the memorial dedication and luncheon, said years ago the City of Brooklyn built the Avenue of Flags display featuring 63 flags and a large American flag on an 80-foot pole. “How iconic it is that today they found out that they are closely tied to one of the most iconic flag raisings in American history.” “Brooklyn, Iowa appreciates its veterans,” said former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who rode in the parade and gave a brief speech at the luncheon. Following the war, “Pie” worked in the town creamery and later sold Surge milking equipment after the creamery closed. He spent 25 years volunteering with the Brooklyn Fire Department, including a stint as chief. He also served as the president of the athletic boosters and coached youth baseball for years. Also present at the dedication was son, Wayne, his wife, Therese, and their three daughters and husbands along with their eight grandsons. “My grandsons got to ride in the parade and got to raise the Marine flag at the unveiling,” noted Keller. “It is something that they will never forget.” Joining Kay was her husband, Steve, and a son and his wife and three grandchildren, who all took part in the parade. Also present was Judy Keller, wife of the late Ken Keller, “Pie’s” first born son who died in 2015. “I am so appreciative of what the town has done,” added Keller. “When Brooklyn puts their mind to something, they get it done. If my mom and dad were living, they would have been so appreciative but they would have been embarrassed by all the attention.” “The way the town of Brooklyn supported this project just warms my heart,” said Kay.
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A Davis Elementary students tries her hand at the grain bin simulator during Ag Farm Safety day at Key Co-op in Grinnell. Grinnell students at Davis in third and fourth grades spent a half day each on Thursday, May 19 learning about safety in and around farm equipment. This young student is learning about how much strength and force it would take to pull someone stuck in a grain bin. The annual event is hosted by the Poweshiek County Extension Office and rotates between Grinnell, Montezuma and BGM schools. By J.O. Parker
Ag farm safety was the theme of the day as approximately 210 third and fourth graders and 20 teachers from Davis Elementary in Grinnell spent Thursday, May 19 at Key Cooperative learning everything from fire safety to auger/PTO safety, chemical look-a-likes, biosecurity and electricity safety. The annual event, which rotates between Grinnell, Montezuma and Brooklyn schools, is sponsored by Poweshiek County Extension with the Poweshiek County Farm Bureau furnishing the sack lunches. Following is a list of Grinnell Ag Safety Day Presenters : • Fire Safety - Jed Petersen, Grinnell Fire Department • Wilderness First Aid – Emily Klein, Grinnell College SERA Manager • Life Jacket/Water Safety - Signey Hilby, Poweshiek County Extension • Animal Behavior and Safety - Haley Princehouse, Poweshiek County Extension • Sun Safety - Shauna Callaway, Poweshiek County Public Health • Biosecurity - Gavin Tindle, Poweshiek County Extension • Combine/Tractor Safety – Brian Van Roekel, VanWall Equipment • Electricity/Energy Safety – Brooklyn TIP • Road Signs and Road Safety - Great Plains Agricultural Public Health • Auger/PTO Safety – Bayer Crop Science • Grain Bin Safety – Bayer Crop Science • Chemical Safety and Chemical Look-A- Likes – Bayer Crop Science “Ag Safety Day was a wonderful opportunity for both the youth and myself,” noted Signey Hilby, Clover Kids Coordinator and Program Assistant at the Poweshiek County Extension. “The youth were very excited and learned a lot from the presenters. I was able to build some professional partnerships with other local businesses/organizations.” The Grinnell High School art exhibit is now on display at Stewart Gallery through Monday, July 4. A closing reception will be held on Sunday, July 3 from 2 - 4 p.m. The Grinnell High School Alumni Art Exhibit is now on display in Stewart Gallery through July 4. The show celebrates the work of Grinnell High School alumni who graduated during the years ranging from 1955 to 2021. The diverse show is curated by Sara Peak Convery, GHS Class of 1985.
A closing reception will be held on Sunday, July 3 from 2 - 4 p.m., in conjunction with the Grinnell High School All-Class Reunion. People’s Choice awards will be presented at the closing reception. Voting will take place over the month - stop by to vote early and often. Regular gallery hours are 12 – 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Special Reunion weekend hours are 12 – 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, July 2, 3, and 4. Senior Abby Tompkins receives her diploma during the Class of 2022 commencement exercises at BGM High School on Sunday, May 15. Submitted photo. Senior Paige Cottrell receives her diploma during the Class of 2022 commencement exercises at BGM High School on Sunday, May 15. Submitted photo. Amanda Roudabush and Kiah Tish are all smiles after receiving their diplomas at BGM High School on Sunday, May 15. Submitted photo. BGM Class of 22 graduates Sophie Puls and Hailey Heishman show off their decorated caps following commencement exercises at the school on Sunday, May 15. Submitted photo. BGM graduate Kiah Tish receives her diploma during BGM High School commencement exercises on Sunday, May 15. Submitted photo. Kylie Berry receives her high school diploma during the BGM High School commencement exercises on Sunday, May 15. Submitted photo. LJ Henkle and classmate Lily Kriegel are all smiles following commencement exercises at BGM High School on Sunday, May 15. Submitted photo. Above photos submitted photos by Lana Kinzebach.
The Iowa Interstate Railroad and Malcom Fire Department will have two - GP 38-2 EMD Locomotives built in 1972 with 2,000 horsepower on site boasting five - 1928-Pennsylvania RR-P70 passenger cars!
Step back in time and enjoy an Old-Fashioned Locomotive ride through the Poweshiek county countryside. (These cars are not climate controlled.) Please arrive 15-20 minutes prior to your boarding time. Ticket Pricing and Information: Adults: $15 +fees Children (10 and under): $5 +fees Tickets available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../malcom-fire-department... Limited quantity available at Malcom City Office. For more information contact Cassie Lakose at 319-444-0981 or cassandralakose@gmail.com Four Runs • 1st run - 8:45 - 9:30 a.m. • 2nd run - 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • 3rd run - 12:45 - 1:30 p.m. • 4th run - 2 - 2:45 p.m. Todd Hanold, left, and Rod Rosburg, right, carry several racks of freshly cooked chicken BBQ at the annual Grinnell Rotary Chicken BBQ on Thursday, June 9. Members of the Rotary Club cook around 1,300 chickens in large open charcoal pits. Volunteers then package the meals and serve them to drive up customers along Park Street by the Grinnell United Methodist Church. Joining them are Todd Rolfes and Brent Nickel. Wearing his customary chicken hat, Jim White, a long-time former Grinnell business owner, city council member, Rotary member and community supporter, is ready to sell another meal ticket at the Grinnell Rotary Chicken BBQ on Thursday, June 9. Started in 1962, Rotary’s chicken barbecue fundraiser has provided the funds for many of Rotary’s ongoing community projects, such as annual scholarships for college-bound Grinnell High School Students; sponsorships of international exchange students; attendance of two GHS students at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program, and donation requests from community organizations and projects. Chad Nath with the Grinnell Rotary Club prepares to hand a chicken BBQ meal with drink to a drive up customer in front of the United Methodist Church on Park Street on Thursday, June 9. Rotary Club members and volunteers cook, prepare and serve the meals. The club cooks around 1,300 chickens at the event.
The East Poweshiek County Ambulance Service recently took deliver of a new emergency response vehicle and will soon be adding a new ambulance to the department fleet thanks to ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding through the Poweshiek County Board of Supervisors. The Tahoe will be used for every day responses to move emergency providers to where they need to be. The Tahoe’s primary role will be as a paramedic response vehicle. The new ambulance, once it arrives, will replace a rig that is 20-years-old. By J.O. Parker
The East Poweshiek Ambulance Service has taken delivery of a new response vehicle and soon will be adding a new ambulance to the department fleet thanks to ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding through the Poweshiek County Board of Supervisors. The much-needed ambulance, which is slated for delivery in the near future, will replace a rig that is 20-years-old. “It was a must but without the funding it would have had to wait a few more years,” said Traci Smith with the EPAS. The Tahoe is an exciting new response vehicle that will be used in a couple different ways. It can be used for every day responses to move emergency providers to where they need to be. The Tahoe’s primary role will be as a paramedic response vehicle. Smith said Brooklyn, Grinnell and Montezuma were each given $300,000 to be used on EMS projects that tied to COVID-19. “Improving response to emergencies was our goal with our funding by updating our ambulance and adding the Tahoe,” Smith said. Currently the East Poweshiek Ambulance is the only service with paramedics in the county. “EPAS wants to be able to assist other EMS agencies when able,” noted Smith. “When a patient needs a higher level of care than an ambulance service can provide, they can call for this unit to come meet them. This practice is called tiering and something that was quite common when we did have a full-time paramedic service in the county.” The new Tahoe has been named Medic 1 and will be available to respond from Brooklyn or Grinnell depending on availability. “One of our paramedics lives in Grinnell and when available will have Medic 1 there to be better positioned to respond to needs within the county,” Smith stated. “We have been working with the other EMS agencies within the county to arrange for the use of Medic 1 and hope we can provide service to whoever wants/needs it.” It should be noted that this service currently is not available 24/7. “Staffing of this vehicle is currently voluntary for our paramedics but we still feel Medic 1 will be an asset when it is available,” added Smith. “We are looking forward to providing this service.” Calling all bakers!
The Grinnell Historical Museum is pleased to announce that it will be hosting The Great Grinnell Bake Off over the course of three Saturdays this summer. Join us on June 18, July 9, and July 23 at 10 a.m. at the Grinnell Central Park stage. Bakers of any age or skill level are welcome. Vintage recipes from cookbooks owned by the Historical Museum will be provided two weeks before each judging date. Recipes will be available at the Drake Community Library, the museum’s website (www.grinnellhistoricalmuseum.org) and the museum’s social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter). “No need to register in advance, simply bake your historical goodies at home and bring them to the Central Park Stage for judging,” noted a museum spokesperson. “Entries should arrive by 9:35 a.m. at the welcome table where contestants will be provided a number for anonymity.” “Local celebrity” guest judges will be present at each judging event and will score entries based on a provided tally sheet. After all three events, the person with the highest number of points will be named the winner of The Great Grinnell Bake Off. Bakers are not required to participate in all three events. Entries for single events are also welcome. A special event will follow each judging event. On June 18, take a downtown historical walking tour of Grinnell. On July 9, tour the Grinnell Historical Museum at 1125 Broad St. On July 23, enjoy a garden party in Central Park as we celebrate our winner! Picnics and lawn games are encouraged. Recipe for June 18 The Great Grinnell Bake Off – Recipe for Week 1, June 18 Ginger Snaps from Mrs. S. Cushman, Ladies’ Social Cook Book, 1891 1 cup molasses 1/3 cup butter 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. baking soda 3 1/2 cups flour One cup of molasses, one-third cup of butter, one-half cup of sugar, one egg, one teaspoonful of soda, three and one-half cups of flour. Work this out into little cakes. Please bring at least three (3) ginger snaps on a plate to the welcome table next to the Central Park stage by 9:35 a.m. on June 18. The Great Grinnell Bake Off will begin at 10 a.m. Bakers of all ages and abilities welcome, no entry fee! Questions may be directed to grinnellhistoricalmuseum@gmail.com. The Brooklyn High School Class of 1957 held its 65-year class reunion at the Michael J. Manatt Center in Brooklyn on Saturday, May 28 in connection with the BHS/BGM All-School Reunion. Pictured are, from left, front row: Ed Graham, Cedar Rapids; Darla Yount, Avon Park, Fla.; Jane Paul, Colorado Springs, Co.; A. Marie Keller, Brooklyn; Doris Gregory, Montezuma; Joyce Roshek, Altoona; Marlene Williams, Brooklyn. Back row: Gerald Weaver, Johnston; Clifford Yount, Avon Park, Fla.; Rodney Horrigan, Brooklyn; Steve Reams, Montezuma; Richard Akery, Blairstown; Dave Faas, Brooklyn and Harold Connell, Wichita, Kan.
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