Pat Kinney

Pat is the Oral Historian for the Grout Museum District.

Blog posts by this Author:

• Kelly Sullivan named family "chieftain" by Irish relatives

  The granddaughter and grandniece of Waterloo's five Sullivan brothers killed during World War II has been named "chieftain" of her entire family's clan by its leaders in Ireland.

• Vietnam vet from Greene finally feels gratitude, relief

  Tom Johnson left a widowed mother to go serve in Vietnam in 1969. When he returned after two years in combat 8,500 miles from home, his reception was a cold shoulder from a staff of eight flight attendants on a half empty plane home. He was the only passenger wearing a uniform.

• Iowa soldiers fought, died in first integrated units in Korea 70 years ago; many still missing.

  Many Iowa soldiers served at the confluence of some historic events this month. Some laid down their lives for their comrades in the process. Many are still missing. This month marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the armistice ending the fighting in the Korean War. It is also the 75th anniversary of President Harry Truman signing Executive Order 9981, desegregating the U.S. military.

• Christening of USS Iowa submarine may be viewed at Grout June 17

  A new U.S Navy vessel named for the state of Iowa will be christened Father's Day weekend, supported by the granddaughter and grandniece of five Waterloo brothers killed during World War II and a retired submarine officer from Cedar Rapids.

• Voice for racial justice rose from Rath '48 strike tragedy

  This month marks the 75th anniversary of one of the most tragic and violent episodes in Waterloo's and Iowa's labor history

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