Service
Posted
by Christy Decker
on Friday, July 1, 2016
There are a number of reasons why I can say that I am a proud Iowan, especially after a trip out of state or the midwest. I am not saying that Iowans are better than anyone else; I’m just simply saying that there is just something special about being an Iowan. It’s our work ethic, our friendly nature and our commitment to military service that sets us apart. And not just our service to our country, but also to each other.
I’ve recently witnessed something very special, something where all of these qualities collided. I work in the hospitality industry: Tourism! There’s no greater joy than providing a fun, one-of-a-kind, educational experience to visitors who are looking to learn & play on their day off work, or during a summer vacation. Working in the Tourism field provides me with opportunities to meet somebody new each and every day. Visitors from all over the world, volunteers, students and one of my favorites, Veterans.
Eight area veterans stepped up to share their personal stories and to assist with content development and design for one of the Grout Museum District’s featured temporary exhibits: 365 & Counting: Iowans in the Vietnam War. The exhibit provides an overview of the war and features how Iowans participated in it through photos, letters, memorabilia, media, interviews and artifacts. In addition to content development and assisting with design and construction, many of these same veterans acted as docents throughout the duration of the exhibit. These “Through Their Eyes Tours” were a huge hit with museum visitors.
To say that the interaction between these Veterans and Grout visitors was extremely powerful would be an understatement. My experience as a bystander was one that I will never forget. I often witnessed visitors who served in Vietnam hesitating to walk through and explore the exhibit. However, if they happened to swing by for a visit during one of the special tour days, it seemed to ease the pain, anxiety and anguish of revisiting such a dark time in their lives. I heard many motor coach visitors, veterans and their families praise the volunteer docents/veterans for opening their eyes to this misunderstood war, and for helping to heal wounds that for some, have been tucked away for 50 years. These veterans took time out of their busy schedules to educate Junior High and High School students who visited the Museum to learn about this moment in history. This exhibit attracted folks from all over the country. The dedication shown by these Veterans to this exhibit and to the Grout Museum District is unprecedented. The service these men provided to their fellow veterans struggling with similar feelings and emotions about the war, encouraging them to talk about what happened, and to begin a healing process, has literally changed lives. A Service for which we are all forever grateful.
