Local veterans recognized for service

Four area veterans were honored at a special event at Arlington Place on Dec. 14.
Representatives of Flags For Veterans were joined by Caden Frieze of Lewis, a freshman at Griswold High School and creator of the Adopt a Veteran program. Also present were members of the Council Bluffs American Legion Riders and members of the Red Oak American Legion and Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Court of Honor who hosted a recognition program. Caden’s mom, Manda Kraft, shared the background of Flags for Veterans.
“Caden has been joining the Council Bluffs American Legion Raiders, and they started this summer doing the Flags For Veterans program where they go to nursing homes, sometimes they go to the veteran’s home, or if the veteran is in a hospice situation they go and present them with their flag, and they get a dog tag and a postcard letter thanking them for their service to our country,” Kraft said.”
The ceremony and Arlington Place recognized Al Hayes, Wayne Donahue, Dwight Nelson, and Dan Phelps. In addition to the flags and letters, Kraft said Caden presented the veterans with a thank you challenge coin and after the ceremony, presented them with their Christmas gift bags from his Adopt a Veteran program. Kraft said Caden has been doing the program for several years.
“It was around four years ago that Caden started the Adopt a Veteran program in Cass County. He also raises funds to give to the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and he purchases challenge coins. He will coin a veteran that he sees out in public. This year he was challenged and he raised enough funds to purchase more than 2,700 challenge coins, which he placed on a certificate that went into the deployment boxes created by the Blue Star Mothers group,” Kraft explained. “The boxes were sent overseas and to all Iowa veterans or Iowa military troops that are serving outside of Iowa, be it stateside or overseas. Through the program he started, he was invited to join the Council Bluffs American Legion Riders and went on a mission ride and coined the veterans after they received their flags. He’s really enjoyed doing it, so he’s going to continue to do his program.”
Kraft felt it was very important for Caden to have his program and for others that had programs to recognize those that have served the country.
“I think it’s extremely important to recognize our veterans, especially those in the nursing homes as a lot of them didn’t get a welcome home like they deserved when they came back from serving. This is a way to welcome them home and thank them for their service and let them know that they are not forgotten,” stated Kraft.
Being able to see the reactions of veterans, Kraft said, has been very rewarding for her, her son, and others that assist with the program.
“You can see that all of the gestures are appreciated and see the gratitude that they express at being recognized. It’s just an overwhelming feeling. They deeply appreciate the ceremony and the gesture and that is one of the reasons that Caden does what he does. He started his own program because he wanted these veterans to know that they were still remembered and thought of and appreciated,” explained Kraft.
Like Caden, Kraft said the other members of the organizations that are participating in the program are overwhelmed with the response.
“I know from talking with the Legion Riders from the past missions that veterans and family members of veterans have reached out to them and have shared sincere thanks and gratitude for receiving their flags. One lady veteran that received hers knew that her family would get one, but never thought she would receive one of her own. We’ve also had some veterans or family members that have said the flags they received will go with them to the grave. We’ve even given flags to some veterans who are confined to wheelchairs, and we have watched them stand up to receive their flag, I’s a powerful gesture and show of appreciation that these veterans share,” advised Kraft.
Kraft said the Arlington Place ceremony is one of many that are planned to eventually take place around Southwest Iowa.
“The Council Bluffs American Legion Riders service the seventh district which is most of Southwest Iowa. As they continue to raise funds they’ll be able to do more and more programs throughout the district and their hope is that they will be able to get to every  nursing home and share flags with veterans and recognize them for their service,” Kraft commented.
To donate to Caden’s program, visit facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577384705943. To donate to the Legion Riders, make checks payable to American Legion Riders, 716 S. 14th St., Council Bluffs, IA, 51503, with Flags For Vets in the check’s memo line.