Le Mars World War 2 Veteran Participates on “Honor Flight”
(Le Mars) — A Le Mars World War 2 veteran recently participated on a “Honor Flight” to our nation’s capital. 93-year old Ralph Niehus traveled with 75 other veterans to Washington D.C. this past Tuesday to observe various memorials and monuments. Niehus says the Honor Flight brought back
memories from his last visit to Washington D.C., some thirty years earlier.
At that time, the Vietnam Memorial was not constructed. Niehus says he enjoyed seeing the Vietnam Memorial during this trip.
Niehus says the veterans made stops at the new World War 2 memorial, as well as the Korean Conflict memorial. They saw the Washington Monument, as well as the Lincoln Memorial, and the Arlington National Cemetery with the tomb of the unknown soldier.
Niehus served in the U-S Army for 20 months following the surrender of the Japan Empire. He was stationed in Japan for a year helping with the reconstruction of Japan, and he reflects on his time stationed in the land of the rising sun.
The World War 2 veteran achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant while enlisted in the Army. He says when he returned home after his time in the military there wasn’t any homecoming, or welcome home ceremonies. However, Niehus
says when the veterans returned back to Sioux Falls at the conclusion of the Honor Flight, they were given a large welcome home celebration and thanked for their service to our country.
Niehus doesn’t consider himself as any hero…just a guy that did the job he was asked to do.
Orange City Tulip Festival Selects Theme For 80th Annual Event
Orange City, Iowa — The Orange City Tulip Festival Steering Committee has revealed the theme for the 2020 celebration as “Vibrant Together. Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.” The event, set for May 14-16, will be Orange City’s 80th annual Tulip Festival.
Reese and Cristi Kelch, co-chairpersons of the 2020 Steering Committee, felt the theme captured the spirit of the community, honoring the rich history of the festival and looking forward to continued years of the annual Dutch celebration. The theme is also a nod to the city of Orange City’s 150 year anniversary, taking place in 2020.
“The Tulip Festival is vibrant because of Orange City and its community members, and Orange City is vibrant thanks to our annual Tulip Festival celebration,” say Reese and Cristi. “It
is with the help of our vibrant and willing volunteers that the festival has thrived for 80 years, and together as a community, we look forward to a future that continues to celebrate the Dutch traditions Orange City was founded on 150 years ago.”
Plans are well underway for this year’s Tulip Festival, and the Steering Committee encourages community members of all ages to consider joining the event in one of many volunteer opportunities.
Fourth Republican Candidate Enters Congressional Race To Unseat Steve King
ARNOLDS PARK, Iowa (AP) – A businessman has become the fourth Republican challenger for the U.S. House seat held by fellow Republican Steve King.
Fifty-eight-year-old Steve Reeder, of Arnolds Park, said in
announcing his candidacy Thursday that balancing the federal budget, revitalizing rural areas and improving access to quality health care are key issues for his campaign.
He says he wants to create “task teams from communities in the 4th District, so that concerns, ideas and solutions may be heard.”
The GOP field also includes state Sen. Randy Feenstra, of Hull;
former state legislator Jeremy Taylor, of Sioux City; and Bret Richards, a former mayor of Irwin.
King was first elected in 2002 and is seeking another term. He’s
known for his comments about race, immigration and abortion. In January he was stripped of his committee assignments and rebuked by the House in a 424-1 vote for comments about white supremacy.
New Trial Date Scheduled For Man Accused Of Killing Woman And Her Two Children
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A new trial date has been scheduled for a Guatemala man accused of killing an Iowa woman and her two children.
Polk County District Court records say 31-year-old Marvin Escobar-Orellana is charged with three counts of first-degree murder under what authorities say was a false name he initially gave to police: Marvin Esquivel-Lopez. He’s pleaded not guilty.
Police say he fatally shot 29-year-old Rossibeth Flores-Rodriguez, her 11-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son on July 16 in a Des Moines home.
Court records show the new trial date of Jan. 27 will give attorneys for both sides more time to prepare. The original trial starting date was Oct. 28.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have said Escobar-Orellana is in the United States illegally and had twice been deported before the shooting. He was convicted in 2010 of illegal entry into the U.S.
