COMMEMORATING VETERANS DAY 2021
SALUTE VETERANS to
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2021 | www.globegazette.com | SECTION C
Clear Lake native serves in ‘Silent Service’
VETERANS DAY 2021 What: 2021 Veterans Day Ceremony When: 10:30 a.m. on Thursday (Nov. 11) Where: Central Park, downtown Mason City About the program: All veterans and members of the community are invited to attend.
JERRY JIMENEZ
U.S. Navy
A Clear Lake, Iowa, native is serving aboard USS Nebraska, one of the world’s most advanced nuclear-powered submarines. Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Tofte serves as an information systems technician and joined the Navy for the opportunities the Navy provides. “It was really the benefits of joining,” said Tofte. “I get a lot out of it like with tuition assistance for school.” Tofte attended Clear Lake High Tofte School and graduated in 2018. “I learned to put other people in front of yourself,” said Tofte. “One of the quotes in my baseball dugout was, ‘Don’t think less of yourself. Just don’t think only about yourself.’ That’s helped me build relationships with other people in the boat which made my job easier and made their jobs easier.” These lessons have helped Tofte while serving aboard USS Nebraska. Known as America’s “Silent Service,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world. There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN). Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, Please see TOFTE, Page C7
The annual program held at the All Vets Center that usually follows is canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
JERRY SMITH GLOBE GAZETTE
What is Veterans Day: On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Germany surrendered, marking the end of World War I.
Pat Askildson, the current secretary and historian for the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association, looks through the organization’s original notebook with notes from 1921-1939.
Historic organization Mason City Veterans Memorial Association in its 100th year JERRY SMITH
Globe Gazette
The first meeting of the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association was on April 18, 1921. One hundred years later, the organization, whose only duty is to honor veterans in a “proper manner,” is still going strong. And still staying true to its original mission. Pat Askildson, secretary and historian for the organization, said that MCVMA was born out of World War I veterans working to remember their soldiers and turned into wanting to remember all veterans. “It makes you so proud,” Askildson said. “On Veterans Day, people come together to honor all veterans. Throughout the years,
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Mason City Mayor Bill Schickel hands Mason City Veterans Memorial Association chairman Randy Solsaa the official Veterans Day proclamation during the Mason City council meeting. you are happy that people are still celebrating and remembering our veterans. Everybody still comes together.” In order to preserve the association’s history, Askildson says she has scrapbooks with most of the events that have taken place in Mason City, notebooks with meeting notes and most of the
programs from Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs. Askildson and her family have a long history with the association, starting with her grandmother, who died in 1965. Her mother then took over as secretary, and Pat took over the duties in 1998, after starting in the association in 1974. The organization’s – and Askildson’s – prized possession is the original notebook with notes from every meeting from 19211939. Askildson says it is in good condition, considering its age. According to the bylaws, the purpose of the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association is to: Erect and maintain an attractive and permanent memorial to veterans who were or are residents of the Mason City, Iowa, postal mailing area; To provide for the decoration of veteran grave sites; To observe Memorial Day in a historical, military, and proper manner;
To observe Veterans Day in a historical, military, and proper manner. Each year, the association plans programs on Memorial Day and Veterans Day to honor fallen veterans and all who served honorably. This year’s program marks the 100th anniversary. The printed program updates the total burials, broken down by different eras. As of Memorial Day 2021, there are 4,938 veterans buried at both Memorial Park Cemetery and Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.
Looking back
At the association’s first meeting back in 1921, Comrade J.H. Stevens was elected the first chairman. For years the association would hold patriotic programs at the various Mason City schools on Friday before Decoration Day, according to notes from that first meeting. “There was always Grand Army Please see HISTORIC, Page C2
Forest City native retires after 41 years in the Navy Gary Rogeness commanded fast attack submarine, among other duties MEGAN BROWN
U.S. Navy
MILLINGTON, Tenn. – A Forest City, Iowa, native recently retired from the Navy after 41 years of service. Captain Gary Rogeness is a 1978 Forest City High School graduate and a 1991 graduate of Prairie View A&M University. Rogeness
also earned a master’s degree from Iowa State University in 1998. Rogeness worked in a variety of roles throughout their career. “I started as a nuclear trained machinist mate,” Rogeness said. “The job involves operating complex machinery, monitoring equipment, doing repairs to mechanical equipment and supervising other sailors. “After commissioning, my job involved leading sailors, driving a submarine to accomplish missions important to national security, taking care of my sailors families and furthering their education and careers. I ended my
career providing advice to senior members of the Navy and government in areas of policy, defense cooperation and Navy structure to accomplish strategic goals.” Rogeness joined the Navy for the opportunities serving provides. “The economy was not doing so well in 1980 and I was two years out of high school with not many prospects,” Rogeness said. “I realized I needed to learn a trade and earn a living. My Uncle Bob was in the Navy when I was young and I could remember him coming
NAVY OFFICE OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Captain Gary Rogeness (right), a 1978 Forest City High School graduate, Please see ROGENESS, Page C9 recently retired from the U.S. Navy after 41 years of service.
Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces Thank You For Our Continued Freedom!
Did you know all 99 counties in Iowa have a County Veterans Affairs Office? Contact yours today in the county in which you reside.
Cerro Gordo County Veterans Affairs (641) 421-3085 • 220 N Washington Avenue, Mason City, Iowa 50401 Commissioner Board Members: Michael Flatness, John McLaughlin, Angelina Moe, Richard Ochoa and Jessica Reith
We Help Assist Veterans and Their Dependent with County, State and Federal VA Benefits, Depending on the Time Period in Which Served. 00 1