Table Talk

There isn’t a person I the front of the church — know who relishes the some of whom would carry thought of facing a military him to his final resting representative, receiving a place. It’s tough to sit at folded flag, and hearing the grandpa’s funeral. The words, “…on behalf of a memories, while comforting, grateful nation…” are also painful. Those We are so busy living our lives that we don’t often take time to reflect on those TABLE TALK same memories would, in time, become a true healing balm. who spent some of their By Karen Schwaller The pastor at the man’s lives making sure we could funeral made quite a link do that, and do it without between the man’s work thinking about it. and what God does for all of us: serv-

But we should think about it. ing us and repairing/healing our wounds. It was quite an illuminating

The father of one of my good friends connection comparison between was laid to rest in on a cold day in God and man. February. I learned a lot about him that day. I didn’t know he served his country — our country — and that he was a member of the American Legion. When the funeral was over, it was time to take him a few miles to his final resting place. The escort was led and followed by

He was a busy father of six children, three sheriff’s vehicles — a tribute then lost a daughter when she was to that man who had given so only three years old. It’s a parent’s pri- much of his life to public service; vate and very personal brand of hell and to his son, who also worked for on earth. that sheriff’s department. The

And yet, he went to work every day bonds of friendship ran deep among at his service and repair station, fixing the city elders. everyone else’s problems. He was At the cemetery corner, a community active in his church, his community’s fire truck stopped traffic — another fire department and ambulance crew, tribute to a man who gave so much of and was a past city councilman. All of his time to such important volunteer this, and he still found time to attend work. the activities of his grandchildren. Waiting at the cemetery on that cold

His grandchildren were sitting in day were a group of men wearing American Legion jackets — his comrades in arms, waiting there to pay tribute to a man who understood the human cost of serving his country. There aren’t many members of that group of elites who don’t have snow on the roof. And yet they stood respectfully, waiting in the sub-zero temperatures to give this man the respect he earned and deserved as their brother in arms.

The pastor leaned before the man’s wife and children and spoke the words he had spoken so many times before: “May your faith comfort you until you see him in heaven.” haunting and melancholy melody. It’s only eight notes, but they bring more emotion than any other song I know. A song of honor, integrity and respect, it helps us really feel the loneliness and the true cost of protecting our country. “Day is done; gone the sun … from the lake, from the hill, from the sky; All is well, safely rest; God is nigh.” As we watched him being lowered into the ground, I couldn’t help but think of a seed being planted; a seed must die before it sprouts new life, and so it is with our humanity. “Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land.” (Proverbs

The 21-gun salute snapped 31:23) everyone into the reality of knowing what it means to The elders of his land were there at the city gates for him at the end of this life, and he have men and women risk would soon meet the elders of their lives to serve and pro tect our country. - the land in the next life. The worries of this life were over, and it was time for him to rest peacefully. At 85, he lived a

And then the presentation of the long and good life, though still too folded flag. “…on behalf of a grateful short. nation….” But as for him, the song spoke truth.

The 21-gun salute snapped everyone All is well … safely rest. God is nigh. into the reality of knowing what it means to have men and women risk their lives to serve and protect our country. Karen Schwaller brings “Table Talk” to The Land from her home near Milford, Iowa. She can be reached at kschwaller@evertek.net. v

Then, “Taps.” There isn’t a more

Summer field day at ISU research center planned for June 23

KANAWHA, Iowa – Micronutrients for soybean production, soybean cyst nematode management and white mold of soybean will highlight the summer field day at the Iowa State University Northern Research and Demonstration Farm near Kanawha.

The field day will take place June 23 at the farm’s north location. The event address is 310 S. Main St. in Kanawha, immediately south of town.

Registration and refreshments will start at 8:45 a.m. and the field day will begin at 9 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon and the field day will conclude at 12:45 p.m.

Greg Guenther, president of the North Central Iowa Research Association, will announce the goals of the NCIRA.

Daniel J. Robison, endowed dean’s chair of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State, will also discuss the needs of NCIRA and the need for research and extension facilities at the Iowa State outlying farms.

Antonio Mallarino, professor in agronomy and extension specialist at Iowa State, will discuss micronutrient needs of soybean production in north central Iowa.

Greg Tylka, professor in plant pathology and microbiology at Iowa State and extension specialist in soybean cyst nematodes, will discuss current research and recommendations for the management of soybean cyst nematode.

Daren Mueller, associate professor in plant pathology and microbiology and extension plant pathologist, will discuss the management of white mold in soybean production.

A panel on crop production research needs will discuss future needs for north central Iowa and the research farm.

Topics and speakers include Erin Hodgson, professor in entomology and extension specialist in entomology at Iowa State (insect pest management); Ryan Bergman, program coordinator with ISU Extension and Outreach (precision agriculture); Mark Licht, assistant professor in agronomy and cropping systems specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach (crop management); and Matt Helmers, professor in agricultural and bioystems engineering and extension agricultural engineering specialist at Iowa State (ag drainage and water quality needs).

This article was submitted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. v