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February 13, 2014
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lincoln-to-library
With a heavy heart
Creston Library Board hires marketing consultant
World War II veteran Alvin “Red” Benson of Creston waits almost 70 years to receive purple heart ■
U
Friday, February 14
By JAKE WADDINGHAM | jwaddingham@crestonnews.com
nder the cover of darkness and white bedsheets to blend in with the deep snow drifts, Alvin “Red” Benson and other American soldiers navigated their way toward a train depot in February 1945.
By KYLE WILSON
The objective was to provide aid and support for another group of American soldiers — the 42nd Rainbow Division — that was under heavy pressure from German troops and could not safely leave their fox holes. “They took us to stop the Germans,” Benson said. “They had run all over the 42nd.” Benson and other soldiers made their way across a river and a large meadow that had a thick line of trees on both sides. Some troops set up in the tree line across from the German position while Benson and others continued to the train depot. “The first one to get there was supposed to holler ‘eureka’ and then fall back,” Benson said. “I was the first one there. I hollered and we all came back.” The location of the shout confused German troops and helped alle-
CNA managing editor kwilson@crestonnews.com
Creston Library Board recently signed an 18-month contract with Marketing Kinetics — a strategic marketing firm from Lamoni — hired to help the board in their Lincoln-to-Library fundraising efforts. This is the second marketing company the library board has hired since fundraising began for the project in 2010. “We needed some guidance in our fundraising efforts,” said Ann Coulter, president of the Creston Library Board. “They’ve received good reviews locally and are familiar with southwest Iowa. They’re going to get us on track.” The Lincoln-to-Library project is estimated to cost $1.8 million. Project details include moving the library from its curCoulter rent location on West Howard Street to the Lincoln School building on West Jefferson Street. Coulter said the $1.8 million raised would go toward renovating the old 17,000 square foot school building to include space for a library, cultural center, social networking areas, Kolesik technology training centers, conference and community rooms, children area, teen zones, quiet study and group study area. However, the board has only raised $400,000 for the project in four years. “There are probably concerns in the community right now as to why the board has hired another marketing consultant,” said Mandy Kolesik, president of Marketing Kinetics. “There is probably a concern there was weak launch in fundraising for this project. “But, I’m not like the last consultant. I will be on the ground in Creston. I will be visible. My team and I are connected and will find pockets of money for this project. We will work with the library board to develop a vision and find champions within the Creston community to assist us in this capital campaign.”
CNA file photos
Above is a current photo of Alvin “Red” Benson of Creston with all the medals he received while in the U.S. Army. Below is a photo of Benson in the 1940s.
viate the 42nd Rainbow Division’s position, but the Germans were able to fire in Benson’s direction as he fell back to the tree line across the meadow. “They shelled it with artillery,” Benson said. “I don’t remember how long they shelled it.” One blast, just to
Benson’s left, killed one and wounded three others, including Benson. “That’s when I got shrapnel right there (above his left eye),” Benson said. “They told me if it had been the size of a pea, I wouldn’t be here today.” A day or two later, paperwork was filed to
Video of today’s pinning ceremony Alvin “Red” Benson will receive his purple heart during a pinning ceremony with family, friends and fellow veterans today at Prairie View Assisted Living. Creston News Advertiser will be there and will take video of the ceremony. The video can be viewed by visiting www.crestonnews.com and clicking on the video tab.
award two soldiers with medals and for Benson to receive his purple heart for being wounded. The two soldiers received their medals, but no one came to pin Benson’s purple heart. Almost 70 years later, Benson, 93, is finally going to receive the honor he earned fighting in World War II during a pinning ceremony with family, friends and fellow veterans at Prairie View Assisted Living 1 p.m. today. Please see BENSON, Page 2
Please see LIBRARY, Page 2
Shaw announces candidacy for U.S. House Shenandoah native visits Creston Wednesday as part of 10-city campaign event. ■
By JAKE WADDINGHAM
CNA associate editor jwaddingham@crestonnews.com
A Shenandoah native added his name to the list of candidates hoping to fill Rep. Tim Latham’s 3rd Congressional District seat.
Monte Shaw grew up on a farm near Shenandoah and graduated from Simpson Community College in Indianola. He currently resides in West Des Moines with his wife, Tina, and two children, Eden and Max. He visited Creston for his hometown press tour during a 10-city campaign event Wednesday. Shaw is currently the executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels association. He has worked to promote energy independence and rural economic development in Iowa.
“Given the path our federal government is currently on, it’s not an overstatement to say the very future of our children is at state,” said Shaw Shaw. “Do we want to have the same opportunities that we did? Or are we content to sit back, do nothing, and see them buried under a pile of debt and big government programs?”
Besides seeking a better future for our country by promoting energy independence, Shaw wants to control government spending, cut the federal bureaucracy, and continue allowing the economy to grow. Shaw added creating an environment for “robust job creation” will be his number one priority in Congress. “By telling the federal government to stop it, simplify it, solve it and secure it, we can spur economic growth and ultimately solve our fiscal problem,” said Shaw.
“Growth equates to jobs and jobs equate to higher tax revenues. That is the path to balanced budgets and deficit reduction.” In his addition to his work with the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Shaw has managed several Republican campaigns and served as an aide to Sen. Chuck Grassley. He has remained an active volunteer for the Republican party at the state and local levels. “We need more than someone who will just vote right,” Shaw said. “They also need to be an effective advocate for us.”
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Volume 130 No. 173 Copyright 2014
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