Johnson County Fair Concludes With a Bang

Representing every veteran organization in Johnson County, the color guard marched in a ceremony Thursday night before fireworks lit up the skies the final evening of the Johnson County Fair.

The six local veterans honored were long-time fair participants and leaders who served their country in war, ranging from World War II, to the Vietnam, Korean, Desert Storm and Iraq wars.

George Dane, WWII vet from Iowa City who survived the Battle of the Bulge, used to show Holstein dairy cattle in 4-H when the fairgrounds were the old canning factory on Sheridan Avenue in Iowa City in 1932.

"He worked for Iowa State Bank & Trust, and he was very instrumental in building the new fairgrounds," said Retired Major General Robert Sentman, of Tiffin, who organized the honorary veterans event.

"In 1952, I remember working on that barn myself," said Sentman of one of the buildings on the current fairgrounds, located at 4261 Oak Crest Hill Road SE.

Gary Spevacek, who lives three miles north of Iowa City, was the representative for the Vietnam War. The former marine helicopter squadron leader was involved in 4-H since he was old enough to show.

“I showed hogs at the fair,” Spevacek said. “I’d sit on a hot box with the fan on me all day long. I must have had fun because I sure wanted to do it.”

Richard Bryant was the Desert Storm representative at the color guard ceremony that preceded a chainsaw sculpture auction and fireworks. The Oxford resident provided medical care for American forces, POWs (Prisoners of War) and civilians in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq as the First Sergeant for the 209th Medical Company he mobilized out of Iowa City.

"Taking care of patients made it easier to be there," Bryant said. "When you're not doing nothing that's when your worrying about things."

Growing up, Bryant was an active 4-H Cosgrove Hustler.

"I showed pigs from when I was 10 years old until high school," he said. "All my kids went through the fair. We showed sheep then. We tried our hands in rabbits but that didn't work very good."

Mary Frances Kempf was also on hand to receive a plaque along with her husband, Les.

"She was one of the first group of 30 inducted into the Womens Army Corps in 1942 - one of the first members, so she’s a pioneer in that one," Sentman said, noting Les Kempf was a veteran "who got a double dose," serving in the Pacific during WWII and the Korean War.

"They both were instrumental in the horse program (at the Johnson County Fair)," Sentman said. "Les has been the director for the last 25 years of the horse program. He and Mary Frances have both been involved (in the equestrian program) for 45 years."

Another Korean War Veteran honored Thursday night was Marine Richard Jensen, also a 4-H club leader for eight years.

"Dick also steps forward and he organizes most of our local funerals in the area and has done that for quite some time when we organize an honors detail," Sentman said.

Solon High School Senior Olivia Ferguson sang the national anthem to the 500-plus crowd that gathered to listen to Sentman's stories about each of the honored vets and take in the color guard, chainsaw auction and fireworks.

"We congratulate those who are still serving as well as those who have served," he said. "Let's keep them in our thoughts, prayers and in our minds and also give them a good strong welcome home when they get home."