Veterans Way Honorees

Rod served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1969 to 1976. After receiving an honorable discharge, he moved to Waterloo to join his mother and siblings. He is a member of the American Legion in Newhall, Iowa, and the Disabled American Veterans in Waterloo, Iowa. Over the years, Rod has actively worked within the community to support fellow veterans, but he remains humble when discussing his service. His assignments included bases such as Camp Pendleton, California; Quantico, Virginia; Okinawa, Japan; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and Puerto Rico, along with time served on the USS Cayuga and USS Mobile. When asked if he is a Marine, Rod responds, “I’m still a Marine.” When someone thanks him for his service, he replies, “It was my honor.” Rod is deeply committed to his beliefs in God, country, service, church, and family. Originally born in Utah, he has lived in Waterloo for over 45 years. He married in 1978 and raised two children who attended schools in the Waterloo and Cedar Falls districts. Rod’s blended family now includes three children and seven grandchildren. He has continued to reside in the Waterloo area with his wife of 47 years since his military discharge in 1976.

Jeffery was born in Waterloo, IA and attended Columbus High School. He currently lives in Waverly, Iowa.

Was a Sargent in the USMC from 1970 to 1973 90

Milton joined the US Army on January 31, 1963, and spent his active duty in Germany. During his service, he earned the Good Conduct Medal and Expert Rifle. Milton received an Honorable Discharge on March 8, 1966. After his discharge, Milton lived in Germany for a few years and then moved back to Waterloo. He was very proud of his military service and was very patriotic. He loved the flag and always flew it properly. Milton was born in Greenwood, Mississippi, on February 11, 1945. He came to Waterloo at age three. He married Cheryl, and they raised three daughters – Traci, Nikole, and Michele. They had four granddaughters -Shabbrea, Briana, Temiah, and Najya (whom he never met). He also never met his two great-grandsons, Makai and Messiah. He would have been so happy to have them as he always hoped for a boy, but it was all girls until then. However, his daughters and granddaughters were his world. He was so happy with them that he didn’t miss having a boy. Milton would buy matching hats and bandanas for himself and the girls. When the granddaughters lived out of state, and the leaves turned color in the fall, he sent them each a card with a pretty leaf. To Milton, the family was everything. He was an avid fisherman who spent most of his free time at a lake or river. He also loved to travel, and the red rocks of Zion and Bryce National Parks were among his favorite places. He worked as a surveyor at the Highway Commission, Rath Packing, and as a bus driver for HeadStart (which was his favorite occupation), then worked at Met Transit until he became too ill to work. He is missed.”

After graduating from Don Bosco High School in Gilbertville in 1959, John enlisted in the US Army in 1959 and served 20 years. He served as company commander and Huey helicopter pilot while in Vietnam, receiving the Bronze Star; Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in an aerial flight emergency extraction of 3 soldier recon patrol endangered by the Viet Cong; and Air Medal for Heroism (Sixteenth Oak Leaf Cluster) while participating in the extraction of the 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry while under enemy fire. He went back to college and graduated from the University of Dubuque. John was born January 19, 1941, in Independence, Iowa, one of 11 children of Tillie and Chuck Temeyer. In 1980, he retired and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, with his then-wife Susan and two children, Thomas and Leah. After his retirement, he was a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. In 1997, he moved to Jacksonville, Florida, with his daughter and granddaughter. He remained in Jacksonville until his death on December 4, 2012. He was buried at Jacksonville National Cemetery, receiving full military honors.

Jerry served four years in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. He was born in Waterloo in 1952 and enjoyed living there all his life except for time spent in military service. Jerry belonged to the Union for 36 years, working as a telephone tech with Northwestern Bell, retiring from Century Link in 2015. He remains active as treasurer of three union organizations and with the Black Hawk County Democrats.

Leo served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1947. He was born in Cedar Rapids and raised his family in the Cedar Valley. Leo married Rosella Markovetz in 1954 in Waterloo, and together they raised four sons and six daughters. He graduated from St. John’s High School in Ryan and Loras College in Dubuque. Leo was a partner at Mail-Me-Mail Accounting and worked at Rath Packing Company and John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works until his retirement. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Ryan, with full military honors conducted by American Legion Post 692 of Ryan, Iowa.

James Allen Roberts early education was in Littleton. He graduated from East High School and then Brown University with a degree in Accounting. He was a musician and played in a band he helped form. He is buried at the Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Fred served in the US Army from 1942 – 1945. After returning from the Army, He became a licensed plumber and later worked for John Deere