Veitch escapes from World War II prison camp
By Kris Todd, Daily Reporter Staff
The Greenville native, with expressive eyes and a subtle smile, can paint a rosy picture for even the grimmest of tales. Don Veitch's long-held philosophy is: "There are no bad days. Some days are just better than others."
The 86-year-old Spencer resident was handed a "real low number" over six decades ago, which meant he didn't have very long to wait before being drafted.
"The National Guard had just been called up in February, and I went in April of '41," Veitch said. "I was drafted (into the U.S. Army). I went into it and I ended up in a National Guard unit."
Veitch was among 10 local young men ordered to assemble at Fort Des Moines.
"They gave me the papers of the group to carry down," he recalled. "We got in there and then we shipped out to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. That's where we got our uniforms, got ourselves put into the Army, and they said, 'You're in the Army now.'"
From there, he was shipped to Camp Claybourne, La., for basic training.
"We were there until Pearl Harbor," he succinctly said. "Then we knew we were in the Army for sure.
"We just went in for a year, because the draft was for one year. That's what they tell you, you know. But, that (Pearl Harbor) changed everything real fast. Then we knew we weren't going to go home at the end of the year, because that was Dec. 7."
Instead, Veitch found himself transferred to another battalion, bringing it to full strength. They were then shipped to northern Ireland.
"There was no place for troops to go at that particular time of Pearl Harbor, because I don't think they really had any idea how they were going to be able to start this thing," Veitch said. "I mean, it (World War II) was started, but what do we do about it right now? But they knew things were going wrong in Europe. Hitler was dancing around over there. So, we went into Ireland."
After training in Ireland from the latter part of January to the first of July, he was transferred to Scotland with his original battalion members in the 168th Infantry, 34th Division, which was part of the Rainbow Division during World War I. They underwent amphibious and commando training there.
"That's when things really started getting bad," reflected Veitch. "Of course, we knew we were going to make an amphibious landing somewhere, because that's what we were trained for. We got on the ships and had no idea where we were going, absolutely none whatsoever. We spent almost four weeks on the water. Thought we were in the Navy for awhile."
Little did Veitch and his peers know, but the naval convoys were assembling for their surprise landing.
"We went through the Strait of Gibraltar. Our company made our amphibious landings at Algiers (on Nov. 8, 1942)," he recalled. "We had to work our way from the Mediterranean shores up to into Algiers. We took that in about three days. We did a pretty good job there, I guess. Anyway, we got it done."
Tunisia is where Veitch's unit once again squared off with German soldiers and the notorious German Gen. Irwin Rommel, referred to as "the Desert Fox."
"He fought from one end of northern Africa to the other. They had all their weaponry, thousands and thousands of troops, and transportation," Veitch said of Rommel and the German troops. "...But when we came in from the further west to the east, we didn't have any equipment to speak of. We hadn't been tested or really worked out. But, the test was almost there."
The real exam occurred when Veitch's unit ran out of supplies the following February. Veitch collaborated with Sgt. Don Shea in an attempt to get back to their own lines.
"When they said, 'Get out the best way you can,' we did pretty good for about two and a half days," Veitch said. "They caught up with us (on Feb. 17, 1943). We joined a lot of others."
The then-Pfc. recalled both he and his sergeant crying upon being captured by enemy forces.
"The thing is, you've lost everything that you thought you ever had. And talk about having nothing," he chuckled in retrospect. "You have no weapons. You have nothing. But, we had our lives. No, we had no idea (if we'd keep them). But, you get yourself put back together and go on, wherever it is."
The newly captured prisoner of war remembered taking everything on a day-by-day basis. Yet, Veitch said he constantly pondered what he could do in order to escape, where he would go if he were to get away, as well as how he could snarl his captors' plans.
Over his next 27 months spent in captivity, Veitch transitioned between seven different World War II prison camps. The first, Stalag VII-A, was near Munich.
"Being a lowly Pfc., private first class, usually I got assigned to work camps, and we worked at different things," he explained.
"...You tried to drive the Germans nuts. If an old (German) got upset, he'd start screaming. And the more upset he'd get, the higher his voice would go. It would go up and up and up," Veitch chuckled. "We tried to get them there."
This was easily accomplished, he added, by simply not doing what the guards ordered.
"You're out there working and you don't understand it. You do, but you don't. And you always try to slow up the pace and do whatever you can to slow it up," Veitch said with a knowing smile. "And they couldn't understand us because the old Germans said, 'Arbeit. Arbeit. Arbeit.' 'Work. Work. Work.' They couldn't understand anything except work. That's the way they were built."
Veitch laid railroad track as a member of one work crew. It was at that particular camp that he recalled taking one guard past his point of no return. Tenderly rubbing his lower lumbar area, Veitch explained he's still paying for letting his mouth run when a train approached.
"Every fender on a locomotive had the words on it, 'Rader rollen fur Sieg.' 'Wheels will roll for victory,'" he recalled. "We were all pulled back from up on the top of this big ditch. I didn't know anybody was around, and I said, 'Yah. Yah. Yah. Rader rollen fur Sieg.' This guy behind me hit me. ... It took me awhile to get my breath. That's all there was to it. But, you know, I could have looked around and I could have let that one go."
Another prison camp detail had Veitch and others building a power plant. While situated there, he and "Doc" Streeter, another American POW, planned an escape over a three-month time period. Part of their strategizing involved trading cigarettes and whatever else they could for concentrated food, chocolate and seeds.
"We got down into one of the areas that hadn't been filled with sand and dropped out of sight. The rest of them marched up to the camp and we took off from there. We had all of our stuff stashed away, so the guys would help bring them down," he recalled of their successful escape attempt. "We were pretty lucky on that too because it was pretty well guarded and we had a small bridge to go across. We sat there for quite awhile to see what the pattern was, and then we took off."
The pair traveled at night only and remained on the lam for 17 days. They were picked up over 100 miles away in Czechoslovakia and returned to another prison camp in Dresden.
"I think it was Stalag III-B where we went out of on our work detail," Veitch said. "But we never got back to where the rest of them were that we were with. They don't let you do that. We got 30 days of bread and water, solitary. But, they let Doc and I stay together."
With his sense of humor still intact, Veitch said he ribbed the guards about how the food presented to them tasted like sawdust.
"To this day, I can not eat caraway. I bite into a caraway seed and it just runs around my mouth," he said. "They had rutabaga soup, and it was dried rutabaga and reconstituted. It was terrible. And, it was just double ugly."
"All the Germans had to feed us was 2 percent above starvation," Veitch added. "When I got out of prison camp and back to our troops at the Elbe (River) in Germany, I weighed 100 pounds."
He and other American soldiers were eventually liberated in May 1945.
"By the Russians, of all things," chuckled Veitch. "...We had a problem, because the Russians wanted to repatriate us through Russia. Our troops, when they took Russian people, they just turned them over to the Russians. But Russia always wanted credit for this or for that."
Veitch returned to Greenville on July 4, 1945.
"I could have got home earlier, but I had people to see," he grinned, referring to his travels abroad for a few months.
As soon as Veitch arrived home, he telephoned his girlfriend, Dorothy, in Oregon. The two had initially met about five months before he was drafted. They continued to correspond by way of letter during his tour of duty.
"I called her and she said, 'I'll be right home,'" Veitch said as he lovingly smiled at Dorothy. "We got married the 12th of July.
"...I wasn't out of the service yet before we got married. They sent us down to Florida because I had to go on a rest and recuperation. So, we went down there so we could have a hurricane," he chuckled.
Veitch was eventually honorably discharged from the military in September 1945.
Today, the Spencer veteran still has his discharge papers, which refer to him as a "Browning Automatic Rifleman." Although he misplaced a little red address book several years ago in which he captured special dates and maneuvers during his time abroad, Veitch's memories remain crystal clear.
"There are no bad days. Some days are just better than others," he confided pensively.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Don Veitch, Citizen of the Year
Veitch honored as 2004 Citizen of the Year
Cited for his quiet, unassuming leadership
By Paula Buenger, Publisher
While 2004 Citizen of the Year Don Veitch may argue that what he's done for the community of Spencer and the groups he's been involved with is "Not a big thing" the authors of the many letters of nomination which poured into the offices of the Daily Reporter would argue otherwise.
"Don is a person who works 'behind the scenes' and is very humble about his contributions to Spencer and its various organizations," read the nomination letter from Everett and Verlie Amis.
"Not one to stand in the spotlight, more like the person who installed the spotlight and is now operating it," is how Jay Prather of Spencer described Veitch in his nomination letter.
Veitch was honored for his contributions to the Parker Historical Society, Iowa Great Lakes Antique Car Club, Masonic Lodge, Shriners and his church. Veitch, a lifelong resident of the area, joins the list of distinguished residents who have earned the title "Citizen of the Year" since the program' s inception in 1967. Each year's honoree is selected from nominations sent in by individuals and groups. The past Citizens of the Year select the new member who will join their ranks. Don Veitch was born and raised in Greenville. In April 1941, he left to serve his country in the Army during World War II. During that service, he was captured and was a POW in a German camp for 27 months.
In a story, published in the Feb. 5 edition of The Daily Reporter, Veitch recounted his time in German POW camps as a young soldier.
One of his first calls, upon being released, was to his sweetheart, Dorothy, whom he had met several months before going into the war. She had been staying with relatives in Oregon and working through the war years, but returned after Don was released. The couple married on July 12, 1945, and will celebrate their 60th anniversary this summer.
And, as all those who know the Veitchs can attest, the pair became a very good team, working together on a wide range of activities.
"They have always done everything together," said Pat Anderson, the couple's daughter, who lives in Spirit Lake with her husband Eric. "If there is something going on, they just have to be a part of it. They don't want to just go to events, they want to help put things together."
Luckily, the pair shared an interest in the Masonic Lodge and Shrine organizations. Dorothy was "always involved" in Eastern Star, said her daughter, and the couple acted as Rainbow Parents for many years.
Clay County Fair-goers may not know the Veitch name, but they probably recognize the faces. After all, the couple began the Shrine ATV Funnel Cake stand at the fair, and worked as a team during the entire run of the fair in the stand for many, many years.
"They had gone to Hot Springs, Ark. on a trip and tasted funnel cakes," recounts Anderson. "They decided that was what the Clay County Fair needed."
So, the industrious pair made a second trip to Hot Springs, learned how to make the then-new item, and set up the Shrine stand.
"They just loved it," smiled Pat. "They met so many people at the fair and, I think now that they aren't at the fair every day they really miss it."
Don's membership in the Masonic Lodge and with the Shriners echoes his style in everything, according to those who know him well. He was a dedicated, hard-working, loyal member, who didn't look for the spotlight.
Don and Everett Amis have been acquainted for many, many years, as both Everett and Don grew up in Greenville. Their love of cars, old cars to be specific, has ensured that they have remained close.
"My dad has always been interested in cars," said his daughter. "And, he's always got quite a few of them, in various stages of repair."
Veitch's employment, as a distributor for Wynn's, an automotive additive company, meant that he was immersed in the auto world.
"It just seems like he's always had one taken apart somewhere," Pat laughed. "In fact, for years he had one by the hedge at our house."
Veitch took that interest in cars a step farther, as a charter member of the Iowa Great Lakes Car Club. He served as secretary/treasurer for many years and has assisted with exhibits and displays of cars throughout the area and participated in many parades.
L.R. "Pete" Petersen has worked with Veitch in many groups throughout the years, and in his nomination he pointed to Veitch's quiet leadership and service.
Whatever organization he belongs to he is not only a very active member, but he does, through unselfish acts, those things which many of us think about doing but never quite get done," wrote Petersen. "The only people who know of these deeds are Don, God, and oh yes, probably his wife Dorothy."
Along with sharing interests in Masonic Orders and antique cars, Petersen has served with Veitch on the board of the Parker Historical Society.
Daughter Pat said that interest most likely grew out of her father's love of going to auctions and sales.
"He's always been a great antiquer," she said. "And, when Dad was interested in something, it just seemed like he had to be a part of it."
According to Cindy McGranahan, Parker Museum Director, Veitch has been involved with the Parker Historical Society since he joined in 1973. Never one to be content simply with belonging to an organization, Veitch soon found himself deeply involved, joining the board of directors of the society in 1975. He became president of the society in 1977.
"Not only has Don been present and willing to help with many events since 1973, but he has also been a terrific cheerleader and supporter of the Parker Historical Society," said McGranahan. "His 'can-do' and 'let's move ahead' attitude has been extremely valuable, as the Society has transitioned from an all-volunteer group to a business."
While Veitch officially "retired" as a distributor for Wynn's at the age of 80, Pat said he remains involved, albeit to a lesser extent than in previous years. The job, which involved travel throughout the region, meant the Veitch family was welcome just about everywhere.
"He knows people everywhere," she said. "And even now, he'll get in the car and head to Des Moines for the day for meetings."
He also put his travel expertise to good use assisting families in taking children to the Shriners Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. "That's always been a big interest of his."
He and Dorothy have also traveled farther afield. As recently as two years ago, the couple joined an all-Veitch tour through Scotland. The Veitch's second child, son George, lives on the big island of Hawaii with his wife, area native Leann McGranahan, so the family has had another exotic locale to visit.
Pat agrees with many of those who nominated her father in saying that he will be surprised to find himself honored as Citizen of the Year.
"I think he's going to be totally shocked, totally dumbfounded," she laughed. "He sure won't think he deserves it at all." McGranahan agrees.
"Don won't believe it," she said. "He will feel that there is someone else but there more deserving. But, isn't that really what makes him a perfect Citizen of the Year? He deserves this so much."
© Copyright 2009, Spencer Daily Reporter
Story URL: http://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/story/1551763.html
Cited for his quiet, unassuming leadership
By Paula Buenger, Publisher
While 2004 Citizen of the Year Don Veitch may argue that what he's done for the community of Spencer and the groups he's been involved with is "Not a big thing" the authors of the many letters of nomination which poured into the offices of the Daily Reporter would argue otherwise.
"Don is a person who works 'behind the scenes' and is very humble about his contributions to Spencer and its various organizations," read the nomination letter from Everett and Verlie Amis.
"Not one to stand in the spotlight, more like the person who installed the spotlight and is now operating it," is how Jay Prather of Spencer described Veitch in his nomination letter.
Veitch was honored for his contributions to the Parker Historical Society, Iowa Great Lakes Antique Car Club, Masonic Lodge, Shriners and his church. Veitch, a lifelong resident of the area, joins the list of distinguished residents who have earned the title "Citizen of the Year" since the program' s inception in 1967. Each year's honoree is selected from nominations sent in by individuals and groups. The past Citizens of the Year select the new member who will join their ranks. Don Veitch was born and raised in Greenville. In April 1941, he left to serve his country in the Army during World War II. During that service, he was captured and was a POW in a German camp for 27 months.
In a story, published in the Feb. 5 edition of The Daily Reporter, Veitch recounted his time in German POW camps as a young soldier.
One of his first calls, upon being released, was to his sweetheart, Dorothy, whom he had met several months before going into the war. She had been staying with relatives in Oregon and working through the war years, but returned after Don was released. The couple married on July 12, 1945, and will celebrate their 60th anniversary this summer.
And, as all those who know the Veitchs can attest, the pair became a very good team, working together on a wide range of activities.
"They have always done everything together," said Pat Anderson, the couple's daughter, who lives in Spirit Lake with her husband Eric. "If there is something going on, they just have to be a part of it. They don't want to just go to events, they want to help put things together."
Luckily, the pair shared an interest in the Masonic Lodge and Shrine organizations. Dorothy was "always involved" in Eastern Star, said her daughter, and the couple acted as Rainbow Parents for many years.
Clay County Fair-goers may not know the Veitch name, but they probably recognize the faces. After all, the couple began the Shrine ATV Funnel Cake stand at the fair, and worked as a team during the entire run of the fair in the stand for many, many years.
"They had gone to Hot Springs, Ark. on a trip and tasted funnel cakes," recounts Anderson. "They decided that was what the Clay County Fair needed."
So, the industrious pair made a second trip to Hot Springs, learned how to make the then-new item, and set up the Shrine stand.
"They just loved it," smiled Pat. "They met so many people at the fair and, I think now that they aren't at the fair every day they really miss it."
Don's membership in the Masonic Lodge and with the Shriners echoes his style in everything, according to those who know him well. He was a dedicated, hard-working, loyal member, who didn't look for the spotlight.
Don and Everett Amis have been acquainted for many, many years, as both Everett and Don grew up in Greenville. Their love of cars, old cars to be specific, has ensured that they have remained close.
"My dad has always been interested in cars," said his daughter. "And, he's always got quite a few of them, in various stages of repair."
Veitch's employment, as a distributor for Wynn's, an automotive additive company, meant that he was immersed in the auto world.
"It just seems like he's always had one taken apart somewhere," Pat laughed. "In fact, for years he had one by the hedge at our house."
Veitch took that interest in cars a step farther, as a charter member of the Iowa Great Lakes Car Club. He served as secretary/treasurer for many years and has assisted with exhibits and displays of cars throughout the area and participated in many parades.
L.R. "Pete" Petersen has worked with Veitch in many groups throughout the years, and in his nomination he pointed to Veitch's quiet leadership and service.
Whatever organization he belongs to he is not only a very active member, but he does, through unselfish acts, those things which many of us think about doing but never quite get done," wrote Petersen. "The only people who know of these deeds are Don, God, and oh yes, probably his wife Dorothy."
Along with sharing interests in Masonic Orders and antique cars, Petersen has served with Veitch on the board of the Parker Historical Society.
Daughter Pat said that interest most likely grew out of her father's love of going to auctions and sales.
"He's always been a great antiquer," she said. "And, when Dad was interested in something, it just seemed like he had to be a part of it."
According to Cindy McGranahan, Parker Museum Director, Veitch has been involved with the Parker Historical Society since he joined in 1973. Never one to be content simply with belonging to an organization, Veitch soon found himself deeply involved, joining the board of directors of the society in 1975. He became president of the society in 1977.
"Not only has Don been present and willing to help with many events since 1973, but he has also been a terrific cheerleader and supporter of the Parker Historical Society," said McGranahan. "His 'can-do' and 'let's move ahead' attitude has been extremely valuable, as the Society has transitioned from an all-volunteer group to a business."
While Veitch officially "retired" as a distributor for Wynn's at the age of 80, Pat said he remains involved, albeit to a lesser extent than in previous years. The job, which involved travel throughout the region, meant the Veitch family was welcome just about everywhere.
"He knows people everywhere," she said. "And even now, he'll get in the car and head to Des Moines for the day for meetings."
He also put his travel expertise to good use assisting families in taking children to the Shriners Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. "That's always been a big interest of his."
He and Dorothy have also traveled farther afield. As recently as two years ago, the couple joined an all-Veitch tour through Scotland. The Veitch's second child, son George, lives on the big island of Hawaii with his wife, area native Leann McGranahan, so the family has had another exotic locale to visit.
Pat agrees with many of those who nominated her father in saying that he will be surprised to find himself honored as Citizen of the Year.
"I think he's going to be totally shocked, totally dumbfounded," she laughed. "He sure won't think he deserves it at all." McGranahan agrees.
"Don won't believe it," she said. "He will feel that there is someone else but there more deserving. But, isn't that really what makes him a perfect Citizen of the Year? He deserves this so much."
© Copyright 2009, Spencer Daily Reporter
Story URL: http://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/story/1551763.html
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Don Veitch, Great Uncle and Great Man
My great uncle Don Veitch passed away today. He and his brother Stub have both been fighting cancer for awhile now. Don and Stub are both amazing individuals, and they where very good friends. Following the photo is the newspaper article and his obituary as featured in the Spencer Daily Reporter.
2004 'Citizen of the Year' Veitch passes
Thursday, July 2, 2009
By Randy M. Cauthron, Managing Editor
Just a month before he was named the 2004 Spencer "Citizen of the Year," Don Veitch was interviewed and shared a philosophy that identified the kind of person he was: "There are no bad days. Some days are just better than others."
Wednesday, Spencer lost one of its icons. Veitch, 91, passed away at Spencer Hospital. Funeral arrangements are pending at Warner Funeral Home of Spencer.
Veitch was honored as Citizen of the Year for his contributions to the Parker Historical Society, Iowa Great Lakes Antique Car Club, Masonic Lodge, Shriners and his church.
The native of Greenville, was drafted just before the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Anticipating just a one-year obligation as a draftee at the time, things changed following the bombing of the military base in Hawaii, and Veitch found himself in the midst of World War II. He served in various combat situations until February 1943 when he and others were captured by German soldiers and held as prisoners of war. He escaped once, but was detained once again, remaining a POW until being liberated at the tail end of the war in May 1945.
Veitch returned to Greenville on July 4, 1945. As soon as Veitch arrived home, he telephoned his girlfriend, Dorothy, in Oregon. The two had initially met about five months before he was drafted. They continued to correspond by way of letter during his tour of duty.
The two married July 12.
Additionally, Don and Dorothy -- recognized by many who knew them as quite a dynamic duo -- acted as Rainbow Parents for many years.
Clay County Fair-goers may not know the Veitch name, but they probably recognize the faces. After all, the couple began the Shrine ATV Funnel Cake stand at the fair, and worked as a team during the entire run of the fair in the stand for many, many years.
His employment, as a distributor for Wynn's, an automotive additive company, meant that he was immersed in the auto world. Don took that interest in cars a step further, as a charter member of the Iowa Great Lakes Car Club. He served as secretary/treasurer for many years and has assisted with exhibits and displays of cars throughout the area and participated in many parades.
"Whatever organization he belongs to he is not only a very active member, but he does, through unselfish acts, those things which many of us think about doing but never quite get done," wrote L.R. "Pete" Petersen in his Citizen of the Year letter of nomination of Don. "The only people who know of these deeds are Don, God, and oh yes, probably his wife Dorothy."
According to Cindy McGranahan, Parker Museum director, Veitch had been involved with the Parker Historical Society since he joined in 1973.
"Not only has Don been present and willing to help with many events since 1973, but he has also been a terrific cheerleader and supporter of the Parker Historical Society," said McGranahan in 2005. "His 'can-do' and 'let's move ahead' attitude has been extremely valuable, as the Society has transitioned from an all-volunteer group to a business."
Donald Veitch
Friday, July 3, 2009
Funeral services for Mr. Donald Veitch, 91, of Spencer, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 6, 2009 at First Christian Church of Spencer. Rev. Dan Mayes will officiate the service.
Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, with the family present from 5-7 p.m. at the Warner Chapel at Spencer.
Interment will take place at North Lawn Memorial Park in Spencer. Military services will be conducted by Glen Pedersen Post No. 1 of Spencer.
A Masonic service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, at the Warner Funeral Home.
Mr. Veitch passed away Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Spencer Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Christian Church, Relay For Life and Hospice of NW Iowa.
Donald George Veitch, the son of George Leslie and Vennetta Eldora Mitchell Veitch, was born May 24, 1918 in Greenville. His childhood years were spent in Greenville where he received his education, graduating from Greenville High School. Don later attended a business school in Grand Island, Neb., for two years. After his schooling, he entered the military and served with the U.S. Army during WW II from April 1941 until his honorable discharge in September 1945. During his military duty, Don was a POW in Germany for over two years.
Donald married Dorothy Henry on July 12, 1945, in Spencer. Following their marriage, they lived in Spencer where he was a self-employed salesman for Wynn's Friction Proofing and Don Veitch Distributing for many years until his retirement. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Spencer. Donald was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge, Order of The Eastern Star as well as the Iowa Great Lakes Car Club. He was also a member of Glen Pedersen Post No. 1, American Legion of Spencer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one granddaughter, Teresa Ann Lang in 1966.
Donald is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Spencer; one daughter, Patricia Anderson and her husband, Eric of Spirit Lake; one son, George Veitch and his wife, LeAnn McGranahan of Papaaloa, Hawaii; one granddaughter; three great-grandchildren; two brothers: Carroll Veitch of Spencer, and Terry Veitch and his wife, Nira of Albuquerque, N.M.; two sisters: Marjean Gulizia of Omaha, Neb., and Janet Leach and her husband, Bob of Dickinson, Texas; and a special friend, Joan Waller of Spencer.
Warner Funeral Home of Spencer is in charge of arrangements.
© Copyright 2009, Spencer Daily Reporter
Story URL: http://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/story/1552142.html
2004 'Citizen of the Year' Veitch passes
Thursday, July 2, 2009
By Randy M. Cauthron, Managing Editor
Just a month before he was named the 2004 Spencer "Citizen of the Year," Don Veitch was interviewed and shared a philosophy that identified the kind of person he was: "There are no bad days. Some days are just better than others."
Wednesday, Spencer lost one of its icons. Veitch, 91, passed away at Spencer Hospital. Funeral arrangements are pending at Warner Funeral Home of Spencer.
Veitch was honored as Citizen of the Year for his contributions to the Parker Historical Society, Iowa Great Lakes Antique Car Club, Masonic Lodge, Shriners and his church.
The native of Greenville, was drafted just before the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Anticipating just a one-year obligation as a draftee at the time, things changed following the bombing of the military base in Hawaii, and Veitch found himself in the midst of World War II. He served in various combat situations until February 1943 when he and others were captured by German soldiers and held as prisoners of war. He escaped once, but was detained once again, remaining a POW until being liberated at the tail end of the war in May 1945.
Veitch returned to Greenville on July 4, 1945. As soon as Veitch arrived home, he telephoned his girlfriend, Dorothy, in Oregon. The two had initially met about five months before he was drafted. They continued to correspond by way of letter during his tour of duty.
The two married July 12.
Additionally, Don and Dorothy -- recognized by many who knew them as quite a dynamic duo -- acted as Rainbow Parents for many years.
Clay County Fair-goers may not know the Veitch name, but they probably recognize the faces. After all, the couple began the Shrine ATV Funnel Cake stand at the fair, and worked as a team during the entire run of the fair in the stand for many, many years.
His employment, as a distributor for Wynn's, an automotive additive company, meant that he was immersed in the auto world. Don took that interest in cars a step further, as a charter member of the Iowa Great Lakes Car Club. He served as secretary/treasurer for many years and has assisted with exhibits and displays of cars throughout the area and participated in many parades.
"Whatever organization he belongs to he is not only a very active member, but he does, through unselfish acts, those things which many of us think about doing but never quite get done," wrote L.R. "Pete" Petersen in his Citizen of the Year letter of nomination of Don. "The only people who know of these deeds are Don, God, and oh yes, probably his wife Dorothy."
According to Cindy McGranahan, Parker Museum director, Veitch had been involved with the Parker Historical Society since he joined in 1973.
"Not only has Don been present and willing to help with many events since 1973, but he has also been a terrific cheerleader and supporter of the Parker Historical Society," said McGranahan in 2005. "His 'can-do' and 'let's move ahead' attitude has been extremely valuable, as the Society has transitioned from an all-volunteer group to a business."
Donald Veitch
Friday, July 3, 2009
Funeral services for Mr. Donald Veitch, 91, of Spencer, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 6, 2009 at First Christian Church of Spencer. Rev. Dan Mayes will officiate the service.
Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, with the family present from 5-7 p.m. at the Warner Chapel at Spencer.
Interment will take place at North Lawn Memorial Park in Spencer. Military services will be conducted by Glen Pedersen Post No. 1 of Spencer.
A Masonic service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, at the Warner Funeral Home.
Mr. Veitch passed away Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Spencer Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Christian Church, Relay For Life and Hospice of NW Iowa.
Donald George Veitch, the son of George Leslie and Vennetta Eldora Mitchell Veitch, was born May 24, 1918 in Greenville. His childhood years were spent in Greenville where he received his education, graduating from Greenville High School. Don later attended a business school in Grand Island, Neb., for two years. After his schooling, he entered the military and served with the U.S. Army during WW II from April 1941 until his honorable discharge in September 1945. During his military duty, Don was a POW in Germany for over two years.
Donald married Dorothy Henry on July 12, 1945, in Spencer. Following their marriage, they lived in Spencer where he was a self-employed salesman for Wynn's Friction Proofing and Don Veitch Distributing for many years until his retirement. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Spencer. Donald was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge, Order of The Eastern Star as well as the Iowa Great Lakes Car Club. He was also a member of Glen Pedersen Post No. 1, American Legion of Spencer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one granddaughter, Teresa Ann Lang in 1966.
Donald is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Spencer; one daughter, Patricia Anderson and her husband, Eric of Spirit Lake; one son, George Veitch and his wife, LeAnn McGranahan of Papaaloa, Hawaii; one granddaughter; three great-grandchildren; two brothers: Carroll Veitch of Spencer, and Terry Veitch and his wife, Nira of Albuquerque, N.M.; two sisters: Marjean Gulizia of Omaha, Neb., and Janet Leach and her husband, Bob of Dickinson, Texas; and a special friend, Joan Waller of Spencer.
Warner Funeral Home of Spencer is in charge of arrangements.
© Copyright 2009, Spencer Daily Reporter
Story URL: http://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/story/1552142.html
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