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SAC CITY - For someone looking to attend the Sac County Veterans and Family Appreciation Day Saturday, finding the right building on the fairgrounds was easy.

Brightly decorated with flags, welcome signs and pumpkins with patriotic paint schemes, the 4-H Building was a beacon of red white and blue - and a little orange from the gourds.

The event was organized by Peggy Dettmann, with the Sac County Veterans Service Office.

"It's in appreciation for the vets and their service to the country," she said.

She explained that the armed forces are doing a good job informing the current generation of vets of the benefits they have available. Something that was not always the case. Since there is no central registry of veterans, unless the individual seeks out services or contacts an organization, there is no way to communicate effectively with them.

One of the day's goals was to make veterans aware of the many services and benefits that they can take advantage of. Representatives from various organizations were on hand with information.

One of those was Dick Jorgensen, a team leader with the Sioux City Vet Center, they are part of the mental health division of the Department of Veterans Affairs that provides counseling for combat vets.

"We help them readjust to civilian life after their combat experience," he said.

To help as many as possible, counselors will often travel to meet with vets and sometimes the agency contracts with local agencies.

Many of the vets attending the event were proudly wearing hats emblazoned with "Vietnam Veteran," "Korean Veteran," "WW II Veteran" and even the name of a few U.S. Navy vessels.

One of those, bearing the name "USS Midway," was riding the head of Jerry Brown, of Sac City. He served on the ship during the Korean War. He was also part of the first nuclear weapons squadron in the Navy.

"Our airplane could carry everything that was dropped on Japan," he said.

He was attending the event to look into signing up for VA medical benefits after becoming concerned about his current health care coverage.

"It's just in case that falls apart," he said.

One of the tables at the Appreciation Day was occupied by Kelly Kilbride, 13, of Sac City. At 12, she became the youngest member of Bugles Across America, an organization that works to make sure a trumpet player is available to play "Taps" at the funerals of vets. She said her mom encouraged her to try out.

"I'm glad she did," Kilbride said.

She said she gets mixed reactions from mourners at services when they see the "Taps" player is so young, that is until they hear her play.

"Some of them think I won't be very good," she said. "They are usually surprised."

Kilbride plans to continuing to playing through her college years. .

Another way the community was giving back was through the result of Dettmann's efforts to raise funds to purchase two airline tickets to send a veteran and companion to Washington, D.C. Her initial goal was $750. Saturday afternoon, thanks to community donations, she was able to draw out three names of veterans who will get to go to Washington.

Contact Hans Madsen at (515) 573-2141 or hmadsen@messengernews.net