Commission searches for American-made flag cases

Triangular wooden boxes were a main item of discussion at Wednesday’s monthly Jasper County Veterans Affairs Commission meeting.

One of the functions of the Jasper County Veterans Affairs Department, traditionally, has been to provide wooden flag cases to the families of deceased veterans, who are laid to rest in a ceremony involving an American flag draped over a casket. Unfortunately, many items these days are made outside the U.S., and one of the few places Commissioner Jerry Nelson could locate were sold by the Michaels’ arts and crafts store in Ankeny — and are made in China.

Kurt Jackson, a clerk for the Veterans Affairs department, said he got a quote from an online distributor that knocked the cost down to about $27.50 each, but those cases are made outside the U.S. as well, despite being offered by a firm called united-states-flag.com.

“We could peel the ‘Made in China’ sticker off, but it’s still a problem to know it was made outside the country,” Jackson said. “I don’t think we can get them at a good price.”

“Imported cases are kind of a fatal flaw,” Commission Chair John Billingsley said.

The commission agreed to place the order for about $1,650, but to continue to seek out domestically made cases at reasonable rates. Billingsley suggested looking into correctional facility help in making flag cases, such as Anamosa State Penitentiary.

Local efforts to find someone who could make at least 60 cases turned up no one. High school industrial arts students don’t typically advance enough to make large numbers of a finely finished case of that quality.

Veterans Affairs Director Chris Chartier is on nonpaid leave. The county’s human resources director, Dennis Simon, said Chartier’s leave is a personnel matter and cannot be discussed. Jackson and newly rehired temporary staff member Keith Thorpe are splitting the department’s duties during Chartier’s absence.

The other main item discussed Wednesday was the county’s ongoing efforts to gain a Home Base Iowa designation, which is a set of economic incentives designed to help lure recently discharged veterans to a specific city or county. Jackson said he doesn’t have any of the items needed to complete a form, such as a Jasper County economic development graphic, seal or map.

Commissioner Marty Ford asked if Jasper County Economic Development Director Chaz Allen had such items.

“I really thought that was an economic development issue,” Ford said. “I think this department (Veterans Affairs) has done its share.”

Commissioner Jerry Gunderson agreed.

“I think you can dump it back to him and tell him that it’s of any importance to him and the people of Jasper County, he can finish that portion,” Gunderson said.

Allen, when reached for comment, said he has been out of town for much of the past couple of weeks and will get whatever is needed from information technology to help complete the Home Base Iowa requirements.

“I do think Kurt has done a great job since taking over the day-to-day operations,” Allen said. “He had to find all the info that had originally been submitted.”

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, the commission:

• Heard a quarterly report from Jackson that included a total of 25 pension or VA compensation claims submitted, along with 69 total forms completed and helped 13 veterans apply for federal health care benefits.

• Discussed funding and arrangements for commissioners and both staff members, Thorpe and Jackson, to attend the Veteran Service Officer Fall School in Des Moines, Oct. 19-21. The Jasper County Veterans Affairs office will be closed on those days.

• Discussed additional training the Jackson will attend the week of Oct. 26. Thorpe will fill in at the office during that week and will be there from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. The regular office hours are now 8 a.m. to noon, Mondays through Thursdays.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com