"This past weekend we celebrated Memorial Day where we take time to remember the men and women who gave their lives defending our nation and protecting the freedoms that we all deeply cherish. As we remember our fallen service members, we must continue to fight for the men and women who are currently serving our nation, as well as redouble our efforts to provide the best care possible to those who volunteered to serve and defend our nation when they return home.

"As a parent of military children the recent events at various VA health centers across the nation have been deeply disturbing to me. I believe that the VA must do everything in their power to rectify this situation and I will work to ensure they have the resources they need to prevent anything further from harming our veterans. But let me be clear, after the investigation has been concluded, if there is any evidence of wrongdoing, heads need to roll and people at the top must be held accountable." - Congressman Dave Loebsack

Loebsack's Work on Behalf of Veterans

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Dave has worked to improve care and benefits for our service members and veterans, including expanding Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits for the National Guard; expanding access to mental health care; helping our veterans find civilian jobs; and opening new Community Based Outpatient Clinics to improve access to VA services for Iowa veterans. He also co-introduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate the waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for service members wounded in combat.

Congressmen: 'Heads have to roll' if VA charges proven (Des Moines Register- May 23)

Tony Leys

Two Iowa congressmen expressed confidence in the state's two VA hospitals Friday, but said they're concerned about reports that veterans are still waiting weeks or months for appointments.

"When you talk to a lot of veterans, you find that while ... initially getting in the system can be difficult and delayed, once they get into the system, they are very, very pleased," said Rep. Tom Latham, a Republican.

Latham and a Democratic colleague, Rep. Dave Loebsack, toured the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital on Des Moines' north side.

Both congressmen expressed anger about national reports that officials at some VA hospitals falsified reports to camouflage how long veterans were waiting to obtain medical appointments. In the most prominent example, about 40 patients reportedly died while waiting to get into the Phoenix VA hospital, where staff members allegedly faked documents to hide the problem.

"It's an absolute outrage," Latham said of the allegations. "Somebody should go to jail, as far as I'm concerned, if that's the case."

Loebsack agreed. "If these allegations prove to be correct ... heads have to roll, there's no doubt about it," he said.

However, neither congressman favors immediate dismissal of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, which some critics have demanded.

President Barack Obama defended Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki Wednesday and said if there has been misconduct at the VA, it will be punished. Obama spoke after an Oval Office meeting with Shinseki and top aide Rob Nabors. (May 21) AP

"I don't know if that's going to change anything," Latham said. "If you want to have some kind of a trophy, I guess that sounds good, but I don't think it changes anything internally."

The congressmen noted that waiting lists have dogged the VA for years, despite Congress' willingness to pump billions of extra dollars into the system. "This is not a surprise, this is not a new story," Latham said. "I think the idea of secret waiting lists is new to the whole debate, but to me it's just a failure of the system."

Shinseki has ordered a review of all VA hospitals. VA officials have said 26 hospitals are being subject to especially intense investigations. They haven't identified most of the 26, although Latham told reporters that neither of the Iowa VA hospitals is among them.

Latham noted that he has sponsored legislation that would grant insurance cards to veterans, which they could use for medical care at hometown hospitals instead of at VA facilities. He said he believes such an approach, which would be voluntary, would make it easier for many veterans to gain care. But he noted that some national veterans groups have resisted the idea out of fear that it would weaken the VA.

Loebsack said he would be open to such a plan if it would help veterans.

Loebsack's district includes the Iowa City VA, which he said he has visited repeatedly. He said he asked to tour the Des Moines hospital with Latham so they could show bipartisan concerns about the situation. "I think if there's any silver lining to this, it is that we're refocusing attention on our veterans and what our veterans have done for us," he said.

MOUNT CARROLL, IL -- Timber Lake Playhouse and Great River Outreach are teaming up during the playhouse's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat June 5-15 to host drive for coats, hats, gloves and galoshes to benefit kids and parents in region who have a little less. The partnership is the first in a summer long effort to celebrate volunteer and non-profit organizations in the region whose missions "live the story" of each theatre production at the playhouse.

Great River Outreach provides a wide range of services to individuals and families in need including emergency housing, clothing, warm meals, emergency food, counseling services and career opportunities. They have served over 46,000 free meals in Savanna and Mount Carroll. Through a partnership with Head Start, Great River Outreach will distribute all coats and accessories donated at TLP to kids and parents in need around the region. Remaining coats will be donated to Neat Repeats, a Savanna resale shop that funds outreach services, and provides free clothing and furniture to families in crisis.

TLP's 53rd Season opens with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (June 5-15). Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical for the whole family has become a massive international hit everywhere it plays. It tells the biblical story of Joseph's coat of many colors with song and dance that's fun for all ages. Executive Director James Beaudry directs and choreographs the production.

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat takes a simple story and tells it in a huge, spectacular way. Really great storytelling has the power to make us think, feel, and live better. Great River Outreach is an organization that lives a great story. We are proud to help support their mission, and at the same time, give our audiences an opportunity to make our corner of the world a little brighter," said Beaudry.

"The idea came to us last year, after our Do Something Spectacular campaign--which provided creative opportunities for our audiences--was such a success. We decided to raise the bar and turn those activities into a greater good. We have additional projects coming up throughout the summer with other organizations, including Happy Tails from Rock Falls and the Mount Carroll Rotary."

Great River Outreach is specifically seeking gently worn coats, hats, gloves and galoshes in sizes 2T through adult small. Anyone donating at a performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will receive free popcorn at the show. Timber Lake Playhouse popcorn is courtesy of Tee Lee Popcorn in Shannon, Illinois. Donations may also be made during regular box office hours.

For tickets to Joseph ..., call the box office at 815-244-2035 or visit them at 8215 Black Oak Rd. in Mount Carroll. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org.

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Amana- The Sunshine Boys, a hilarious comedy by Neil Simon, opens June 5 and runs through June 29 on the Old Creamery's Main Stage, with shows on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 2:00 pm and on Fridays and Saturday nights at 7:30 pm.

Al Lewis and Willie Clark, once a famous comedy team, haven't spoken in more than a decade. When Willie's nephew, a New York talent agent, promises to bring them together one more time, it turns out to be easier said than done as Al and Willie give new meaning to the words "cranky old men."

The cast includes David Q. Combs of Robins, IA, and Richard Cox of Henderson, KY,  Joshua Jones of Greensboro, NC, Jillian Kuhl of Hazel Green, WI, Sean McCall of Marengo, IA, Nikki Savvitt of Arlington Heights, IL and Steve Weiss of Cedar Rapids, IA.

Tickets are $28 for adults and $18.50 for students. The Sunshine Boys is Rated PG. Sponsored by The Bob Carver Family and KMRY Radio.

Call the box office for tickets and information 319-622-6262 or visit us online at www.oldcreamery.com.

7 Fun Tenets of Business that You Can Apply to Life
Straight-Talking Texas Entrepreneur Offers Principles that Transcend Industry

Within the first five years of a small-business venture, about half do not survive, according to the government's Small Business Administration. And after 10 years, only  a third are still around.

"Successful entrepreneurship hits the bull's eye of the American dream, but most simply do not make it," says veteran Texas businessman David M. Smith, author of "The Texas Spirit," (www.TheTexasSpiritBook.com).

"You don't have to have extravagant wealth or a degree from Harvard to make it; a successful business requires essentially the same thing for a successful life - perspective."

Smith reviews some common denominators for success.

•  Aim at nothing and you always hit it. "If you're like me - perhaps with a touch of ADD and someone who wants to do too many things than you have time for - this is a helpful aphorism," Smith says. Not every idea that comes to mind should be pursued; be very selective with your time, and when you go after something, go full-throttle.

•  You cannot win on the defensive in business or any other endeavor. Don't think in terms of defense; instead, think of counterattack. To take a defensive position on anything means that you have conceded at least some of your position.

•  Work toward optimal employment for everyone in your company. "At least once a year, I have a one-on-one discussion with every person in our companies - a renegotiation to hopefully renew employment for a longer period," he says. "This adds an important personal touch and attention to detail." Of course, the same approach will offer an excellent return in your personal relationships, too.

•  Keep in mind Union Pacific's motto: "Safety is my responsibility." Safety should always rank high in your priorities; it's easy to take it for granted until a catastrophe happens. Texmark celebrates more than 25 years without a production-halting accident - a remarkable record in the industry.

•  Organize projects, planning and profit action with at least three people, but never more than five. You need a point person for the meeting and at least two compatible partners - more than five people gums up the process. Meet weekly; the point man should set priorities and is most responsible for action.

•  People chemistry is more important than process chemistry. Just as you must have a process for making chemicals built around operating conditions that are best for the desired chemical products, so too should you have the right chemistry of people working together. The right chemistry is trickier than you think.

•  Promote voluntary participation regarding medical benefits and thrift and savings plans. It's always best to put individuals in charge of their health and financial destiny - to let people consciously choose their plans. Monolithic systems arbitrarily imposed by institutions are the beginning of stagnated individual responsibility.

About David M. Smith

David M. Smith is the author of "The Texas Spirit," www.TheTexasSpiritBook.com (2014; Halcyon Press). He's the founder and owner of Chemical Exchange, Inc. and Texmark Chemicals of Galena Park, Texas. An El Paso native, he attended the University of Texas in Austin. Early in his career, he moved east to Houston and established himself in the petrochemical industry. His new book, "The Texas Spirit," features a series of essays about the ways in which the United States can benefit from Texas' example, including economic models and moral fiber.