May 2017 – Bandstand Flag Notice
Max E. Welch, POW
May 11, 1923 – September 29, 2010
717th Tank Battalion
United States Army
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The flag flying over the bandstand during the month of May is in honor of Max E. Welch.
Max was inducted into the Army, April 14, 1943, at Camp Dodge. He departed for the European Theater, December 23, 1944. In the Rhineland Campaign, he was wounded in the arm and leg and taken prisoner of war by the Germans. He was later released by a German soldier and left for his troops to find. After returning to the states in June of 1945, he was sent to Wakeman Convalescent Hospital in Atterbury, Indiana. He was discharged September 27, 1945, and was awarded the EAME Ribbon, a Good Conduct Ribbon, one Battle Star and a Purple Heart. Unlike the fanfare our soldiers receive today when they return home, Max was dropped off at the courthouse and left to walk 16 blocks to his home with injuries that made walking difficult.
Following his discharge, he worked for many years as a heating and air conditioning technician for Delbert Brackney. He retired from there in the late 1980’s. In retirement, he went to work for the Schuster family taking care of local care facilities as their maintenance man; he retired from there in the mid-2000’s. Max was a skilled repairman; he was always willing to lend a helping hand when asked. In 2001 Max was awarded his high school diploma by Congressman Leonard Boswell, as part of Congressman Boswell’s tour, honoring vets with diplomas. He enjoyed graduation day with his grandson Jake in 2001. He owned several rental properties and enjoyed maintaining them.
If you are interested in flying the flag of a veteran above the bandstand, contact Shawn Langkamp at Garland-VanArkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel at 641-672-2181 or www.gvlfuneralchapel.com Contact Us Link.
