November 7, 2024
EveryStep Hospice Team in Des Moines Honors Army Veteran Duane Johnson
Note: Mr. Johnson passed away shortly after his pinning ceremony, at which he provided an interview about his service.
Army veteran Duane Johnson was honored for his military service October 24 during a “pinning” ceremony arranged by the EveryStep Hospice team in Des Moines. EveryStep staff and veteran volunteers, along with many friends and family members gathered in Duane’s home in Polk City, where he is receiving care from EveryStep Hospice.
Duane grew up in Huxley and graduated from Slater High School in 1955, enlisting in the Army a year later. After basic and military police training, Duane was selected for top security clearance, but didn’t know exactly what he was going to be doing. “There was a lot of changing going on during that time,” says Duane, who served from 1956 to 1958. “I was stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but traveled a lot.” Duane recalls traveling to California and seeing the homes and cars of many stars in Hollywood. He especially remembers the black Cadillac convertible at one famous singer’s home.
Duane’s wife Ann recalls the story of the process for top security clearance for her husband. “When he was selected for that, the FBI asked for references,” says Ann. “The FBI comes in the big black car with the guys in a suit with a badge. They stop this farmer who's plowing his field near Slater, identify themselves, and ask, ‘Do you know Duane Johnson?’ And he says, ‘What has he done!’ Can you imagine these sophisticated FBI guys checking out this little bumpkin from the middle of Iowa?”
Though much of what soldiers like Duane’s assigned duties were during that time have now been made public, they were top secret at the time and Duane abides by his military code, choosing not to speak about details of his work. “Basically, we worked with intelligence and moved classified materials for the B-58 here or there. I would ride in a semi or station wagon with two other people to accompany the load.” The B-58 Hustler, the first supersonic bomber built in the West, could carry conventional or non-conventional weapons.
After completing his military service, Duane returned to Slater and attended Drake University at night. He worked his way through college, graduating about 10 years later, in 1968. He moved to Chicago, where he met and married Ann and they stayed in Chicago for about 15 years, later moving to Wisconsin and then back to Iowa and Polk City.
EveryStep’s veteran pinning ceremonies provide honor, dignity and recognition to veterans at the end of their lives. Pinning ceremonies are celebratory events that include the Pledge of Allegiance, the awarding of a veteran service flag pin, the singing of “God Bless America,” a reading of "What is a Veteran," and the presentation of a certificate of recognition.
EveryStep is a nonprofit health care organization and a Level 4 partner in the nationally recognized We Honor Veterans initiative. Through its hospice program, EveryStep offers several specialized services for veterans. EveryStep’s Veteran-to-Veteran program is a special service pairing veterans who are volunteers with hospice patients who have served our country. A specialized Veteran-to-Veteran volunteer can provide companionship while talking, reading and sitting with patients. Veterans bring a unique skill set to help patients find peace at the end of life.
If you are a veteran interested in volunteering your time to visit hospice patients, learn more or complete a volunteer application here. To learn more about EveryStep Hospice, click here.
If you or someone you know needs care or support, complete the confidential "Find Care" form. The form sends a message to EveryStep staff who then follow up with a phone call. It's a great way to start a conversation and get answers with no cost or commitment.