(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, May 13th, received an update from Jerald Palmquist with the Veterans Affairs Commission,and a request to approve an application to the Commission.

(Palmquist recommended Bret Sherkenbach, a Red Oak Junior/Senior High School Business Teacher)

Sherkenbach was in the Army for 25-years, with the rank of E-9, or, Sgt. Major. He and his wife live in Carson. He will become the new Veteran’s Affairs Director beginning June 17th.

The Board heard also, from Tom Honeyman, from Emerson, who made a request to proclaim May 23rd, 2025, as Alvin D. Hays Day. Hays, who is from Red Oak, was a U.S. Navy Frogman in WWII. The “Frogs” Hays said they were called, were the predecessors to the U-S Navy Seals. Honeyman expanded on their duties…

MC BOS mtg 5-13-25

After hearing Hays’ story, Supervisor Alex Burton read the proclamation approved by the Board.

The proclamation recognizes Hays for his extraordinary life and calls him “A true American hero.” Hays’ 99th birthday will take place this Friday, May 23rd. He received his Navy Trident pin – which is presented to those who pass their SEAL training – 80 years after the Frogs were officially designated as Navy Seals. Documents that were previously classified, with regard to the Frog’s missions, were declassified 15-years ago. Up until then, Hays was never able to tell his story to anyone, including his own family.

The Board gave Mr. Hays a standing ovation following approval of the proclamation. The Board then received a regular weekly report from Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert, who mentioned an upcoming bridge dedication ceremony.

And they authorized Board Chair Charla Schmid to sign the final plans for a pipe culvert project on G Avenue, and set Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 9:15-a.m., as the date and time for bid-letting on the pipe culvert.