Tyne values our veterans

I was distressed to read Ken Lowen's letter (“Veterans offer much to today's workplaces,” Sept. 12).

His remarks concerning Don Tyne's fitness were baseless and without merit. The quote cited in Lowen's letter was not a criticism of veterans but rather a statement of fact. I served in the U.S. military for more than 20 years and can tell you with absolute certainty that very little of the training I received has any value to a civilian employer. Tyne was simply saying the same thing.

Within the veterans community in Iowa, Tyne has a reputation second to none. He is known throughout the state and runs the best program in its 99 counties. Last month, he had appointments with and served 82 veterans, including veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Sometimes this monthly number is fewer and sometimes it is much more. No one in Linn County does more for veterans than this man and his staff - just ask a vet, they all know Don.

Tyne presided over the annual stand down this year. The vast majority of the funding for this event is received via private donations; $3,000 comes from the federal government, all of which is spent on veterans. A Witwer grant provides funding for those activities for nonveterans. Nonveterans are served at this event because veterans believe in taking the lead in their communities - something Tyne firmly believes in.

Joseph T. Michalec

Commissioner,

Linn County Veterans Affairs

Cedar Rapids