Don Hansen

I’m proud to introduce you to this month’s veteran, Don Hansen. Don grew up near Osage and graduated from North Springs Rock Falls High School. After graduating he took a job changing oil and working on cars. He did this until he was drafted into the Army in 1968. He shipped off to Fort Bliss TX for basic military training. After training there he moved to the Aberdeen Proving Ground MD where he learned how to be a Heavy Wheeled Vehicle mechanic. From there he went to Fort Eustis VA where he trained and waited to be shipped to Vietnam. Once he got to Vietnam he was helping with the draw down of troops and equipment and helping ship things back to the US. He ended up spending 2 years 7 months and 5 days in the Army. By knowing the exact days like that you can tell he was pretty excited to get out! Don went back home to Osage and worked for a meat packing company and then at Winnebago. After that he went to Northeast Iowa Community College for 2 years and got his degree in Automotive Mechanics. Then went to work at a car dealer in Mason City. After a couple years there he was approached by his father-in-law about moving to Center Point and taking over the farm. So in 1979 he moved here and farmed for the next 40 years! Don retired from farming a couple years ago and now enjoys helping another local farmer in the fall and spending time with his wife, their 5 kids and 10 grandkids! Don’s hobbies include restoring and working on cars and attending the US Nationals Drag Racing finals. He’s attended every one since 1979 except for the Covid year. He’s not the only one in his family to serve this country. His dad and uncle served together in WWII building aircraft engines in the Army Air Corps. So please help me thank Don for service to this great nation.
Thank you for your service Don!