Dr. James H. Peck, a retired Biology professor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, recently donated over 80 non-fiction books to the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library. A native of Davenport, Peck visited Lansing over a year ago scouting out area libraries. Following his retirement, Peck needed to downsize his personal library and chose to donate part of his collection to the Lansing library. The books (pictured above with Library Director Derva Burke) are in brand-new condition and are valued at an estimated $2,400. Many are rare and very selective in content, covering subjects such as Upper Mississippi Valley History, Indian Lore, Fur Trading, Black Hawk War, Mound Builders, The War of 1812, The Journals of Zebulon Montogmery Pike, the Frontier Movement and many more. The library is most appreciative of this generous donation. Submitted photo.
A World War II U.S. Army veteran got an overdue Christmas present 67 years late on Thursday (December 22). Zane Thorpe, 89, received seven military service medals - including the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart - from Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, in an awards ceremony at Oak Park Place in Dubuque. “It’s nice, really nice,” said Thorpe, who was joined by family members, friends and others. A native of the Lansing, Iowa area, Thorpe was drafted and began his military service in April 1943. Trained as a rifleman, he was assigned to the 157th Combat Regiment of the 45th (Thunderbird) Infantry Division. Making amphibious landings at Sicily, Salerno and Anzio, the 45th played a key role in the liberation of Italy before making a fourth amphibious landing in southern France. After moving north, the division advanced into Germany. Thorpe was wounded - taking shrapnel to the chest - on Dec. 18, 1944, on the third day of the fabled Battle of the Bulge. Full Story
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