I moved to Black Hawk in 2008. I bought a nice house here and wanted to keep it that way. However, I quickly noticed that it is hard to get help up here.

Lately I had to change the fence on my deck. It was deteriorating at a fast rate. My house is on a hill and it was getting dangerous. It was a log fence and I needed to get it machined to specs. Then Covid reared its ugly face. I couldn’t get the necessary lumber until just recently. Then I needed to have surgery on my hip and couldn’t do the work myself. Getting a professional up here was out of the question.

I’m a Vietnam Vet and just joined the VFW up here. I asked the Commander, Doug Lupo, if he knew anyone who could do the job. He said that he did.

Later he said he found someone, he was also a Veteran in the VFW, Matt Cummins, better known as Mac (a Marine). He was exactly the guy I needed. It was a tough job. Twelve sections had to be lifted that must have been over 225 lbs. There were logs top, bottom and 12 spindles.

Lupo came over to help Mac in any capacity he could. They did a great job, better than any contractors could do. I was ready to pay them and they absolutely refused. I felt guilty, knowing they spent their days off working on my fence.

I didn’t know anyone in the VFW before this. Basically, I don’t know too many in Black Hawk. Now I do. I’m proud to be a Veteran. Thanks to Mac, also an officer in the VFW, and Commander Doug Lupo they took a big burden off my shoulders. I’m not a joiner, but I’m very glad I did it now.

I also like to thank all the people who put their time into serving their country. I would like to thank my father, James Peltier, a WWII Vet, who landed in Normandy. He’s a Bronze Star Vet and had a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. Hard act to follow.