March 19, 2024

Brown receives community service award

“We love you, man.”

Those were the words from Pastor Chuck DeVos as he presented Osceola Chamber/Main Street’s 2013 Community Service award to Randy Brown at Clarke Community Development Corporation and the chamber’s annual dinner Jan. 28 at Lakeside Casino.

DeVos was the master of ceremonies for the evening.

According to DeVos, qualifications for the award require an individual to display commitment, dedication and loyalty to the community and causes benefitting the community. The individual should invest time and effort into the betterment of the community and its residents.

Brown was nominated by Dr. Jim and Mary Ellen Kimball. Check out their nomination letter on the right.

Well-deserved

DeVos said he met Brown many years ago and they immediately became friends.

“Here’s what I know. I know this that this man’s heart is every bit as big as he is,” DeVos said. “He not only knows the meaning of the word serve, he’s demonstrated his service to the United States of America, to Osceola, Clarke County, southern Iowa and the state of Iowa for many years.”

During his recipient speech, Brown said he didn’t expect to receive the award.

“This is quite an honor, and quite humbling coming from the friends and the family and everybody here that’s part of southern Iowa,” Brown said. “It was my pleasure to serve our country. It was even a bigger pleasure to serve our veterans as director of veterans’ affairs, and it’s great to serve as your representative for southern Iowa on the Iowa State Fair board. The greatest fair in the world. I don’t know what else to say but thank you.”