Verona’s identity as Hometown USA can be traced to a letter written to The Verona Press in June of 1966 by Ronald R. Schmidt, Sp-4, U.S. Army, a Verona man stationed in Vietnam. He expressed his appreciation in getting his community’s newspaper while stationed overseas and said that it was one of the few things he had to look forward to while he was there.

When the paper published Mr. Schmidt’s letter, his detachment was so impressed that its sergeant wrote to the paper, stating that seeing that letter in print truly lifted the morale of the entire unit. The letter went on to say: “It is a rare thing for us to receive any recognition at all, let alone have one of our own men, Ronald R. Schmidt, have a relatively unimportant letter printed.”

The letter’s author, Sgt. G.W. Wilson, then said: “Though many of us have come from big towns, we have decided that it is the little town that personifies our country. We would be proud if you would allow us to take your town as our own.” He also commented that besides the friendliness of the newspaper, that his unit was attracted to Verona because of a Win-a-Bike contest being sponsored for local youth by the newspaper, stating that “this sort of contest shows the American competitive spirit.” His unit enclosed two subscriptions to give to “the most deserving boy, to help him win a bicycle.”

The editor of the Verona Press promptly wrote back to Sgt. Wilson and portions of that letter are as follows: “The residents of this Village would be most honored to have your detachment adopt this peaceful, growing community as your own.” But in asking us for this privilege, you place a responsibility upon each of us here at home that we should stop and think about.

To be placed in the role of “foster village” for a detachment of fighting men in Vietnam means we must set an example of leadership in times of stress, courage in moments of anxiety and depth of character in times of challenge. We, too, need the challenge to remain friendly that you placed before us in your letter.

It is true that small towns, such as Verona, consider the lives of humble citizens of utmost importance. And all over the USA, small towns are alive with the spirit that marks so much of American life and thinking. This competitive spirits sparks our people, our businesses and our athletic teams to improve constantly, to seek better ways of serving people.

Karl Curtis, author, A Sesquicentennial History of Verona 1847-1997