Generator—Fall 2023

RETIREE PROFILE:
Jim Jakub serves fellow veterans
Jim Jakub is one of nearly 2 million men drafted by the
United States military to serve in the Vietnam War.
He attended basic training at Fort Polk in Louisiana
shortly after his graduation from Schuyler Central High
School in 1969. After that, he headed to Fort Bliss in
Texas for advanced training on M42 Dusters and Quad 50
machine guns. Then he went to Air Defense NCO Candidate
School and received his E-5 Sergeant stripes.
And then he volunteered to go to Vietnam.
“I wanted to help defend my country even though it was
a very unpopular war,” he said.
Jakub lead his squad for a year and then served seven
years in the Army Reserve.
More than 50 years later, Jakub has no regrets about his
nine-year military career.
“I’m very proud of my service,” he said. “I would do it
again.”
I’m very proud of my service.
I would do it again.”
Back in Nebraska, Jakub settled in Columbus with
his wife, Elaine, and began his career and his family. He
worked for a few different employers over the years and
then someone suggested he apply at Loup Power District.
He got the job and began his career as a Plant Operator
at the Columbus Powerhouse.
“It was a new challenge,” Jakub said. “And I like
challenges.”
Jakub ended up working at Loup for 20 years, retiring
in 2014. It was during that time, that he learned about
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) group while attending a
Veterans Day program. Jakub — a member of the VFW and
American Legion — wanted to know more about the group.
The more he learned, the more he realized he was ready
for a new challenge: serving veterans with the DAV.
***
The DAV’s main objective is working with veterans and
their spouses and families to get the benefits they have
earned through their service.
Jakub said the paperwork is complicated. Veterans need
help filling it out, providing the proper documentation,
and submitting their claims.
The DAV also offers transportation services to veterans
in certain areas and has a disaster relief program.
“DAV is there to assist veterans in many ways,” he said.
Jakub added that some veterans, such as those who
served in the National Guard and Reserve, feel they don’t
deserve benefits, especially if they haven’t gone oversees
or been in combat situations. Jakub assures they them are
indeed veterans and need to have a DAV service officer help
them with their claims.
“I tell them, ‘If you raised your right hand and swore
allegiance to this country, you signed a blank check and
now we need to take care of you,’” he said.
Jakub signed that blank check. But he’s not the only one
in his family to do so.
He had two brothers who also served in the Vietnam
War. One was in Vietnam at the same time serving with the
Army. The other was in Thailand with the Air Force. Jakub
acknowledges that having three children serving overseas
at the same time had to be difficult for his mother.
“I think that’s why my mom colored her hair,” he joked.
Jakub’s father, Edward, served in World War II on the
island of Saipan. His son, Jamie, is an Air Force Officer and
the Adjutant for the Department of Nebraska DAV.
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