Honoring Those Who Served
By Emily Swinford, REALTOR® | Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate – The Good Life Group
As Veteran’s Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on why this day means so much to me, both personally and professionally. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of helping many veterans and their families buy and sell homes. From navigating VA loan requirements to understanding the unique challenges that military families face and connecting them to more local resources, I’ve learned that serving those who’ve served us is one of the most rewarding parts of this career.
Our community here in Southwest Iowa is deeply connected to military life. Glenwood, Iowa is located just 15 miles Offutt Air Force Base, making this area home to many active-duty service members, retirees, and their families. Iowa also offers several statewide benefits for veterans, including property tax exemptions, grants for homeownership like the Iowa Military Homeownership Assistance Program, and other financial assistance programs for those who qualify. Helping my veteran clients take advantage of those opportunities and seeing how it impacts their long-term financial stability is something I take great pride in.
This year marks our 7th Annual Veterans Day Breakfast, hosted by myself and Rachel Pierce of Benchmark Mortgage. It’s become one of my favorite annual traditions - a chance to sit down, share coffee, and simply say thank you to those who have served.
We also partner with the Mills County Veterans Affairs Office for our annual “Dog Days of Summer for Veterans” picnic at Glenwood Lake Park, where veterans and their families enjoy live music, hot dogs, side dishes, giveaways, and connect with local vendors who offer valuable veteran resources. Watching that sense of camaraderie unfold each summer is always a reminder of how strong our community really is, and it’s been amazing to see the event grow each year.
A few years ago, I had the honor of completing the 50-Mile March from Lincoln to Omaha, an event founded by another Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate agent, dedicated to raising awareness and funds for veterans struggling with homelessness and mental health challenges, and continue to volunteer and donate today. That experience reinforced something I already knew - that honoring veterans means more than one day of recognition. It means walking beside them through the transitions, challenges, and new chapters that come after service.
When I work with veteran clients, I don’t just see a real estate transaction - I see an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way. To listen, advocate, and help make the process of buying or selling a home feel as seamless and supportive as possible.
So this Veteran’s Day, whether you’re joining us for breakfast, stopping by one of our community events, or simply taking a quiet moment to honor someone you love who served, I want to say thank you. Your service matters, and it continues to shape the community we’re so proud to call home.
With gratitude,
Emily Swinford
Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate – The Good Life Group
📍 Serving Glenwood, Mills County & the Greater Offutt Community
Stay Connected
If you’d like to be notified about future events for veterans, active-duty military members, and their families, please reach out - I’d love to keep you in the loop.
📩 Contact me to be added to our veterans event list.
Together, we’ll keep honoring and supporting those who’ve given so much.