From Farm Fields to Fighter Jets: Honoring Iowa Air Force Veteran John De Groot

One Iowa man’s story is a powerful reminder of service, sacrifice, and home.

SIOUX CENTER, IOWA (RFD-TV) — From the farm fields of the Midwest to the skies over Vietnam, one Iowa man’s story is a powerful reminder of service, sacrifice, and home.

John De Groot, a lifelong farmer near Sioux Center, once served as an F-100 fighter jet crew chief during the Vietnam War. His remarkable journey — from maintaining aircraft in combat zones to tending crops in the heartland — is now honored in a museum exhibit dedicated to his service.

Saluting American Heroes on Veterans Day

As we mark Veterans Day, we at RFD-TV want to extend our deepest gratitude to all who have served — especially the men and women of Rural America who continue to inspire us through their dedication both in uniform and on the farm. Find more tributes to American Heroes and veteran stories like John’s at the link below:

READ MORE: AMERICAN HEROES

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Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Tanji Patton, “Goodtaste with Tanji” focuses on chefs and popular dishes from restaurants across the culinary spectrum, along with wines, cocktails, and spirits, too. As a travelogue, the show visits restaurants, diners, and eateries across the Lone Star State in fun and adventurous settings, plus the program occasionally travels to neighboring states like Louisiana and New Mexico. In addition, the show educates viewers on wine pairings and value buys available in current wine trends.
Hosted by Agriculture Broadcaster Brian Baxter, RFD-TV’s popular series “Classic Tractor Fever” is a must-see for any tractor enthusiast. It’s the place to find the history, stories, and passion of collectors who preserve these beautiful and amazing pieces of our agricultural past.
This half-hour program showcases the finest traditional country music that America has to offer. Recorded live at the four-acre Circle T Arena in Hamilton, Texas, each episode of TruCountry features live performances by some of the nation’s most authentic country music artists, playing good-time songs to a jam-packed dance floor.
SharkFarmer TV is the brainchild of Rob Sharkey, a 5th-generation farmer from Illinois. He shares the stories of incredible people in agriculture—both their successes and perhaps a few blunders along the way. You’ll see aerial footage of the field just as the drone crashes into a barn—and hear the story behind it all.
“America’s Gospel Music” presents the nation’s premiere Gospel Music artists live in concert from The Wonders Center in Dickson, Tennessee.