The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: March 18, 2025
Today: March 18, 2025

Iowa WWII veteran known as 'The Drummer' shares gift of music this holiday season

Iowa WWII veteran known as 'The Drummer' shares gift of music this holiday season
December 26, 2024
Ben Kaplan - KCCI

    MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (KCCI) -- Music is magic for the soul, whether it's listening to it, dancing to it or making it. A WWII veteran living at the Iowa Veterans Home lives for it.

Vaughn Hauser is almost 99 years old and doesn't miss a beat.

"I just like music," Hauser told KCCI.

It's a gift to find satisfaction in the simplest of things.

When Hauser has his drumsticks in his hands, life really can't get any better.

"It's a little easier than having somebody, you know, the trumpets and stuff," Hauser said.

The Urbana, Iowa, native is now known simply as "The Drummer" throughout the Iowa Veterans Home.

He has a residency this holiday season at a table in the Ulery Building at the Iowa Veterans Home.

Hauser and his bandmate, activity assistant Jim Coppoc, sing, strum and drum away.

"Folks just know me as the music guy," Hauser said.

"I've played with a lot of drummers, and Vaughn is rock solid," Coppoc said.

According to Hauser's oldest son, the Purple Heart recipient has always had music coursing through his veins.

"That's my grandfather, who wasn't a musician but loved music and got all his boys involved. That's dad. There's my uncle," Greg Hauser said, pointing to pictures hanging on his dad's wall.

Hauser played in a band into his 90s.

"It never leaves him," Greg said.

And hopefully, never will.

"These activities are intended to be not therapy, but therapeutic. The activities are intended to help people reminisce," Coppoc told KCCI.

Hauser clearly hasn't forgotten how to work the crowd.

"If they're clapping, I like to listen to that," he said with a smile.

He is as willing as ever to share his gift โ€” a simple thing that brings everyone so much joy.

Related Articles

Roy Ayers, a jazz legend who influenced hip-hop and R&B musicians, dies at 84 Keith Richards gets some satisfaction from new award honoring Connecticut residents Tributes pour in for R&B singer Angie Stone after her death at 63 in a highway crash David Johansen, influential singer for proto-punk New York Dolls, dead at 75
Share This

Popular

Americas|Arts|Entertainment|Lifestyle|US

St. Patrick's Day brings boisterous parades and celebrations to New York and other cities

St. Patrick's Day brings boisterous parades and celebrations to New York and other cities
Arts|Entertainment|Political|US

Semisonic objects to White House using their song 'Closing Time': 'You missed the point'

Semisonic objects to White House using their song 'Closing Time': 'You missed the point'
Arts|Celebrity|Entertainment

James Taylor songs will fuel an upcoming stage musical, 'Fire & Rain'

James Taylor songs will fuel an upcoming stage musical, 'Fire & Rain'
Arts|Entertainment|Political|US

Trump visits the Kennedy Center as he puts his mark on the national arts institution

Trump visits the Kennedy Center as he puts his mark on the national arts institution

Entertainment

Entertainment|Science|Technology

Researchers created sound that can bend itself through space, reaching only your ear in a crowd

Researchers created sound that can bend itself through space, reaching only your ear in a crowd
Arts|Entertainment|Political|US

Trump visits the Kennedy Center as he puts his mark on the national arts institution

Trump visits the Kennedy Center as he puts his mark on the national arts institution
Celebrity|Crime|Entertainment|Health|US

Santa Fe authorities update timeline on the last days of Gene Hackman and his wife

Santa Fe authorities update timeline on the last days of Gene Hackman and his wife
Business|Economy|Entertainment|Technology

Consoles to power videogame market growth until 2027 on 'GTA VI', Switch boost

Consoles to power videogame market growth until 2027 on 'GTA VI', Switch boost

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In