Navy veteran who gives back to others gifted with home makeover from Window World of Rockford

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A Rockford woman who served in the Navy for more than 20 years and then worked to aid her fellow veterans here was honored Friday with a home makeover from Window World of Rockford.

La Verne Moss will have her home on the southwest side wrapped with new insulated siding and get new energy efficient windows.

“It’s going to make it look beautiful, it’s going to be maintenance free and it’s going to save her money on a monthly basis,” said Scott Williamson, president and CEO of Window World of Rockford. “We’re going to give back to her since she’s been giving to the Rockford community for decades.”

Related: Veterans invited to register for free Veterans Day breakfast at Hard Rock Casino Rockford

Williamson, a Marine veteran who served in the Gulf War, wanted to do something to respect and honor other men and women who served. His company got roughly 400 applications to be chosen for the Veteran’s Energy Saving Home Transformation.

“Reading through that was tough. There were some pretty heartbreaking stories,” he said. “Every single one of them was very deserving.”

Williamson said they wanted to select a recipient who has given back to the community. Moss, a 76-year-old Navy veteran, was a fitting choice.

She volunteers at the Veteran’s Drop-In Center, 1539 S. Fourth St., where she feeds meals to the homeless, participates in coat and clothing drives, and helps get veterans to their doctor’s appointments.  Over the years she’s also helped veterans learn how to get their proper benefits and she’s sent hundreds of boxes of Girl Scout cookies to military members serving over seas, paying from her own pocket.

“She has dedicated her life in the Rockford area to giving back to local vets,” Williamson said. “La Verne is a hero and a blessing to the Rockford community and the veterans around here.”

Moss served two stints with the Navy totally 22.5 years. First, she was among the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) during the Vietnam War. Then, she returned to the Navy 18 years later and served until 2010.

Her father is a Navy veteran who served during World War II. Her mom worked in the shipyard as a Rosie the Riveter, a name given to women who stepped into traditionally male roles during the war.

Moss bought her parents’ home in Rockford in 1978, and she returned to live with them when her father became ill and her parents needed her help.

She said after her time in the military she started learning about how many of her fellow veterans weren’t aware of the benefits they were owed. She helped point them in the right direction, and she felt called to help in other ways she could.

“I just do what I have to do,” she said. “They’re my battle buddies and they need help.”

Williamson said they will now begin working with Moss on selecting the siding and preparing to start the work. This was the first year Window World of Rockford offered the program, and he said they hope to be able to do it again in the future. The locally owned and operated company has been in business since May 2005.

“We’re pretty blessed to be in a position to do this and we hope to keep doing it,” he said. “As long as we can afford to do it we want to continue to do it.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas