Just Ahead of Memorial Day 2015 at the Iowa Veterans Home

A recent visit to the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa provides a chance to see the gravesites of the men and women who have served this country through times of peace and at war. Whether they be from Iowa or elsewhere, their remains are buried at this cemetery in roughly chronological order. Some veteran's spouses are buried next to the service person rather than in time line fashion.

Just in this one image can you see the gravesites of veterans from the Indian Wars, Spanish American War, and World War I. I wonder what their life stories are all about? Other parts of the cemetery just yards away contain Civil War era veterans. Modern day veterans connected to Iowa are buried just over the hill from this location. As with many final resting places throughout the country the markers are decorated with small US flags for Memorial Day - in this case a week after I was there.

Veterans Day 2012 - Spirit of the American Doughboy

Just off the Lincoln Highway in Mechanicsville, Iowa is a tribute to World War I American soldiers. Known as the "Spirit of the American Doughboy" the sculpture was designed by E.M. Viquesney and sold to cities throughout the 1920s and 30s. A detailed story of this design and history including its similarity to the Statue of Liberty can be read here.

Some 300 of these statues may still be found in cemeteries, parks or near government buildings throughout the country as a tribute to the American fighters of World War I. On this day with its genesis as Armistice Day, we remember all veterans and their contribution to American freedom and liberties.

WWII Discharge Button

During Veterans' Day week while researching a veteran's story I found this symbol that was used during World War II. Its called a Discharge Button. The button (or pin version) was issued to all honorably discharged American military personnel of World War II. The button was issued free of charge to the veteran upon discharge. If the button was lost or destroyed the veteran could purchase a replacement, at cost for seven cents, from the nearest Quartermaster Supply Officer upon presenting proper discharge papers. Today you can more commonly see symbol on metal plaques of American WWII veteran's graves. Know that.

Constellation of Amana Veteran Stars

This week celebrates American veterans. Recently on a visit to a small eastern Iowa cemetery within the Amana Colonies, I discovered an assortment of metal grave markers depicting conflicts where Americans fought. This particular photo representation features the Civil War (Grand Army of the Republic), World War II (Indochina Theater) and Vietnam. Other metal markers for the Spanish-American War, World War I and Korea are also present. For such a very small cemetery, this mostly German immigrant region of Iowa substantially represented itself in all major conflicts of the mid-nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Their dedication to defend our country is an important tenant of who they were and of what we have become. Know that.

Veterans Day 2010 Plus Three

Along the Mississippi River at 42N country's Clinton, Iowa is this WWI-related statue dedicated to the area's veterans. While Veterans Day was observed just three days ago, a few signs of the ceremony held on this site remained, like a few small flags. Located atop the river's flood dike, this veterans display recognized area individuals including a Medal of Honor hero, William B. Mayes, (11th Iowa Infantry, Civil War) and those who serve the country today. Know that.

Veterans Day 2010

Thank you to all those who currently serve in the armed forces of the United States. And on this Veterans Day thank you to all who served this country from Revolutionary times to present. Our freedom and liberty that we prize today is made possible from your service. Know that.

Veterans Day 2009 Plus 6 Days

For years I have looked at this statue, ultimately forging a memory. Recently I again remembered this soldier positioned on a corner, part of four military effigies chiseled into a stone monument. Perhaps Veterans Day six days ago jarred that distant impression or unearthed some mnemonic threads of location, time and place.

What seems appropriate is to tie the monument to those who served their countries. Lt. Colonel John McCrae of the Canadian Army wrote one of the most famous World War I poems, after experiencing war first hand at the battle of Ypres. His words became the catalyst to remember the war dead internationally and serves to symbolically link the thoughts by wearing a red poppy. Know that.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Veterans Day 2009: Thank You Over There From Over Here

Ninety-one years ago today the war to end all wars — ended. In 2009 we pause to honor all veterans who served our country and those who are actively defending our freedoms today.

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 Germany signed the armistice with the Allied Powers — including the U.S., France, Britain, Japan and Italy — ending major hostilities and proclaiming the end to World War I. Know that.