Memorial Day at Iowa Veterans Cemetery

Media Advisory: 2025 Memorial Day Ceremonies at Iowa Veterans Cemetery & Iowa Veterans Home

CAMP DODGE, JOHNSTON, IOWA – The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting Memorial Day at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery (IVC) (34024 Veterans Memorial Dr, Adel, IA 50003) May 26th at 8:00 a.m.; and another ceremony at 10:30 a.m. at Iowa Veterans Home (IVH) in Marshalltown (1301 Summit St., Marshalltown, IA 50158). 

Volunteers will set flags at Iowa Veterans Cemetery Friday, May 23rd  at 9 a.m., weather permitting.

Media and the public are invited to attend these Official State of Iowa Memorial Day Recognitions. These are free public events.

The IVC keynote speaker, retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. Carol Whitmore of Des Moines, is slated to be the first Iowan and first woman to serve as the National Commander of the historic Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) when she takes office this October. Whitmore currently serves as VFW National Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief until she takes office, recently appeared on the cover of the VFW magazine in April, and previously served as the VFW representative on the Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs. But these achievements are the result of a much bigger story all are welcome to come hear! For those unable to attend, this ceremony will also be broadcast state-wide and recorded on the IDVA Facebook page at facebook.com/IowaDepartmentofVeteransAffairs. 

At IVH, retired Iowa Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Eipperle of Marshalltown will share the podium with Vietnam U.S. Air Force veteran Garry Brandenburg. Eipperle is a Purple Heart recipient from his actions on on July 9, 2011, in Panjshir Province of Afghanistan, just days from his unit’s return home. In his civilian life, he’s a retired executive with Scouting America, and embodies the army values throughout his career. For those unable to attend, this ceremony will also be broadcast state-wide and recorded on the IVH Facebook page at facebook.com/iowaveteranshomepage/. 

WHAT: Iowa Memorial Day Ceremonies 

WHO: All Iowa veterans and supporters; Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs; retired Master Sgt. and VFW National Commander in waiting Carol Whitmore; retired Sgt. Maj. Todd Eipperle; and Vietnam U.S. Air Force veteran Garry Brandenburg.

WHEN: Monday, May 26thth at 8:00 a.m. (IVC), and 10:30 a.m. (IVH)

WHERE: Iowa Veterans Cemetery (IVC) (34024 Veterans Memorial Dr, Adel, IA 50003; and Iowa Veterans Home (IVH) in Marshalltown (1301 Summit St., Marshalltown, IA 50158.

-- IDVA --