Veterans Day at Iowa Veterans Cemetery

The Veterans Day ceremony at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter is the State of Iowa's Official Veterans Day Ceremony, and one of two Veterans Day Recognitions hosted by IDVA. Veterans Day at Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown follows at 10:30. Beneath the sweeping shelter overlooking the Raccoon River Valley, veterans’ organizations, families, and local students  gather to celebrate the living bond between generations of service members.

• 8:00 a.m. – Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter
• 10:30 a.m. – Iowa Veterans Home, Marshalltown

Speaker: Mike Rowley

In celebration of the America 250 milestone, this year’s keynote speaker for both ceremonies will be Mike Rowley. The son of a World War II veteran, Rowley is a dedicated spouse, father, and grandfather who volunteers tirelessly to ensure that no veteran is ever forgotten.

Rowley is widely recognized across Iowa and the region for embodying our nation's living history—frequently attending military and veteran ceremonies in authentic Revolutionary War uniform and eagerly engaging the public to educate anyone with questions about America's early patriots and military origins. His passion for preserving the memory of those who served is reflected in his work: he has authored over 100 published articles and personally installed 452 headstones on the graves of unmarked veterans across seven states, spanning conflicts from the Revolutionary War to the modern era. Through his ongoing advocacy, Rowley inspires veterans and their families to document and share their stories of service.

• This event will be live streamed and recorded on the IDVA YouTube Channel