Veterans Day at Iowa Veterans Home & Bench Dedication

Veterans Day at Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown is at 10:30. Residents, Veterans’ organizations, families, and local students gather to celebrate the living bond between generations of service members.

• 10:30 a.m. – Iowa Veterans Home, Marshalltown
• 11:45 Bench Dedication

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

This dedication will follow the IVH Veterans Day Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Visitors are welcome to attend either ceremony, or both.

Both soldiers served with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard. They were killed in action on December 13, 2025, while deployed in Palmyra, Syria, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

The benches are highly visible and will be used daily by visitors and residents alike, enhancing the appearance and use of IVH's most used entrance. They were constructed through a partnership with Iowa Prison Industries, built by individuals at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville and the North Central Correctional Facility in Rockwell City. They were delivered to the IVH campus on Thursday, November 6, and permanently set outside the entrance of the Sheeler Building by the IDVA Facilities Management team.

“These benches will stand as an enduring memorial to Staff Sgt. Howard and Staff Sgt. Torres-Tovar,” said Todd Jacobus, commandant of the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs. “Their loss hits home from Marshalltown, where Staff Sgt. Howard grew up, to Des Moines, which Staff Sgt. Torres-Tovar called home. Yet because they served with troops from across the state, their sacrifice resonates throughout all of Iowa. That shared military bond bridges every generation. Current veterans who shared their decision to serve, instinctively honor the weight of their sacrifice. But this is also about the future. One day, men and women who served alongside these two soldiers will live on this campus. Having these benches here guarantees their comrades will see their names honored daily, and know they too will never be forgotten. That is the promise of this country and this home. Dedicating them as we celebrate Veterans Day demonstrates our commitment to fulfilling that pledge.”

The brief dedication ceremony will take place immediately following the morning campus activities, with honors rendered by the Marshalltown Combined Honor Guard. The event is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend and pay their respects.