IDVA Highlights & Headlines

GWOT Memorial
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Iowa Honors National Military Appreciation Month

Mission Focus: Quality, Advocacy, and Remembrance

Every true Iowan knows May is National Military Appreciation Month, and at the IDVA, we believe appreciation is best shown through action. While we'll never stop pursuing real solutions to Iowa's low federal benefit rankings that are best for our fellow veterans, our department is focused on the variables we can control: the quality of our clinical care, the training of our local advocates, and honoring the sacrifice of our comrades and heroes.

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THE HEADLINES

  • A "Perfect" Standard of Care: The Iowa Veterans Home (IVH) recently completed its unannounced annual survey with zero deficiencies. This rare "clean sheet" confirms that our campus remains the gold standard for long-term care in Iowa.
  • Advancing Advocacy: To address the need for better benefit outcomes, the IDVA recently conducted its 2026 CVSO Spring School. By partnering with national legal experts, we are equipping our county-level officers with advanced strategies to maximize federal compensation for Iowa’s veterans.
  • The Power of Volunteers: Our community support has reached a historic high with 868 registered volunteers. Their contributions represent over $4.7 million in lifetime savings to the state—resources that are directly reinvested into veteran services.
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SACRED DATES: WHERE TO BE THIS MONTH

 

  • Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day (May 14, 11:00 AM): Join us at the State Capitol for the first public reveal of the fully restored Vietnam War Memorial. We will honor 38 new "In Memory" inductees, ensuring their sacrifice is etched forever in Iowa’s history.
  • Memorial Day 2026 (Monday, May 25):
    • Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter (8:00 AM): Official State Ceremony at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
    • Iowa Veterans Home, Marshalltown (10:30 AM): Local observance at IVH featuring Lt. Col. Jodi Marti, recently returned from deployment.
 
Vietnam War Memorial Wall, Soults, & Marti
Iowa Vietnam War Memorial Wall Restored

Visitors at the 2026 Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day ceremony will be held on Thursday May 14th at 11:00 a.m. at the Iowa Vietnam War Memorial Wall on the south Iowa State Capitol Grounds can also get their first glimpse of the Iowa Vietnam War Memorial
Col. Eric Soults
Iowa Army National Guard Photo
Lt. Col. Jodi Marti
Iowa Army National Guard Photo
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IN THIS ISSUE

 

From Your Commandant:

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