IDVA Legislative Update

The month of August was packed with events where members of the IDVA team and the Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs had opportunities to meet and interact with many state and federal officials. 

Veterans Day at the Iowa State Fair Sets Records

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At the Iowa State Fair Veterans Parade on 8/17, the IDVA team, Governor Reynolds, Representatives Hinson and Nunn, and a dozen state legislators including Iowa Senate Veterans Affairs Chair Jeff Reichman, House Veterans Affairs Chair Tom Determann, and House Ranking Member Jerome Amos, Jr. joined VA Secretary Doug Collins in watching a record number of participants proceed down the Grand Concourse. Prior to the parade, Commandant Jacobus and IDVA staff accompanied Representative Nunn and Secretary Collins in the marshalling area as they visited with veterans. Special thanks to Karl Lettow and IDVA staff who do a great job every year of organizing this event! 

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Veterans Roundtable with VA Secretary Doug Collins and Rep. Ashley Hinson

The following day, the Iowa Veterans Home hosted a veterans roundtable with Commandant Jacobus, Representative Hinson, VA Secretary Doug Collins and members of his staff, Iowa Senate Veterans Affairs Chair Jeff Reichman, House Veterans Affairs Chair Tom Determann, Senator Kara Warme, Representative David Blom, and Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs Chair Darlene McMartin, Vice Chair Joella Perry, and members Becky Dirks Haugsted and David Grimm. There was a very good discussion about a number of veteran related topics and federal legislation at this event, more details of which and pictures can be found in this article: Rep. Hinson, VA Secretary Collins lead roundtable on veterans’ issues at IVH Tuesday

Iowa National Guard Legislative Day

On 8/19, I attended the Iowa National Guard Legislative Day held at the 132d Wing at the Des Moines airbase. This was a full day of briefings from senior leaders of the Iowa Army and Air National Guard along with simulation demonstrations and static displays of F-35, F16, KC-135, MQ-9 aircraft. The day concluded with a UH-60 helicopter ride over the Iowa State Fair. The Iowa National Guard is a world class organization and provides important support to our State and Nation.