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A Message from the Commission Chair
Still Serving Iowa Veterans: A Podcast For & About You ... the Iowa Vet!
Hosted by Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin, this show connects Iowa's veteran community to the resources, services, and support they deserve; keeping veterans & their families informed and empowered.
Connecting Iowa’s Veterans: Advocacy and Outreach
The Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs remains deeply committed to ensuring that every Iowan who wore the uniform is connected to the benefits, care, and supportive networks they earned. As we head into the summer, our focus continues to center on expanding targeted outreach, maximizing claims efficiency, and celebrating the incredible advocates who serve our military community every single day.
Back to topKelly Meyer Named Iowa’s Woman Veteran of the Year
Friday, June 12, marked an incredibly special milestone as the community gathered at the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine in Altoona for the inaugural Iowa Women Veterans Meet "Celebrating our Sisters in Arms" event. Held in proud recognition of Iowa Women Veterans Day, this first-ever event culminated in a historic moment as our own Kelly Meyer was officially named Iowa’s Woman Veteran of the Year!
This prestigious award directly recognizes Kelly’s relentless dedication, specialized technical expertise, and profound impact within the IDVA Benefits Bureau. Her collaborative work crafting the upcoming standard-setting CVSO Accreditation Policy ensures that Iowa's veteran community receives accurate, timely, and life-changing claims support.
This first gathering also served as a focal point for a critical state mission: while Iowa is home to over 16,000 women veterans, only about 4,500 are currently enrolled to utilize their earned VA healthcare benefits. Launching focused traditions like this is vital to bridging that gap—a mission that will take a massive leap forward with the grand opening of the highly anticipated, state-of-the-art new Women’s Clinic at the Iowa City VA this fall!
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Tuning In: The "Still Serving Iowa Veterans" Podcast
If you want an up-close look at the stories, resources, and vital milestones driving our community forward, look no further than the "Still Serving Iowa Veterans" Podcast. Hosted by Carlene Hall and myself, this weekly show has quickly grown into a key information pillar for Iowa's military families, recently surpassing over 17,000 views.
Our most recent episode in the first story, takes listeners directly inside the heart of the inaugural Iowa Women Veterans gathering, featuring live interviews and a celebration of Kelly Meyer's big win. But the podcast is more than just community highlights—it's also a critical line of defense for your benefits. In tandem with our policy updates, the latest episode issues an urgent, vital warning to all viewers regarding predatory, unaccredited corporate "Claim Sharks." These private entities try to lock veterans into aggressive contracts, charging a high percentage of a veteran's hard-earned disability increases. We remind all stakeholders that your local county VSOs provide 100% free, fully accredited, and highly successful filing representation.
Watch and Subscribe: Don't miss an episode! Catch the latest video updates and stream full podcast episodes directly via the official channel at youtube.com/@StillServingIowaVeterans.
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Next Commission Meeting:
July 1, 2026, at 10:00 am | Joint Forces Headquarters, Johnston, IA.
For more information on benefits or to find your local CVSO, visit dva.iowa.gov.
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