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Honoring Our Fallen: Memorial Day 2026

We owe a debt of gratitude to the hundreds of staff members, volunteers, and community partners who made this year’s Memorial Day programs across Iowa a profound success. Together, we ensured our fallen heroes were remembered with the dignity and honor they earned.

Remembrance at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery 

The cemetery grounds in Van Meter were beautifully prepared to welcome families and visitors. Tremendous thanks go to the IVC staff for coordinating volunteer efforts to decorate each grave, synchronizing parking logistics with the Knights of Columbus, and collaborating with local law enforcement for seamless traffic control.

• Distinguished Leaders: Major General Steve Osborn, Command Sergeant Major Matt Strasser, and Chaplain (Colonel) Martha Kester joined us to pay their respects.
• Keynote Messages: Congressman Zach Nunn provided deeply meaningful remarks, and Colonel Eric Soults delivered an outstanding keynote address. Colonel Soults reflected on the enduring legacy of service and sacrifice, offering a poignant reminder of our community's recent, painful operational losses in Syria (December 13, 2025) and Kuwait (March 1, 2026).

Memorial Day at the Iowa Veterans Home 

The Malloy Leisure Resource Center at our Marshalltown campus was packed to absolute capacity with residents, families, and local patriots. For the second consecutive year, the Marshalltown All-Veterans Committee paired seamlessly with the IVH team to organize a top-tier program.

• Ceremony Highlights: Steve Storjohann expertly served as Master of Ceremonies, and the Marshalltown Combined Color Guard presented the Colors. Scoutmaster Paul Podhajsky and the scouts of Troop 308 beautifully led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, the Scout Oath, and the Scout Law. We were also treated to the incredible, stirring music of the Marshalltown Municipal Band, alongside moving poetry readings from George Trent and Kyle Martin of KFB Radio.
• Keynote Address: Lieutenant Colonel Jodi Marti, Commander of the 334th Brigade Support Battalion (Iowa Army National Guard), delivered an exceptional keynote message.
• Gold Star Honorees: We were deeply humbled by the presence of at least two Gold Star families—the loved ones of USMC Lance Corporal Darwin Judge (KIA Vietnam, April 29, 1975) and the family of IAARNG Staff Sergeant Nathaniel “Nate” Howard (KIA Syria, December 13, 2025). Notably, Nate’s grandmother, Ruth Roelsgard, is a beloved member of our own IVH family history, having retired in 2017 after 40 dedicated years of employment on our campus.

First Annual Marshall County Courthouse Program 

The Marshall County Department of Veterans Affairs hosted its inaugural Memorial Day program on the historic courthouse grounds. County Director Kevin Huseboe served as master of ceremonies, and County Commissioner Herschel Edwards delivered an incredibly moving keynote speech.

The program reflected on the local service members lost over the last two centuries of our nation's history, with a heavy, special tribute paid to SSG Nate Howard. The cost of freedom knocked directly on the Howard family's door on December 13, 2025, changing their lives forever; we as a state promise to always protect and honor his memory. Additionally, the Central Iowa Quilt Sewsciety presented Quilts of Valor to seven local veterans—including the father and uncle of our own IVH staff member, Jilisa Bollhoefer.

Statewide Outreach & Partnerships

139 Years of IVH History Celebrated at Full-House Event

On Monday afternoon, the Historical Society of Marshall County partnered with our campus to host a special, free public educational program tracking the 139-year legacy of the Iowa Veterans Home. IDVA Public Information Officer Karl Lettow and I had the privilege of presenting to an audience of more than 125 residents, staff, and central Iowa history enthusiasts at the Malloy Leisure Resource Center.

The presentation covered IVH's evolution from its 1887 origins as "The Old Soldiers Home"—built to care for Civil War veterans under the motto "Iowa Forgets Not the Defenders of the Union"—up through the modern clinical leadership that secures our status as the state's gold standard for care. It was an exceptional reminder of the deep community roots that support our 400 current residents.

• 📰 Read the Times-Republican Coverage: 139-year history of IVH presented to full house Monday (Times-Republican).

Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day (May 14, 2026)

The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) collaborated closely with Dan Gannon, the Iowa National Guard, and the VA Central Iowa Health Care System to host a powerful program at the Vietnam Wall in Des Moines.

Dr. Craig Saunders of Manilla, Iowa—a Vietnam Veteran and former Chief Flight Surgeon at McCord Air Force Base—delivered a masterful keynote address. It was a tremendous honor to have a large contingent of Vietnam Veteran residents from the Iowa Veterans Home travel to Des Moines to attend. We extend our gratitude to the care staff who coordinated the logistics to make their presence possible.

Corporate Veteran Engagement: Nationwide VALOR Service

Veterans Employee Resource Groups are vital pillars of community advocacy within major companies. On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Nationwide’s VALOR (Veterans & Associates Leading in Outreach and Resources) group hosted an impressive Memorial Day program at their downtown Des Moines campus.

More than 100 corporate staff members gathered to honor and remember American service members. I was privileged to attend alongside keynote speaker Lieutenant Colonel David Doty—the husband of IVH Chaplain Angela Doty. Special thanks to former JAG Officer Rob Ford for leading this corporate remembrance effort.

Operations, Standard of Care, and Accountability

VA Central Office Survey Update

Following our completely deficiency-free state inspection with the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) in April, the VA Central Office arrived for its annual, unannounced survey from May 18–22, 2026. While minor, technical adjustments in life-safety, food service, and maintenance were corrected immediately on-site, I want to be entirely transparent with our stakeholders regarding a serious care deficiency that was noted.

Departmental Advancements & Workforce Support

Publication of the FY 2027 CVSO Accreditation Policy (674.18 KB) .pdf

A massive shout-out to the IDVA Benefits Bureau Team for their exceptional collaboration. The State Fiscal Year 2027 County Veteran Service Officer Education & Accreditation Policy was successfully published on May 29, 2026. This policy lays the groundwork for elevated training, consistency, and claims accuracy across all 99 Iowa counties.

2026 Employee Vacation Buyout Program

To support and reward our dedicated workforce, IDVA is officially participating in the state’s Vacation Buyout program this year. Staff members who have accumulated significant amounts of leave will have the option to cash out up to 40 hours of vacation time, or roll those funds directly into a Retirement Investors’ Club (RIC) 457 Account to secure their financial future. Eligible staff with balances of 160 hours or more as of June 1 should reference the administrative guidance distributed by Nathan Wilson on May 30.

For further information on veteran benefits, upcoming state events, or admissions to the Iowa Veterans Home, please visit our official hub at dva.iowa.gov.