IDVA Media Advisory: Vietnam Veteran Flight Surgeon to Speak at Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day, May 14th

• WHO: Iowa Vietnam Veterans, Vietnam Veteran Dr. Craig R. Saunders of Manilla; Iowa leaders, Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs; Central Iowa VA Health Care System; & all veteran supporters
• WHAT: Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day
• WHERE: Iowa Vietnam War Memorial Wall, south State Capitol Grounds, Des Moines

WHEN: May 14th, 11 a.m.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The 2026 Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day ceremony will be held on May 14 at 11:00 a.m. on the grounds of the Iowa State Capitol, hosted by Governor Kim Reynolds at the site of the Iowa Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The announcement was made by Dan Gannon of Des Moines, the event’s primary organizer, in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) and the Central Iowa VA Health Care System (CIVAHCS).

“This ceremony is one of the most important things we do each year,” said organizer Dan Gannon. “Iowa’s Vietnam veterans answered their country’s call, and many never received the welcome home they deserved. On May 14th, we gather to honor their service, their sacrifice, and their enduring place in our state’s history.”

U.S. Marine Corps Col. (ret.) Gerry Berry of Des Moines, who piloted the last helicopter out of Saigon during U.S.  Embassy evacuation, was the keynote speaker for the 2025 Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day. 

IDVA

This year’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Craig R. Saunders of Manilla, a U.S. Air Force veteran and distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon.

Dr. Saunders served as Chief Flight Surgeon at McChord Air Force Base from 1971 to 1973. McChord, home to the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, played a critical role during the Vietnam era as part of the 62nd Military Airlift Command (MAC) Wing, a major support component for the conflict.

A graduate of Simpson College and the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Dr. Saunders completed advanced surgical training at both the University of Iowa and The Cleveland Clinic. His 40‑year medical career focused on open‑heart surgery, and he has held leadership roles including Director of Affiliate Programs for the Cleveland Clinic Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and is now Emeritus Chairman of Cardiothoracic Surgery at RWJ/Barnabas Health in Livingston, New Jersey.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Saunders has contributed to Iowa’s cultural and historical record through a weekly newspaper column on Iowa history and as co‑author of Blessed, I’m So Damned Grateful, a narrative of Iowa farm life inspired by his father.

The 2026 program will include the Opening Ceremony, Honor Guard Presentation of Colors, the Governor’s Proclamation, and the Laying of the Wreath honoring Iowa’s Vietnam veterans.

For More Information

Contact: Dan Gannon Phone: 515‑991‑5257

Media are welcome and encouraged to attend.

If you are hosting a local event and would like it publicized, your County VSO can add it to the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs Interactive Calendar at https://dva.iowa.gov/events. 

-END-

Background History: Why we recognize two Vietnam Veterans Recognition Days in Iowa?

The State of Iowa Official commemoration of Vietnam Veterans pre-dates the national observance by a decade, but Iowa veterans are welcome to observe both days. 

In 2007, Iowa legislators designated May 7th as Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day to coincide with the official date designated by President Ford's Proclamation as the end of the Vietnam era, which is currently recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for eligibiliy of war-related veteran disability claims. This date is also inclusive of the anniversary of the last flight evacuating U.S. Embassy personnel April 29-30th, 1975, which was piloted by Des Moines native U.S. Marine Col. Gerry Berry. It also includes the April 29th death of U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Darwin Judge of Marshalltown, killed while protecting the embassy evacuation in Operation Frequent Wind. Judge, and Cpl. Charles McMahon were the last two U.S. casualties in Vietnam. The People's Army of Vietnam entered Saigon within hours after, and despite immediate diplomatic requests, their remains were not returned by the new Socialist Republic of Vietnam until a year later. Judge and McMahon are included on the Iowa Vietnam War Memorial Wall in Des Moines, and the National Vietnam War Memorial Wall in Washington. 

National Vietnam Veterans Day was not recognized by congress or the White House until 2017 - 10 years after Iowa independently began recognizing Vietnam Veterans. Congress and the White House chose March 29th, 1973, to coincide with the official Paris Peace Accords U.S.  withdrawal deadline, which is also the eligibility stop-date for veterans to receive the Vietnam Service Medal.

The U.S. troop withdrawal ended up being the only part of the peace accords carried out by any country involved.  Members participating in Operation Frequent Wind and the Mayaguez Operation in Cambodia, May 15th, are normally honored and recognized by the VA, Vietnam Memorial Wall and most organizsations as Vietnam Veterans. But, like other members serving in Vietnam prior to 1965, were awarded the separate Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

New this year, IDVA will also sponsor and host a program to honor Lance Cpl. Darwin Judge April 29th, at 10:00 a.m. at Iowa Veterans Home, in his hometown of Marshalltown. All are welcome to participate or attend. 

If you are hosting a local event and would like it publicized, feel free to add it to the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs Interactive Calendar at https://dva.iowa.gov/events. If the calendar won’t allow you to directly publish it, go ahead and submit your event and we’ll add it for you.