News : Unified by Service: Iowa Celebrates Veterans Day 2025

Command Sgt. Maj. Rick Lamb, U.S. Army Retired, and member of the Special Forces Hall of Fame, spoke at the 2024 Veterans Day Ceremony at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

Each November, Iowans gather to say two simple words that carry generations of meaning: thank you. Veterans Day is a celebration-not of loss, but of living legacy. It honors those who have served and those who still serve, whether in uniform or in the quiet leadership that strengthens their communities long after coming home.

Across the state, Iowa's veterans will be recognized for their courage, their continued service, and the character that has long defined the Hawkeye State's military tradition. This year's theme, "Unified by Service," captures the spirit perfectly.

At 8:00 a.m., Governor Kim Reynolds and Major General Steve Osborn, The Adjutant General of Iowa, will open the state's official Veterans Day ceremony at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter. Beneath the sweeping shelter overlooking the Raccoon River Valley, veterans' organizations, families, and local students will gather to celebrate the living bond between generations of service members.

Later that morning at 10:30 a.m., attention shifts to the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, where Brigadier General Mark Kappelman, Deputy Adjutant General of Iowa, will speak to residents, staff, and guests. The IVH program-featuring music, remarks from residents, and messages of appreciation-has become one of the state's most heartfelt Veterans Day traditions.

"These ceremonies are about recognizing the men and women who have made a lifetime of service," said Commandant Todd Jacobus. "Veterans Day isn't about mourning-it's about gratitude, connection, and pride in what our veterans continue to give to Iowa and the nation."

There will be countless local observances across the state as well. You can track some of these our our IDVA public events calendar, or reach out to your County Veterans Service Office to find ones in your area.

To view video, click https://youtu.be/ITQ50mt0ddQ

From the first Union regiments of the Civil War to the National Guard units serving overseas today, Iowans have always answered the call to defend freedom and help others. More than 76,000 Iowans fought in the Civil War-nearly one in five adult men at the time-earning the state a reputation for reliability and courage. Since then, Iowans have served in every major conflict, from the trenches of France to the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Veterans Day honors them all: the farmers who became pilots, the teachers who became medics, the factory workers who became mechanics, and the students who became soldiers. And it honors those who, after returning home, became mayors, coaches, business owners, and community volunteers-continuing to serve long after their military careers ended.

"The selflessness of our veterans has always been unmatched," Governor Reynolds said at last year's ceremony. "They remind us that there are few things more fundamentally American than service to others."

At both ceremonies, attendees will hear stories of service that bridge generations. World War II veterans will sit alongside those who deployed to Afghanistan. Younger Iowans will meet residents from the Veterans Home who helped rebuild Europe, defend Korea, and navigate the Cold War.

Each year the Veterans Day National Committee publishes a commemorative Veterans Day poster. The Committee selects a poster from artwork submitted by artists nationwide. Over the years these posters have illustrated the rich history of our country's service men and women. The poster reflects our pride and patriotism in saluting Veterans while providing the thematic artistry for the year.

The winner of the 2025 Veterans Day Poster Contest is Jeremy D. Carpenter. Jeremy's creation, entitled Unified by Service, reflects the 2025 Veterans Day theme "Service to Our Nation" by visually uniting all uniformed services under one flag and one purpose.

Jeremy describes his artwork as "formal, structured, and patriotic. It pays tribute to all Veterans regardless of when or where they served, and it emphasizes that service to the nation is not confined to one uniform, one battlefield, or one generation. The eagle, flag, and seals work together to portray unity, honor, and a continued commitment to freedom."

The Veterans Day poster will be displayed in VA facilities, military installations, and municipal buildings across America. It will also serve as the cover of the official program for the Veterans Day commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11.

Across Iowa, communities will mark Veterans Day in their own ways-school assemblies, downtown parades, free breakfasts, and small-town gatherings at local memorials. From Cedar Rapids to Council Bluffs, from Davenport to Sioux City, each celebration reflects a shared gratitude for those who have worn the uniform and continue to strengthen their communities.

Unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who gave their lives in service, Veterans Day is about honoring the living-the veterans among us today. It is a chance to look them in the eye, shake their hands, and say, "We remember. We're thankful. We're proud you're one of us."

When the ceremonies end and the crowds disperse, the gratitude remains. Being an Iowa veteran means more than having served-it means belonging to a community that values service as a way of life.

"Unified by Service," as this year's theme reminds us, is not just about the military. It's about how veterans continue to lead-at work, in church, in their towns, and in their families. It's about how Iowa stands together, bound by a tradition of service that never fades.

If you've been asked to speak at a Veterans Day event, we encourage every vet who's able to say 'yes!' You are our best spokesperson. If you need some help figuring out what to say, check out our 'Veterans Day Speech Battle Buddy' below.

• 8:00 a.m. - Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter

  Speakers: Governor Kim Reynolds, Major General Steve Osborn

• 10:30 a.m. - Iowa Veterans Home, Marshalltown

  Speaker: Brigadier General Mark Kappelman