News : Remembering Our Fallen: Palo display honors Iowans who died since 9/11

The crowd releases gold balloons to honor Iowa's fallen soldiers Saturday in Palo.

Visitors take photos of the display honoring Iowa's fallen, Saturday in Palo.

Veterans salute as the flag is lowered to half-staff.

Uncle Bob Griffith's shirt honors Donald Griffith of Mechanicsville.

Raising the flag...

The Flag Corps honors the stars and stripes as the ceremony begins.

Kevin Gilbertson's uniform, on display in Palo.

Kevin Gilbertson (left) holding his younger brother.

A display honoring Gilbertson.

Words of tribute...

Kevin Gilbertson's Purple Heart is on display at the Palo Community Center.

Here are several photos of the Honoring Our Fallen display...

Honoring soldier Adrian Hike of Sac City.

A tribute to Iowan Travis Vaughn.

This corner honors Katie Soenksen, one of the few of Iowa's fallen female soldiers.

Many visitors have signed messages of thanks on this painting.

This painting illustrates the sacrifices soldiers make, and the reason why.

Hundreds of people braved the wind and the cold Saturday, as they stood outside to honor each Iowan service member who has died in Afghanistan or Iraq since 9/11.

The first name to be read was that of Dustin S. Colby. The person reading his name was his namesake, Keaton Colby Harper. Keaton stood at the microphone as his grandmother held a paper with Dustin Colby's name on it. Keaton's mom, Amanda Harper, had served with Colby in the Iowa National Guard 2168 Transportation Company. Colby died Aug. 24, 2004; Keaton's mom gave him his middle name in honor of Dustin Colby, who died in a vehicle accident while training to deploy to Iraq.

One by one, others read the rest of the names of Iowa soldiers, airmen or sailors who have died serving their country since 9/11.

Those reading the names included family members of those who have died, as well as friends and fellow veterans.

Bob Griffith, the uncle of Donald Griffith, wore a cap and t-shirt bearing Donald Griffith's name and photo. The Mitchellville soldier died after being shot seven times in Iraq on March 11, 2005. He had stepped forward to protect other soldiers from a suicide bomber.

Gold balloons, each representing a Gold Star family, were released into the cold March wind.

Several veterans groups, including the Shellsburg American Legion Riders and the Patriot Guard, participated in the ceremony.

Inside, photos and other information about each Iowan who died was on display.

Along with the traveling display, there is an enclosed case with several items honoring Palo native Kevin Gilbertson, who died in Iraq in 2007. A cap and some of Gilbertson's medals and commendations are on display. Gilbertson's family attended the ceremony; his father helped plan the Palo exhibit.

The display will stay at the Palo Community Center through March 7. See more information HERE. See the Remembering Our Fallen web site HERE. See the list of Iowans killed while serving or preparing to serve in Afghanistan or Iraq HERE.