Governor and Lt. Governor’s Memorial Day Message
On the morning of December 7, 1941, America awoke to news reports that a single attack on America’s home soil had killed 2,403 American servicemen and 68 civilians. Following this threat to our freedom and our way of life, America sent out a call for young men to defend our country. Five young brothers, all born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa, answered that call. The Sullivan family of Waterloo gave all five of their boys to the Navy, and together they proudly set off together to protect our country.
On Friday, November 13, 1942, Japanese submarines torpedoed the ship the Sullivans were aboard, sinking it and killing over 680 members of the crew, including all five Sullivan brothers. The sacrifice made by the Sullivans epitomizes the same spirit of Iowan veterans and their families that can be found throughout our state’s long and storied tradition of selflessness. Now, more than 60 years later, America is still fighting to protect her freedom, and Iowans are still among the first to answer the call. On this Memorial Day we honor those men and women who have served our country, many of whom have given the ultimate sacrifice.
Iowa has been constantly reminded of that sacrifice. This week we lost yet another patriot recently in Iraq. Lance Corporal William J. “B. Jay” Leusink grew up on farm in Maurice and graduated from Sioux Center High School in 2003. His life was cut short when he and another member of his unit were struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) while on patrol in Iraq. On behalf of all Iowans, we extend our deepest sympathies to Lance Cpl Leusink’s wife, parents and family.
Iowa’s fallen heroes truly deserve recognition, which is why we have worked hard to encourage our state lawmakers to pass new legislation recognizing the responsibility we owe to our veterans and their families. This legislative session has produced an historic amount of legislation supporting our veterans. We have increased the financial support for our men and women returning from duty, broadened access to benefits from the Veterans Trust Fund, expanded access to the military service property tax credit and protected the peace and sanctity of resting places of those veterans who have given everything to this great country.
In addition to these bills, our veterans are being remembered and honored in a number of other ways. Earlier this month we honored forty Iowans who have given their lives in service to our country since September 11, 2001. We were humbled to meet many of the families of these heroes and to present each of them with memorial flags. Outside our office in the Capitol, we unveiled a memorial display for these brave men. This display will serve as a constant reminder to the leaders in this state – and to the thousands of visitors to the Capitol every year – of the patriotism, dedication and service Iowans have shown in defending freedom at home and abroad.
We were also pleased to approve a request by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary to install a special Gold Star Banner flag beneath the U.S. flag at the World War II Memorial on the Capitol grounds. Currently this memorial has a single Blue Star Banner. Beginning in 1918, the Blue Star Banner has been used to honor soldiers currently serving over seas, and the Gold Star Banner will be added to honor those brave men and woman who given the ultimate sacrifice.
In 2003, we recognized the need to honor our fallen soldiers with a final resting place within our state, and directed the Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs to begin making plans for such a project. The development of the Iowa Veterans Cemetery is progressing on schedule, and we soon expect to receive approval of the Master Plan by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The new cemetery will be located along I-80, adjacent to and southeast of the Van Meter exit. A sign has been placed on the cemetery site to identify its location.
To help fund this project, we have commissioned the Commemorative Iowa Veterans Medal which can be purchased online at
www.IowaVetMedals.com or by calling toll-free 1-866-690-4636.
We ask all Iowans to take a moment this Memorial Day to remember those who have fallen in service to America.
We wish all Iowans a safe day of remembrance and honor.
