While federal funds will pay for most of the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, fundraising is still underway for one portion of the project on the south side of Interstate 80 near Van Meter. Pat Palmersheim, the Executive Director Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, says the federal Veterans Administration will not pay for a lighted sign for the cemetery since the entryway is on a county highway.
The Iowa V-A has been selling veterans medallions to help fund the sign. Palmersheim says they’ve raised over $92,000 so far, but it looks like it will cost over $100,000. Palmersheim says you can still buy a medallion to help with the project. You can go to the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs website to purchase a medallion, or call 1-800-838-4692. Palmersheim says they hope to have the Iowa Veterans Cemetery open by Memorial Day of next year.