Members of Iowa’s congressional delegation were on hand for the dedication Thursday of the new Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Winterset. The cemetery is in the district of Congressman Tom Latham, a republican from Ames.
"Every gravesite on these hallowed grounds will serve as memorial to those who served their nation for what we Americans believe is a God-given right, that of Liberty," Latham says,"this cemetery will now forever serve as a place of reflection, of commemoration, and of honor and of celebration of all the heroes who have been laid to rest here." Latham says the cemetery will become important to many generations.
Latham says,"I can’t help but think of the children and grandchildren and many generations to follow that will walk these grounds and see so many monuments to courage, duty, sacrifice and honor." Latham says they will see all those who have been laid to rest sharing the common link that they served to make the world a better place for the people who followed them.
Congressman Leonard Boswell, a Democrat from Des Moines, is a veteran of Vietnam. Boswell recalled the groundbreaking ceremony for the cemetery. Boswell says as they came in on the wet, muddy day, he "felt something special" about seeing the dream of what was going to take place, "the cemetery for our fallen heroes." Boswell says the cemetery will be an example of how veterans should be honored.
Boswell says there will be people coming from across the nation to see the cemetery and to honor the veterans who served and gave their lives, and those who served and were willing to give their lives. Congressman Steve King, and Senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin also spoke at the ceremony.