Plaque for renamed Des Moines post office.
A post office in Iowa’s capital city is now a memorial to Iowa veterans.
Dar Danielson report on renaming :70 MP3
The postmaster from Johnston sang the national anthem, and an Army Chaplain gave the invocation under a bright sunny sky as the downtown Des Moines Post Office was renamed to honor Iowa soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell, a Vietnam veteran, introduce the bill in congress that changed the name. Boswell says the renaming of the post office will create a memorial for all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, “and each day Iowans will be reminded of their friends and their neighbors, who courageously fought on our behalf.”
Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs executive director, Patrick Palmersheim spoke of the importance of remembering this group of veterans. Palmershiem says there are engaged in a struggle no less crucial than those of past.
“Most come home with joyous reunions with loved ones and revel in the sweet relief that marks a safe return, others come home with wounds, visible and invisible. Tragic hallmarks of armed conflict. Still others return in solemn eternal repose under a draped flag,” Palmersheim said,”Now we must explain to a new generation of Americans why sacrifices are made and why we are stronger for them.”
Color guard at Des Moines post office.
Iowa National Guard General Steve Bogle said it was fitting the renaming of the post office comes in the same week that millions of Americans were honored for their service on Memorial Day. “And in the wars in Irag and Afghanistan, we have lost 75 brave Iowans, true heroes, see these are the people that know the true meaning of selfless service, sacrifice and by the way they lived their lives, they demonstrated for the rest of us, how we should live ours,” Bogle said.
A plaque designating the post office as the “Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Memorial Post Office” was unveiled at the ceremony.
Listen to remarks from the ceremony in the link below:
Post office ceremony 14:43 MP3