Memorial Day 2025: How Iowans can celebrate
The Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter on July 23, 2024. (Photo by Kathie Obradovich/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
The United States will celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 26, by honoring soldiers who died during service.
Originally known as Declaration Day, the tradition can be traced back to May 30, 1868. Gen. John A. Logan, 3rd commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union soldiers, proclaimed it a day to commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives in the Civil War. This year, many organizations across Iowa will keep the tradition alive.
Here's where Iowans can participate in Memorial Day 2025 with a variety of local events:
Iowa Gold Star Military Museum Memorial Day Celebration – 6 a.m.
Camp Dodge, 7105 N.W. 70th Ave., Johnston.
This family-friendly event held by the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum features a complementary military-style breakfast from 6 a.m.-9 a.m., a LifeServe blood drive from 7 a.m. to noon, live music vendors, and special exhibits and activities.
Iowa Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony – 8 a.m.
34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Adel.
The Iowa Veterans Cemetery will be hosting a ceremony to honor all those who served in the U.S. military. The service begins at 8 a.m. and will be streamed on the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs Youtube channel.
Raymon Veteran Park Memorial Day Service – 8 a.m.
307 W. Johnson St., Albion.
Live music and a raising of the colors by several local veteran associations will be hosted in Albion by the Marshalltown Chamber of Commerce.
Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery Memorial Day Celebration – 8 a.m.
1 N.E. 60th Ave., Des Moines.
This celebration held by Highland Memory Garden and American Legion Post 374 will begin with a bagpipe performance and tribute from the Iowa Patriot Guard Riders at 9 a.m. The service will begin with a reading listing the names of all veterans buried in the Garden since Memorial Day 2024, and will conclude with a gun salute and taps. Refreshments will follow the service. Participants are encouraged to bring their own outdoor seating.
SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery Memorial Day Event – 9 a.m.
1022 E. 39th St., Davenport.
The Davenport Memorial Park will host a Memorial Day event to allow families to stroll the grounds and pay their respects to the fallen soldiers who rest there. There will be food trucks on site.
Memorial Day Murph with REPX – 9 a.m.
5335 Carey Ave., Davenport.
REPX is a local Davenport crossfit gym that will be hosting a workout event in honor of Navy Lt. Michael P. Murphy. The traditional Murph challenge begins with a 1-mile run, followed by 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats, followed by a second and final 1-mile run.
Holy Cross Parish Memorial Day Mass – 9 a.m.
2223 Indian Hills Dr., Sioux City.
This service will be held at St. Michael Church by Holy Cross Parish to honor those who served in the U.S. military.
Burke Memorial Park Memorial Day Ceremony – 9 a.m.
635 E. University Ave., Des Moines.
The Larry Nehring Detachment #103 of the Marine Corps league will be hosting a service near Burke Memorial Park, at the Polk County Gold Star Monument. This service is open to all and will begin at 9 a.m. with a ceremonial firing detail.
Waterloo Annual Memorial Day Parade – 10 a.m.
Along 6th and Commercial streets, Waterloo.
The annual Waterloo Memorial Day Parade begins at 6th Street, then travels down Lafayette Street, finally ending at Commercial Street. Participants should set up along these streets for the best experience.
Capitol Complex Memorial Day Ceremony – 10 a.m.
East Walnut between Finkbine Drive & East 12th Street, Des Moines.
The Larry Nehring Detachment will also be holding a service at 10 a.m. at the memorials on the south side of the State Capitol Complex. Following the service, Amvets Post 2 will host a luncheon at 2818 5th Ave., Des Moines.
Rock Island Arsenal Memorial Day Ceremony – 10:45 a.m.
Bldg 118, Rodman Ave., Rock Island, Illinois
This year's speakers include Dr. Amanda Hale, from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting agency, and Col. Joe Parker, the Rock Island Garrison commander. Visitors should park in Memorial Field where buses will shuttle them to and from the ceremony.
Memorial Day Tribute at Cedar Memorial – 11 a.m.
4200 1st Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids.
This ceremony will include patriotic music, rifle volley, taps, and a speech from Dustin Peterson, director of Linn County Veteran Services. Participants are encouraged to bring their own outdoor seating.
Council Bluffs Memorial Day Service – 11 a.m.
100 Pearl St., Council Bluffs.
Join American Legion Post #2 in celebrating their annual Memorial Day service. Rev. Nathan Sherrill, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, will serve as master of ceremonies. Michele Takin will sing the National Anthem. Mayor Matt Walsh, Post 2 Commander Sharlene Anderson, and Honor Guard Captain Brad Powell will give speeches. This ceremony will also include a special drill presentation by the Abraham Lincoln ROTC Drill Team.
Memorial Day Ceremony at Bettendorf Veterans Memorial – 2 p.m.
1645 23rd St., Bettendorf.
Bettendorf Veterans Memorial is a monument to those who previously served or are on active duty. A Memorial Day ceremony will be held in the afternoon for all to attend.
Fleet Farm Salutes Taps Across America – 3 p.m.
5858 Sunnybrook Drive, Sioux City.
At 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, a live bugler will perform Taps at all Fleet Farm stores across America followed by a minute of silence during the National Moment of Remembrance.
SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
3 days ago
- USA Today
Today is Juneteenth: Is there mail? Are banks closed? What to know about federal holiday
Today is Juneteenth: Is there mail? Are banks closed? What to know about federal holiday Show Caption Hide Caption New Yorkers honor lost African American holiday older than Juneteenth An African American holiday older than Juneteenth was almost lost. These New Yorkers are bringing back Pinkster, which was outlawed in the 1800s. Juneteenth will be marked on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Juneteenth commemorates the day — June 19, 1865 — when federal soldiers arrived in Galveston to take control of Texas and ensure the slaves were freed per the Emancipation Proclamation. It's known as America's Second Independence Day, and it's celebrated today, June 19. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It's the longest-running African American holiday, and it became a federal holiday a few years ago. Juneteenth celebrations across the High Desert will include food, music, dancing, art and other activities. Here's what to know about the holiday. Is Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2025? Yes, Juneteenth is a federal holiday in 2025, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. It is one of 11 federal holidays observed every year. The others are: New Year's Day Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Washington's Birthday/Presidents Day Memorial Day July 4 Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Christmas Day When is Juneteenth observed in 2025? Juneteenth will be marked on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Unlike other federal holidays, such as Memorial Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving, which are observed on a specific day of the week, Juneteenth is celebrated on the actual day. What does Juneteenth celebrate? Juneteenth commemorates the day — June 19, 1865 — when federal soldiers arrived in Galveston to take control of Texas and ensure the slaves were freed per the Emancipation Proclamation, according to the History Channel. Juneteenth — short for June nineteenth — marks the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. Why is it called Juneteenth? Juneteenth is a portmanteau of June 19, the day Union troops arrived in Galveston. It became known as "Juneteenth" by the newly freed slaves of Texas, according to the National Museum of African American History & Culture at the Smithsonian. When did Abraham Lincoln issue the Emancipation Proclamation? President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. But its effect was limited, according to the National Archives. It only applied to states that seceded during the Civil War, leaving slavery intact for slave states that stayed with the Union. It also could not be enforced until Confederate states were under Union control, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Therefore, it took until June 19, 1865, for slaves in Texas to be freed. Slavery in America was formally abolished with the 13th Amendment, which was ratified Dec. 6, 1865. When did Juneteenth become a federal holiday? Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. President Joe Biden signed legislation on June 17, 2021, according to USA TODAY, after Congress passed The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act that same month. Juneteenth began rising to prominence in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, sparked protests across the country against police brutality, USA TODAY reports. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., first introduced the Juneteenth bill in 2020 following the killings of Floyd and Breonna Taylor of Louisville, Kentucky. His initial attempt to pass the bill was unsuccessful. Is there mail delivery on Juneteenth? Is the post office open? Does FedEx deliver? No. As a federal holiday, the U.S. Postal Service is closed that day, and there will be no mail delivered. FedEx pickup and delivery services will be available on June 19, according to the company's website. FedEx Office locations will also be open, USA TODAY reports. Are banks open on Juneteenth? Juneteenth is a Federal Reserve bank holiday, meaning the organization that regulates the nation's banking system is closed, according to Banks aren't required to close for Federal Reserve holidays, but they often do. Transactions made during these holidays won't be posted until the next business day. Branches of Capital One, Bank of America, PNC, Truist, CitiBank and JPMorgan Chase will be closed on Juneteenth, USA TODAY is reporting. Capital One Cafes will remain open. Is the stock market open or closed on Juneteenth? The New York Stock Exchange is closed on federal holidays and will be closed on Juneteenth, according to its website. Is trash pickup delayed for Juneteenth? Trash pickup may be delayed because of Juneteenth, depending on the hauler. Contact your municipality or private provider to learn more.
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Flossmoor Juneteenth celebration continues to grow in fifth year
Richton Park's Destiny Watson is a person who likes to look ahead. Watson, 27, is the founder and CEO of You Matter 2 and one of the goals is to make the future better for youths in the Southland with programs and initiatives. But on Thursday morning, she had a chance to look back both figuratively and literally. You Matter 2 is the group that does the heavy lifting for the Juneteenth celebration in Flossmoor. Watson and You Matter 2 held its fifth celebration overall and fourth parade through the village. It was a chance for people to look back as Juneteenth celebrated June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, announcing the end of the Civil War and reading the Emancipation Proclamation that President Abraham Lincoln signed two years earlier. Watson appreciates looking back on the history but as she marched at the front with the You Matter 2 group, she couldn't help but feel good about looking back and seeing 19 more groups and 450 people behind her as more than 1,000 people lined Flossmoor Road to cheer them on. 'To look back and see the line and groups of people — it was huge,' Watson said. 'The parade keeps growing every year. This was definitely our biggest one.' The parade stepped off at the Western Avenue Elementary School and went along Flossmoor Road until it reached Parker Middle School, where a block party continued the celebration. The parade featured dancers, cheerleaders and drums as well as groups coming out to celebrate and distribute candy to the younger parade watchers. Toward the end of the route, Calumet City's Deneen Holmes held a sign celebrating the holiday. 'It's a happy thing,' Holmes said. 'I love being Black and it's a celebration of freedom and a celebration of culture and we love that we can have this in the south suburbs for everyone to support and celebrate.' Holmes said she came last year with her family and loved the parade and the dancers. 'I love seeing the kids dance and the younger people get involved. It was a pleasure to watch,' she said. One of the groups marching was the Alpha Phi Alpha Theta Mu Lambda organization. Its members didn't dance or cheer, but it has been a presence in the south suburbs. Like You Matter 2, Alpha Phi Alpha promotes academic excellence and service in the area. Andre Sutton, the corresponding secretary for the chapter, sits on the executive board and said it benefits young people from Homewood, Flossmoor, Harvey, South Holland and other areas. 'We develop leaders and have a mentorship program where we mentor young African American men,' he said. 'We have members as young as 18 to members who are in their 60s and 70s.' Sutton said the Flossmoor Juneteenth celebration keeps growing. 'It's good to see families and it's good to see local people out here,' he said. 'It's great to see children out here having a great time and doing something positive in the community.' Watson helped get the ball rolling in 2021 with a festival in the parking lot at Homewood-Flossmoor High School days after Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared June 19 a state holiday and then-President Joe Biden signed legislation to make it a national holiday. 'It started with a vision, honestly, to bring our community together and celebrate Juneteenth,' Watson said. 'To see it grow every year and to see the turnout, it's a good feeling to see that people still want to come out and support it.' Watson, Kalyn Victor, Matthew Hill and Nicholas Amuh are the four running the show for You Matter 2 and put in a lot of work with the celebration. Watson said it's worth it to make people aware of the past plight of African Americans. 'I think there is more learning but with us having this presence, it gives people a chance to ask questions and learn more,' she said. 'And it gives us a bigger platform to reach the community.' Holmes said progress is being made with the holiday. 'I definitely think that it's more widespread,' Holmes said. 'A lot of Black culture is not necessarily celebrated nationally, but it's celebrated within our homes and within our families. 'So, it's nice to see that we can come and connect with the community.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Woman Worries Her 40-Year-Old 'Big Mama's Boy' Husband Will Never Be Independent
A woman worries her husband, who's a "big mamma's boy," will never be independent In a post on Reddit, she writes that his mom weighs in on everything from his 401k to "what soap cleaner is best" "A few months ago I told him his mother is a dealbreaker, but I'm not confident he will ever truly be independent," she writesA woman says her 40-year-old husband is so reliant on his mom that she's worried he'll never be truly independent. The woman shares her dilemma in a Reddit post, writing, "My (35F) husband (40M) is a big mamma's boy. He hid this for the six years we were long distance." "He needs her opinion in every small and big thing and texts and calls daily (401k for new job, will boxes fit in the car for a move, what soap cleaner is best)," she writes. "The thing is, in the beginning he wasn't like this when we dated in person. He had career troubles and court stuff (due to her) so she stepped in and took over; she has access to all his finances, emails, etc since then (unbeknownst to me)." Now, the couple has been married for a couple of years, and his mom's "overreach" is killing the romance. "He has slowly been trying to untangle himself but things came to a head when we moved recently. I rearranged a busy work schedule to move half our stuff on Memorial Day weekend," she writes. "He was agreeable at first, but then closer to the date I suspect he spoke to her and she shut it down bc he refused to do so." Come moving day, the woman enlisted her own parents to help, and her husband got into a fight due to his car being too full of the couple's belongings. "A few months ago I told him his mother is a dealbreaker, but I'm not confident he will ever truly be independent," she writes. "Another thing is he lacks initiative in housework and has to be assigned tasks. My family thinks I deserve better." Now, she's debating what she should do and taking to Reddit to ask others if relationships can improve despite a meddling mother-in-law. "Has anyone seen an improvement being in a relationship with a mamma's boy or is it better to cut losses now?" she writes. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Reddit users aren't confident the relationship can improve. "You're not imagining it, mamma's boy habits like that rarely just disappear," writes one commenter. "And if she's controlling his finances and emails? That's a giant red flag, not 'relationship growing pains.' You're waiting for a man to show up who's been buried under his mom's thumb for years. Time to ask yourself if you want a partner or a perpetual child." Adds another: "If you feel like you're shouldering all the emotional labor and boundary-setting, it might be time to reevaluate. Consider couples therapy to explore these issues further. Ultimately, you deserve a partnership where your needs are respected." Read the original article on People
