Iowa Veterans' Perspective

09/11/2026

Some stories deserve to be told in the words of those who lived them.

On Sept. 11, 2001, John Grote Jr. was inside the Pentagon when it was attacked.

When his instincts told him to leave, he made a different choice. He turned back to help fellow service members trapped inside.

Twenty-five years later, he shares his tory of courage, service, and selflessness.

09/11/2026

Have a story to share from your military service? We want to hear from you!

Join us at the Polk City Iowa American Legion Post 232 for an opportunity to share your military experiences and help preserve the stories of Iowa’s veterans.

📅 September 26�🕙 10 a.m.–3 p.m.�📍114 W broadway st. Polk City

✉️ Message or Email us at [email protected] to sign up!

Polk County Veteran Affairs
City of Polk City

06/13/2026

Good morning!
The Iowa Veterans’ Perspective will be taking your unserviceable flags to retire with dignity at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum.
Bring your worn flags and check out the latest exhibit installation, featuring Cold War Interviews produced by VP!

⏰ 10am - 2pm, Saturday, June 13, 2026
📍 7105 NW 70th Ave, Johnston, IA 50131

We’d love to see you there and share in honoring the flag and your stories of military service.
City of Johnston Government

06/04/2026

Mark your calendars!

The Iowa Veterans’ Perspective will be taking your unserviceable flags to retire with dignity at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum.
Bring your worn, faded Ole Glories and check out the latest exhibit installation, featuring Cold War Interviews produced by VP!

⏰ 10am - 2pm, Saturday, June 13, 2026
📍 7105 NW 70th Ave, Johnston, IA 50131

We’d love to see you there and share in honoring the flag and the stories of those who served beneath it.
City of Johnston Government

01/29/2026

In 2019, my friend Tom Clegg recommended that I read the poem that reminded him of The Iowa Veterans' Perspective's mission, "When the Boys in Blue are Gone".

"When the Boys in Blue are Gone" is a Civil War-era poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. that reflects on the quiet emptiness left behind after Union Soldiers march off to war.
Rather than focusing on battlefield glory, the poem dwells on absence empty streets, silenced music, and the emotional weight carried by families and communities. It's a tender, bittersweet meditation on sacrifice, patriotism, and the human cost of war felt at home as much as on the front lines.

We partnered with the very talented Darian Taylor and she brought the words to life through song. This compilation is in honor of just a few of the veterans that we have interviewed over the years.

01/23/2026

Larry Woodworth, a member of the US Navy, shares the story of when his ship responded to the capture of the USS Pueblo by North Korea 58 years ago.

On January 23, 1968, the USS Pueblo, a U.S. Navy intelligence ship, was seized by North Korean forces while conducting surveillance near the Korean Peninsula. The United States maintained the ship was operating in international waters, while North Korea claimed it had violated their territorial boundary.

The 83-man crew endured nearly 11 months of imprisonment, coercion, and abuse before their release following tense diplomatic negotiations on December 23, 1968. The incident underscored the fragility of peace and the ever-present risk of escalation during the Cold War.
Iowa Gold Star Military Museum Sara Maniscalco Robinson

11/11/2025

Generations of Iowa veterans have shaped our communities with courage, dedication, and unique stories. Today, we honor the voices, experiences, and memories they pass down.

Thank you to all who have served and shared their stories to keep history alive.

In this video, retired Army Veteran Mary Beverage shares photos and fond memories from her deployment to the Kunar Province, Afghanistan, in 2010 with 734th Regional Support Group. Mary participated in two outreach missions with local women to build lasting connections and skills with women and children.

11/10/2025

On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and resolved that “two Battalions of Marines be raised” for service as landing forces with the fleet.

That resolution established the Continental Marines — marking the birth of the United States Marine Corps. Serving on land and at sea, those first Marines distinguished themselves in pivotal operations throughout history.

Across generations, Marines have built inseparable bonds and connections that endure long after the uniform is retired.

Happy Birthday, Devil Dogs!

09/25/2024

08/07/2024