The Stars Stripes Spirit 5k will be held on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, at Gray’s Lake Park in Des Moines. There will be a 5K Walk/Run and a 1K Walk Option. Registration is $50 for adults and $25 for U18s. Register before April 15 to save $10 per adult. Registration begins at 8:00 … Read more
SF 2466 did not advance out of the House Veterans Affairs Committee today! Great work and thanks to all who contacted your legislators to make this happen. It made a huge difference. Now, over the interim we can have real conversation on how to improve the system with ALL stakeholders at the table.
The American Legion supports efforts to improve services for Iowa’s veterans. However, we remain concerned that SF 2466 and the plan for implementing the bill contain provisions that may weaken, rather than strengthen, the system that currently helps veterans access the benefits they have earned. Our key concerns are: 1. Reduced Training SupportThe bill eliminates $3,000 … Read more
Jerry Landkamer was elected as a national vice commander of The American Legion on Aug. 28, 2025, during the 106th National Convention in Tampa, Fla. A Vietnam veteran, Landkamer’s eligibility in The American Legion comes from his service in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego, Calif., with … Read more
Fellow Legionnaires and friends, At this point last year, our department stood stronger in numbers than we do today. As of now, we are 949 members behind where we were at this same time last year. That number matters—not because it’s about statistics, but because it represents voices, service, and strength that Iowa veterans depend … Read more