‘History needs reminders’

Mike Rowley headlines annual Veterans Day service held at IVH Wednesday

The Malloy Leisure Resource Center (LRC) at the Iowa Veterans Home (IVH) was packed to the brim on Wednesday morning for the annual Veterans Day service featuring a keynote speech from Mike Rowley of Clive, who donned a Revolutionary War-era outfit and shared a historical perspective on the holiday honoring those who have served.

After some introductory music from the Marshalltown Men's Chorus and the presentation of colors by the Marshalltown Combined Honor Guard, Commandant Todd Jacobus invited the crowd to sing Happy Birthday to the only IVH resident born on Veterans Day, Jake Knapp. In addition to all of the veterans in the audience, Jacobus recognized Sen. Kara Warme (R-Ames), Brigadier General Clint Barnes of the U.S. Army Reserve's 103rd Sustainment Command (who had recently returned from a one-year deployment to Kuwait) and VA Regional Office Director Aaron Filsinger.

Last but not least, he thanked the staff at IVH, which serves a population of approximately 400 residents.

"For the work that you do every day to represent the appreciation that the American people have for those who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces," Jacobus said.

The commandant noted that Iowa had the highest per capita rate of military service in both the Civil War and World War I as he traced the history of Veterans Day, which was officially named in 1954 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. That tradition continues today during the ongoing conflict with Iran.

"While it's 10:30 a.m. here right now, it's about 8:30 p.m. in the Strait of Hormuz, an area... most Americans only hear about when there's trouble," Jacobus said. "(The strait) is an ancient corridor, older than written history, sailed by kings and fought over for the last 5,000 years. And as we speak, an Iowa kid is either relieving or being relieved of their watch on an American warship, cutting those waters so that 95 percent of their peers will never serve and don't have to."

Half a world away, he added, that soldier's family prays for his or her safe return while looking at a uniformed picture of their loved one who may have never left the country before their deployment.

"Generations before us took their turn on that watch. Then we stepped up and we took ours, and today our watch is right here, ensuring that every veteran who came before us and comes after us remains at the very center of a grateful state and a grateful nation," Jacobus said. "America made that kid a promise, and it's our job to make sure that the check clears. God willing, that kid and thousands of others will return home, a veteran for life ready to lead at home and carry forward our tradition of service for the next generation long after their watch has ended."

IVH Chaplain Angela Doty then delivered the invocation before the Men's Chorus performed "In Flanders Field" and Jacobus introduced Rowley, the son of a WWII veteran who himself has worked to install hundreds of headstones on unmarked veterans' graves. In the spirit of the America250 anniversary, Jacobus felt that Rowley and his authentic Revolutionary War attire were an ideal fit for a Veterans Day event.

"This passion for preserving the memory of those who served is reflected in his work. He's authored over 100 published articles and personally installed 452 headstones on the graves of unmarked veterans across seven states, spanning conflicts from the Revolutionary War to the modern era," he said. "Through Mike's ongoing advocacy, he inspires veterans and their families to document and share their stories of service."

Rowley kicked off his address with a history lesson on Amos Fox, a Civil War veteran who became the first-ever resident of IVH, which today has housed over 20,000 veterans throughout its almost 140-year history, as well as Lawrence Thompson, a contemporary of Abraham Lincoln who served in the Black Hawk War.

His main message was simple: without veterans, the United States of America would not exist. Rowley admitted hesitance to accept the invitation to speak because he is not a veteran himself, but Jacobus stressed the importance of hearing from someone who is the family member of a serviceman. Rowley's father died when his son was eight years old, and it was determined to be 100 percent service connected.

His family's military pedigree goes back generations through WWI, the Civil War, the War of 1812 and at least 15 Revolutionary War veterans.

"So what did I do to earn the distinction of all this? Absolutely nothing. I was simply born into a family that was committed to service," he said.

Because of his father's service and connected death and disability, Mike was able to attend college under the GI Bill, and he said he would never be able to pay back the opportunities the U.S. has given him. But in an attempt to do the best he can, he has worked extensively to honor veterans who may otherwise be forgotten.

Rowley commented that less than half of Americans even know the birthdays of all four of their grandparents.

"Now, if we struggle with history that's that close and personal, how do you think we'll be at remembering history that's farther removed from us. History needs reminders. It needs retelling repeatedly," he said. "As I've looked over the years, I've looked for gaps where perhaps we could tell the veteran's stories and find the information on the men and women who have given so much."

As an example, he shared his research into veterans of the American Revolution and the War of 1812 who settled in Iowa afterwards. Rowley concluded by asking those in the audience to continue sharing the stories of veterans and simply saying thank you.

"I will be forever grateful and appreciative. I will do everything I can to see that your memory and those of all American soldiers is never forgotten. God bless you all and God bless America," he said.

The service concluded with another selection from the Men's Chorus, the playing of "Taps" and a 21-gun salute from the Combined Honor Guard, and a brief benediction from Doty.

Contact Robert Maharry at (641) 753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.