Honor World War II vets with memorial

Did you know that the Iowa Veterans Home currently has a memorial on their grounds for each of our major wars except for World War II? The members of the second Emerging Leaders Program at Grinnell Mutual want that to change and are currently raising funds to have a memorial built for World War II.

The Iowa Veterans Home is home to more than 500 veterans and some of their spouses. It is one of the largest of the 148 state-owned facilities for veterans in the nation. The Veterans Home campus spans almost 150 acres, with four main resident care buildings. Currently, there are veterans of four wars who reside at the Iowa Veterans Home, including 77 veterans from World War II. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, World War II veterans are dying at a rate of approximately 492 a day. Thus, there is no time to lose in getting a World War II memorial at the Veterans home before those who served are not able to enjoy the memorial honoring their service.

We have been informed that this memorial will cost approximately $20,000. It is our hope that you will join us in helping the World War II veterans in obtaining a memorial for the Iowa Veterans Home grounds and will consider donating to this cause; this memorial is important to all veterans who served and for the public to remember the service that was given by many. This memorial will honor those who fell, and recognize the victory they achieved.

Donations made be made by sending a check made payable to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines to 1915 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309. The memo line should read Iowa Veterans Home WORLD WAR II Memorial Fund. You may also go to https://www.desmoinesfoundation.org/iowaveteranshome and donate with a credit or debit card. These donations are tax deductible.

Thank you for your consideration.

' Kami Holmes is in-house counsel for Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company in Grinnell. Comments: kholmes@gmrc.com