🇺🇸 To every veteran in Linn County: thank you. Whether you served for four years or forty, in peacetime or in war, and whatever branch you wore, you helped make our neighborhoods what they are. This page gathers help close to home, places to remember, and ways neighbors can say thanks. – Kathy
If you or a veteran you love is in crisis: dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7, and you don’t have to be signed up for VA benefits. veteranscrisisline.net. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Every branch, every veteran
Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and the Guard and Reserve: every one of them has neighbors here. Tap a branch to visit its official site.
U.S. Marine Corps
Founded Nov. 10, 1775. Motto: “Semper Fidelis” (Always Faithful). Marines celebrate their birthday every Nov. 10.
U.S. Air Force
Founded Sept. 18, 1947. Core values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do.
National Guard and Reserve
Guard and Reserve members serve too, at home and overseas. The National Guard traces its roots to Dec. 13, 1636.
Iowa National Guard
Headquartered in Johnston. The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum is at Camp Dodge.
🎂 Happy birthday, Marines! The Marine Corps celebrates its birthday every Nov. 10, as Marines have since 1921 (source: marines.mil).
Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11
🎖️ Metro Veterans Council Veterans Day Program
Free. At the Coliseum in the Veterans Memorial Building, 50 2nd Ave Bridge, Cedar Rapids. Doors open at 9 a.m. and the program starts at 10:30 a.m. The building is open to the public 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day.
Other ceremonies in Marion, Hiawatha or at your school? We only list what we can confirm. Tell us at [email protected].
Help close to home
🏛️ Linn County Veteran Services
Help with VA benefits, the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund and more. 1240 26th Ave Ct SW, Cedar Rapids. 319-892-5160. Open Mon to Fri, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and appointments are strongly encouraged, so call first.
Cedar Rapids VA Clinic
3500 Dalton Way, Suite 300, Cedar Rapids. Main line 319-369-4340, mental health 319-688-3333. Open Mon to Fri, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
🤝 Cedar Rapids Vet Center
Veteran counseling services. 4250 River Center Ct NE, Suite D. 319-378-0016.
🚐 DAV rides to the Iowa City VA
DAV vans give free rides to scheduled VA appointments. Call 319-339-7061.
💼 Help finding work
IowaWORKS Cedar Rapids has a veterans representative: 319-365-9474, ext. 31113. 1025 Kirkwood Pkwy SW.
Iowa help
🏞️ Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs
State benefits, the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown (641-752-1501) and the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund, which you apply for through Linn County Veteran Services.
🏠 Property tax breaks
Iowa offers a military service property tax exemption and a disabled veteran homestead tax credit. Applications are due to your assessor by July 1, so ask the county office early.
Posts and honor flights
American Legion Pekomy Post 572 (Fairfax)
216 Main St, Fairfax. Part of the Fairfax Civic Coalition, which helps put on community events like the Easter Egg Dash, the Haunted Trail and the Polar Splash.
Eastern Iowa Honor Flight
A free trip to the memorials in Washington, D.C. for veterans, serving Linn County. 855-344-3435, ext. 1.
Don’t see a post near you? Search the American Legion post finder or the VFW post roster.
Places to remember
🏛️ Veterans Memorial Building, Cedar Rapids
On May’s Island, 50 2nd Ave Bridge. Voters approved it in 1925. For about 80 years Cedar Rapids was one of two cities with city government on an island; the other is Paris. Grant Wood designed its 24-foot Memorial Window in 1927, made of about 10,000 pieces of glass. You can see the window Mon to Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
🌳 All Veterans Memorial Park
Veterans Memorial Drive SW, next to the stadium. It includes a World War II tank, a ship’s anchor and engraved bricks.
🕊️ Marion Veterans Memorial
625 31st St, Marion, in front of American Legion Post 298.
Records and headstones
📄 Military records
Need a copy of discharge papers or service records? Start with the National Archives, or call Linn County Veteran Services and they can point you the right way.
🪦 Free headstone or marker
The VA provides a free headstone, marker or medallion for eligible veterans.
Know a veteran-friendly service, event or memorial we missed? Email [email protected]. Always check official pages for hours and details.