Memorial Day 2022 events recognizing fallen servicemembers in central Iowa
Memorial Day is Monday, May 30, and central Iowans have many opportunities to recognize the holiday this year.
First recognized on May 30, 1868, Memorial Day was originally named Decoration Day for the time people took to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday in 1971 and it was moved to the last Monday in May each year.
Now, the holiday provides an opportunity to honor men and women who have died while serving in the armed forces by visiting cemeteries, participating in parades and attending memorial events.
The following are some Memorial Day events planned in central Iowa this year:
Adel
The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs' annual Memorial Day observance will be held in-person this year, returning to a tradition that was interrupted when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event online.
The official state observance will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at 34024 Veterans Memorial Dr.. The event is set to begin May 30 at 8 a.m., with a live broadcast and recording of the event on Facebook for those who cannot attend.
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Des Moines
For Iowans seeking a family-friendly way to commemorate the holiday, a picnic may be the answer.
A Memorial Day picnic has been organized by the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Des Moines at noon May 30 at 7420 SW Ninth St. The public is invited to the event, which will include food, games and inflatables.
Grimes
Another Memorial Day picnic will be held by Direction Church at 10:30 a.m. May 30.
The picnic will take place at the Grimes South Sports Complex, 300 N James St. Families are encouraged to bring food and drinks, and to utilize the playground, tennis courts and volleyball courts at the sports complex.
Indianola
The American Legion in Indianola will hold its annual Memorial Day parade at 10 a.m. May 30.
Lineup for parade participants begins at 9:30. The parade route will begin at the Warren County Administration Building, 301 N Buxton Street, and end at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery.
Johnston
The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, located at 7105 NW 70th Ave. in Johnston, will be open from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Memorial Day with free admission. A free military-style breakfast will be served from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., and the event will include live music and vendors.
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Newton
American Legion Newton Post 111 will honor fallen servicemembers at the Newton Union Cemetery at 10 a.m. May 30. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, the U.S. representative for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District, will be the featured speaker. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be held at American Legion Newton Post 111.
Norwalk
A Memorial Day service will be held at the Warren County Memorial Park and Freedom Rock at 3089 North Ave. in Norwalk. The service will start at 3 p.m. May 30.
The group Norwalk Hometown Pride will also engrave a brick paver at the Warren County Veterans Memorial with the name and branch of service of any Iowa Veteran for a cost of $75 per brick. Visit the Norwalk Hometown Pride website to purchase a brick or find more information.
Urbandale
Living History Farms in Urbandale — an interactive, outdoor museum experience that shows visitors the history of Iowa and its agriculture — will be host a Decoration Day event in honor of Memorial Day's origins.
Tickets for the event, which runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 28, are available for purchase on the Living History Farms website.
“Be a part of America’s early Memorial Day traditions," the event description says. "March in a procession to the town cemetery for a moving pageant of Victorian ceremony and speeches, honoring the Union’s fallen heroes."
West Des Moines
Resthaven Cemetery will hold a memorial event for fallen soldiers at 11 a.m. May 30. The event will take place by the cemetery's pond at 801 19th St. in West Des Moines. Lawn chairs are recommended for this event.
Grace Altenhofen is a news reporter for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at galtenhofen@registermedia.com or on Twitter @gracealtenhofen.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Memorial Day 2022 events to attend in Des Moines metro area
