Celebrating Service and Sacrifice: The Welcome Home Soldier Monument in Iowa
In America’s Heartland, a substantial monument stands as a testament to the honor and sacrifice of American heroes.
In Albia Iowa, the Welcome Home Soldier Monument honors all veterans and service members — living and deceased — from across the nation and memorializes both peacetime and wartime veterans in the past, present, and future who have been honorably discharged.
This place of reflection in southern Iowa is a quiet spot to remember the service of thousands of veterans, but it’s also a place to learn about US history.
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A Lasting Tribute to Veterans
The Welcome Home Soldier Monument is the brainchild of Vietnam War veteran Jim Keller who was affected by his post-war experience when he returned home. Inspired by his own experiences, and those of this father — a WWII veteran — Keller endeavored to create a monument that ensured no US veteran ever felt disrespected or alone again.
The name for the monument came to Keller after he went to hear a prisoner of war in Vietnam speak in Illinois. Before the veteran gave his speech, he walked up to Keller, shook his hand, and said “Thank you for your service and welcome home soldier.”
The monument, located at 6451 Highway 34 in Albia, is open 24 hours a day and is lit at night. The project for the monument began in the early 2000s and involved fundraising of more than $2 million.
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A Place to Remember Sacrifice
A visit to the Welcome Home Soldier Monument is like taking a trip back through time. For veterans, families of service members, and curious travelers alike, it’s a place to pay reverence — one that can be very emotional at times — to those who served and remember their hardships and sacrifices.
“I was amazed by this place spotless and you can actually feel the sacrifices. Touching the names on the wall makes your heart race. We owe everything to those who give their lives so we don’t have to sacrifice all the things we love.”
– Michael via Google
Among the notable elements of the installations is a black granite wall inscribed with the names of thousands of veterans — similar to Washington D.C.’s Vietnam War Memorial.
A lighted trail winds through the monument and is wheelchair-accessible, offering space for all visitors to take time to reflect.
Another easily identifiable element is the dozens of flags flying high and proud around the property. One hundred US flags fly on Humble Hero Hill and travelers can also see all 50 state flags in the monument’s amphitheater. A POW Plaza on-site features the Iowa state flag, a POW flag, and a 6×10 US flag.
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The center of the monument features 21 marble crosses as a representation of the 21-gun salute — the highest honor a soldier can receive — and each cross is dedicated to individual veterans.
As a place that welcomes all US veterans — past, present, and future — the Welcome Home Soldier pays tribute to all branches of the Armed Forces with installations remembering Iwo Jima (a replica of the US Marine Corps Memorial in Virginia), the Vietnam War, the Korean War, the Civil War, and a future monument to women who have served plus a future water feature and additional statues.
The Civil War bugler is of particular interest among the many installations. Not only is it flanked by flags of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, but it plays “Reveille” each morning at 8 a.m. and “Taps” every evening at 5 p.m.
Coninciently, the Grave of the Oldest Soldier in the Civil War, Curtis King, who served at the age of 80 is located in a small fenced-in area in Chillicothe, about a half hour away.
The Welcome Home Soldier Monument draws thousands of nationwide visitors as well as visitors from around the globe. The monument’s annual Memorial Day observance has become an important event too, reflecting the community’s ongoing commitment to honoring veterans.
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Pay Your Respects at the Welcome Home Soldier Monument
For many visitors, the Welcome Home Soldier Monument in Iowa can be a life-changing experience. Veterans, active military members, families of service members, and others can pay their respects, make their way through intricately designed installments, and learn about the history of American military service.
What began as a movement to honor US veterans grew into a place of reverence that touches anyone and everyone who visits this impressive monument in the heart of the Midwest.