Your guide to southwest Iowa’s veterans memorials

Most have survived times of conflict, while others have sacrificed their lives in the name of the United States. Some still remain unaccounted for as prisoners of war and missing in action.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is Friday — the third Friday of the month. More than 85,000 military members remain unaccounted for from World War I through recent conflicts, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

Communities around the area recognize military service and honor the fallen and missing through a variety of memorials and monuments.

From Veterans Plaza in Council Bluffs to the Freedom Rock near Greenfield, visiting the shrines around southwest Iowa offer an opportunity for day trips that provide an opportunity to educate young people on history and the valor of service, said Peggy Becker, administrator of the Pottawattamie County Veterans Services Office.

“If you go to a parade or a fair or something, and you walk by a monument, 8-year-old kids are going to ask what’s that about, and that’s where the story begins,” said Becker, whose father and five uncles served in the military.

Memorials and monuments come in different shapes and sizes, but their messages are similar, said Richard Ryba, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 11355 in Council Bluffs.

“I think they should be respected, especially the ones of people that have dedicated their life for this country, and freedom’s not free, right?” Ryba said.

Memorials are an important piece of a community’s story because they often honor residents who have died in battle, he said.

“Visit the memorial at Bayliss Park in Council Bluffs and you see the names of people who died for their country,” Ryba said. “So, at least they’re remembered in that aspect.”

While it’s important to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States, Becker said she would also like to see more monuments that honor all veterans.

“Most monuments honor those who died, and I understand the importance of them,” she said. “But I’d  like to see more that also honor those who served and came home.”

Beyond traditional memorials and monuments, Iowa artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II has created the Freedom Rock near Greenfield.

Sorensen has honored veterans, as well as service people who died in the line of duty, by painting tributes on a boulder-size stone since 1999. He changes scenes annually.

Sorensen expanded the Freedom Rock tribute to each of Iowa’s 99 counties. A list of locations can be found at thefreedomrock.com. He has since created Freedom Rocks in other states.

“Each memorial affects me differently, but the Freedom Rocks are awe inspiring to me,” Becker said. “They show what people did.”

Memorials are part of a city’s foundation, Becker said.

“Depending on the community and type of memorial or monument they have, it either instills a sense of patriotism, but also the somberness of war and the sacrifice some of these people made,” she said.

Here’s a list of area memorials and monuments that can be included as part of a veterans appreciation tour:

Veterans Plaza at Council Bluffs’ Bayliss Park features statues honoring those who served and their families at home. A wall lists local residents who died in battle, from the Civil War through recent Middle East conflicts.

The Pottawattamie Freedom Rock can be found at Chautauqua Park in Oakland.

Dedicated in 2005, Missouri Valley is the site of the county’s veterans memorial. The memorial is anchored by a middle pillar showcasing the American flag and POW/MIA symbol engraved with the phrase “In honor of all those who served this great nation in war and peace time.”

Two other pillars display seals of the military branches. Flags honoring all military services and POW/MIAs fly behind the memorial.

Near the veterans memorial, the Freedom Rock is located at the Harrison County Welcome Center.

A stone honoring veterans from American wars is located at the Mills County Courthouse in Glenwood. A Civil War statue at the city’s cemetery also recognizes veterans.

The county’s Freedom Rock is located in Emerson, a small town between Malvern and Red Oak.

The Fremont County Courthouse in Sidney is home to veterans memorials honoring locals who died in battle during World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

The Freedom Rock is located at the town park in Hamburg.

In Clarinda, a large rock was dedicated at Rapp Park Recreational Area in June with a simple inscription dedicating the memorial to Southwest Iowa veterans and their families. Rapp Park is also home to the county’s Freedom Rock.

A veterans monument honoring county residents who have served in the military is located at the courthouse plaza in Denison.

The Crawford County Freedom Rock can be seen at Manila, 16 miles southeast of Denison.

Memorials honoring those who died during military service are located at Historic Fountain Square Park. Within walking distance of each other, memorials recognize service people from World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. A Freedom Rock is also located at the park.

In Atlantic, a round stone serves as a memorial, recognizing those who sacrificed their lives, as well as all veterans who served and came home.

The Cass County Freedom Rock is located in Lewis, 8 miles southwest of Atlantic.

In Audubon, a marble and granite memorial with a middle pillar honors local men and women who have died during military action. Two other pillars recognize six branches of the military: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and the Merchant Marine

Near the county courthouse display, a sculpture of an American bald eagle recognizes all veterans from Audubon County.

The county’s Freedom Rock can be found at the park in Kimballton, about 3 miles north of Elk Horn.

With a bald eagle atop a globe, the Shelby County veterans memorial at the courthouse in Harlan consists of three pillars, with the middle one honoring POW/MIAs and service people who sacrificed their lives. With each military branch depicted on two pillars, the monument also thanks veterans who have served their nation.

The Shelby County Freedom Rock is located in Earling, about 13 miles northwest of Harlan.

To honor the county’s veterans, plan a weekend visit to the Monona County Memorial Museum and Freedom Rock in Onawa. Open 1 to 5 p.m. on weekends, the museum’s grounds feature sculptures and military vehicles, including a tank.

The county’s Freedom Rock is located near the museum.

The Carroll cemetery is the final resting place for dozens of people who served in the military. Several memorials are located there, recognizing people who served and died during American wars, from the Civil War to Vietnam.

The Carroll County Freedom Rock can be viewed at Manning’s city park. Manning is located about 21 miles southwest of Carroll.