Iowa Veterans Affairs Director Gives Keynote Speech at Veteran’s Day Ceremony

(Radio Iowa) The new executive director of the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs gave the keynote speech during a cold, windy Veterans Day ceremony today (Friday) at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter. Todd Jacobus is a veteran, and says service members entered the military in different ways.

“Some were drafted for service in times of war, others voluntarily enlisted. Each of you raised your right hand and made an oath,” he says. He says that the oath was to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

“You endure trading and hardships, discomfort in order to support and defend. And we are here to recognize and acknowledge that service,” Jacobus says. Jacobus says that service makes our world a safer place.

“It has been said for a nation to prosper, its citizens must be willing to serve. Today brave men and women serving in the United States military remain the centerpiece of our national security,” he says. Jacobus says without Americans willing to volunteer for service, our diplomatic rulers would not be in a position to engage in the diplomacy required to prevent armed conflict.

\”It is because of you that our nation remains among the most prosperous in the world. Thank you for asking me to be here today and for listening to what I had to say,” Jacobus says. ” It’s a great day to be a soldier. It’s a great day to be a veteran. But most of all, it’s a great day to be in America. May God bless you and your family. And may God continue to bless our nation.” Jacobus was appointed by the governor to lead the Veterans Affairs Department, and he is also the commandant of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. He is a retired Colonel of the United States Army and Iowa Army National Guard, serving 33 years and taking part in three overseas missions.