Iowa's veteran community lost one of its biggest advocates this year when Patrick Palmersheim died in January. Now, someone close to him is filling the giant void by taking the reins of an annual tradition that honors our fallen heroes.

Palmersheim, also known as the "Father of Iowa's Arlington," was a driving force in getting the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Dallas County built. For the past 17 years, Palmersheim was also the location coordinator for Wreaths Across America at the IVC.

Every December, hundreds of thousands of wreaths are laid on the headstones of our brave servicemembers across the country to honor their memory during the holidays.

When Patrick first brought wreaths to the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in 2008, seven were laid. Last year, there were more than 5,000.

But after he

See Full Page