IIn July 2023, Veterans Affairs Executive Director Kevin Huseboe contacted the chair of the Marshall County Board of Supervisors to inquire about a donation of land for a Veteran Memorial Site on the county courthouse square. On November 8, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved a land grant for the purpose of constructing a Veteran Memorial on the southwest corner of the Courthouse Square.

The Design Team started design work shortly after Supervisor approval of the site. The focus of the Veteran Memorial includes all service agencies, from WWI to the recent War on Terror, 9-11, acknowledging thanks and gratitude of the military, law enforcement and public safety members as they work tirelessly to protect our nation.

Fundraising began shortly after the land grant, seeking donations from community service groups, applications for grant awards to the Commission of Veteran Affairs, Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation and private individuals. Mechdyne provided an artist’s rendition of the proposed memorial, including a flyover view, which helped to describe the project to the public. Due to the unprecedented community response and pledges monies were raised within a few months allowing substantial downpayment to McCall Monument to secure the large amount of granite.

The Veteran Memorial impacts the community for education, tourism and economic development, capitalizing on Marshall County’s impact to veterans, namely, the Iowa Veteran Home, the VA Clinic, county participation in the “Home Base Iowa” program. These veteran attributes prompted our local leaders to dub Marshall County as the “Veteran Capital of Iowa.” In addition to the community benefits, our veterans are appreciated and encouraged to contact their Local Veteran Affairs office to make sure they are receiving benefits to which they are entitled.

The Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation required a cash investment from Marshall County for the matching grant, requiring the grading and site work for the memorial to meet state bid requirements for the project. Con-Struct Inc contacted our office and said they wanted to be “part of the project” — at first, they didn’t understand they had to respond to the request for bids. The estimated cost of the sitework and platform was $45,000. Con-Struct submitted a bid for less than $5,000, estimating the cost of the concrete. Con-Struct Inc. installed a huge culvert at the bottom of the memorial, filled with concrete and rebar to support the estimated 18,000 pound central pillar. CTI Concrete donated the concrete for the project.

Work continued tirelessly on the design for the tablets and central pillar by the Design Team from inception to the final cutting of the granite. Members of the design team were Vic Hellberg, Mike Hanken, Randy Kessler and Deb Millizer led by Kevin Huseboe.

The entire monument is constructed from black granite. The pillar granite was sourced in India, and required three tries to cut a suitable piece. The eagle was carved in India. The pillar and eagle were shipped via container and then by train to South Dakota, where the pillar was hand etched. The benches and tablets were etched in Newton by McCall Monument.

The Veteran Memorial of Marshall County set many records 1) fastest fundraising 2) fastest installation, largely due to the community’s support of our Veterans.

On March 29, 2025, a Dedication for the Veteran Memorial was held, the date memorialized by Congress paying homage to the final US combat troops that departed from Vietnam on March 29, 1975. Several Vietnam Marshall County Veterans were honored by name, including Darwin Judge, one of the last American ground casualties, killed in action while providing security for the DAO Compound in Saigon.

There were about 200 individuals present at the Dedication, emcee for the event was Steve Storjohann, with a 21-gun salute by the Honor Guard. The shells were presented by VFW Post Commander Larry Tuttle to Supervisor Chair Carol Hibbs. The monument is insured by the County for $225,000.

Our community is Veteran Strong and Proud.

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Kevin Huseboe is the Marshall County Veterans Affairs

Director, and Shari Coughenour works alongside him

as a Veterans Services Officer.