Barnett's last Walk for Veterans set for Iowa

The American Legion Department of Iowa will hold an Awareness Walk for Veterans in conjunction with the Iowa State Fair's Veterans Parade in Des Moines on Monday, Aug. 15. The parade and walk will begin at 11. a.m. on the Grand Concourse.

American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett and Department of Iowa Commander Jim Peterson will lead the walk, which will be Barnett's 44th walk since he was elected as national commander during the 97th National Convention in Baltimore.

Monday is Veterans Day at the Iowa State Fair, which includes $8 admission for veterans, servicemembers and their spouses until 5 p.m., a Veterans Affairs welcome home booth, and performances by the 34th Army Band, Iowa Military Veterans Band and the Military Tribute Concert honoring Iowa’s veterans.

The walks have been a way for Legion family members to "walk for those who marched for us" and for members to tell their story about why they joined The American Legion. Proceeds from Iowa's Awareness Walk for Veterans will benefit the National Emergency Fund, which has provided more than $8 million of assistance to American Legion family members and posts that have been impacted by natural disasters in communities across the country since 1969.