Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. Reynolds also directed the National League of Families POW/MIA flag to be flown on the Capitol grounds throughout the day in honor of military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Reynolds says, “Memorial Day is a time to honor all military personnel who died while serving our country in the Armed Forces. This year, we especially remember four Iowans killed in action serving in the Middle East over the last year: two Iowa National Guard soldiers, Staff Sergeant William Nathanial Howard and Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar, who were killed December 13, 2025, in Syria; and two Army Reserve soldiers, Major Jeffrey O’Brien and Sergeant Declan Coady, who were killed in Kuwait on March 1, 2026. We will never forget their sacrifice.” Flags will be lowered at the State Capitol Building, the Capitol Complex, and all public buildings and grounds statewide. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.
