Past Department Commander Donald Gorsett

June 3, 2026 The Department of Iowa regrets to announce the death of Past Department Commander Don Gorsett in November of 2025. Don was a Paid Up For Life (PUFL) member of Post #36 in Primghar. Don was elected Department Commander at the 1983 Department Convention for 1983-1984. He served as 9th District Commander 1980-1981. … Read more

Commander’s Membership Message

Legion family, As we enter the home stretch of our Legion year, it is time to look squarely at the numbers and remember exactly why we wear the cap. Right now, the Department of Iowa is 1,466 members behind where we were at this time last year. That isn’t just a number on a spreadsheet. … Read more

Past Detachment Commander Dale Hidlebaugh

The Detachment of Iowa regrets to announce the death of Past Detachment Commander Dale Hidlebaugh on April 29, 2026. Dale G. Hidlebaugh, 73, of Muscatine, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa. Services are 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28, at Grace Lutheran Church, Muscatine, with … Read more

Commander’s Membership Message

Legionnaires, As we move forward in this membership year, I want to speak directly to the value of what it means to be a member of the American Legion. Membership is more than a card—it is a continued commitment to service. It is the promise that we stand for veterans, their families, and our communities. … Read more

Update: SF 2466 Referred to Appropriations

In an extremely rare procedural move, SF 2466, the Governor’s and IDVA’s veteran services bill, was referred to the House Appropriations Committee after dying before the second funnel in the House Veterans Affairs Committee. This keeps the bill alive. Please reach out to members of the House Appropriations Committee to voice The American Legion of … Read more