Gold Star Hall Ceremony

Please join us at this year's Gold Star Hall Ceremony at Iowa State University, which will take place on Monday, November 12, 2018, at 3:15 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

This important ceremony honors our Iowa State students who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for the freedoms we enjoy. Their names are carved into the limestone walls of Gold Star Hall in the Memorial Union so that we may both remember and honor their service to our country, which merits our deep respect.

Three WWII service members will be honored during this year's ceremony:

William "Howard" Butler
Hometown: Indianola, Iowa
Captain, US Army Air Force
Died: July 16, 1945
Location: Chengkung, China

Robert Vance Rannells
Hometown: Dunlap, Iowa
Staff Sergeant, Army Air Force
Died: April 1, 1945
Location: Coast of Saipan, Japan

Richard Wayne Suesens
Hometown: Burlington, Iowa
Lieutenant, Junior Grade, US Navy
Died: June 4, 1942
Location: Midway Islands (Near Hawaii), USA

We will share photos, memorabilia, and the personal stories of how these Iowa State students became service members. The family and friends of our fallen heroes will be in attendance so that they may see the names of their loved ones forever memorialized in Gold Star Hall. We will also celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I, and the 90-year anniversary of the Memorial Union. Light refreshments will be available following the ceremony.

Please help honor these fallen Iowa State veterans by planning to attend this ceremony. Remembering and honoring Howard, Robert, and Richard is a continuation of their service.