Des Moines Flag Triangle Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On Memorial Day 2025, there was a special ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly renovated Des Moines Memorial Flag Triangle, located at the southern terminus of Des Moines Memorial Drive. The triangle is a dedicated space to honor of all who served, and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  

An honor guard was provided by American Legion Post 134, a post with connections to promoting, then preserving the drive since 1935.  Speakers included Des Moines Mayor Traci Buxton, City Council Member Matt Mahoney and Public Works Director Michael P. Slevin III. Both Mahoney and Slevin are veterans and spoke about what the memorial meant to them personally. The ribbon cutting was conducted by 101^st Airborne Division veterans CPT Oliver Weaver, MSG Scott Rowe, and American Legionnaires Chris Plyman and Peter Arends. Slevin, Rowe, Arends and Plyman assisted in the first raising the flag on the new pole. 

Renovations and improvements to the triangle included a new flagpole and base, new landscaping, new Des Moines city signage, restoration of the existing memorial plaque and a new historical marker with information about the Des Moines Memorial Drive. Throughout the process, the City of Des Moines consulted with the Des Moines Memorial Drive Preservation Association, and relied on the association for historical marker information.