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In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation and established June 14th as National Flag Day. This day commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States. There are several locations in Council Bluffs that are great to visit to show your support for American service members, both past and present.
The Veterans Plaza, located in Bayliss Park, was sculpted by famed artist John Lajba. All branches of the military from the Civil War to the War on Terror are represented in the plaza. Names inscribed in the memorial identify the Pottawattamie County military members who paid the ultimate price in service to our country.
Not far from Veterans Plaza you will find the First Responders Public Safety Plaza. This plaza honors first responders and public safety personnel. Lifelike bronze statues depict a police officer and his K-9, a firefighter holding a child, an Iowa State Patrol trooper, and a sheriff deputy all connected by a walkway that represents the 911 Call Center. This plaza was placed in this location in 2018.
Next to the Squirrel Cage Jail is the Deputy Mark Burbridge Memorial. This statue of a blue horse without a rider honors Deputy Mark Burbridge who was slain while on duty in 2017 in an attempted jail escape. The horse is covered in images that were important to Deputy Burbridge.
The Kinsman Monument on Lafayette Street is also a great stop to make on Flag Day. This Civil War memorial was built to honor Colonel William Kinsman, commanding officer of the 23rd Iowa Volunteer Infantry regiment, and veterans of the Civil War.
In addition to visiting these monuments, there are several locations in Pottawattamie County to visit! Check out WattaWayIA.com to learn about the Stars and Bronze Tribute Trail. Communities in the county honor veterans, law enforcement, and fire departments in various ways, follow the trail to discover and honor our local heroes!
