Iowa Folded Flags Veteran Park 🇺🇸

I rolled into West Des Moines, Iowa under a moonlit sky (approx 4am), chasing down a cool find Flag 15 stop (a long distance rider “Chris Hop” had posted about this spot and I just had to make the pitstop while I was on my way out to Brainerd, MN from CT for the end of the year Mile Monster Inc BASH).

— and what a sight to behold. The Veterans Parkway lit up the night like a runway of stars, each glowing triangle representing the folded flag of a fallen hero.

This 2.5-mile stretch of road honors Iowa’s veterans — men and women who’ve served, sacrificed, and carried the torch of freedom. The illuminated flag sculptures are part of the Iowa Veterans Memorial Parkway, designed to remind travelers that courage isn’t confined to battlefields — it lives on every mile of American road.

The symbolism is powerful: Each triangle mirrors the way a U.S. flag is folded at a military funeral — thirteen folds for honor, faith, and remembrance. Lined up along the Parkway, they form a trail of light through the dark — a salute to every Iowan who stood for something bigger than themselves.

Tonight, my bike’s red glow joined that line of blue and white stars. The hum of the engine echoed against the quiet wind, and for a moment, the miles stood still — just me, the flags, and the freedom they represent.

For those who rode, fought, and never made it home — this one’s for you. 🇺🇸