Peterson ‘inspired’ as commandant of IVH
Since it opened in 1887, only 21 men have been named Commandant of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown; most recently a Marine Major with deep roots in Montgomery County.
In late July, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Matt Peterson to the position as Commandant, after firing the previous Iowa Veterans Home commandant, Timon Oujiri, in May.
Five weeks into the position, Peterson, who retired from the military after serving 21 years in the Marine Corps, said of his appointment, “It’s uncertain, it’s a bit chaotic, it’s a challenge and I love it. I feel it is exactly where I need to be, and where I want to be.”
Peterson describes the Iowa Veterans Home as one of the most inspiring places he’s ever been affiliated with. He said the roughly 900 team members are impressive and dedicated; stating they’ve been through a tornado, derecho, pandemic and an expected change in leadership over the past few years and haven’t missed a step.
He added that even more inspiring are the roughly 500 Iowa veterans who call the IVH, home.
“They are a source of strength,” said Peterson. “We are here to serve the veterans, but I can tell you, I get a lot more out of them than what they’ve gotten out of me.”
Originally called the Iowa Soldiers Home, Peterson explained the IVH accepted its first resident in 1887 when the facility provided living quarters for displaced veterans of the Civil War. Management of the home resembled life patterned after Army rules and regulations. Residents wore uniforms, woke up at reveille, marched in formation, stood inspections, ate at a mess hall, and went to bed at taps. They slept in open wards and needed passes to get by the sentry at the gates. He continued to say it was a self-sustaining facility, with residents raising cattle and hogs, harvesting and storing fruit and vegetables on about 160 acres.
“The Iowa Veterans Home provides a continuum of care to Iowa veterans and their spouses in an environment focusing on individualized services to enhance their quality of life,” said Peterson.
The role as commandant, he said, is significant because of its military installation.
“It’s humbling, and I certainly appreciate the historical significance of the title. I will serve as long as the Governor wants me to,” Peterson said.
Peterson, who was deployed seven times, and has traveled across 30 countries and five continents, said he is glad to be back in Iowa. Since he retired from the military, he and his family have lived outside Austin, Texas.
“The concept of home for me is fluid. My dad was in the military when I was born and then I joined the military. However, my extended family on both sides is from Iowa, with Red Oak having the deepest roots. We lived on a farm between Villisca and Stanton for four years before we moved to Des Moines where my dad went to medical school. He was initially in the Marine Corps but transferred to the Army because they’d help pay for his schooling,” said Peterson. “From there we lived in Germany, I graduated from high school in Georgia and that’s where I joined the Marines. I feel comfortable anywhere, but I’m glad to be back in Iowa. I feel welcome here.”
His wife, Meredith, and two children, Sophia 15, and Harlan, 12, will join him in Iowa after the school year.
“The job opportunity came up suddenly,” he explained. “After I retired from the military in 2019, we wanted stability for the kids, so they’ll wait it out for a year. It’s similar to when I was deployed; only I’m three states away and safe. Marshalltown isn’t Afghanistan.”
Peterson, a fifth generation Iowan, has an undergraduate degrees in philosophy and government from New Mexico State University and master’s degrees in political science from Liberty University and organizational leadership from Gonzaga University.
Veterans and their families who would like to learn more about how to apply for admission and the services provided at the Iowa Veterans Home can go to ivh.iowa.gov.