An Indiana native who now lives in Iowa and spent 21 years in the United States Marine Corps was the featured speaker at Newton American Legion Post 111’s Memorial Day Service at Union Cemetery Monday. Retired U.S. Marine Corps First Sergeant Ryan Lincoln is now Commandant for the Department of Iowa Marine Corps League. It’s a veterans service organization similar to the American Legion or VFW. Lincoln joined the Marine Corps out of high school in 1996, and served in Afghanistan in 2011 and 2012. His Memorial Day advice for those who have never served in the military.

“Learn as much as you can about one individual. What happened to him? Did he die in combat or did he live a long prosperous life? What is his story? Veterans exist in every community. It doesn’t have to be a Medal of Honor winner. It can be an Army Private First Class. But that individual did something for this country.”

Retired United States Marine Corp First Sergeant Ryan Lincoln is the guest on today’s Let’s Talk Newton.

Besides hosting the City of Newton’s Memorial Day Service, Newton American Legion Post 111visited all cemeteries in Jasper County this past holiday weekend to honor military members who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.