The USS Iowa Submarine will have construction completed and ready to be christened with a ceremony later this spring estimated to cost approximately $200,000.

State Director of the Veterans of Foreign Affairs (VFW) Michael Braman tells KNIA/KRLS News that the Iowa Senate is considering approving the use of funds from the Veteran’s Trust Fund for the dedication of the submarine.

“I received a report from Carol Whitmore who is a Veterans Affairs member that on March 15 the Iowa Senate took $75,000 from the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund to support the USS Iowa submarine dedication event that is coming up. I was told there was no consulting with the Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs on this; they just took a vote and moved it.”

Braman suggests where the funds should come from.

“I think the Department of Navy or the Department of Defense should be providing that expense, not the Iowa veterans. These funds should have stayed in Iowa to assist veterans.”

The USS Iowa will be the United States first coed submarine, and will be operational in spring of 2023.