Our Community Salutes of Eastern Iowa held its Inaugural High School Enlistee Recognition Ceremony to honor the Class of 2025 high school seniors and their families on May 17, 2025, hosted by Clarke University in Dubuque. Over 160 attended, which included 46 enlistees, from 20 schools in Eastern Iowa, and 3 schools from nearby Illinois and Wisconsin communities. These enlistees were headed to the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force, all of which had their local Recruiters in attendance. Command Sergeant Major Jorge Escobedo of the Army Sustainment Command in Rock Island gave the keynote speech, detailing his amazing journey from a troubled youth in Mexico City to the highest enlisted position in a major U.S. Army Command. President Fletcher Lamkin of Clarke, in his welcoming speech, noted the close similarity of many of the Military Service's core values to those of Clarke University.

Group photos of each enlistee and their families were taken with the CSM and President. Food was provided by the Hy-Vee Stores in Dubuque, represented at the event by Amy Kramer.

Plans are underway for similar event(s) in local communities in Eastern Iowa in 2026.