Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial
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  • Adding Veteran Names
  • Donations
  • Stories
  • Memorial Day 2024
  • Memorial Day Dedication 2023
  • Memorial Book Intro
  • CONCEPTUAL MEMORIAL STONES - 2023 MEMORIAL DAY DEDICATION
  • Memorial Specifications & Information
  • About
  • CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
  • VFW - POST 1977
  • VETERAN FLAGPOLE INITIATIVE
  • QUILTS OF VALOR

Winneshiek Veterans Memorial

Their Service. Their Sacrifice. Never Forgotten.
Learn More
Attention all Veterans, Families, and Friends
Please continue to submit names of all veterans who have lived in Winneshiek County at some point in their lives and are not already identified on our current veteran listing. Our cutoff date for adding new veteran names for next year's Veteran's Day is September 15, 2025 and will be listed on the 2025 Veteran's Day Engraving List page.  The 77 new names for this year have been engraved and location of the veteran is identified on our current listing page.  We respectfully request a $100 donation to cover our cost for the engraving service.  Thank you and God Bless the USA!

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Doug Smith, Glenn Larson, Ray Koshatka, & Mark Stockdale present Norman Hjelmeland a certificate of appreciation on behalf of VFW Post 1977 for his continued support & contribution to the Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial and the surrounding community of Decorah
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Honoring Winneshiek County Veterans
By Alyssa McBeth Stars and Stripes • November 13, 2023
https://europe.stripes.com/lifestyle/honoring-winneshiek-county-veterans.html
"In the heart of Decorah, Iowa, stands a testament to the valor and sacrifice of those who have served in the armed forces from Winneshiek County. The Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial Park was established by the Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial Association (WCVMA) four years ago. Unlike traditional war memorials, this park stands as a living document, continually expanding to accommodate the names of those who have dedicated themselves to serving their country."
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WCVMA members Glenn Larson, Ray Seiler, Ray Koshatka, & Doug Smith
met with Mr. Knaach's Decorah 8th Grade American History Class to tour the Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial
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Ray Seiler, Glenn Larson, Ray Koshatka, & Doug Smith present Midge Kjome, Decorah Geneology a certificate of appreciation on behalf of VFW Post 1977 for her continued support & contribution to the Winneshiek County Veterans and the surrounding community of Decorah
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Ray Seiler, Mark Stockdale, Glenn Larson, Ray Koshatka, & Doug Smith present Perry Novak a certificate of appreciation on behalf of VFW Post 1977 for his continued support & contribution to the All Vets Club & to the Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial
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Ray Koshatka, Glenn Larson, Ray Seiler, & Doug Smith present Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski a certificate of appreciation from
VFW Post 1977 for the city's contribution to the Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial

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Ray Koshatka, Glenn Larson, Ray Seiler, & Doug Smith present Decorah Parks & Recreation Director Andy Nimrod & his staff a certificate of appreciation from VFW Post 1977 for the city's contribution to the Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial
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Ray Koshatka, Glenn Larson, Ray Seiler, & Doug Smith present Lewiston Monument Company a certificate of appreciation from
VFW Post 1977 for their contribution to the Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial

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Matt Burkey, DDBA President presents the
2023 Decorah Business Recognition to Glenn Larson & Ray Koshatka, members of the
Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial Association

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Attention all Veterans, Families, and Friends
Please continue to submit names of all veterans who have lived in Winneshiek County at some point in their lives and are not already identified on our current veteran listing. The cutoff for engraving this year's veteran names has ended - names will be engraved in time for this year's Veteran Day.  All future names received will be listed on the 2024 Veteran's Day Engraving List page with a cutoff of September 15, 2024.  We respectfully request a $100 donation to cover our cost for the engraving service.  Thank you and God Bless the USA!

Discover the Memorial

This memorial is not to honor war, but to show the price of peace lest future generations forget the sacrifices made to maintain freedom.

PictureDecorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski and Veteran Glenn Larson broke ground for the project on September 28th, 2021
Sadly, there is only a small memorial just outside the Winneshiek Courthouse,
​little known to residents and virtually unknown the rest of the state.

Prominent memorials around Iowa have proudly displayed engravings to honor their local veterans.
Here in Winneshiek county, few of us even know the current monument exists.


Men and women throughout Winneshiek County have answered the call to defend our liberties.
​Many putting their lives on hold and too many, never returning to pick them back up. 


A faded monument is all that exists to acknowledge and honor their service.

The Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial Association is changing this. ​

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A large crowd of over 50 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony on September 28th, 2021.
PictureLeft to Right: Collin White, Peggy Lensing, Maureen Yahr, Zach Row-Heyveld, Jessica Rediske, Glenn Larson, Ray Seiler, Tade Kerndt, Roxanne Schnitzler.
​Red-Roxy Quilt Co. recently hosted a Charity Quilt Sale featuring more than 200 quilts that have previously been displayed on the sales floor. Items included everything from table runners to full size projects in a variety of colors and
themes. The ​Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial Association received a donation of $1,635 from this event.

WCVM Rendering
Proposed Memorial - Lewiston Monument Company

With the support and coordination of the City of Decorah Park and Recreation, the WCVM will be building a memorial to honor each known Winneshiek County Veteran. This memorial will be located at the Mary Christopher Park  - intersection of E Water St and First St in Decorah, Iowa.
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LEARN MORE
We have gravestones scattered in Phelps Park and the names will soon be faded away. This project began because we realized we didn’t have a way to remember those in our area that sacrificed for our freedom.  
​- GLENN LARSON
I'd be surprised if ten percent of area residents could find the current memorial. It is small and not easily accessible. After touring other area memorials, we found ours to be the saddest in the area, maybe the entire state. 
​- MARK STOCKDALE
 
True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever the cost. 
​- ARTHUR ASHE

Remembering Winneshiek Veterans

"Bullets whistled about us like hail, hitting the boat and spattering all around."
- Luman L. Cadwell
READ THEIR STORIES
The Decorah Genealogy Association has already found thousands of names of Winneshiek County Veterans including:​
  • Thirteen soldiers from the War of 1812
  • A Medal of Honor recipient 
  • A U.S. Cavalry Soldier who died with Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn
If you know a Veteran that has lived in Winneshiek county, please click below to learn more about adding a name to the monuments.
Adding Veteran Names
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​Donate today.
Don't let their names fade. ​You can make a difference.
DONATE
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Dedicated to raising funds, designing, and maintaining the Winneshiek County Veterans Park to honor those who have served in the armed forces from Winneshiek County, Iowa.
 © COPYRIGHT 2021 Winneshiek Veterans Memorial Association.
​Registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization in the State of Iowa.

  • WCVMA Home
  • CURRENT VETERAN LISTING - ERA/STONE LOCATION
  • 2025 FUTURE VETERAN'S DAY ENGRAVING LIST
  • Adding Veteran Names
  • Donations
  • Stories
  • Memorial Day 2024
  • Memorial Day Dedication 2023
  • Memorial Book Intro
  • CONCEPTUAL MEMORIAL STONES - 2023 MEMORIAL DAY DEDICATION
  • Memorial Specifications & Information
  • About
  • CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
  • VFW - POST 1977
  • VETERAN FLAGPOLE INITIATIVE
  • QUILTS OF VALOR