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!
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!
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
"
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."
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."
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
met with Mr. Knaach's Decorah 8th Grade American History Class to tour the Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial
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
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
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
VFW Post 1977 for the city's contribution to the Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial
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
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
VFW Post 1977 for their contribution to the Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial
Matt Burkey, DDBA President presents the
2023 Decorah Business Recognition to Glenn Larson & Ray Koshatka, members of the
Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial Association
2023 Decorah Business Recognition to Glenn Larson & Ray Koshatka, members of the
Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial Association
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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. 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. |
Remembering Winneshiek Veterans"Bullets whistled about us like hail, hitting the boat and spattering all around." The Decorah Genealogy Association has already found thousands of names of Winneshiek County Veterans including:
|
Donate today. Don't let their names fade. You can make a difference. |