Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial dedication is May 29

By Kate Klimesh,

Friday, May 26, 2023 10:25 am

Crews worked, Thursday, to place the The 12 granite slabs featuring the names of 7,500 Veterans who served in the United States Military and have called Winneshiek County home at some point in their lives.

Work has progressed at the Veterans Memorial in Winneshiek County over the past several months. Final pieces are coming into place this week as engraved stones featuring the names of Winneshiek County residents who served in various wars since 1812 are forever memorialized at their final location at Mary Christopher Park in Decorah.  

Full story in the May 25 Public Opinion.

Memorial Day events

Decorah’s Annual Memorial Day Parade will begin Monday, May 29, at the West Side Bridge at 10:30 a.m. with a prayer for Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, followed by taps as wreaths are laid on the river and a 21-gun salute. Led by Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski and honored guests for the memorial’s dedication, the parade welcomes all Veterans to march in the parade down Water Street to Mary Christopher Park. 

At 12 p.m., the program will begin at the Veterans Memorial, with the county’s Legion Clubs well-represented and out-of-state relatives of Veterans named at the memorial expected in attendance. There will be some seating at the event, but attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.   

The program has local notables presenting information and remarks, including Tade Kerndt with the Memorial presentation and history, Colonel Dean Darling as guest speaker, and remarks from WCVMA President Glenn Larson.  

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held just before the wreath laying for those that passed.  

While the memorial costs have been covered, the WCVM group is still accepting donations to establish funds for the continued upkeep and care of the memorial. Donations made out to WCVMA can be sent or dropped off to the All Vets Club, Attn: Mark Stockdale, 104 State Street, Decorah, IA 52101. 

For more information, visit www.winneshiekvetsmemorial.org.  

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Kelly (Armstrong)Carolan
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4 months ago

My husband was Loren Carolan, passed away Jan.22 2022. Wished I would have been there for the celebration. What a wonderful tribute to all Veterans. Thanks

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