Names being added to Iola’s Veterans Memorial
By Lyle Mork
The American Legion Sheveland-Taylor Post 14 will be adding veteran’s names to the large granite Memoriam Monuments at the Veterans Memorial Park in Iola.
The monuments honor all those from the Iola and Scandinavia area who have served in the military with their name being engraved in memoriam after they pass away.
Currently there are over 700 deceased veteran’s names on the monument. The American Legion has researched and found over 500 additional names which will be added to the monument once the funds have been raised. The names include veterans dating back to the Civil War through today.
Due to the large number of names being added, two additional granite monuments measuring 84-inches tall by 52-inches wide by 8-inches thick will need to be purchased and added to the existing four granite monuments that create the memorial.
The American Legion wants to make sure all eligible veterans names are placed on the monument and needs help to make this project successful. Anyone who knows of family members or other relatives, friends or any veterans that have been residents of the Iola or Scandinavia area over the years who have served in the Armed Forces, they are eligible to have their names inscribed on the monument.
Those eligible may have been raised in the area or attended school in Iola or Scandinavia and moved away or may have moved to the area later in life. They need not be buried locally to be eligible.
Families and friends are asked to submit the names of veterans, along with the branch of service they served in, when they served, when they passed away and where they are buried to The American Legion at the address below along with your name and phone number.
A list of the names that are currently on the existing monuments and the names of those being added to the monument can be viewed in the front window of 175 N. Main St., Iola, the Iola Village Library and the Scandinavia Public Library. A list may also be viewed on the Iola-Scandinavia Chamber of Commerce website at either ischamber.org or ischamber.com.
Five new flag poles will be added to display the flags of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. The flags will be on display 24 hours a day to honor those that have served or are currently serving in one of these branches of service.
Sponsorship of one of the new flag poles is $1,500, which includes the cost of the flag pole, concrete work to anchor flag pole, lighting and choice of flag from one of the branches of service. A plaque will show the veteran being honored and/or unit and the sponsor’s name if so wished.
Sponsors of the flag poles will need to call Lyle Mork at 715-347-1328 to make sure that particular flag pole has not already been sponsored.
The total cost of the project including the two large granite monuments, the engraving of the names, flag poles, additional lighting and concrete work, is estimated to be $26,000 to $30,000, depending on how many additional names could be added to the current list.
Anyone wishing to contribute to this important project can make a check payable to The American Legion and mail it to: The American Legion, c/o Lyle Mork, 295 Blaine Street, Iola, WI 54945.
A letter of receipt will be mailed back to all donors for their tax deductible contribution.