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.

The WCVMA, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization, spearheaded the initiative. With each name stone capable of accommodating 420 names per side, the memorial proudly boasts over 7,500 engraved names, with room for an anticipated 10,000 names. The memorial is fully funded by the community’s donations. The Memorial Park was dedicated on May 29, 2023, this past Memorial Day, and serves as a constant reminder of the bravery and commitment displayed by the veterans of Winneshiek County.

An annual engraving is conducted each fall, just before Veterans Day, to add the names of the heroes who have served in the armed forces. With the community’s involvement, the Memorial Park serves as a tribute to the collective sacrifices made by the veterans of Winneshiek County.

The WCVMA warmly invites the participation of all veterans, families, and friends to contribute to the memorial. Those who have not yet been acknowledged on the current veteran listing are encouraged to submit their names for engraving. All future names received will be listed on the 2024 Veteran’s Day Engraving List page with a cutoff of September 15, 2024. As a token of appreciation and to cover the costs of the engraving service, a suggested donation of $100 is respectfully requested.

For individuals who wish to honor the memory of their loved ones who served, the WCVMA has partnered with the Decorah Genealogy Association (DGA) to ensure that no veteran is overlooked. Those who believe they know of a veteran who has resided in Winneshiek County at any point in their life can reach out to Midge Kjome (DGA) or Doug Smith (WCVMA) for further assistance. Interested parties can complete the fillable veteran form and submit it via email to cplus@mchsi.com or mail it to the designated address at the All Vets Club. Alternatively, the online form provided on the WCVMA’s website can be filled out directly. Once approved, the name will be added to the pending engraving list and commemorated at the next scheduled engraving, corresponding to the relevant era based on the enlistment date.

As we approach this year’s Veterans Day, let us unite in recognizing the immeasurable bravery and sacrifice of our veterans. Let us ensure that no one is forgotten and that every individual who has served is duly honored and remembered at the Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial Park.

Current Number of Veterans by Era at the Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial

War of 1812 (1812 - 1815): 13

Black Hawk Wars (1832): 2

Fort Atkinson, IA (1840 - 1849): 242

American Frontier Wars (1850 - 1860): 1

Civil War (1861 - 1865): 1,287

Battle of Little Big Horn (1875): 1

American Frontier Wars (1876 - 1890): 1

Spanish-American and Philippine Wars (1898 - 1902): 40

WWI Era through the 1930s: 1,005

WWII Era through the 1940s: 2,428

Korean War Era through the 1950s: 964

Vietnam Era through 1975: 1,020

Peace Keeping Forces - Global War on Terror (1976 - Present): 497