Hundreds turned out Monday, May 25, for Iola’s annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, where members of Sheveland-Taylor American Legion Post and its auxiliary honored local service members killed in war.
The parade was larger than in past years, and the weather was warm and partially sunny. Attendance at the ceremony afterward was less than in recent years.
Pastor Haugen of Iola’s Redeemer Lutheran Church said the opening prayer directed at those who gave all in service of their country and countrymen.
Legion member and Army veteran Ron Radloff introduced two new honorees for the Walk of Honor Monument. There are 155 different medals awarded to the service personnel on the monument, “… each one has a story, some sad, some heartbreaking, not only to the soldier, but also to the families and friends, all are heroic, and they all need to be honored,” Radloff said.
The first veteran to be added to the monument is Ronald G. Mach, who now resides in Elcho, Wisconsin. He served in the U.S. Army from Aug. 4, 1956, to Dec. 31, 1980, including a tour in Vietnam. Mach was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters. The former medal is for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. The latter medal is awarded “to individuals who, while serving in the Armed Forces in a combat theater, distinguished themselves by Heroism, Outstanding Achievement, or by Meritorious Service not involving aerial flight.”
In addition, Mach received the following decorations, medals, badges, and campaign ribbons: Air Medal (30 times), Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Overseas Bars (four), and Expert Infantry Badge.
The second serviceman honored on the monument is Harland D. Deitz of Iola. He served in the U.S. Army from Feb. 1, 1967, to Sept. 7, 1969, including a tour in Vietnam. He was awarded the Purple Heart. The medal is awarded “to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, who has been wounded, killed, or who has died of wounds received from an opposing enemy force while in armed combat, or as a result of an act of terrorism.” Hardland also received the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.
Iola Legion Post’s 99-year history
Veterans from Iola and Scandinavia established the Sheveland-Taylor American Legion Post 14 nearly a century ago to honor two local men killed in action and to support fellow service members and their communities.
The post was first chartered Aug. 12, 1927, as the Barney Sheveland Post 14, named for Barnard “Barney” M. Sheveland of Scandinavia, who was killed in action during World War I. An auxiliary unit followed in November 1927.
After World War II, the post was rechartered Nov. 8, 1947, as Sheveland-Taylor Post 14 to also recognize Donald Taylor of Iola, killed by enemy bombers in North Africa on Nov. 9, 1942. The auxiliary was similarly renamed in 1948. The dual naming reflects the post’s role serving both communities and marks it as one of Wisconsin’s oldest.
Over the decades, the post has maintained Veterans Memorial Park, erected memorials, including one in 1976, sponsored youth baseball teams, and revived the Blue Star Banner program to honor local service members. It continues community events, veteran tributes, and patriotic initiatives.
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