Veterans recognized for military medals
By Holly Neumann
American Legion Post 14 held a dedication ceremony on June 15 for the new Walk of Honor Monument at Shevland-Taylor Veterans Memorial Park in Iola.
The Walk of Honor Monument honors veterans who have lived in the Iola and Scandinavia area during their lifetime and have been awarded one or more medals by the armed forces.
Those recognized were recipients of the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldiers Medal, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Prisoner of War Medal.
“This monument is honoring people with battlefield medals,” said Lyle Mork, who spearheaded the project. “Some say wars create heroes. They do not. Wars bring out the light of valor and bravery in a person. This is called heroism. It really shows their extraordinary character as a human being, under the worst possible conditions.”
Cynthia Colden and her daughter Kendall were among the hundreds of people in attendance.
Her father Leonard Martin Colden was listed on the wall.
He served in the United States Army from February 1942 until February 1970.
“This was very emotional for me,” Colden said with tears in her eyes. “I am holding my father’s original bronze star. This feels like family here, and I have not had that for a while. This is all so wonderful. It is amazing that someone is willing to put forth themselves to honor their country, before themselves and before family. Talk about selfless.”
Colden thanked Mork for his efforts in making the monument possible.
“There’s a lot of people that went to war and got these battlefield medals and you never heard about them,” said Mork. “It was an honor to put this together for them and to show how our community loves and supports our veterans.”
This project was done through donations from 192 businesses, organizations and families.
Additional lighting and sidewalks still need to be added.