Veterans' War Memorial
category : Memorials
Located on the west shore of Lake Helen, this memorial is a reminder of sacrifices made by veterans and their families of all wars. The names listed commemorate local residents who gave their lives.World War I: Will E. Sievers, Howard Nickerson, Manley Hoppes, Ivar Stewart, Charles Streeton, William MillerRay Harnan, Harm Martens, Leonard Banks, Ira Welliver, Jerry Cerney, Carl Kuhlman, William Golden, Marion Florom, George Maline, Horace Golden, Ralph McFate, Fred SadlerGerald Atkins, Everett Portiner, James Shelley, Elmer Preitauer, Raymond Estle, Vernon Hanson
World War II: Gerald Atkins, Everett Portiner, James Shelley, Elmer Preitauer, Raymond Estle, Vernon Hanson, William Aunspaugh, Merle Aunspaugh, Marvin Geiken, Lester Heidebrink, Walter Heidebrink, Keith Craig, Herbert Kruse, Donald Speck, Kenneth Beck, Paul Gonzales, Orval Ostendorf, Keith Dircksen
Korean War: Robert Wallace, Richard Stevens
Vietnam War: Lynn Weiser
The plaque also contains the following message:
If you are able,
Save for them a place inside of you
and save one backward glance when you are leaving
for the places they can no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say you loved them,
though you may or may not have always.
Take what they have left
and what they have taught you with their dying
and keep it with your own.
And in that time
When men decide and feel safe to call war insane,
take one moment to embrace
those gentle heroes you left behind.
Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
Address: Helen Park, 27th & Lake
Phone: 308-537-3505
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