News: Neillsville - Legion to Launch ‘In Memoriam’ Program (2019)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

----Surnames: Schaub, Dux, Kurasz, Anason, Reed, Ross, Schultz, Wren

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark, Co) 6/26/2019

Neillsville Legion to Launch ‘In Memoriam’ Program (2019)

Neillsville Legion to Launch ‘In Memoriam’ Program

To complement its regular recognition of living veterans, American Legion Post 73 will launch a program to honor veterans who have passed away.

The Post, 6 Boon Boulevard, Neillsville, will have its first “In Memoriam” veteran recognition this Monday, July 1.

“The community is invited, along with family and friends,” Legion representative Carol Schaub wrote in a June 19 press release.

The legion will honor Melvin Dux, who enlisted in the Air Force in 1952. He served as a chaplain’s assistant and was stationed in Texas and Oklahoma.

Dux attended training in New York and later served at Offut Air Force Base just outside of Omaha, Nebraska. He was discharged in 1954.

John Kurasz will also be honored. John Kurasz enlisted in 1981 and served with the 32nd Engineers National Guard in Neillsville as a combat engineer. He was discharged in 1989.

The Legion will also honor Craig Kurasz, who enlisted in 1983 and served with the 32nd Engineers National Guard in Neillsville. He was a combat engineer. He was discharged in 1992.

Also honored will be Lynette (Kurasz) Anason, who enlisted in 1986 and served as an all-trainer heavy forklift operator in the 106th Supply and Service National Guard in Black River Falls. Anason was discharged in 1994.

Michael Reed, who was drafted into the Army in in 1966, will be honored. Reed served with the infantry in Vietnam, receiving numerous awards of recognition, including the Purple Heart. He was discharged in 1968.

Eugene Ross will be another veteran posthumously recognized. Ross enlisted in the Army in 1951. He served in the Korean War with the artillery division. He received the rank of corporal and was discharged in 1953.

Clemens Schultz will also be recognized. He joined the Navy in 1962 and served on the USS Fort Snelling as an electronic technician. The ship went to the Dominican Republic in 1965 from April 26 through 30.

Schultz received the Meritorious Service Award. He was discharged in 1967. Schultz was also in the Navy Reserves until 1974.

Larry Wren, who was drafted into the Army in 1969, will also be posthumously honored. He had basic training at Fort Campbell in Kentucky and advanced training at Fort Polk in Louisiana.

Wren was sent to Vietnam and served with the Americal Division 1/6 198th LIB Infantry.

He returned in 1970 and finished his military career at Fort Hood in Texas with the 1st Armored Division 58th Military Police Battalion Advanced Individual Raining Program.

Wren received the Vietnam Service medal with three Bronze Service Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal, Combat Infantryman badge, Army Commendation medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Expert (rifle) award and the National Defense Service medal.

Wren was discharged in 1971.

As these veterans are recognized Monday, there will be a social hour at 4:30 p.m. with a potluck at 5:30 p.m.