ELMWOOD – Join Crain-Ottman American Legion Post 207 for the School District of Elmwood Veterans Day Program as they honor the14 KIA/MIA soldiers from Elmwood whose names are inscribed on the “For Those Who Gave All” Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park.

Julie Huebel, secretary of the Pierce County Historical Association, will be the featured speaker. The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 in the Wolf Den Gym (213 S. Scott St.)

“Veterans Day is about celebrating all individuals who have served in the US Armed Forces and Memorial Day about honoring those that died while serving,” Huebel said. “The presentation done for Elmwood's Memorial Day program was so well received, the Crain-Ottman Post decided it should be presented again, this time to a mostly different audience at the Elmwood School for their Veteran's Day program.

“Many of those who died in service did not leave behind children to keep their memory alive, so it's important that we work hard to ensure these individuals are not forgotten to history.”

Elmwood's Crain-Ottman Post has a stone in the village’s Memorial park downtown bearing the names of the individuals killed or missing in action.

“Research was done on each one listed, putting a real-life human story to each name being read aloud along with a picture of them,” Huebel said. “This made their sacrifice more real, more tangible that day to those present. It was very meaningful for the Post to learn more about this group of 14 local men they work so hard to honor.”

Huebel, an active member of the Pierce County Historical Association, Rock Elm Old Settlers and the River Falls Preservation Commission, has expanded her research to include all Pierce County veterans who died in service. She said the list is almost 300 individuals so far.

“It has been very eye-opening the impact of war on our county,” Huebel said. “That’s 300 lives lost along with the potential of their legacies; with 300 local families having grieved them.”

Huebel will talk about Albert Crain, the first Elmwood resident to perish in WWI at age 20. According to Huebel (from an article published in May 2025), “He enlisted in the Army in July 1917 in Eau Claire and trained at Camp Douglas, Wis. and Camp McArthur, Texas. He served as a PVT in Battery C, 120th Field Artillery. He died Jan. 10, 1918 in Waco, Texas at the base hospital at Camp McArthur after a few days illness with measles and bronchial pneumonia. He received a military funeral at Camp McArthur and his squad accompanied his remains to the depot. Upon arrival in Elmwood, his remains were met by a large delegation of local businessmen. A large flag was draped over his casket as a tribute to him by his old friends. He is buried in Poplar Hill Cemetery in Rock Elm. He was born to Joseph and Della Crain in 1897. The Elmwood American Legion Post 207 is named in his honor.”

She will also speak about Harry Ottman, the first Elmwood resident to perish in WWII. Ottman died Jan. 27, 1943 in Holland.

“Staff SGT Ottman, served in the 68th Squadron of the 44th Bomb Group as an air gunner and radio operator. He flew seven missions from Nov. 9, 1942 to Jan. 27, 1943 in B-24 bombers. In his last mission, his plane “Spirit of ‘76” crashed on the beach of Terschelling, Friesland, Holland. The Elmwood American Legion and Auxiliary held a memorial service for Harry at the Elmwood Auditorium on Feb. 28, 1943. He was buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Ellsworth. He was born to Clarence and Rose (Funk) Ottman. The Elmwood American Legion Post 207 is named in his honor.”

The public is encouraged to attend the Elmwood Veterans Day program to honor all those who served.