For more than a decade the Severson family has ensured veterans buried in Prescott’s cemeteries are remembered each Memorial Day. A veteran himself, Jerry Severson — who served in the U.S. Navy …
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For more than a decade the Severson family has ensured veterans buried in Prescott’s cemeteries are remembered each Memorial Day. A veteran himself, Jerry Severson — who served in the U.S. Navy and later volunteered as a civil defense worker for the City of Prescott — and his wife Rose started the tradition more than 18 years ago.
On March 19, American Legion Post 61 presented Gordy and Julie Severson Magee with a shadow box containing a folded U.S. flag. The box is engraved: “Passing on the Severson Tradition,” “Serving Veterans of the Last Call,” and “Their Dedication to Serve Inspires Forever,” in recognition of Gordy and Julie for carrying the tradition forward over the past five years.
The story doesn’t end there. After Jerry’s passing, the Severson daughters — Jaci, Jeanie, Jodi, and Julie — asked Post 61 to accept donations in lieu of flowers to purchase a new flagpole and flag. The post embraced and expanded the idea and will construct a permanent Flag Memorial: a semicircular plaza featuring the U.S. flag plus six additional flagpoles representing each branch of the armed services, engraved concrete pavers, landscaping, lighting, masonry and benches. Inscribed pavers will be available to individuals, businesses and community organizations who wish to honor veterans or show support for the armed forces. Bricks may be engraved in honor or memory of anyone — they need not be dedicated to a service member.
Post 61 aims to complete the memorial by Memorial Day, May 25, 2026. Orders to have pavers installed by Memorial Day must be placed by April 3, 2026. It is a major project to be accomplished so quickly however as someone once said, “it take as much attention to detail to do small project as big ones – so always do big ones”
How to order a brick:
Scan the QR code on the brick fundraiser flyer/order form.
Order online: https://www.fundraisingbrick.com/online-orders/prescottlegion61/
Mail or drop off the order form with payment to:
Prescott American Legion Post 61 P.O. Box 98 Prescott, WI 54021
Stop by the Post 61 Canteen and fill out a form (Thursday–Saturday, 4-11 p.m.)
First National Bank — Chad Steger during normal banking hours for assistance.
This is a community opportunity to show pride and support for our veterans for generations to come.
Submitted by Jerry Klasen
