Military Service Members Project

Introduction

For most years of my life, I have attended Memorial Day services at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton. Each year, the names of military service members that are buried in the cemetery are read. These names include those who lost their lives while in the military, those who served and came home to live the rest of their lives and those who served in the military reserves and National Guard. I have long been interested to know the background stories of their military experience. I also hope to prevent the sacrifice and service for our country by these individuals from being forgotten.

This project was originally intended to be limited to those individuals buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton. However, even though this project is in its early stages, it has already expanded to include those in the Elba Cemetery outside of Templeton and many individuals who grew up in and joined the military from Templeton but are buried elsewhere.

The sources of information for this project include the Templeton Centennial book from 1982, the Templeton Quasquicentennial book from 2007, newspaper accounts, Ancestry.com research and various other sources including in-person discussions and reference materials of the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge, Iowa, the National WWI Museum and the National WWII Museum.

My focus in this project is to provide a timeline of the military experience of these individuals with limited personal information. My intent is to provide factual information at all times. In some cases, the facts seem to lead to a conclusion that is not documented and I have tried to disclose those instances. In any case, I welcome any information that will correct, verify, corroborate or supplement the information that is presented.

At this time, there are approximately 140 military service members buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery so this process will take some time. More will be added as they are completed.

Tom Schwaller