Village Board Approves Memorial for Soldier Killed in Iraq

A memorial and park dedication will honor a Caledonia Marine, who died while serving in Iraq.

Lance Corporal Daniel R. Wyatt, 22, was killed in the Babil Province, Iraq, on October 12, 2004. To honor his service and sacrifice, the Village Board approved a resolution Tuesday to name the concession stand and baseball diamond area the Lance Corporal Daniel Wyatt Memorial Ball Diamond at Crawford Park. The park is located at 5199 Chester Lane.

Tom Weatherston, a Village Board member, said naming the area was important to him because he served in the military during the Vietnam War and he feels that all servicemen are brothers.

“It’s important to honor a Caledonia native who lost his life in service to his country,” Weatherston said.

Wyatt also loved to play baseball, Weatherston said.

The memorial will likely include either a stone or a plaque. The project should happen sometime this summer. Weatherston said he will be finalizing the details soon, but in the meantime the board has authorized him to start working on a fund-raiser for the memorial.

Weatherston is asking for cash donations. To learn more about the project or to make a donation, call Tom Weatherston at (262) 989-3424.