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Five Taylors Falls area men have been tapped on the shoulder again to do their duty-- only this time it's a lot less hazardous and uncomfortable. The Wannigan Days Parade Grand Marshal honor has been handed to several local veterans who saw military duty in spots ranging from Korea to the Middle East to the European battlegrounds of World War II.

Roland Berg, Elwood Holmberg, Jim Hudspeth, Shane Carroll and Tyler Kreidler will be riding in two convertible cars at the head of this Saturday night's Wannigan Parade; starting in St. Croix Falls and traveling across the interstate bridge through Taylors Falls. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m.

Wannigan organizers thought this year it would be fitting to use the parade as a tribute to veterans everywhere by inviting respected local veterans to be Grand Marshals. Community event organizers John Tangen and Linda Sandmann contacted local representatives of most of America's conflicts who were available to participate. Tangen said he regrets no Navy veterans could be reached who were available to participate in this weekend's events.

~ The Iraq War is represented by Specialist Tyler Kreidler, who was in Iraq from January 2004 to July 2007.

He's attending the University of Minnesota at Duluth this fall pursuing a degree in biology. Kreidler served with the Minnesota National Guard. He said he was aware when he joined he'd probably be sent to Iraq so he was prepared for that duty. He was stationed out of Al Taqqdum in Iraq.

~ Taylors Falls' law enforcement officer Shane Carroll represents the Gulf War era.

Carroll has been with the Chisago County Sheriff's Dept. for nine years and has been the Taylors Falls city contract officer for three. He served in the Army Military Police between 1989 and 1993, deliberately to receive training and background for a civilian law enforcement career, he said. He was based out of a variety of locations during the Gulf War, serving as part of a team escorting military prisoners.

~ Jim Hudspeth is a Vietnam veteran. He was with the Marines.....

~ Elwood Holmberg was stationed mostly near Chorwon, Korea during the war, from March 1952 to March of 1953. Holmberg was with Army artillery and left the military with the rank of corporal. He has lived in the Taylors Falls area for 78 years and is retired from the Chisago County Highway Dept. He belongs to VFW Post 1678.

~ Army veteran Roland Berg flew a Piper Cub in World War II, spotting artillery installations for bombers. He served between 1941 and 1945. All four of the Berg brothers served at the same time. With 800 hours air time logged over England-France and Germany, he attained the rank of First Lieutenant.

Berg, a Taylors Falls native, said he didn't continue flying when he returned home, though. He is retired after a 40-year career with Simonson Lumber in St. Croix Falls.

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