On March 15, 2019, a ceremony was held at Eagan High School to rename “Eagan Post No. 594” to the “Daniel R. Olsen Post No. 594 Department of Minnesota”. The Charter Date for the “Eagan Post No. 594” was February 11, 1989. The “official date” of the name change was January 26, 2019 according to the American Legion proclamation.
The date for the ceremony was chosen because it would have been Daniel’s 32nd birthday and it also marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of The American Legion in Paris, France, on March 15, 1919.
Daniel Robert Olsen was born on March 15th, 1987 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
He was the son of Wayne and Gwen Olsen, and the brother of Shelcy and Shaina. Like his two sisters, he was a member of the Eagan High School band’s drumline, which won state championships while he was involved.
Shelcy Olsen said that while she and her sister wanted to stand out for their musical talents, her brother was content – as in so many things – simply to participate.
She said he played a range of auxiliary percussion instruments, but the activity wasn’t one of his big passions and was about the only group activity he participated in during high school.
“It was a group he could be part of without putting too much effort into it,” Shelcy Olsen explained.
Outside of that, he liked to listen to screaming hard-rock music. “Nothing I listened to,” his older sister said.
He also was sensitive and caring, his mother said, and started teaching Sunday school several years ago to 4- and 5-year-olds at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie.
His favorite things were pizza and video games, which he enjoyed during the holidays. He also liked screaming hard-rock music-a novel fact, considering how quiet and reserved Daniel usually was. Daniel is best remembered as being a playful and mischievous sibling-often playing jokes and always laughing and teasing his family.
Daniel Olsen, a graduate of Eagan High School, enlisted in the Marines on March 15, 2005 on his 18th birthday. He was deployed Jan. 28, 2007, his family said. “He was doing what he wanted to do,” his father said.
Daniel was the 49th Minnesota member of the military to die in Iraq.
Words from Post Commander John Flynn at the Eagan High School ceremony on March 15, 2019 were as follows:
Raised in Eagan, MN, Daniel R. Olsen seemed to have worn an array of hats in his young life. He sampled many sports… enjoyed karate, scouts, and ‘lightly’ teasing his two sisters. He was part of the drum line at Eagan High, was a valued worker at Camp Snoopy, and volunteered in the children’s program at church. He liked being a part of things, especially helping others, but very much avoided the limelight. Having consideration for the military, Daniel enlisted in the Marines on his 18th birthday, and while it was hard for Wayne & Gwen to watch him go, they supported his decision 100 percent. The challenges and brotherhood of the Marines suited him well. In January of 2007 he left for his first tour in Iraq. On April 2nd, 2007 Daniel was shot and killed by a sniper while protecting a critical position at the police station in Saqliwiyah, Iraq. Daniel’s commanders described him as, “A silent professional; reserved, modest and efficient. He was at the forefront of every one of his missions and had demonstrated proven courage under fire.” Daniel R. Olsen: March 15, 1987 – April 2, 2007.
