Post 508 Wilton, Wisconsin
Post 508
Wilton, Wisconsin
About This Post
Post Namesake
Hanson-Stark-Leith-Paeth Leonard Hanson - killed in the Argonne Forest on Oct 14, 1918...28 days shy of the armistice and 37 days shy of his 18th birthday. Edwin Stark - Onboard the U.S.S. Cyclops, which was lost at sea. No wreckage was ever found, no wireless message was ever received and no reports of enemy subs in the area. One explanation for the disappearance is that a freak storm caught the ship unprepared and split it apart. James Leith - An early draftee after Pearl Harbor. He was KIA on Apr 26, 1943 in Tunisia and was buried there. Maurice Paeth - One of eight crewmen killed when a B-25 Bomber crashed near Rowe, NM on May 15, 1945. The plane was on a routine training flight.
Notable Members
Mahlon Denter. Mahlon received his battlefield commission during WWII while assigned with the L4 Piper Club in the 105th Howitzers. He has been a member of Post 508 for 66 continuous years.
Photos
Vernal "Jake" Jacobson - May, 1979
Mahlon Denter - 65 Yrs
60 Year Members
Members after a parade
Mahlon Denter - wounded
Color Guard / Firing Squad
BBQ'ing
Air Medal Pinning
Cmdr & Mrs. Jensen Visit Post 508
New Commander Installation
Memorial Day 2009
Meeting in the Post 508 "Dugout"
HISTORY
1920
Post 273 - Short-lived
May 19, 1920
Our first Legion (Post 273) was short lived, and cancelled out on Oct 10, 1923 due to lack of interest, lack of activity, and members complained that dues were too high (at the time dues were $2.00 a year). Commander: Perry Rifleman Adjutant: W.D. Ziereke Treasurer: W.F. Gruenberg Chaplain: Roy Smith Sgt at Arms: Bernard Lydon
Our first Legion (Post 273) was short lived, and cancelled out on Oct 10, 1923 due to lack of interest, lack of activity, and members complained that dues were too high (at the time dues were $2.00 a year). Commander: Perry Rifleman Adjutant: W.D. Ziereke Treasurer: W.F. Gruenberg Chaplain: Roy Smith Sgt at Arms: Bernard Lydon
1940
New Charter - New Legion
Jul 19, 1946
Wilton area Veterans returning home form WW II applied for and received a new charter for the Wilton Area Legion.
Wilton area Veterans returning home form WW II applied for and received a new charter for the Wilton Area Legion.
Welcome Home Banquet
May 25, 1947
A welcome home banquet was held at St Paul's Lutheran Church in Wilton, Wisconsin for returning war heroes. On the menu were foods like: Sergeant Beer, Major Potatoes, Colonel Corn, Private Celery, Admiral Ice Cream and Commander Cake.
Legion Day Celebration
Jun 18, 1949
Post 508 hosted a two-day annual event -- Legion Day. Celebrations started with a parade including floats, and novelties. A tractor pull, baseball game, home talent show, and dance followed. Proceeds from Legion Days went towards funding completion of the Legion club house.
Post 508 hosted a two-day annual event -- Legion Day. Celebrations started with a parade including floats, and novelties. A tractor pull, baseball game, home talent show, and dance followed. Proceeds from Legion Days went towards funding completion of the Legion club house.
Land bought for legion building
Jul 1, 1949
the Legion bought a small parcel of land from a Charley Lunsford and built a solid cement basement for a Headquarters. This basement is fondly known as "The Dug Out".
the Legion bought a small parcel of land from a Charley Lunsford and built a solid cement basement for a Headquarters. This basement is fondly known as "The Dug Out".
1950
Legion members after completion of new basement “Dugout”
Jan 1952
Taken about 1950-52.
Sitting in newly constructed "dugout/basement" of Wilton American Legion.
Left to Right: Harold Schroeder, Bob Babbitt, Bruce Brandenburg, Bernie Steinhoff, Everett Strozinski, Harold Domke, Kenny Flock, Leonard Goldbeck, Bud Limp, Eddie Hoff. not sure of the spelling on Eddie's last name
1960
2nd Story Built
Jul 1, 1962
The Legion added on to the Dug Out!
The Legion added on to the Dug Out!
Wilton Vets of V.E. Day, 1945 - Reunion
May 8, 1965
On May 8, 1965, members of the Wilton Legion who were members of the armed forces on V.E. Day (May 8, 1945) had a reunion.
On May 8, 1965, members of the Wilton Legion who were members of the armed forces on V.E. Day (May 8, 1945) had a reunion.
Wilton American Legion Memorial Day Parade
May 30, 1965
Wilton Memorial Day parade, 1965
by County Line | May 22, 2025 | Pictures from the Past
Herbert Anderson of Wilton (1887–1989) captured these photos of the Wilton American Post’s Memorial Day parade in 1965. Along with the legion members, the Royall High School band took part in the event.
Do you have more information on these photos? Contact the County Line at (608) 337-4232 or countyline@thecountyline.net.
Shelter added
Jul 1, 1965
The shelter was built on for summer activities.
The shelter was built on for summer activities.
Wilton American Legion builds a pool for community
Jul 1967
Did You Know?
Post 508 had $1,000 on hand when Commander Raymond Brandau and members of our legion decided to build a pool for the village. Cmdr Brandau organized teams to solicit for pledges. The Post was determined to raise the $30,000 needed to construct the pool, bathhouse and wading pool for younger children. Kenny Flock, Chairman of the Memorial Day celebration, executed a successful benefit activity, as did other area sponsors. Our legion appointed Leonard..
1970
Kitchen!
Jul 1, 1977
The shelter, which was built on in 1965, was remodeled into a kitchen, along with the purchase of the adjoining Liersch property next door.
The shelter, which was built on in 1965, was remodeled into a kitchen, along with the purchase of the adjoining Liersch property next door.
1980
Dedication of New Legion Hall
Jul 23, 1981
The Wilton Legion dedicated the new legion hall on Sunday, July 23, 1981.
The Wilton Legion dedicated the new legion hall on Sunday, July 23, 1981.
Large addition
Jul 1, 1989
In the summer of 1989, a large addition was built on now giving the Wilton American Legion one of the finest buildings in the area for meetings, receptions, and entertainment.
In the summer of 1989, a large addition was built on now giving the Wilton American Legion one of the finest buildings in the area for meetings, receptions, and entertainment.
1990
Wilton Legion Firing Squad
May 30, 1991
Mahlon Denter, Firing Squad Commander, leads Larry Bever, Gary Bever, Darryl Raabe and Marv Steinbrink in a rehearsal before the annual Memorial Day event.
Mahlon Denter, Firing Squad Commander, leads Larry Bever, Gary Bever, Darryl Raabe and Marv Steinbrink in a rehearsal before the annual Memorial Day event.
2010
Denter is 65-Year Legion Member
Feb 2, 2012
Post 508 honored Mahlon Denter for 65 of continuous service!
Post 508 honored Mahlon Denter for 65 of continuous service!
Dedicated Wilton Area Veterans Memorial
May 26, 2013
Over 800 Veterans from Civil War to Present Day are recognized within this memorial.
Over 800 Veterans from Civil War to Present Day are recognized within this memorial.
New Commander Installation
Jul 11, 2013
Commander Larry Bever distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the Wisconsin American Legion as Commander of the Wilton American Legion Post 508, Wilton, Wisconsin from July 2003 to July 2013. Under his command, the Wilton American Legion provided $5,000 in scholarship monies to local high school students; $1,000 to area youth at the Rod & Gun Club’s annual event; and $1,000 to the Village of Wilton’s annual festival. Under his leadership, Post..
Commander Larry Bever distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the Wisconsin American Legion as Commander of the Wilton American Legion Post 508, Wilton, Wisconsin from July 2003 to July 2013. Under his command, the Wilton American Legion provided $5,000 in scholarship monies to local high school students; $1,000 to area youth at the Rod & Gun Club’s annual event; and $1,000 to the Village of Wilton’s annual festival. Under his leadership, Post..
2020
Wilton American Legion Memorial Day 2026
May 25, 2026
Picture taken at one of the sites specifically honoring military lost at sea at the bridge on South Water st. over the Kickapoo River.
Left to right starting with Legion Members:
Drummer: Josh Brey he has been doing this for the legion for approx 5yrs. He was recruited by Toby (Larry Bever) when he attended BHS.
Legion Chaplain: Darryl Raabe
Sergeant of Arms - Larry Bever
David Dechant
Eric Steinke
Jerome Von Haden
Post Commander: Steven Brandau Sr
Justin Kennedy
Holding American Flag: Technical Sergeant..
Current Post 508 Commander
Sep 3, 2026
Meet Our Commander, Steve Brandau…
“In May of 1975, Commander Brandau enlisted in the Navy. He served four years active duty and two years inactive as a Jet Aviation Machinist Mate.
"Working on Hueys was a great experience. I appreciated, even at that youthful age, how active these planes and helicopters were in American history for training and wars."
Boot camp was at the Great Lakes Naval Air Station, followed by training school in Millington, Tennessee.
Commander Brandau spent the remainder of his service at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in..
