Honoree: Todd D. Olson


Todd D. Olson
Dates: Died December 27, 2004
Hometown: Loyal, WI
Branch of Service: Army National Guard
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Player: Evan Woosley-Reed

Staff Sergeant Todd Olson, 36, of Loyal, Wisconsin was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment, Wisconsin Army National Guard, Neillsville, Wisconsin. On December 27, 2004, SSG Olson died in the 67th Combat Support Hospital in Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds sustained on December 26, (the day after Christmas) when an improvised explosive device detonated in Samarra, Iraq.

A native of Loyal, Wisconsin, SSG joined the Army National Guard in 2003. He attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and studied finance. SSG Olson worked as Vice President and Agricultural Loan Officer at M&I Bank in Loyal, Wisconsin. He also served on the Loyal School Board, was active in the local Lions chapter, and coached youth football. SSG was a devoted father of four. He loved to hunt and watch the Green Bay Packers.

During the funeral, SSG Olson’s son, Trevor, shared memories about hunting and fishing trips and other times when his dad taught him life lessons. "December 26, 2004, was the day I lost a friend, role model, hero, coach and my dad."