The Roland American Legion Post 307 is marking Memorial Day with a pair of special tributes and a rare helicopter fly‑in at the Roland Cemetery, recognizing both a fallen World War II airman and all Vietnam‑era veterans.
The program on Monday, May 25, will include the dedication of a memorial marker for 2nd Lt. Donald E. Alvestad, a Roland native and B‑17 co‑pilot who was killed in action in 1944. The ceremony, which starts at 10 a.m., will also feature recognition for Vietnam‑era veterans, followed by the arrival of a vintage UH‑34D Seahorse helicopter that served in Vietnam.
“Our small community lost 11 sons, 11 heroes, during World War II,” Legion Commander Jim McCormick said in a news release. “One, who never came home, was B‑17 co‑pilot, 2nd Lieutenant Donald E. Alvestad.”
A lunch will follow the ceremony at Salem Lutheran Church.
Honoring a fallen WWII airman
Alvestad grew up in Roland, was confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church and graduated from Roland High School in 1941. He later worked at the Lockheed Aircraft plant in California before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1942.
He was deployed to England with the 8th Air Force. On Nov. 29, 1944, Alvestad was serving as co‑pilot on a bombing mission over Hamm, Germany, when his B‑17 Flying Fortress sustained a direct hit to the cockpit. Alvestad, the pilot, bombardier and forward gunner were killed instantly. He was 23.
The remaining six crew members parachuted to safety but were captured and held as prisoners of war. Alvestad and several crewmates are buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery in France.
Donald’s brother, Ralph Norman Alvestad, was stationed in Hawaii during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941. A surviving niece, Carole Otteman, lives in Ames.
Vietnam‑era veterans from Story County will be recognized
The Roland Legion will also honor all Vietnam‑era veterans, including National Guard and Reserve members, with commemorative 50th Anniversary lapel pins. Surviving spouses or family members will receive a “Family Sacrifice” pin.
“We were fortunate not to lose any of our military men and women from Roland during the Vietnam‑era,” Post Historian Larry Ritland said in a news release. “However, neighboring communities in Story County were not as fortunate.”
Ritland, a Vietnam veteran, said the Legion chose to recognize the veterans in 2026 to “make‑up for the welcome home they never received while they were in uniform.”
McCormick said attitudes have shifted over time.
“Folks now understand those veterans from Vietnam had no input about why we were in a war thousands of miles away, but they bravely served anyway,” he said. “It’s time to recognize them.”
Vietnam‑era helicopter fly‑in to feature ‘The Flying Memorial’
A UH‑34D Seahorse helicopter known as YL‑37 “The Flying Memorial” will land at the south edge of the Roland Cemetery around 8:30 a.m. Those coming only to view the aircraft are asked not to drive into the cemetery and instead use nearby designated parking.
The aircraft served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1968 with the Marine Corps’ HMM‑362 “Ugly Angels” squadron and carries a plaque listing 33 Marines who died in service.
The helicopter is owned by retired Lt. Col. Nick Turner, which is housed on the family acreage between State Center and Rhodes.
It will lift off at 12:30 p.m. on Monday and head back home.
Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Rural Story County Legion honoring vets with vintage helicopter fly-in
Reporting by Ronna Faaborg, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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