Graphic novel reading group | Wisconsin Veterans Museum

From the Wisconsin Veterans Museum:


The Wisconsin Veterans Museum, in partnership with Jessica Gross, a Public Humanities Exchange Scholar with the UW-Madison Center for the Humanities, is launching a graphic novel reading group for veterans.  Participants will meet twice a month (evenings) in downtown Madison to discuss readings from war-themed graphic novels.

Through both true-to-life and fictional stories of combat, Jessica hopes to open up a dialogue on war and power among veterans. All veterans are welcome to participate, but combat veterans and those with recent service in Iraq and Afghanistan are encouraged to attend. All books will be provided by a grant received from the UW-Madison Center for the Humanities.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Curator of Education Jennifer Kollath at Jennifer.kollath@dva.wisconsin.gov.

Veterans | Walker or Burke best on issues?

From the Wisconsin State Journal: Gov. Scott Walker touts all he has done for Wisconsin's veterans since taking office more than three years ago, making it a focus of his re-election efforts as he frequents events around the state with service members.

But some veterans say Walker's refusal to pardon a decorated Iraqi war veteran and support for legislation they oppose show he doesn't have their true interests in mind, an argument that could tarnish the image he presents to patriotic conservatives.

Jason Johns, an Iraqi combat veteran, Republican lobbyist for veterans groups and a former deputy secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs under Walker, said veterans who previously wouldn't think twice about voting for Walker now aren't so sure.

"It's causing people to pause and really look at it," Johns said. "Before it was really easy to say he's nothing but positive for veterans."

Walker's expected Democratic opponent, Mary Burke, has tried to exploit Walker's record on veterans' issues.

"It just seems to me like Walker is far too willing to make decisions that adversely impact the brave men and women who've served our country," Burke said in a statement.

New Dane CVSO named

From the Dane County Executive's office:

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced today that he has named Dan Connery as his new Dane County Veterans Service Officer (VSO). Connery is a veteran of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and has extensive experience working with the veterans community. Connery is currently serving as Interim Veterans Service Officer for Dane County.

“Dan’s extensive experience with the Dane County Veterans Service Office and our veterans community make him an ideal candidate for our new VSO,” said Parisi. “I look forward to working with Dan as we continue to assist and serve those who have given so much for our country.”

A Madison native and East High School graduate, Dan Connery joined the United States Army out of high school and served from July 1988 to July 1991. After basic training and advanced individual training (AIT), he was stationed in South Korea (Camp Ames) for one year before heading to Fort Knox, Kentucky. Working in support of the 1st Calvary Division out of Fort Hood, Texas, Dan spent six months in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Joining the Dane County Veterans Service Office in May 2006, Dan has years of direct experience with advocating for and assisting veterans in obtaining the benefits they have earned by serving our nation. Connery’s roles in the Veterans Service Office have included Assistant Veterans Service Officer, Deputy Veterans Service Director, and Interim Veterans Service Director.

During his time in the Veterans Service Office, Connery has helped increase access to benefits and services to Dane County Veterans population through the innovative use of technology and social media.

“Helping men and women who wore the uniform to support our nation is an absolute honor,” said Connery. “I am extremely proud of the work we do for our veterans and I am grateful for the ongoing support of County Executive Parisi and his staff. Dane County is committed to supporting veterans and veterans issues.”

Connery is a graduate of Upper Iowa University with a BS in Psychology. He lives in Oregon with his wife, Melinda, and their sons, Bailey, Kieran, and Riley.

Pending final approval by the Dane County Board, Connery’s start date as VSO will be June 3rd, and his starting salary $72,820.

ICYMI: "War on women" also hits returning military, Wis vet says

Military veterans are the big losers in the rollback of a Wisconsin law that had allowed women, minorities and other protected groups to sue in state court over employment discrimination, say leaders of a statewide veterans group. Read the Wisconsin State Journal article here.

Wisconsin Dryhootch found honored at White House

Dryhootch founder Bob Curry will be honored at the White House tomorrow at 11 a.m. CT.

The grand opening of Dryhootch Madison at the Veterans Welcome Resource Center, 8025 Excelsior Drive,  took place last week..

From the White House:

WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, May 24^th, the White House Office of Public Engagement will honor Robert Curry as one of eleven individuals within the veterans’ community, especially those who served in Vietnam, who are Champions of Change.  These individuals have shown continued support for efforts to end veterans’ homelessness, boost veterans’ employment, treat problems with substance abuse, and develop treatment programs for those dealing with PTSD.

“Today’s Vietnam Veteran Champions of Change represent some of the best of their generation – those who served with dedication and courage.  These American patriots continue to serve in their communities today, improving the lives of their fellow veterans and military families,” said Rosye Cloud, the White House Director of Veterans, Wounded Warrior and Military Family Policy.  “As we mark the 50^th anniversary of the Vietnam War, we are reminded of their unwavering commitment to their country yesterday, today and tomorrow.” 

The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.

To watch this event live, visit www.whitehouse.gov/live at 12:00 pm ET on May 24^th.

Robert Curry is a combat veteran of Vietnam and Laos. In an effort to help our newest generation of soldiers transition as they returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, he founded Dryhootch.org, which has grown rapidly in locations and services and helped an increasing number of veterans and their families.

Special effort reunites vets with money

Wisconsin's treasury and veterans affairs departments say they have found  $76,418.20 for 293 veterans. That's an average of about $261 per person.

Officials merged a WDVA list of vets with the names in treasury's Unclaimed Property Fund, then mailed claims forms to the 3,000 veterans. About one in 10 have made claims for amounts ranging from $5 to just under $4,000, according to a press release from WDVA Secretary John Scocos and Treasurer Kurt Schuller.

There is about $400 million in the unclaimed property account. You can check for your name on the  State Treasurer’s website: www.wismissingmoney.com.

Two more Badger Honor flights scheduled

 Badger Honor Flights has schedule two trips for next spring, on April 21 and May 21, volunteer Steve Bartlett tells me. They have 200 World War II veterans on their waiting list, so at 100 per flight, the math is easy.

The urgency of the flights never stops being apparent.

The latest evidence: Ken Hur passed away this week after going on the Nov. 12 flight.
"Ken had Alzheimers and still thoroughly enjoyed the trip, even though he was in a wheel chair the entire time.  His daughter Janine flew back from Paris to escort him as a Guardian," Steve said.

For more information about the programs go to http://www.badgerhonorflight.org or call (608) 616-0243.

Is Badger Trips a bad guy?

Travel agency Badger Trips offered free trips to the Rose Bowl for Wisconsin vets, then withdrew the offer when it found that the seats were sold or selling out quickly.
Some of the folks commenting on the story seem to think this is a slap in the face for veterans.
I talked with one of the travel agency co-owners and he seemed very sorry about the turn of events. It was a pretty nice gesture to begin with, and the company is saying it will make it up to veterans at a later time. But many are reacting by saying the almighty dollar trumped allegiance to our fighting men and women.
Perhaps it's ironic that the for-profit economic system the military fights to preserve has in this case come back to bite a few veterans. With unemployment as high as it is, it shouldn't be a surprise that the free market system -- despite all its benefits -- can be a rough game.

Celebration will provide overdue recognition

Laura Gilbert is a volunteer leader for Operation Celebrate Freedom, a fun event scheduled for Saturday, May 15, at the Jefferson County Fair Park Activity Center and grounds.

I got started with Operation Celebrate Freedom because I felt that when my husband was deployed that not only did my community not only not know that he was gone, there was no recognition for his return home. Although we don't look for that recognition, it sure doesn't hurt to get it, so I felt with the 3,200+ troops that were deployed last year the time to give them ALL appreciation was NOW. So I approached a local business owner Randy Schopen of Capn's Catering in Jefferson and asked for his help getting people together to get the ball rolling. So in September we had our first meeting. We are a completely volunteer committee comprised of Military and non Military members who just believe that our troops deserve to be welcomed home in a special manner.


We started making plans to have music, food, beverages, as well as educational booths for the veterans returning home about thier benefits post deployment. It turns out that we are also having a motorcycle ride into the event from the five counties surrounding Jefferson County that will meet at the Jefferson VFW and stage there then ride to the fairgrounds down Hwy 26 to Puerner St into the fairgrounds, the final leg of the ride will have the support of the SE WI Patriot Guards flags, citizens will hold flags as the motorcycles ride through to the fairgrounds. Basically we will have bands, food, beverages, kids activities informational booths, and hopefully a day of fun for our Veterans and families and an opprotunity for the general public to show appreciation to our recently returning Veterans.I can only tell you that this whole thing just started for me because I could not let the troops from WI be treated in a negative way on their return home, they deserve to be shown that we appreciate what they do for us no matter what our views on the war are, they are still fighting for our Country, they are still volunteering to do what they do they deserve to be shown a little appreciation for what they do. And ,we must not also forget the sacrifices of the families and what they go through during deployment it is a rough road for them too, they go from two parent families to one parent families. The children are often times too young to understand when mom or dad are leaving and even when they are old enough they still don't always understand the reason behind why their parent must leave.
Deployment is a difficult thing to have to go through and not every family makes it through sucessfully but for the ones that do, it changes your life forever! Your life becomes "before deployment and after deployment" references. That is why this event is so important to me, for those who made it they desereve to be recognized! I am proud to be an American Military family now more than ever, and I hope that all Military families feel the same way, we really go through more than civilians can imagine!

Wisconsin WWII veterans fly high

Ninety seven Wisconsin veterans of World War II took an emotional, whirlwind tour of Washington, D.C. war memorials Saturday.

If you missed the Wisconsin State Journal coverage, you can find it here.
Our online package includes a very nice photo gallery (31 photos), and if you want to see even more stellar images, take a look at State Journal photographer Steve Apps' personal blog.

Steve and I heard dozens and dozens of stirring, funny and heartbreaking stories while researching the story spending the day with the veterans. We put as many as we could in the paper, and there will be opportunities in future editions to share more.

Folks in Beaver Dam asked that we use this blog to mention the names of the veterans from that area who were on the flight. Click here for the information in the Beaver Dam Daily Citizen.

If your are a veteran, on active duty, or a member of a Wisconsin military family, this blog is for you. Send your stories and photos to me at sverburg@madison.com.

For more information on Badger Honor Flight, click here.



-- Steve Verburg

Next stage of Wisconsin Guard deployment is that first year back home

Veterans coming back from long overseas tours must cope with changes they’ve undergone in dangerous, foreign environments, and in the way life at home has changed as well.
Read the Wisconsin State Journal story here.

News: Wisconsin vets board vows to help pay for costly services

From the Associated Press: The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs is taking steps to allow residents to continue living at its nursing home in Union Grove despite steep rate increases set for January.
Residents had complained bitterly about the increases of up to 37 percent and some warned they would be forced to move out.
The agency’s board agreed Friday to use reserve funds to enroll qualifying residents in an aid program that will pay for expenses they cannot afford. For those who do not qualify, the agency will temporarily suspend the collection of payments owed.
Board members said those steps should allow residents to stay until they can consider whether to roll back the increase at a meeting in January. Secretary Ken Black warned, however, the additional aid could lead to a budget shortfall later.