October 30, 2009

Veterans Day Ceremonies to be held statewide
The theme for Veterans Day 2009 – “They Stood for Us – Now Stand for Them”

(MADISON) – The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) announces Veterans Day ceremonies to be held statewide.

"The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs theme for this year is 'They Stood for Us – Now Stand for Them,'" said Secretary John A. Scocos. "It is important that Wisconsin citizens take time on Veterans Day to honor veterans of all eras and to remember those who are currently serving our nation."

In addition as part of Veterans Day, the 2007 Wisconsin Act 22, the State of Wisconsin has declared that the seven-day period that ends on November 11 (Nov. 5-11, 2009) is designated as "Veterans Recognition Week" in Wisconsin and the week of November that starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday in which Nov. 11 falls (Nov. 8-14, 2009) is designated as "Hire A Veteran Week" in Wisconsin.

Veterans Day ceremonies being conducted throughout the State of Wisconsin include:

The 46th Annual Veterans Day Parade in Milwaukee will be held on November 7, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. starting at 4th and Kilbourn in Milwaukee (see www.veteransdayparade-milw.org).

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. – State Capitol in Madison, hosted by the Madison Veterans Council. A concert by VFW Band 1318 will precede the program. The Colors will be presented by members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 32d Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Speakers include Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin’s 2nd Congressional District, U.S. Army Reserve Brigadier General Marcia Anderson, Vice-Chair of the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs, and Don Jones, Executive Director of LZ Lambeau.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. – Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery – Marden Center of the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King. Speakers include Mr. Dan Naylor, member of the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. – Maurer Hall of the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove. Speakers include Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary John A. Scocos and Brigadier General Dominic Cariello, Assistant Adjutant General for Readiness and Training for the Wisconsin Army National Guard.

Due to construction of a new columbarium last year, no ceremony took place in 2008 at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at the Union Grove site; it should be noted that this year’s ceremony for 2009 will be held at the veterans’ home instead of the cemetery.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. – Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery – Spooner. Speakers include Brigadier General USA (Ret.) Andrew Schuster, Public Affairs Director of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs; and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, Sgt. Gabe Schauf of New Richmond.

The Wisconsin Veterans Museum will also be open on Veterans Day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Museum is a free public educational activity of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and is located at 30 West Mifflin Street across from the State Capitol. For information about the museum programs and current exhibits visit the museum website at www.museum.dva.state.wi.us.

For more information about Veterans Day and ceremonies taking place throughout the state, go to www.WisVets.com/VeteransDay, see WDVA Events webpage at www.WisVets.com/Events, or call 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387).