Annual 'Salute to Veterans' UW Football Tailgate and Game Ball Presentation

A special ceremony during the opening of the game took place on the field where a game ball was presented from University of Wisconsin Director of Athletics Chris McIntosh to Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Mary Kolar, also joined by Veterans of Foreign Wars State Commander and Air Force veteran Michele Rathke and American Legion State Commander and Army veteran Julie Muhle.

For the first time in Wisconsin history, both the VFW and American Legion have a woman veteran serving as state commander.

WDVA and UW Athletics partnered to give out tickets to eligible veterans and their family members during an online drawing in the weeks before the games. 

Nominations Open for Woman Veteran of the Year 2022

To submit your online nomination form for a woman veteran, please click here.

The 2022 Woman Veteran of the Year will be selected by a panel based on a set of criteria. Nominations will be accepted until September 30, 2022.

Starting in 2008, the department has annually recognized women veterans who have compiled records of exemplary service as a military service member, a veteran, and an outstanding member of the community.

Veterans, family members, friends, veterans service organizations, County and Tribal Veteran Service Officers, other veterans groups, and those in the community are encouraged to submit nominations to be considered in this year's process.

Volunteers help beautify SWVMC on National Day of Service

On Friday, September 9, volunteers donated their time and efforts for the National Day of Service at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Several dozen volunteers were on hand to help beautify our cemetery, clean headstones, straighten grave markers, and assist with minor landscaping clean up projects. We are so grateful to all who volunteer their time and energy for this special day.

The National Day of Service was established to recognize the annual commemoration of September 11th, known as Patriot Day, through public service at VA National Cemeteries and participating military cemeteries around the country. The national partner for this day is Carry The Load. For more information on this partnership and national participation, please visit their official website.

All pictures from the National Day of Service at Southern Wisconsin Memorial Cemetery can be found here. 

VORP Spotlight:

Nick Brewer

Meet Nick Brewer, outreach coordinator for Region 7 of WDVA’s Veteran Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP). 

Region 7 of VORP consists of the Wisconsin counties of Calumet, Manitowoc, Portage, Waupaca, Winnebago, and Waushara. 

"I have enjoyed helping veterans ever since I officially became one. I have been helping veterans for over 10 years and although my roles in the veteran community have changed, my desire to help veterans has not," he says. 

Nick served seven years in the Wisconsin Army National Guard with a combat tour to Iraq in 2010-2011. Nick's grandfather also was a pilot of a B-17 “Flying Fortress” in WWII and was shot down over occupied Holland. He was captured by the Germans and spent 18 months in a POW Camp before being rescued by the Russians. 

The most rewarding part of his job Nick says is the moment the veteran realizes that they have made it through their dark times.

"We work with veterans who are all too often down on their luck, lost, and desperate," says Nick. "The best feeling comes once they can see the light past their situation and can resume their life. The feeling you get helping that veteran open a door they thought was closed to them is wonderful."

Nick can be reached at: 715.409.3767, or at nicholas.brewer1@dva.wi.gov 

September is Suicide Awareness Month