WDVA Celebrates Women's History Month
For more than four decades, the month of March has been celebrated as Women's History Month. WDVA continues to recognize the significant contributions of women who are committed to our common quest for freedom and opportunity. We also recognize the exceptional contributions women have made while serving in our nation's armed forces over the generations.
Please visit and follow our Women Veterans of Wisconsin page for upcoming programs, news, and events taking place year-round for women veterans.
Governor Evers Signs Into Law Four New Bills Positively Impacting Wisconsin Veterans
 On Friday, March 22, Governor Tony Evers signed several veteran bills into law. WDVA Secretary-designee James Bond attended the signing which included bills that will allow veteran spouses admission to state veterans homes before admission of the eligible veteran, allows veteran status on state IDs for Hmong soldiers who supported U.S. forces in Laos, changes CVSO grant eligibility, updates state cemetery residency, and more. WDVA is grateful to all who supported legislation to improve Wisconsin veterans' lives.
We are especially grateful to the authors of AB 1079, Speaker Robin Vos, Representative Kevin Petersen, Senator Van Wanggaard, Senator Joan Ballweg, and Senator Patrick Testin for working with us to get these much needed changes passed and signed into law.
Read more about the details of the legislation here.
Women Veterans Retreat Registration Now Open
The 2024 Annual Women Veterans Retreat is now open for registration! WDVA is thrilled to celebrate Wisconsin Women's Veterans Day at this retreat. Join us for an opportunity to recharge, reconnect, and connect with women veterans like you!
The retreat will begin Friday, June 7th, at 4:00 p.m. (the evening will conclude at 8:00 p.m.), starting with a few informal icebreaker activities, dinner, outdoor activities, and smores' around the fire.
Saturday morning registration will open at 7:30 a.m. (for those not in attendance for Friday evening activities).The first scheduled activity of early morning yoga will begin at 8:00 a.m., and all activities will be concluded by 3:00 p.m.
To register and find information on accommodations and be found by visiting the Women Veterans Retreat registration page.
WDVA is grateful to our amazing friends at Trinity Equestrian Center for hosting the retreat once more. We hope you can join this wonderful retreat for women veterans!
 |
|
'No Next of Kin' service held at SWVMC
On March 6, the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SWVMC) held a 'no next of kin' service (NNOK) with military honors for deceased veteran, Sgt. Gordon A. Streich. This special NNOK service occurs when there is no available family for a deceased veteran.
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Secretary-designee James Bond attended the service and received the burial flag in memory of Sgt. Streich. He was joined by WDVA's Amy Millard, Deputy Administrator of Veterans Benefits, and Andrea Northwood, Director of the Bureau of Veteran Cemeteries and Memorial Services. Also in attendance for the service were the majority of our SWVMC administration staff and caretakers.
- Service Record: Sgt. Gordon A Streich, US Army veteran
- Army Commendation Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster
- Army Achievement Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster
- DOB: June 5, 1955
- DOD: February 14, 2019
Our WDVA staff at SWVMC are honored and privileged to conduct services for all those who have served our nation. Learn more about our southernmost cemetery on our website.
*Pictured above in the front row. from right to left: WDVA Secretary-designee James Bond accepting the flag; Amy Millard, WDVA Deputy Administrator of Veteran Benefits; and Andrea Northwood, WDVA Director of the Bureau of Veteran Cemeteries and Memorial Services.
New VA Outpatient Clinic Opens in Oconomowoc
WDVA Secretary-designee James Bond was honored to give remarks at a ribbon-cutting on Friday, March 8, for the new 8,500-square-foot Oconomowoc VA Outpatient Clinic located at 1289 Olympia Fields Drive. The new clinic will bring world-class health care closer to home for some 5,500 eligible veterans in the Lake Country region west of Milwaukee.
“The new Oconomowoc clinic will make a difference in the lives of veterans and their families,” Bond said. “WDVA stands with the VA as they serve veterans’ physical health needs and save lives every day with their mental health and therapeutic services.”
The Oconomowoc clinic becomes the fifth community-based outpatient clinic under the Milwaukee VA umbrella, along with clinics in Green Bay, Appleton, Cleveland, and Union Grove. For all information on this clinic opening, please view the official story on VA.gov.
View more pictures from the ribbon cutting event here. *Photo credit to Milwaukee VA.
*Picture on left: WDVA Secretary-designee James Bond speaking at the ribbon cutting.
*Picture on right: Ribbon cutting ceremony outside, from left, are Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow, state Sen. John Jagler, state Rep. Barbara Dittrich, Wangard Executive Chairman Stewart Wangard, Milwaukee VA Executive Director Jim McLain (holding scissors), Waukesha County Board Supervisor Matthew Weil, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary-designee James Bond and Oconomowoc Mayor Robert Magnus.
WDVA Honors All Who Served in the Vietnam War
WDVA will take time to honor and remember the service and sacrifice of all who served in the Vietnam War on March 29. We also remember those who did not come home, and those who were prisoners of war. Learn more about Wisconsin's veterans who served in Vietnam by visiting the Wisconsin Veterans Museum website or stopping by to view their exhibits on your next visit to downtown Madison.
Great Career Opportunities Await with WDVA!
 Are you looking for a new career opportunity? WDVA is looking for great people to help us serve our veterans in Wisconsin. Our featured job this month is for an Assistant Administrator (Deputy Commandant) for our Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove.
WDVA has many more available job openings across our state which includes various positions at our veteran memorial cemeteries, skilled caregivers at veteran homes, and administrative staff at our offices in Milwaukee and Madison. To view all available openings, and how to apply, please visit wisc.jobs today!
|
