 September 2024
Earlier this month, WDVA Secretary-designee James Bond was honored to join other state and local dignitaries and give remarks at the 9/11 Remembrance ceremony at Milwaukee's War Memorial Center. The ceremony gave solemn tribute to the lives lost in the attacks on September 11, 2001, including honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation's first responders, military service members, and veterans.
Pictured above: WDVA Secretary James Bond with Milwaukee County Veteran Services Office Director Rick Flowers at the 9/11 ceremony.
Watch a recording by FOX6 News Milwaukee from the 9/11 Remembrance ceremony here.
WDVA Remembers Vern Larson
WDVA honors the life and contributions of Vern Larson, military veteran, Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs member, and family man, who passed away on August 30, 2024. In honor and recognition of his life of service, Governor Tony Evers and WDVA Secretary-designee James Bond issued a joint statement giving tribute to Vern's dedication of service to his country, fellow veterans, his community, and family. Please read the full statement here.
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The 2024 WDVA Women Veteran of the Year Nominations are now open. Since 2008, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs has consistently acknowledged women veterans who have exhibited commendable service to military service members, veterans, and their community.
We encourage nominations from veterans, family members, friends, veterans service organizations, County and Tribal Veteran Service Officers, other veteran groups, and community members for consideration in this year's selection process.
Please fill out a nomination form here. Information about past recipients of the award can be found on our website.
Nominations will be accepted until October 13, 2024. For any inquiries regarding the nomination process, please direct them to: WomenVets@dva.wisconsin.gov.
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This month we spotlight our colleague Nathan Gear from our Veteran Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP). Nathan joined WDVA’s VORP team as an Outreach and Recovery Regional Coordinator (ORRC) in April 2024. He provides case management to veterans in Adams, Dodge, Columbia, Green Lake, Marquette, and Waushara counties. A big part of Nathan’s job is connecting veterans to proper mental and behavioral health services, substance use treatments, housing and employment, claims and benefits. Like all our VORP team members, he works with local community agencies, non-profit organizations, government offices, and other support programs.
Nathan is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard with over 26 years of honorable service with deployments to the Middle East, Africa, and multiple state activations.
“Since the beginning of my military career, taking care of soldiers was always one of my main priorities. Now 30 years later, I am blessed to continue helping veterans and their families,” says Gear.
He finds personal satisfaction in helping fellow veterans by seeing them succeed. “I’m motivated by making a difference in their quality of life. Being on the front lines of veteran issues is not an easy responsibility, however, working together, we get results. One team. One fight.”
In his free time, Nathan enjoys quality time with family and friends, various outdoor activities, and some ‘wind therapy’ on his motorcycle when time allows.
Nathan can be contacted by calling 608-590-6137 or Nathan.gear@dva.wisconsin.gov. More information on VORP can be found here.
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Earlier this month, Wisconsin Veterans Museum added the artifacts from one of Wisconsin’s legendary World War II heroes, James “Maggie” Megellas, to the permanent collection on display. It is on view now.
Megellas, was born in Fond du Lac and is considered the most-highly decorated officer in the 82nd Airborne. A 1942 ROTC graduate of Ripon College, Megellas became a paratrooper in World War II, earning two Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and the Distinguished Service Cross while seeing action in Italy, Holland, Belgium, and Germany.
“To military historians, ‘Maggie’ Megellas is a larger-than-life character, the epitome of a tough-as-nails soldier, and are well aware of his contributions,” said Wisconsin Veterans Museum Curator Kevin Hampton.
The Megellas Family chose to donate James Megellas’ artifacts and archives to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum over other nationally recognized institutions. Their decision means that this international story of a Wisconsin son will be preserved in his home state. Read the full press release here.
Pictured: James "Maggie" Megellas, highest decorated soldier in the 82nd Airborne, WWII photo.
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