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 November 2024
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Secretary James Bond and Governor Tony Evers honored Yolanda Medina, M.Ed., and US Marine Corps veteran, as the 2024 Woman Veteran of the Year during the annual Veterans Day Reception at the Governor's Executive Residence on November 11.
Read more about Yolanda's impressive accomplishments and contributions to the veteran and military community in Wisconsin on our Women Veterans page.
View more pictures from the reception here.
Pictured (Left to right): WDVA Secretary James Bond, 2024 Woman Veteran of the Year Yolanda Medina, and Governor Tony Evers at the Executive Residence on November 11, 2024.
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Veterans and their guests joined WDVA for the annual ‘On, Wisconsin Tailgate’ on the evening of Saturday, November 16, as the Wisconsin Badgers Football Team faced the Oregon Football Ducks at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. This year’s game was a special tribute to County and Tribal Veteran Service Officers.
Secretary Bond greeted attendees at the Tailgate and joined Bruce Wilber, an Army veteran who serves as the Tribal Veteran Service Officer (TVSO) for Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and the County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO) for Menominee County, as he received an honorary game ball on behalf of all veterans and those currently serving in our nation’s military.
A special thank you goes out to University Veteran Services at UW-Madison, VFW Post 1318, and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum for making this special event happen for our military service members, veterans, and their families.
*Pictured top (left to right): Secretary James Bond, UW Athletic Director Chris McIntosh, and CVSO/TVSO Bruce Wilber accepting the honorary game ball at Camp Randall Stadium.
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View our photo album from the tailgate here.
On November 8, Secretary Bond gave remarks at the “Honoring Our Veterans” event at the Milwaukee War Memorial Center, hosted by Dryhootch Milwaukee. The veterans honored at this special event included: Joshua Morris, Shan Owens, Vicky Kennedy, Terina Hammick, Garry Lawson, Dr. Jada Reynolds, Terry Strong, Dr. Berdie Cowser, Tanya Sloan, Tiffany Koehler, Joseph Savage, William Ruffin, Franklin Sims, Lamar Franklin, Anna Mae Robertson, Army (100 Years old) WWII Veteran, and Vernon Townsend, Army (104 years old) WWII Veteran.
Pictured above (Left to right): Darrell L. Williams, Ph.D., DPI Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Libraries and Technology; Doug Melville, Guest Speaker and Bestselling Author, Invisible Generals; Cavalier Johnson, Mayor of Milwaukee; and WDVA Secretary James Bond.
WVM receives National Accreditation by American Alliance of Museums
The Wisconsin Veterans Museum (WVM) has again achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded to the nation’s museums. This achievement reflects the excellence and professionalism of the entire WVM staff as they preserve and educate the public on Wisconsin’s veteran history.
“This honor speaks volumes about the staff and leadership of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum,” said WDVA Secretary James Bond. “Not that we needed it, but it is further proof that WVM is one of the finest museums in our state and an example for the nation. And it is one more reason to be excited for the future of this cherished institution.” Read the full press release
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Secretary Bond met with Dan Buttery on his final day as President and CEO of the War Memorial Center in Milwaukee and expressed his appreciation to Dan for his commitment, leadership, and partnership with WDVA on behalf of our veteran community.
Secretary Bond highlighted how the relationship between the Center and WDVA exemplifies his motto that “together we are stronger.”
Earlier this year, the War Memorial Center received a $50,000 Veteran Mental Health Community-Based Organization Grant from WDVA, thanks to Governor Tony Evers' ARPA investment in veterans.
Read more about Governor Evers' efforts to support veteran employment, housing assistance, and mental health services here.
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Secretary Bond was honored to attend the formal commissioning ceremony of the Littoral Combat Ship, USS Beloit, on Saturday, November 23, at Veterans Park in Milwaukee.
The ship's sponsor, retired Maj. Gen. Marcia M. Anderson, a native of Beloit, was the first female African American officer to earn her second star in the U.S. Army reserves. After 37 years of service, Anderson retired back in 2016 as Deputy Chief of the U.S. Army Reserve. As the ship's official sponsor, Anderson is considered a permanent member of the crew.
Secretary Bond joined Governor Tony Evers, Senator Tammy Baldwin, and many others for the ceremony. Next stop for the USS Beloit is Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, where she will be stationed.
Watch news coverage of the USS Beloit commissioning courtesy of CBS58 News.
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Are you exploring a possible career change? WDVA is looking for great people like you to help us serve veterans in Wisconsin!
This month's featured job opening is for an Office Associate LTE at our Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, WI. WDVA has several more job openings across the state which includes various positions with our administrative offices in Milwaukee and Madison, our three veteran memorial cemeteries, and skilled caregivers at veteran homes.
To view all available openings, and learn how to apply, please visit wisc.jobs today!
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