 February 2025
In honor of National Black History Month, WDVA proudly salutes the generations of Black veterans who have served our nation with courage and dedication. Their stories are inspiring and showcase the best of Wisconsin.
We honor Black Veterans like retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Marcia M. Anderson of Beloit, WI. As the first African American female major general in our nation's history, she broke barriers by overcoming obstacles and embracing roles traditionally held by men—all while upholding the highest standards of service. Our paths have crossed many times, and I had the pleasure of seeing her again in November 2024 during the commissioning of the USS Beloit, a new Littoral Combat Ship named in honor of her hometown, where she proudly serves as the ship's sponsor.
And Anna Mae Robertson, of Milwaukee, who served during WWII in the Women's Army Corps 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Better known as the "six-triple-eight," it was also the first female African American battalion in the Army at that time. Given only six months to sort through hundreds of thousands of pieces of mail in Birmingham, England, they did it in three.
To learn more about General Anderson's remarkable story, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum has her trailblazing veteran oral history available to read online.
My appreciation to all who celebrate Black History Month. Thank you for helping shine a light on the unique and important stories of our fellow Wisconsin veterans.
Yours in Service,
James Bond
Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
*Pictured above: (on left) Anna Mae Robertson, WWII veteran during an interview she gave in February 2019 with American Veterans Center, and (on right) retired Maj. Gen. Marcia M. Anderson, who served as the deputy chief, U.S. Army Reserve; photo from Army archives. **Pictured below: Anderson stands in front of the stage applauding the commissioning of the USS Beloit at Veterans Park, Milwaukee, WI - November 22, 2024.
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Thanks to the generosity of people from across Wisconsin and the nation, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs was able to distribute thousands of Valentines Day cards to Wisconsin veterans last week. WDVA Secretary James Bond personally delivered cards on Valentine's Day to the veterans, loved ones, and Gold Star families residing at our home in Union Grove.
“Seeing all these beautiful cards and reading the heartfelt messages is a powerful reminder of what we can do for veterans when we work together," said Secretary Bond. "To everyone who sent in cards, and to all who continue to support Wisconsin’s veterans—thank you. Your kindness makes a difference."
More than 28,000 Valentines cards were made and sent in from across the state and nation. Deputy Secretary Chris McElgunn and other WDVA team members delivered cards to veterans at our homes at King and Chippewa Falls, and to veterans residing in our Veterans Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP) in Chippewa Falls, Green Bay, and Union Grove.
View photos from our 2025 Valentine's for Veterans events for Chippewa Falls and Union Grove.
*Pictured above: Secretary Bond visits veterans at Union Grove and delivers Valentine's cards in person on February 15, 2025. **Pictured below (Left to right): WDVA Women Veterans Coordinator, Jodi Barnett, and Deputy Secretary Chris McElgunn visit and deliver Valentine's to those living at the veterans Home in Chippewa Falls on February 15, 2025.
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 WDVA Secretary James Bond hit the road between snow storms this month to start his goal of visiting all 72 County and 11 Tribal veteran service offices (C/TVSOs) again this year. This month he visited the counties of Adams, Barron, Fond du Lac, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, Outagamie, Richland, Washburn, and Winnebago.
During these visits, Secretary Bond received positive feedback on several Department program efficiencies, including VBATS 2.0 computer database updates, streamlining the C/TVSO and County Transportation grant application process, and providing C/TVSOs with information on recently returning veterans through our RSVP program.
All of these key updates and improvements WDVA has implemented were based on direct input from Secretary Bond's in-person discussions with C/TVSOs in 2024. We are grateful to our county and tribal partners who help us make a positive impact for Wisconsin veterans and families!
View photos of recent CVSO visits here.
*Pictured: The Outagamie County Veterans Service Office in Appleton, WI, with WDVA Secretary James Bond (center) on February 7, 2025.
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This past January, after 20 years of service to the people of the state of Wisconsin, Kevin Hampton, Curator at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, will be heading east to join the state of Virginia as their Assistant Director of Programs and Education for the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission. Although he hasn’t reached the age of 40 yet, Kevin has worked at the museum for more than half of his life. He began here in 2004 as a high school volunteer during summer youth camps. When he returned as a college graduate, he was hired as a part-time curatorial assistant.
Over 14 years, Hampton worked his way from a temporary part-time position, to full-time, permanent positions, first as an associate curator, then curator of research and public programs, and finally curator of history. Few, if any, of his colleagues would doubt his commitment to preserve and remember the veterans of Wisconsin. Perhaps the only opportunity that could lure Kevin away from the stories of Wisconsin veterans is what ultimately did – the chance to be a leader and to tell even more stories to a national audience.
At a staff luncheon in early January, Secretary Bond presented Kevin with a plaque in honor and appreciation of his service to Wisconsin's veterans (pictured above). Kevin's good humor, creativity, and friendship will be missed greatly by staff and volunteers. Please join us as we wish Kevin all the success he deserves in his new role on the national level!
New WVM Exhibit in March - Traditions: Stories of Service to Country & Community
On March 14, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum will open a new exhibit, Traditions: Stories of Service to Country & Community. Highlighting stories and artifacts of Wisconsin veterans of all six branches of the armed forces, the exhibit explores their service in uniform and afterward and their contributions to our nation and state. Traditions will be on view through July 6, 2025. Please visit the museum's website for more information and open hours to explore the new exhibit.
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Please join us in sharing our collective appreciation for the dedicated team of caretakers and grounds crew at our three WDVA veteran memorial cemeteries located in King, Spooner, and Union Grove, WI. Our cemetery teams prepare interments in all four seasons of Wisconsin weather, including during the coldest days of winter. We are grateful for their commitment to making sure our cemeteries are always ready to honor those we lay to eternal rest.
*Pictured: Southern Wisconsin Veteran Memorial Cemetery's caretakers at Union Grove prepare for a veteran burial on January 15, 2025.
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