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 August 2025
August is National Wellness Month, and WDVA encourages you to find ways to create healthier habits and reduce stress to feel like your best self.
Additionally, VA.gov has veterans' health and wellness programs that offer information, resources, and treatment options to help you stay healthy. There you can find resources about quitting tobacco use, preventing disease, managing your weight, men's and women's health tips, and maintaining your mental health, and more. We encourage you to visit the VA Wellness Program website to learn more and stay healthy all year long.
WDVA forced to scale back service for Veterans
In 2023, Governor Evers used ARPA funds to expand the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP) from 11 to 16 regions. As part of our 2025-27 Budget Request, WDVA asked for state funding to make the expansion permanent. Unfortunately, the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee rejected the request and the budget passed without the funding for the additional staff. VORP is now back to 11 regions. This will result in reduced support and delayed services for the veterans who need it the most. Although we are disappointed, WDVA remains committed to serving at risk veterans as best we can.
The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee also rejected providing additional funding for the Veteran Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP). As the Committee was deliberating, the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau noted that, “without additional funding, the Department [of Veterans Affairs] would not have sufficient resources to maintain the program’s three sites.” As a result of the Legislature’s failure to provide the funding, WDVA was forced to announce that the VHRP locations in Chippewa Falls and Green Bay would be closing by September 30th of this year. WDVA decided to focus efforts on the remaining location in Union Grove, which was the facility in the best physical shape and is able to serve both male and female veterans. Veterans currently residing at the Chippewa Falls and Green Bay facilities will be offered alternative placement options and will continue to receive assistance through supportive services.
WDVA would like to extend gratitude to the employees of Lutheran Social Services who staffed the two locations for their hard work and dedication to Wisconsin veterans.
WDVA's official statement is available here. Governor Evers official statement can be found here.
*Pictured Klein Hall, WDVA's VHRP facility in Chippewa Falls, WI. Photo credit Google Earth.
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At each pow wow, he proudly joined fellow veterans and was honored with the invitation to carry a flag during the Grand Entry. This is a sacred tradition in Native communities, where veterans lead dancers into the arena. Native Americans serve in the military at the highest per capita rate of any ethnic group, and this role reflects deep respect for their service.
A pow wow is a social gathering featuring dancing, singing, drumming, and cultural celebration. During the Grand Entry, eagle staffs, decorated with feathers, ribbons, pins, and Tribal designs honoring identity and service, are carried first, followed by military and service flags. For a non-Tribal member to be asked to participate in this tradition is considered a great honor and show of respect.
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs remains dedicated to building, strengthening, and sustaining relationships with Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized Tribes. Participating in cultural events like this pow wow reflects WDVA’s commitment to meaningful partnerships, mutual respect, and continued service to Native veterans and their communities.
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The Wisconsin Veterans Museum announces a new temporary exhibit called, "D-Day." The exhibit is now open through December 31, 2025.
The exhibit highlights how Allied forces landed the morning of June 6, 1944 on the coast of Normandy, France. The invasion included air, land, and sea forces from 15 nations including the United States, Great Britain, and Canada. Forever known as D-Day, this pivotal battle turned the course of World War II in favor of the Allies.
This exhibit features the stories of thousands of Wisconsin men and women who fought and served in WWII in the European Theater. Forty-six Wisconsinites were killed in action on D-Day and many more served in the invasion and campaign. It also features a traveling art exhibit from artist Keith Rocco combined with artifacts from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum.
The Wisconsin Veterans Museum is free and open to the public. Visit the museum's website for open hours and directions.
Secretary Bond Highlights Shared Commitment to Assisting Veteran Entrepreneurs at WWBIC Event
Secretary Bond attended and spoke at the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) Celebration at the Governor's Executive Residence on August 15. He thanked WWBIC for its partnership and commitment to assisting veteran entrepreneurs in achieving their dreams of owning successful small businesses.
He also highlighted WDVA's strong support for initiatives that foster a state-wide culture for veteran entrepreneurship and guide those recently transitioning out of active service to help them find rewarding civilian careers. Watch a video of his speech here.
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Fraud Alert! - Scammers Impersonating Wisconsin DMV
WDVA is spreading the word with our partners at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation about scammers who continue to text and email consumers posing as Wisconsin DMV.
Learn more about this scam and how to avoid it here.
Please be vigilant to protect your personal information and those in our state's veteran community from identity theft.
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 Secretary Bond held the quarterly Veteran Service Organization (VSO) State Commanders meeting at the Chippewa Valley Veterans Tribute in Altoona, WI. The group provided updates and shared insights on the positive impact the department and VSOs are having on the veteran community throughout Wisconsin.
Tim Sexton, President of the Chippewa Valley Veterans Tribute Foundation, hosted the group, provided an overview of their Foundation, and took them on a tour of the Tribute site.
Pictured from Left to Right: Williams Sims, President of the National Association for Black Veterans, Wisconsin; Tiffany Koehler, Commander, DAV Wisconsin; George Banda, Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Wisconsin; Ben Mattson, Vice-Commander, Marine Corps League Wisconsin; Leroy Jansky, State Inspector, VFW Wisconsin; Ron Griffin, Commander, AMVETS Dept. of Wisconsin; Larry Larson, Vice Commander, Wisconsin American Legion; Secretary Bond; Dale Wiegand, Executive Director, AMVETS Dept. of Wisconsin; Tim Sexton; and Kurk Anderson, Commandant , Marine Corps League Wisconsin.
WDVA Secretary James Bond spoke at the Brown County Veteran Treatment Court Graduation Ceremony (newly named Thomas Hinz Veterans Treatment Court) in Green Bay.
He congratulated the commitment of the graduates, and commended the dedication of the judges, court staff and mentors working with these veterans seeking a better path to living and thriving in our communities. “These graduates are the embodiment of something that is at the core of my approach to serving veterans,” said Bond. “None of us can do it alone, we are stronger together. This graduation is concrete proof of that idea, a testament to the power of working together."
The treatment court program assists veterans in the criminal justice system to address and overcome their past through comprehensive treatment and support.
Pictured right (from left to right): Brown County Judge Beau Liegois, veteran treatment court graduates Kevin Gille, Katie George, and Matthew Harris, with WDVA Secretary James Bond on July 18, 2025. Picture credit to WLUK.
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WDVA Secretary James Bond was a guest speaker at the Wisconsin American Legion and Auxiliary state conference in Green Bay in July.
He provided several departmental updates and expressed his appreciation for their steadfast partnership with WDVA on behalf our shared mission in serving veterans in Wisconsin.
Pictured: WDVA Secretary James Bond addresses American Legion State Conference leadership and members in Green Bay on July 19, 2025.
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Would you like to request a WDVA representative to speak at your next event or meeting? Please fill out the Wisconsin Department Of Veterans Affairs - Speaking Request Form. *Please note: Submitting this form does not guarantee availability of staff. Please await notification from WDVA.
Looking for a new, rewarding career? WDVA is looking for great people like you to help us serve veterans in Wisconsin! This month's featured job openings are for a Nursing Assistant 2 (Certified Nursing Assistants) at our Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, WI.
WDVA has additional 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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