 April 2026
During the week of April 19-25, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs marked National Volunteer Week at our Veterans Homes in Chippewa Falls, King, and Union Grove. Volunteers were invited to award luncheons and received certificates recognizing the thousands of hours they’ve spent with our members.
Secretary James Bond travelled to the Homes in King and Chippewa Falls to meet with and thank volunteers (above in the bottom picture with volunteers). Deputy Secretary Chris McElgunn visited our Home in Union Grove to thank volunteers and presented certificates to them (above, top right).
Please join us in expressing our collective appreciation to our volunteers for their dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to those we serve!
Want to see what our Homes are up to? Please follow the Facebook pages for the Veterans Homes at Chippewa Falls, King, and Union Grove.
 Secretary Bond was the keynote speaker on the first day of the County and Tribal Veteran Service Officers Association of Wisconsin's Spring Conference in Stevens Point.
"For the past three years, I’ve done my best to strengthen our relationship by visiting every County and Tribal Veteran Service Office multiple times," said Secretary Bond in his remarks. "You are the boots on the ground, and the first place many of our state’s veterans turn to. You are our key partners in helping WDVA achieve its mission."
In addition to highlighting shared goals and providing updates, Secretary Bond recognized Janelle Gallatin and Rock Larson for their work on recently passed legislation allowing former Guard and reserve members to indicate their veteran status on operators’ licenses and identification cards. He also thanked Governor Evers and legislators for their bipartisan support for all of the veteran-focused legislation signed into law this session, noting that these legislative wins are the result of partnerships and collaborations among our many state veteran service organizations.
Pictured: Secretary Bond speaking to the attendees of the County and Tribal Veteran Officers Association of Wisconsin's Spring Conference in Stevens Point, WI, on April 27, 2026.
 To mark the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum (WVM) this month, Secretary Bond joined our Museum’s Director, Chris Kolakowski, for the unveiling of the new historical banners on display detailing the museum’s vibrant history. The banners were initially on view in the West Gallery of the Wisconsin State Capitol and now can be found on display at the museum.
We encourage you to visit the museum to see for yourself the fascinating stories and exhibits on display about Wisconsin’s veterans and their sacrifices for our nation.
Read more about the fascinating 125-year timeline of the museum's history, here.
Pictured (left to right): WDVA Secretary Bond and WVM's Director, Chris Kolakowski with the 125th Anniversary banners celebrating the history of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in the State Capitol, which are on now on display in the Museum in downtown Madison.
Please mark your calendars for our Memorial Day ceremonies taking place May 23-25, 2026 at our Veteran Memorial Cemeteries located in King, Spooner, and Union Grove. This year's Memorial Day theme is 'Wisconsin was there' as we honor and remember the sacrifices of our state's and nation's service members. These ceremonies are free and open to the public.
For directions and information about all three state veteran memorial cemeteries, please visit WDVA's cemeteries website.
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs mourns the passing of WWII veteran and retired Army Brigadier General, Dr. Lew Harned, of Madison, who died on April 15, 2026 at age 101.
Please join us in expressing our sympathies to his family and friends and in honoring his lifelong service to our state and nation.
Read more about Dr. Harned's extraordinary life and service here.
Pictured: Secretary Bond and General Lew Harned, with Miss Wisconsin Teen, Natalie Popp, at Wisconsin Veterans Museum on June 16, 2025.
Secretary Bond met with new Tribal Veteran Service Officers (TVSO) Louis Traverzo and Robert Pacheco for the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. He welcomed them to the TVSO community and shared information about veteran benefit programs, accreditation training and TVSO training opportunities. The visit was capped off with a tour of the LCO Ojibwe University.
Pictured: (Top left) Louis Traverzo, TVSO, and Secretary Bond; (Top right and bottom) Secretary Bond met with Robert Pacheco, TVSO, and took a tour of LCO Ojibwe University - April 7, 2026.
Earlier this month, Secretary Bond met with Veteran Service Organization State Commanders hosted by DAV at their headquarters office in De Pere, WI. They discussed the challenges and priorities facing veterans in our state.
Direct face-to-face communication is key to the kind of collaboration needed to address current issues and successfully serve our state's veteran community.
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 opening is for a Medicare Reimbursement Specialist at our Wisconsin Veterans Home at King.
You can also search for WDVA's 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 our three state veteran homes.
To view all available openings, and learn how to apply, please visit wisc.jobs today!
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