Wisconsin Honors Its Veterans on Nov. 11

By Joan Sanstadt News Editor
Thursday, November 6, 2008 1:52 PM CST

Many remember when Veterans Day, celebrated each year on Nov. 11, used to be called Armistice Day. That’s what it was called until 1954 when President Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name of the legal holiday.

In 1968, Congress passed the Monday Holiday Law establishing the fourth Monday in October as the new date for the observance of Veterans Day n a law that was to take effect in 1971.

In Wisconsin the October observance happened only in 1971. By 1972, our state as well as a number of others had voted to change all observances back to Nov. 11. Congress got the drift and in 1975, legislation was passed to return the commemoration of Veterans Day to Nov. 11. That’s the way it’s been since 1978 when the 1975 law took effect.

It all began in 1919 when World War I (then called The Great War) ended with an armistice signed on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month n in other words, at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918.

In proclaiming Nov. 11, 2008, as Veterans Day, President George W. Bush is urging “all Americans to observe Nov. 9 through Nov. 15 as National Veterans Awareness Week.”

State Senator Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn) estimates there are approximately 436,958 veterans throughout Wisconsin.

“That means there are over 430,000 opportunities to thank a service member,” the lawmaker said.

“Without question, the peace and prosperity we enjoy today is a direct result of veterans’ efforts to maintain and preserve our freedom. These brave men and women who have served, fought and died for our nation are the cornerstone of our free society,” Kedzie said.

“As we observe Veterans Day on Nov. 11, we must not forget the sacrifice they have made, in wartime and in peace, in the name of democracy. Also, under new state law, Wisconsin has declared Nov. 5-11 “Veterans Recognition Week,” Kedzie noted.

Over 888,000 Wisconsinites have served in the Armed Forces since statehood, many have given their lives. As members of the United States Army, Marine Corp., Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, these brave individuals continue to serve and protect our country.

“The contributions and sacrifices of these men and women, who served during the Civil War and both World Wars all the way up to the current conflict in Iraq, have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by the people of the United States,” Kedzie added.

“In the Legislature, we have recognized the sacrifices of Wisconsin veterans by passing legislation that preserves their legacy and provides for the families they left behind. As a result, there are a number of programs in Wisconsin which are aimed at assisting our veterans. Programs include veteran housing assistance, financial and medical assistance, and employment training and educational incentives,” he said.

Recent changes to Wisconsin veteran benefits, programs and services include:

- a full property tax credit to 100 percent disabled veterans and their spouses;

- the creation of a tax donation line on Wisconsin tax forms allowing tax payers to donate money directly to the Veterans Trust Fund (VTF);

- the removal of the state’s tax on social security income; and

- the creation of Gold Star license plates available for immediate family members of service members who have died in combat while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

A plate has also been created to show support for Wisconsin’s Veterans. The $15 fee for this plate is tax deductible and donated to the VTF. The VTF is used to finance homes, cemeteries, museums, as well as service programs for veterans. These service programs include: home loans, personal loans, education grants and assistance to needy veterans and military families.

For taxable years beginning after Jan. 1, 2008, income of a veteran’s service organization chartered under federal law is exempt from Wisconsin income and franchise taxes. The new exemption covers about 45 veterans’ organizations in Wisconsin, such as the American Red Cross, American Legion, American Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Information on Wisconsin Veteran benefits and programs can be found on either the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) website at: www.dva.state.wi.us or you can also request a 2005-07 Wisconsin Veterans’ State Programs and Service booklet from the (DVA) toll-free at 800-WIS-VETS (800-947-8387).

In Wisconsin, state law mandates that each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties provide a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) to assist the county’s residents with state and federal veterans’ benefits. CVSO’s are most Wisconsin veterans’ first point of contact for benefits and eligibility questions. A complete listing of CVSOs by county is available at: www.dva.state.wi.us in your local phone book under County Government.

Observances

While many communities will hold Veterans Day observances, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) has scheduled ceremonies and outreach events at several locations. Here are some of them:

- Nov. 11 n Spooner, Northern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m.

- Nov. 11 n Wisconsin Veterans Home at King at 10:30 a.m.

- Nov. 11 n River Falls, Veterans Benefits Open House on UW-River Falls Campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University Center Commons, 410 S. 3rd Street

- Nov. 12 n Superior, Veterans Benefits Open House on UW-Superior Campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rothwell Student Center-Concourse

- Nov. 13 n Menomonie, Veterans Benefits Open House on UW-Stout Campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Memorial Student Center, 302 10th Ave.

Trees for Troops

Rural Mutual Insurance Company has donated $500 to the Christmas Spirit Foundation to support the Trees for Troops Program. The Trees for Troops program is a program of the National Christmas Tree Association and supported by the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association.

The program coordinates delivery of real Christmas trees to military families, with an emphasis on families that have someone serving overseas. Last year 16,846 trees were donated to military families.

Several Christmas tree growers in Wisconsin will participate in the 2008 Trees for Troops program, where visitors can donate toward the effort during the Trees for Troops Weekend, Nov. 28-30.

To make a donation, go to http://www.treesfortroops.org, or mail to the Christmas Spirit Foundation, 16020 Swingley Ridge Road, Suite 300, Chesterfield, MO 63017. For more information about the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association, go to http://www.christmastrees-wi.org.

Comments »

Comment on this story

Comments will be approved within 48 hours

Name:

Email: (optional)

Comments:

Image Verification: (Case sensitive)