At the beginning of the 2010 membership year. Commander Endres made a pledge that the Department of Wisconsin would be at 91.67% of our membership goal by March 10th.

 

We are very close to making this, so please make sure that any memberships you are holding are mailed in to Department Headquarters as soon as possible.

 

If we meet the goal, the Department will receive a grant in the amount of $2,000 from National to purchase new technology for Department Headquarters.

As of today, we are at 91.29%!  Help push us over the top!

Call-Ins for the Spring Meetings went out this week. 

The meetings will be held May 7th and 8th at Department Headquarters in Portage.

Watch your mailbox or click here for the Official Call-in.

List of Veterans Job Fairs: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/newsreleases/2010/100302_veterans_job_fairs.pdf

Map of Job Fair locations: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/newsreleases/2010/100302_job_fair_map.pdf          
Workforce Development, Military Affairs, Veterans Affairs and The American Legion Team Up to Host 2010 Veterans Job Fairs
 
Madison Job Fair March 11th first of 18 across state to provide vets employment services
 
The Wisconsin Departments of Workforce Development (DWD), Military Affairs (DMA) and Veterans Affairs (DVA) are teaming up with The American Legion to host a series of Veterans Job Fairs across Wisconsin between March and October 2010. 
 
“The Department of Workforce Development last year connected with one-fourth of Wisconsin’s workforce, including approximately 8,000 veterans who received employment and training services,” DWD Secretary Roberta Gassman said. “We also know that a majority of veterans who receive services from veterans staff at our Wisconsin Job Centers are obtaining job placements. On behalf of Governor Doyle, we are pleased to be working with other state agency partners to reach out even further to veterans and provide them with a wealth of employment-related information and resources.”
 
"This unique partnership reflects Wisconsin's commitment to our returning veterans and the Wisconsin National Guard is proud to be a part of providing this opportunity," said Brig. Gen. Don Dunbar, Adjutant General of Wisconsin and Commander of the Wisconsin National Guard. "Our veterans offer unique and significant capabilities to the private sector.  They have served a cause larger than themselves, understand teamwork and have applied leadership skills under difficult conditions. I believe any employer who is looking for superb talent would do well to consider Wisconsin's veterans."
 
DVA Secretary Kenneth Black added: “One of the most important ways Wisconsin can help veterans, and especially our returning veterans, is to help them find jobs.  Employment is a key factor to their success in other aspects of their lives.  The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to partner with other agencies as part of our mission to serve our veterans, including providing employment and job training services.”
 
Eighteen Veterans Job Fairs will be held statewide, starting March 11th at Edgewood College in Madison, and ending October 15th at the Army National Guard Armory in Superior. Employment agencies and employers will have opportunities for direct hires. In addition, veterans can receive information about state and federal benefits.
 
“It is heartening to see that in these challenging economic times, employment opportunities not only exist for veterans, but that a team of experts has come together to provide the opportunities for our most deserving citizens,” said Mike Rohan, AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer at The American Legion Auxiliary in Portage.
 
Local County Veteran Service Offices, along with the Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve Program (ESGR), also are partnering in the job fairs and will be in attendance to provide benefit information to both veterans and employers who attend. 
 
“If you are a veteran looking for a job, or will need assistance in the future with updating your resume, improving your job interview skills, finding employment, or just obtaining benefit information, then come to a job fair,” DWD Office of Veterans Services Director Ken Grant said. “If you are an employer and have a current vacancy, or may be hiring in the future, and you are looking for an individual with skills, someone who knows what team work and dedication is all about, then come to the job fair and ‘Hire a Vet.’”

 

Legislation Doesn’t Go Far Enough

Tuesday, March 2nd, members of the Wisconsin American Legion attended a public hearing of the Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs to discuss Assembly Bill 781.  The legislation titled “The Wisconsin GI Bill Enhancement Act” does not go far enough in addressing the problem of veterans losing their education benefits.

“Our members deserve full reinstatement of the educational benefits as envisioned under the Wisconsin GI Bill,” stated Department Commander Leo A. Endres.  He continued, “The Wisconsin American Legion supports the intent of Assembly Bill 781, but prefers legislation that goes farther in fully restoring the benefits that were established under the Wisconsin GI Bill.”

The Wisconsin American Legion is the state’s largest veteran service organization with over 70,000 members and 523 Posts.  Chartered in 1919 by Congress, The American Legion was established to focus on service to veterans, service members, and communities. 

On December 15, 1943, Former American Legion National Commander Harry W. Colmery wrote in longhand, on Mayflower Hotel stationery in Washington, the first draft of what would later become the "GI Bill of Rights" –considered to be the Legion's single-greatest legislative achievement.

Seven months later, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the original GI Bill, or “Servicemen's Readjustment Act," ushering in monumental changes in U.S. society. Higher education became democratized after 8 million veterans went to school on the GI Bill, got better jobs, bought houses in the suburbs and raised families. For every dollar spent on educating veterans, the U.S. economy eventually gets $7 back.

Veterans should not be required to forfeit their state benefits simply because they exercise their entitlement to a federal benefit.  This loss of benefits is not consistent with the original intent of the Wisconsin GI Bill and has a negative impact not only on veterans, but on the state as a whole.

By limiting veterans’ access to these educational benefits, the state is actually providing incentive to them to seek education outside of Wisconsin.  Consequently, many of them will seek employment outside of the state.  This exodus could have a detrimental effect on Wisconsin’s competitiveness in the world.

“Our veterans deserve to have access to these educational benefits, and while the Wisconsin American Legion supports Assembly Bill 781, we feel that this is only a first step in righting a grievous wrong.  Our service men and women gave 100%, they deserve 100% benefits,” concluded Endres.

For more information on the Legion’s programs and membership, please visit www.wilegion.org.

March 6-7, 2010 Lakeshore Lanes Bowling Alley, Sheboygan	2nd District Bowling Tournament
March 6, 2010 Lake Shore Lanes, Shawano	Department Bowling Tournament Opening Ceremonies
March 11, 2010 Edgewood College, 1255 Deming Way, Madison	Veteran Job Fair
March 12, 2010 Milwaukee VA Medical Center - Room 3435	Veterans Job Fair
March 20, 2010 Rex's Inn Keeper, Waunakee	Commander's Testimonial
March 25, 2010 Army National Guard Armory, Chippewa Falls	Veterans Job Fair
April 11, 2010 Wrightstown Post	9th District Spring Conference
April 17, 2010 Melrose Post 439	7th District Spring Conference
April 18, 2010	7th District Extension Institute Course
April 23, 2010 Army National Guard Armory, Hayward	Veterans Job Fair
April 24, 2010 Fennimore	3rd District Spring Conference
April 25, 2010	6th District Spring Conference
April 25, 2010 Horicon Post 157, 735 South Hubbard St	2nd District Spring Conference
May 1, 2010 Ashland & Odanah Posts	11th District Spring Conference
May 2, 2010 Post 171 in Union Grove	1st District Spring Conference
May 3-6, 2010 Indianapolis	National Spring Meetings
May 4, 2010 MATC Truax Campus, 3550 Anderson St, Madison	Veterans Job Fair
May 4, 2010 Kenosha County Center, Bristol	Veterans Job Fair
May 7-8, 2010 Department Headquarters, Portage	Department Spring Meetings

Bob Wipf recently updated the Department on his health situation.  Bob is hoping to have his hip replaced in April, but it is contingent on some other health factors.  Cards and well wishes can be sent to Bob at:

 

Bob Wipf

8004 Broadway Rd

Omro, WI 54963

 

The Department staff certainly wishes him the best and is hoping for a speedy recovery!