With the return to Wisconsin of more than 332,200 men and women who served during World War II, the state legislature passed Act 580 in the summer of 1945 to address their unique needs under a newly created Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA). WDVA  was charged with “providing educational aid, economic aid, medical, hospital or other remedial care for World War II veterans and their dependents.” The act also transferred the responsibilities of maintaining the GAR Memorial Hall to WDVA.