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50th Anniversary of End of Vietnam War Marked at Wisconsin Veterans Museum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Madison, Wis. (March 24, 2023) - On March 29, 1973, U.S. ground forces withdrew from South Vietnam. The withdrawal officially ended years of war that forever marked a generation. To mark the 50th anniversary of the official end of the Vietnam War, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum will

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Laura Naylor Colbert and friends on deployment in Iraq

Operation Iraqi Freedom: Wisconsin Women Were There Proving Their Skill

Among the First to Arrive On March 20, 2003, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) officially began. More than 3,900 active Wisconsin troops deployed to Iraq. Among the first Wisconsin units to arrive was the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 32nd Military Police Company. In preparation for major combat actions, medical personnel also

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Remembering Operation Iraqi Freedom 20 Years Later, Part I

Build-Up for Operation Iraqi Freedom Twenty years ago, on March 17, 2003, after weeks of deadlines and demands for compliance with UN inspections, President George W. Bush delivered a final deadline to Saddam Hussein before Operation Iraqi Freedom officially began. The leader of Iraq and his two sons were given

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Photo of Andree L. Griffin

Andreé L. Griffin: Bagram and Back

For Women’s History Month, we feature Andreé L. Griffin, who served in the United States Army Reserves from March 2010 to March 2018 and grew up in Slinger, Wisconsin. She describes her childhood as a "typical country" and included learning to ride and care for horses, a passion she continued

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Virtual! Drink & Draw February 2023

Grease Pencil Gather your supplies, pour yourself a beverage, and bring your artistic energy as we spend the evening together stretching our creative muscles. We will be learning about grease pencils and art crayons. This event is free of charge and open to anyone who registers. We will send you

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James M. Cocroft: Advocating for Veterans

James M. Cocroft, also known as “Groovy,” served in the United States Navy from August 17, 1987, to September 1, 2007. Cocroft grew up in Milwaukee, attended Milwaukee Public Schools, and graduated from South Division Highschool in 1987. The Cocroft family has a deep military service tradition in Wisconsin. The

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1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery

Recruitment, Training, and Active Service In June 1863 a battalion of four batteries of heavy artillery was organized in Wisconsin. The following September this was enlarged to recruit a number of companies to form a regimental organization.  Company K of the Second Wisconsin Infantry had been detached and equipped as

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1st Wisconsin Light Artillery Battery

Recruitment and Training The First Wisconsin Light Artillery Battery (1st Wisconsin Light Artillery Battery)  was organized at LaCrosse and later moved to Camp Utley in Racine, WI. They mustered into service October 10, 1861.  The battery left the state on January 23, 1862 for Louisville, KY. Active Service In April

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3rd Wisconsin Cavalry

Recruitment and Training The Third Wisconsin Cavalry (3rd Wisconsin Cavalry) was organized at Camp Barstow in Janesville, Wisconsin between November 30, 1861 and January 31, 1862. It mustered into service  on January 28, 1862.  The regiment left the state on March 26 for St. Louis, Missouri.  While in transit near

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2nd Wisconsin Cavalry V1964 219 7

2nd Wisconsin Cavalry

Recruitment and Training The Second Wisconsin Cavalry (2nd Wisconsin Cavalry) was organized at Camp Washburn, Milwaukee, Wisconsin between December 30, 1861 and March 10, 1862. Active Service On March 24, 1862, the regiment left Wisconsin for Benton Barracks in St. Louis, MO. From this point battalions from the regiment were

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