Raul Waters: My Duty. I Never Regretted That.
Photo of Raul Waters from his April 27, 2000, interview. Raul Waters was born in 1936 in Cuba before immigrating to the United States as a child in 1945. Initially in Tampa, Florida, Waters grew up in Detroit, Michigan, then moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for his surgical residency. When the
WISCONSIN’S HIGHLY-DECORATED WWII VETERAN MEGELLAS FEATURED IN NEW DISPLAY
WISCONSIN’S HIGHLY-DECORATED WWII VETERAN MEGELLAS FEATURED IN NEW DISPLAY Megellas Family entrusts WVM with internationally renowned war hero’s collection (MADISON, Wis.) September 5, 2024—The artifacts of one of Wisconsin’s legendary World War II heroes, James Megellas, will soon be added to the permanent exhibits at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. On
James Megellas: Meeting a Hero; Knowing the Person
Meeting James “Maggie” Megellas will always be a highlight of my career with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Growing up, the World War II generation was almost larger-than-life in my perception. I was fortunate to grow up on stories from my grandparents and their generation at the peak of public memory
Army Tanker Turned Museum Educator: This Is Erik Wright
If you’ve taken a tour, played museum trivia, attended a program, or walked a cemetery tour, you’ve encountered the work of Erik Wright. Since November of 2018, he has served as the education specialist at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Erik artfully redirected in-person museum events during the pandemic to a
Veterans Bike Ride Across Minnesota and Wisconsin Finishes at State Capitol
On August 24th, wounded veterans, first responders, and supporters of the Project Hero’s 2024 Great Lakes Challenge ended their 400-mile bicycle trek at the Wisconsin State Capitol. The group presented an American flag that flew over the Capitol in Washington D.C. to Chris Kolakowski, Wisconsin Veterans Museum Director and Tim
The Football Military Connection
People serving in the United States military often seem to find a way to get together or be involved in a favorite sports pastime. For many, that means American football. The teams can be official or unofficial; it makes little difference. Service members will find time for football, under fire
The Admirals Wept: Billy Mitchell and the Atlantic Bombing Tests of 1921
Over one hundred years ago powered flight turned eighteen years old. In 1921 the U.S. Air Force did not exist, rather it was a part of the U.S. Army as the U.S. Army Air Service. The Royal Air Force was three years old. Aircraft carriers were few in number and
Staff Profile: Luke Sprague
Tucked away in a third-floor office surrounded by monitors and audio equipment you’ll find Luke Sprague, Wisconsin Veterans Museum Oral Historian, working to preserve the stories of our veterans in their own words. A veteran himself, Luke graduated with a BS in cartography from UW-Stevens Point as a commissioned second
Brownie the WWII War Dog from Wisconsin
Pets become part of our families. During World War II, many families sent loved-ones off to war. Did you know that some family pets were called to serve as well? In fact, there is a well-known dog from King, Wisconsin who did just that. Oren Kendley raised his dog, Brownie,
Milo G. Flaten: the Battle of Saint-Lô, July 7-19, 1944
Milo G. Flaten was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, shortly after the start of World War II. After graduating high school, Flaten received a draft notice. Following basic training, Flaten was sent overseas aboard the RMS Queen Mary to England, where he learned he