Two Generations of Wisconsin Veterans

At the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, we document, preserve, and make available the stories of Wisconsin veterans and their families. As a museum, we’ve collected several stories from multi-generational Wisconsin families. This month we feature a military family from Couderay, Wisconsin, Mary Slisz-Chucka and her son Todd Haskell. Mary Slisz-Chucka grew

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Sergeant Major Corcoran appears on the right. Major General Craig C. Crenshaw, commanding general of Marine Corps Logistics Command, stands in between Maj. Christopher M. Siekman, commanding officer of Recruiting Station Baton Rouge, and Sgt. Maj. Shawn Corcoran, sergeant major of Recruiting Station Baton Rouge, as they pose for a photo during the Bayou Classic Welcome Reception Nov. 25, 2016, at the West Bunker Club in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. 3015184. Public domain.

Iraq by Way of Stoughton: A Marine’s story

Shawn C. Corcoran grew up in Stuttgart, Germany, the child of a United States military family. Corcoran returned to the United States to finish his high school education in Stoughton, Wisconsin. In 1990, following his graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in Madison, Wisconsin. Initially posted to Camp Pendleton,

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Vietnam countryside seen from a helicopter, soldier’s silhouette in the foreground.

Reflecting on PTSD: Experiences and Recovery

Military veterans and service members are uniquely at risk of experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. Whether a veteran served in a conflict or in peacetime, overseas, or at home, the effects of trauma can persist long after an inciting event. Mental health professionals sometimes identify these symptoms as post-traumatic stress

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Honoring Hmong Veterans of Wisconsin

Written by Luke D. Sprague, Oral Historian Hmong veterans of Wisconsin sacrificed their lives, homes, and livelihoods due to their alliance with the United States during the Secret War in Laos from 1961 to 1975. These Hmong, armed, trained, and organized by the United States and its allies, fought in

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Wisconsin Veterans Remember the Holocaust

Written by Luke D. Sprague, Oral Historian The Holocaust remains one of the most horrific events in human history. During the Second World War, six million Jews were systematically murdered by Nazi Germany. These brutal and inhuman actions remain fresh in the memories of the survivors. Ensuring that future generations

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Carolyn Morgan: In Her Own Words

Written by Luke D. Sprague, Oral Historian Carolyn Morgan was one of the first African American women to enlist in the 115th Fighter Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard in 1980. Later in 1985, she decided to go full-time active duty and trained to become a cook. Her first duty station

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A video interview with Brigadier General Robert Andrew Cocroft

Written by Oral Historian Luke D. Sprague Robert A. Cocroft graduated from North Division High School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1965. While attending and playing football at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, the United States Army drafted him on October 24, 1966. At Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Cocroft passed the qualification tests

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Wisconsin’s veterans remember 9/11

Written by Luke D. Sprague, Oral Historian Those of us who are old enough remember where we were on the morning of September 11, 2001, when we learnt of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and in the sky over Pennsylvania. That historical moment would

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