WISCONSIN VETERANS MUSEUM LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN, HOSTS BOOTH AT EAA AIRVENTURE IN OSHKOSH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 15, 2014

Contact: Carla Vigue
(608) 266-0517
Carla.Vigue@dva.wisconsin.gov 

WISCONSIN VETERANS MUSEUM LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN, HOSTS BOOTH AT EAA AIRVENTURE IN OSHKOSH

MADISON, Wis. (July 15, 2014) – The Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison has launched a four-week advertising campaign with billboards and radio focused in the Fox Cities market. The campaign, which runs through Aug. 3, features four Wisconsin veterans on four billboards, each representing a branch of the military. The billboards are along Highway 41 in Appleton, Oshkosh and Green Bay.

“The Wisconsin Veterans Museum is dedicated to preserving the histories of our state’s veterans in all major conflicts,” said museum director Michael Telzrow. “Each of the veterans featured in our campaign has a compelling story to tell, and with their permission, or with the permission of their families, we have been able to honor them in a unique way. We are excited to kick off this campaign with these impactful billboards, which showcase what our Museum is all about.”

Rick Berry, a veteran from Madison, served in Vietnam and is featured on an Oshkosh billboard.

“When the museum asked me if I’d be interested in having my face on a billboard, I wasn’t initially sold,” said Berry. “However, after more consideration I realized it wasn’t just me up there, but I would be representing all Wisconsin veterans, past and present, who have served our country. I’m happy to be a part of it.”

James Des Jardins of Green Bay was an airman in WWII, where he lost his life in action. He is on the Appleton billboard, and is survived by his nephew who is a Judge of the Circuit Court Branch VII in Outagamie County. Michael Gillitzer from Waterloo is currently a Gunnery Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps and is featured on the Green Bay billboard. John Isermann was a Coast Guard veteran of WWI from Milwaukee and is on a billboard in Oshkosh.

In addition to the billboards and radio spots, the Museum will have an interactive booth at the World’s Largest Aviation Event, the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. From July 28 – Aug. 3, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum booth in the Rockwell Collins Exhibit Hangar will feature artifacts and archival collections relating to Wisconsin’s aviation history. Visitors can put on a traditional WWI helmet, goggles and scarf to take photos behind a photo replica WWI biplane Sopwith Camel. Museum experts will be on hand to provide information and history on Wisconsin warplanes.

“This is a busy and exciting time for us. We’ve never kicked off a campaign as extensive as this before,” said Telzrow. “Our bottom line is to get the word out that our museum doesn’t just offer exhibits, but we’re a resource for research, archives, sharing oral histories, donating artifacts and more. We invite you to come for a visit.”

About The Wisconsin Veterans Museum
The Wisconsin Veterans Museum is a free public educational activity of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and is located at 30 W. Mifflin St., across the street from the State Capitol.

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201 West Washington Avenue | Madison, Wisconsin 53707
1-800-WIS-VETS | WisVets@dva.wisconsin.gov | WisVets.com