man at work table cleaning boots while sporting stylish blue nitrile gloves.

A Behind-the-Scenes Peek at the D-Day Exhibit

The Wisconsin Veterans Museum is pleased to partner with renowned military artist, Keith Rocco, on the exhibition of his traveling exhibit, D-Day, Omaha Beach. Rocco first collaborated with the museum in 1992, when he was commissioned to paint the murals found in the   galleries of the museum in advance

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Photo headshot for Thomas J. Lucas for blog post.

Honoring Thomas J. Lucas on National Airborne Day

August 16, 2025, is National Airborne Day. In celebration, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum would like to honor the story of Thomas “Tom” J. Lucas, who served as a paratrooper in the United States Army in World War II and the Korean War, including participating in a combat jump on D-Day,

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D-Day Exhibit features Keith Rocco Paintings

New exhibit pairs paintings with accounts of soldiers, sailors, and airmen who were there MADISON, July 10, 2025 — As the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II approaches, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum opens a new exhibit about the pivotal battle that turned the course of the war in

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Leonard Schutta's crew. Schutta is kneeling in the front row on the left.

Overhead at Omaha Beach with D-Day Flier Leonard Schutta

In the early morning hours of 6 June 1944 off the coast of Normandy, France, on a stretch of coast forever immortalized that day with the name of Omaha, roughly 34,250 US soldiers aboard hundreds of landing craft and naval vessels of all sizes waited for H-hour, the time designated

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What’s It All For? a Reflection on Empathy and Our National Discourse

Written by Kevin Hampton, Curator of History This time of year, with patriotic holidays like Memorial Day, the anniversary of D-Day, Flag Day, Juneteenth, and the 4th of July, there is always a natural focus on the American historical identity. This interest usually comes in the form of a passive

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A Shared Experience

Written By: Andrea Hoffman, Collections Manager While there are numerous reasons Wisconsin residents have joined the military over the last 150 years—each generation met with unique historical events and changing social expectations—serving one’s country has also been a shared experience within families. Whether a parent and child, siblings, or spouses,

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D-Day + 70: Honoring Wisconsin’s Heroes by Kevin Hampton

“Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!  You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.” –   General Dwight D.

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