Badger &“Wisconsin”
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Official Publications of The Wisconsin American Legion Family
January 31, 2019 Vol. 96, No. 1 www.wilegion.org
The mission of The American Legion, Department of Wisconsin is to provide service to veterans, their families and their communities.
2019 Midwinter Boasts Record Attendance!
Gracin Becomes Newest Legion Member
Commander Frank Kostka signs up National Country recording artist and U.S. Marine, Josh Gracin as the newest member of The American Legion, Department of Wisconsin Family!
The 2019 Midwinter Conference held on January 18-20 at the Ho-Chunk Convention Center in Baraboo, was a huge success. A record number of attendees celebrated "100 Years of Why" with National Country recording artist and U.S. Marine, Josh Gracin. Attendees also participated in member meetings and training.
District 8 Riders Cover King Cemetery
Photos are courtesy of District 8 American Legion Rider Pat Kulas
On December 15th, the District 8 American Legion Riders reached a goal seven years in the making. All 7274 veteran headstones at Central WI Veterans Memorial Cemetery were remembered with a wreath from Wreaths Across America. Over $73,000 was raised in 2018 by the District 8 Riders to ensure that every veteran at King Cemetery was honored and not forgotten by a grateful nation. Some 500 volunteers showed up to help lay the wreaths. Represented were many veteran organizations, business groups, general public and family members of those buried at King. A ceremony took place at 11:00 AM which coincided with the ceremony conducted at Arlington National Cemetery. This ceremo-
ny took place at the same time at over 1400 locations across the United States. We thank the speakers who graciously took part in the King ceremony. They were WI American Legion Dept. Commander Frank Kostka , WI State Auxiliary President Char Kiesling and Gold Star Mother Elizabeth Kryst. Thank you to all who supported the District 8 Riders with your donations and to all the volunteers who helped honor our veterans by placing a “Remembrance Wreath” at a headstone. A special thank you goes to the members of District 8 Legion Riders, who worked all year in many ways to ensure that our goal of covering every headstone was successful. Evelyn McSherry, ALRA District 8 Secretary
THE AMERICAN LEGION VETERANS
VETERANS AFFAIRS & REHABILITATION
FOUR PILLARS OF SERVICE AMERICANISM
DEFENSE
NATIONAL SECURITY
Established 1919
YOUTH
AMERICANISM
CHILDREN & YOUTH