Here is this year's message from the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, 

During his tenure as President, Harry S. Truman spearheaded an initiative to set aside one day for all Americans to show appreciation for the service and sacrifices of all who have served in our Nation's Armed Forces.  On 31 August 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson fulfilled President Truman's vision by creating Armed Forces Day, a holiday that we now observe on the third Saturday in May each year.

The men and women of our military voluntarily give themselves over to a larger cause, to a greater purpose.  Each of us in uniform took an oath to defend our Nation, its principles, and its residents against all who would do it harm - even if it means our own lives are lost in that defense.

Armed Forces Day affords us an opportunity to pause each year and pay tribute to those who put on the uniform of our country, who have borne many a hardship in the service of others, and who gladly defend the American way of life.  As each of you pause on Saturday, 16 May, recognize your fellow service member with heartfelt gratitude, camaraderie, and respect.  I thank every member of the United States Armed Forces for your professionalism, dedication, and sacrifice.

Semper Fidelis,
​
David H. Berger
General
U.S. Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps

​
During Milwaukee Armed Forces Week May 11-16, 2020, we support our currently serving military.

Today, we honor U.S. Air Force Colonel Andrew T Wahl, 128th Operations Group Commander, 128th Air Refueling Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard, Milwaukee.
 
What has been your experience in recent weeks as a member of the military during COVID19?

“Serving in these unprecedented times has only strengthened my commitment to serve and command in the Wisconsin Air National Guard, 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee.  While I never thought about having to serve and perform my duties during a world-wide pandemic, I am proud of my unit and teammates who are serving their communities in State Active Duty status with election day and COVID-19 testing collection support. At the same time, we are continuing to meet our federal mission requirements all over the world.

"This period of time reminds me that I follow in the footsteps of those who served honorably before me, ensuring our freedoms today.  I’m sure my grandfather, who fought on the Aleutian Islands and in Europe during World War II, had similar thoughts as I do today: Am I ready to meet this challenge? How long will this fight take? Will my family be okay? As I remember the stories he would tell me, especially how he would lay metal sections on the frozen ground to create a runway in the middle of nowhere, I am reminded that there is no real training that prepares a person to meet times like today. Instead, you rely on the training that you received and those who serve with you to overcome adversity and the unknown. It is that dedication to your fellow Airman, Soldier, Sailor, or Marine that makes serving in the military such a great opportunity for the next generation of young men and women."

Why do you serve and what does it mean to be a member of the U.S. Armed Forces?
 
"I believe that leadership starts with acknowledging our love and duty to God followed closely by love and duty to our family and country. Integrity will be born from this love and duty. This kind of integrity must be our starting point.

"My thoughts, efforts, and actions will focus on treating others as I would want to be treated. I will listen attentively, seeking understanding, and leverage the experience and talents of others fully. This will help guide our path toward service before self.

"I will always strive to do my best in all that I do and I expect others to do the same. I believe excellence in all we do is having the peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you are capable.
 
"To my fellow countrymen – it is a pleasure to serve you."

​​Thank you, Colonel Wahl, for your dedication and service in our U.S. Armed Forces. 

During Milwaukee Armed Forces Week May 11-16, 2020, we support our currently serving military.

Today, we honor U.S. Coast Guard Captain Tom Stuhlreyer, Commander, Sector Lake Michigan. Captain Stuhlreyer leads 700-plus “Coasties” and directs USCG operations in the four-state area around Lake Michigan. 

What is it like to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard in these unprecedented times?

"Like everyone else, we are taking measures to ensure we remain ready to serve our community by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and staying physically apart when possible.
 
"However, Sector Lake Michigan’s missions have not changed.  Working closely with inter-agency partners and industry stakeholders, we remain focused on maintaining the safety, security, and resilience of the maritime transportation system.  It is as important as ever to ensure needed cargo and commodities are reliably transported by water on the Great Lakes and Western Rivers.  At the same time, we strive to protect mariners and the marine environment as activity increases with the onset of spring and summer."

Captain Stuhlreyer will be retiring in June 2020.  We thank him for his long service and dedication to our U.S. Armed Forces.

During Milwaukee Armed Forces Week May 11-16, 2020, we support our currently serving military.
Today we honor U.S. Marine Corps Major Marcus Carlstrom, the Inspector/Instructor at the USMC Reserve Center in Milwaukee. Carlstrom is assigned to a new position as Operations Officer for Officer Programs at Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Quantico, Virginia, and will manage all commissioning programs within the Marine Corps as of 1 July 2020.  

Why would you recommend military service to young men and women thinking about their next steps today?
 
"My recommendation for military service to young men and women does not come as a one-size-fits-all kind of recommendation.  This is because every individual has individual needs and desires, goals and purposes, and skills and interests.  That said, what all young men and women can expect to gain from military service are:

• Pride and honor of serving one’s country
• Discipline, integrity, and work ethic
• Financial stability (salary-based income with several allowances and entitlements, health care, life insurance, and college tuition assistance)
• Technical skills training that can/will transfer to the civilian sector
• Teamwork training and experience
• Leadership training and experience

"Bottom line, whether you decide to serve one enlistment or make a career out of the military, you will not regret that decision.  It will be challenging mentally, morally, and physically, but so is life. You will come out the other end a much better person and will know the true meaning of servant leadership."

Thank you, Major Marcus Carlstrom, for your dedication and service in our U.S. Armed Forces. 

​Lt. (jg) Jim Partleton, of Mequon, served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1942 to 1946 and was honorably discharged at the end of WWII. He is among the Lance Sijan honorees for 2019.
 
Jim served on two ships as a quartermaster and then as communications officer.  His first deployment was to the North Atlantic providing weather reports and then engaged in anti-submarine patrols.  During the ASW cruise, they attacked a submarine that was presumed sunk.  After receiving a commission, Jim transferred to an LST (which he refers to as a “Large Slow Target”) and steamed about 40,000 miles through the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor, to the Marshall Islands, Guam, the Philippines, Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia in the South Pacific.  Jim participated in the landings at Iwo Jima in February 1945 and for the landings at Okinawa in April of 1945.  He left the service as a LTjg.

​“George Banda isn’t just a hero, he’s a hero’s hero”.
-Oscar F. Castaneda, Char, Latino Veterans Legacy of Valor Foundation
 
George Banda graduated from Milwaukee Boys Technology and Trade School (Boys Tech) in
1968 and received his draft notice in December. Upon completion of Basic Training at Fort
Campbell, Kentucky, he was ordered to Fort Sam Houston, Texas for Combat Medic school with follow on training at Fort Benning, Georgia for qualification as an Army parachutist. This was followed by additional medical training at Fort Ord, California where he worked at the hospital in post-operative care.
 
Ordered to Vietnam, George arrived in December 1969 where he served as Combat medic
assigned to E Co, 2/501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) 101st Airborne Division.
 
George served with distinction in Vietnam from December 1969 through November 1970
spending almost all of the time conducting small unit missions in the jungle. However,
his most distinguished service may be summed up in two remarkable
actions:
 
April 23, 1970 - Thua Thien-Hue Province
While on a reconnaissance mission in the A Shau valley, Banda’s squad was ambushed by
elements of the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). The soldier on point was wounded and
George ran towards him. While treating his wounded comrade, he was surprised by a
NVA soldier who appeared no more than 15 feet away. The NVA soldier shot at George
but remarkably, he missed. George then returned fire, and after neutralizing the NVA
soldier went back to stabilizing his wounded comrade before dragging him back to his
squad position. At this point another squad member was wounded and he ran toward the
enemy line again to render assistance. Again, he found, treated, and then dragged the
second wounded soldier back to the squad position. Both soldiers were eventually
successfully evacuated. Ironically, due to the nature of this fire fight he found himself
(twice) directly between U.S. and NVA forces. This resulted in his helmet being shot off
by a bullet from behind him. In recognition of his gallantry, George was awarded the Silver
Star.
 
May 6, 1970 - Quang Tri Province
On May 6, 1970, Fire Base Henderson was attacked by NVA in a coordinated operation
on multiple sides simultaneously. At 0500 hours George’s bunker was hit by a Rocket
Propelled Grenade (RPG). This explosion hurled him into the air, leaving him dazed and
partially deaf. In spite of his wounds, he went to work treating the wounded. At one point
he ran into the open to recover a wounded comrade and dragged him back to cover. He
then proceeded to search out other wounded during which time he was shot in the head.
He stopped the flow of blood by fashioning a makeshift dressing out of his shirt and
stuffing it into his head wound. He then proceeded to go back out looking for wounded,
again. Only after all other wounded were evacuated did he acquiesce to being airlifted
out himself. Due to heavy casualties, he was diverted to a Navy/USMC hospital for
treatment. Due to this action, and the fog of war, the Army “lost track” of him. As a result
the Army declared him “Missing in Action”. Eventually he was released from the USMC
hospital and returned to his unit. However, it took two weeks for his family to be notified
that he was in fact not missing and very much alive. In recognition of his actions at Fire
Base Henderson, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device.
 
George received the following military awards:

•  Combat Medic Badge
•  Parachutist Badge
•  Silver Star
•  Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device and Oak Leaf Cluster
•  Purple Heart
•  Air Medal
•  Army Commendation Medal
•  Good Conduct Medal
•  National Defense Service Medal
•  Vietnam Service Medal
•  Vietnam Campaign Medal (issued by Republic of Vietnam)
•  Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
​
Non-Military Awards
•  LT Darren M. Hidalgo Latino Veteran of the Year Award (2018) from Latino Veterans
Legacy of Valor Foundation (LVLV)
 
Following his military service, George served as a Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician
(EMT) for Milwaukee County’s Mitchell International Airport Fire Department (1983 – 2006).
He has continued his service to his community and country through volunteer
service that may be categorized as extensive and significant. George is involved in the
following organizations:

•  101st Airborne Division Association
•  Past President, Allied Veterans Council of Milwaukee County
•  Past Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Milwaukee County Chapter #818
•  Senior Vice-Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart, State of WI.
•  Life Member, American Legion – David Valdez Post #529
•  Life Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars
•  Member, Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans
•  Member, Wisconsin Veterans Museum Advisory Board
•  Vice Chairman, Milwaukee County War Memorial Veterans Board
•  Member, Milwaukee Veterans Community Relations Team (VCRT) 3
•  Member, “Save the Soldiers Home” Campaign Fundraising Committee. During
his service, the committee raised over $40,000,000 for restoration of historic
buildings on the Milwaukee VA campus.
•  Founding Member and State Commander (2012 – 2016) American GI Forum of
Wisconsin, an organization focusing on Latino American Veterans issues.

Congratulations to Staff Sgt. Daniel R. Looney and Staff Sgt. Edward B. Wiley, both of the U.S. Marine Corps, for being recognized as the 2019 winners of the Gary Wetzel Award.

Looney's is being awarded for his courageous service under fire in support of Operation Iraqi  Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, executing over 95 combat patrols. Wiley's honors comes for valor in Operation Iraqi Freedom and service under fire. He received the Purple Heart/Combat Action Ribbon.

Gary Wetzel was a Private First Class serving as a door gunner in the 173rd Assault Helicopter Company in the Vietnam War when his helicopter was shot down and the survivors, including Wetzel, came under heavy enemy fire. Despite devastating injuries, Wetzel remained at his position until he had eliminated the threat thereby protecting and saving the lives of his crew and others.

Wetzel survived his wounds, although his left arm had to be amputated. He was subsequently promoted to Specialist Four and received the Medal of Honor for his actions.

This award will be presented to Looney and Wiley on Monday night, May 13 at the Armed Forces Week Banquet. These brave men are two members of our armed services who have served with valor while currently on active duty.  

Kimberly Mitchell, president & CEO of Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD) and a former Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy, is this year’s keynote speaker for the Milwaukee Armed Forces Week Banquet.
 
Mitchell will speak at the sold-out event on Monday, May 13 at the Wisconsin Club in downtown Milwaukee. The event will also honor recipients of the Gary Wetzel Award and the Citizen Support for Our Armed Services Award. Mitchell will also speak at the Milwaukee Rotary Club Luncheon at noon on Tuesday, May 14.
 
Mitchell, who spent part of her youth growing up in northern Wisconsin, is a vocal advocate for service members, veterans, military families and families of the fallen. As the first non-Vietnam Veteran CEO of Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD), she leads her team in serving more than 3,000 veterans annually by providing programs for homeless vets. Those services include residential treatment programs, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, case management, therapy, job training, job placement, and housing navigation services. Over the past nine years, Mitchell has created a nationwide network of support utilizing grassroots solutions to address the challenges of transition and reintegration for our service members, veterans and military families.
 
Mitchell has a compelling story to share. As an infant, she was discovered in the arms of her deceased mother on the side of the road in South Vietnam. A man who found her then passed her on to a South Vietnamese Marine hoping he could save her life. That South Vietnamese Marine took her Sacred Heart Orphanage in DaNang. In 1972, Mitchell was adopted by Air Force Technical Sergeant James Mitchell serving in DaNang. After a few more years in the service, Kim and her family moved to Solon Springs, Wisconsin. She is recognized for her devotion to Vietnam Veterans and Vietnam era veterans.
 
Mitchell served in the United States Navy for 17 years as a Surface Warfare Officer on board surface ships and at shore commands. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy in Ocean Engineering and a Master’s degree in Organizational Management from The George Washington University.
 
In addition to Mitchell's visit, service member and citizen award recognitions, a motorcycle ride for troops and a public military display are among the events planned throughout the city for Milwaukee Armed Forces Week, May 13-18. This year’s theme is “Forward with Truth and Honor,” says Capt. Thomas Platenberg, president of the Milwaukee Armed Services Committee (MASC).