More than 12,000 Wisconsin National Guard members have been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9-11. The most recent deployment was the largest from the state since World War II, with 3,200 members of the 32nd Infantry Brigade heading overseas.

Lieutenant Colonel Jackie Guthrie, a spokeswoman with the Guard, says the majority of Wisconsin’s troops are now home. Only about 100 remain in Iraq right now, but she notes that the state’s units accomplished every mission that was given to them since 2003.

Guthrie says they hope their presence has made a difference and the Guard is extending its best wishes to the people of the Iraq.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports 0:57

WHBY’s Mike Kemmeter contributed to this report.

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary John Scocos expects there will be major demand for this type of event, with over 3,500 troops recently returning home from the largest military deployment in the state’s history. Scocos says nearly 35-percent of those troops said they were either looking for a new job or planned to leave their current one, and it can be very difficult for those returning from combat to find a new job without help.

The “Hiring our Heroes” event will feature over a dozen employers, although Governor Walker hopes to add more companies before this weekend. The job fair runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lambeau Field Atrium.

Veterans and employers can pre-register for the event online.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:08)

It was first reported that the soldier from Appleton was killed in the line of duty but now his family is saying that Eppinger wasn’t in the line of duty and was working a desk job at the Bagram Airbase.  Details surrounding the death haven’t been released.

Eppinger was the 26th soldier from the state to die in the war in Afghanistan.  Four days after his death, Army specialist Jakob Roelli of Darlington was killed.  His funeral is planned for next Saturday, October 8th.

Chandra Lynn-WIBA

Specialist Jakob J. Roelli of Darlington died after his unit was hit with gunfire. Also killed was Specialist. Robert Dyas of Nampa, Idaho. The two men were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division based at Fort Riley, Kansas.

Roelli was 24 years old and was a 2006 graduate of Darlington High School. Funeral services are pending at the Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington. Roelli’s was the second death of a Wisconsin soldier in Afghanistan in recent days. Sergeant Garrick Eppinger, Junior, a 25 year-old Army Reservist from Appleton, was killed last weekend.

Doug Wagen, WGLR 

In his eight-page testimony delivered to panel members during the public hearing last week (Hardie was unable to attend, he says, due to health reasons), the former executive assistant to the secretary described Scocos as having a “seemingly paranoid management style,” full of “rage,” “chaotic,” and having “serious problems with truthfulness.”

A few dozen people testified in support of Scocos, including Denise Rowan, Commander of the American Legion of Wisconsin, who touted Scocos’ experience. “He keeps the needs of veterans in the forefront as he makes decisions and reviews policies of the department. We are confident that he will make an energetic, mutually respectful and valuable member of the administration.”

Scocos emphasized to members of the panel his top three priorities: WDVA solvency, employment opportunities for veterans, and outreach programs.

The secretary had previously been chosen by the Veterans Board, whose members are appointed by the governor. Walker and a Republican majority legislature in July changed the law to give the governor authority to make the selection.

Hardie insists his opposition to the appointment is not partisan, in fact, he supports the governor’s two Veterans Board nominees, Rev. Carl Krueger and Dan Bohlin. Both were unanimously approved Tuesday 7-0.

The Economic Development and Veterans and Military Affairs committee approved Scocos for the job 5-2, with all Republicans and one Democrat — Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) — voting in favor. Two Democrats — Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) and Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) — voted against Walker’s pick.

Sergeant Rebecca Vandehey, the rear detachment commander for the 395th Ordinance Company, says Eppinger cared a lot about his family and was always willing to help someone.

AUDIO: Sgt. Rebecca Vandehey (:07)

Eppinger leaves behind a nearly two-year-old daughter and four older sisters. His family is planning a memorial service this coming weekend.

Mike Kemmeter, WHBY

John Scocos at Senate confirmation hearing. Former Senator Dave Zien looking on. (PHOTO: Jackie Johnson)

The governor’s pick for Veterans secretary says he’s looking forward to the challenge.

A Senate committee hears public testimony on whether to confirm Governor Scott Walker’s appointment of John Scocos to Secretary of Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. Panel member Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) asks whether Scocos can effectively lead the very agency he’s suing for his termination upon his return from Iraq.

Scocos says “I don’t think I’d ever go back on litigation now because I believe it’s in the rights of all veterans when they return from serving their country, whether unclassified or classified authority, no one has the right to turn them down. So I stand by that and will continue with that position. It’s not just about me; it’s about veterans in general.”

Taylor also asks about the significance of recent resignations — Veterans Board member Pete Moran stepped down last month, and former Scocos executive assistant Anthony Hardie on Tuesday specifically mentioned Scocos’ nod as the reason for his departure from the state Council on Veterans Programs. (Neither testified in opposition to Walker’s selection at the public hearing. Hardie says in an email: “Regrettably, I was unable to attend today’s confirmation hearing for WDVA Secretary and Board nominees in person due to serious health issues.” Testimony, Letter of resignation.)

Scocos says he plans to work with everyone regardless of political affiliation or conflicting opinions; he adds that serving veterans has been a life-long mission for him. “My passion for veterans issues started when I was young. My father being a disabled veteran and a former prisoner of war.”

Scocos emphasizes three of his main priorities: WDVA solvency, employment opportunities, and outreach programs for veterans.

The agency is the subject of much controversy, including political infighting, a state audit showing deficiencies of the Wisconsin Veterans Homes, and the recent discovery of improperly disposed personal trash buried at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Committee Chair Senator Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan) says the committee plans to take a vote on Scocos’ appointment next week.

The Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs heard testimony on six appointments, including two new Veterans Board members.

 The attacks of 9/11 took the lives of seven Wisconsin natives, and 117 Wisconsin service members have died in the war on terror. Dunbar related some of his experiences with the families of Wisconsin Guard members who died, including a mother who shed a single tear as she was presented the American flag at her son’s funeral. “That tear etched a path on my soul,” said Dunbar. “There are not words adequate to tell these families how grateful we are, and how sorry we are for what they’ve gone through.”

AUDIO: Major General Don Dunbar (13:45)

Governor Scott Walker paid tribute to Wisconsin’s first responders and armed forces veterans. Walker also recalled the Friday after the attack when, like people all over the nation, he and his family and neighbors gathered to light candles. “What defines as a country, and defines us a freedom loving people all over the globe, is the unity of purpose that was shown on that Friday night,” said Walker. The Madison ceremony also featured a wreath laying, artifacts from Ground Zero in New York City, and a flyover by the Wisconsin Air National Guard. A large American flag was suspended from Town of Madison and City of Monona fire department aerial trucks on the Capitol Square.

AUDIO:  ’America the Beautiful’ & Air National Guard flyover (3:25)

Dunbar says support programs have been available for some time to talk with returning troops and to make sure they are aware of services that can help them cope. Unfortunately, he says troops don’t come with an indicator that shows they are having problems.

Dunbar says several Wisconsin guardsmen have returned home with symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but many are hesitant to admit there’s a problem. He says it’s been a policy during his time in command that asking for help will not impact promotions or future opportunities.

Since he took over as the state’s adjutant general in 2007, Dunbar says there have been 13 suicides among guard members. Although, only about half of those deaths were among troops who served overseas. Dunbar says financial and relationship problems have been the main factors in many of those cases.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:11)