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Former Packer joins veterans on their Honor Flight

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Central Wisconsin veterans taking their Honor Flight on Monday have a special guest: former Packers tackle Gilbert Brown.

Never Forgotten Honor Flight co-founder and vice president of marketing Jim Campbell say one WWII veteran and 100 Vietnam-era veterans are on board.

Campbell calls Brown’s presence on the flight an added bonus for the Veterans. “They truly enjoy it. These Veterans are over 60 years old so they remember Gilbert and the run-stuffer that he was for the Packers.” Monday’s flight will also become a documentary with Brown interviewing the Veterans as they tour the memorials in Washington, D.C.

Previous May fights have featured John Kuhn and Jerry Kramer. Campbell says in both cases they said the trip had a profound impact on them. “[Kramer] really enjoyed, as John Kuhn did, interviewing the Veterans. And of course, the Veterans are all Green Bay Packer fans too.”

Two more Honor Flights are scheduled for 2018. Campbell says those will take off in September and October, adding that those months (along with April and May) offer the best weather conditions for the Vets.

The current Honor Flight wait list is around 4 years for Vietnam-era Vets.

For WWII and Korean Vets, Campbell says depending on the circumstances they could be on the next flight or go early next year. He adds that a common misconception about Honor Flight is you have to have served in a combat role to participate; however, only about 8% of the 2,935 veterans served by the previous flights saw combat.

“The only qualification is that you served in the years that are listed on the website and application. That’s the only criteria whatsoever.”

More information on the flights and an application for those that want to join the wait list can be found here.

WSAU

Nicholson not backing off comments

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Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson is drawing fire, from military veterans. He’s not backing off.

The former U-S Marine refusing to back down, from questioning the “cognitive thought process” of veterans who identify as Democrats, and claiming the Democratic Party has “rejected the Consitution.”

Nicholson is also drawing criticism from Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, one of nine who signed a letter to Nicholson demanding that he apologize to state Senator Leah Vukmir, for inferring that she didn’t respect his service in the Marines.

GOP primary voters will decide whether Vukmir or Nicholson face Senator Tammy Baldwin in November.

Scott Walker not interested in Trump cabinet post

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Governor Scott Walker WRN image

Scott Walker says he’s not interested in a job with the Trump administration. The Republican governor was unequivocal, when asked about that potential after a bill signing at the Capitol on Monday.

“I will never willingly leave the role as governor through the end of this next coming term,” Walker said following a bill signing ceremony at the Capitol on Monday. “I’m running for reelection to serve a full term.”

Walker said his certainty is based on something he was told, by former governor and cabinet secretary, Tommy Thompson. “You can get much, much more done as a governor, and it’s much more fulfilling being a governor than being in the cabinet.” Thompson served as HHS Secretary for four years during the George W. Bush administration.

Also Monday, Walker was asked about his friend, Missouri Governor Eric Grietens, as Democrats in the Missouri legislature attempt to have him disciplined. “I think it’s a horribly sad situation,” Walker said. “I don’t know how someone stays in that position. It’s difficult if not impossible for him govern.”

A legislative committee in Jefferson City has released an investigative report about Greitens’ former mistress accusing him of physical aggression, sexual manipulation and blackmail.

Walker signed 93 bills into law on Monday, including one that to protect Soldiers and Airmen in the Wisconsin National Guard, and their families, when they are mobilized to state active duty.

The bill requires the state Department of Military Affairs to grant continuation pay to Guard members injured while on state active duty. It also requires the department to pay a $100,000 benefit to a guard member’s designated beneficiary, if they’re killed on active duty.

Madison will remove memorial to Confederate POWS

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WRN image

The Madison Common Council voted Tuesday to remove a monument to Confederate prisoners of war from the city-owned Forest Hill Cemetery.

The large cenotaph that bears the names of soldiers buried there will be offered to the Wisconsin Historical Society or the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial.

The unanimous vote was taken after the council received three recommendations from different commissions.

Before the vote, a number of citizens spoke on both sides of the issue. There’s no word yet on when the monument will be taken down.

A smaller plaque was removed in 2017. It, too, will be offered to the State Historical Society or Wisconsin Veterans Memorial.

WIBA

 

Walker suggests permanent military presence on border

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Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is all in, on President Donald Trump’s National Guard border order. On Fox News Network Monday, Walker noted past presidents had deployed the Guard to fight the illegal drug trade.

“I’d take it a step further,” Walker told Fox and Friends. “I suggest that the president should actually put permanent training facilities along the border. What a great way to save money. Train people in the military at the same time you held guard the border.”

No Wisconsin Guard units have been sent to the border yet, and none have been requested. “Until we can have a wall and proper security, we’re going to be guarding our border with the military,” Trump said last week.

Wisconsin selected as a base for new F-35 fighter jets

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(Photo: US Air Force)

The U.S. Air Force has named the 115th Fighter Wing based out of Truax Field in Madison as one of two preferred candidate bases for missions involving the F-35A Lightning II fighter jet. The other location selected is the Dannelly Field Air Guard Station in Montgomery, Alabama.

The decision means Truax Field could start seeing the fighter jets arrive in 2023, as the Air Force works to replace aging F-16s and other units.

The decision received praise from U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI). In a statement, Baldwin said the decision shows the Air Force “has recognized the tremendous strategic, geographic and economic capabilities that Truax offers.”

Johnson said it’s great news for the future of the Wisconsin Air National Guard. “I applaud the Air Force for recognizing the strategic importance of our state, and I look forward to Wisconsin playing a major role as the Air Force modernizes and enhances its capabilities to keep America safe and secure,” Johnson said in a statement.

Governor Scott Walker called the news “outstanding,” and a recognition of “Truax’s unrivaled capabilities, meeting or exceeding all the necessary requirements for the mission.”

Guard members back from hurricane relief efforts

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Almost 20 members of the Wisconsin National Guard are back in Wisconsin, after helping in the wake of the hurricanes that passed through the U.S. Virgin Islands earlier this year.

They brought two Black Hawk helicopters with them for medical evacuations and to deliver supplies. They were deployed for about three weeks.

Four members of the Wisconsin Air National Guard also returned from Puerto Rico, where they helped manage airfields.

All Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard members who were involved in hurricane relief efforts are now home.

WHBY

Lawmakers hold hearing on ‘Green Alert’ legislation

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Wisconsin Capitol (WRN photo)

State lawmakers are being urged to pass legislation that would create a special alert system for missing veterans who are at risk of harming themselves.

The bill would create a “Green Alert” – similar to the Amber Alert for missing children and Silver Alert for missing senior citizens who are believed to be in danger. It was inspired by the case of Corey Adams – an Air Force veteran who went missing earlier this year and whose body was found 18 days later.

The bill would require the state to use its alert network to send out information about missing veterans and members of the armed forces who are believed to be at risk because of physical or mental health issues.

During a hearing at the Capitol Thursday, Carmen Adams – Corey’s sister – testified that his disappearance initially sparked no interest from police. Adams had been diagnosed with PTSD and bi-polar disorder and his family feared he was in danger.

Despite filing a missing persons report and raising concerns about his mental health, she said police did nothing for eight days and it was only after local media picked up the story that they saw action. “He did not fit the criteria for being considered critically missing,” she said.

Adams’ body was eventually found in a pond at a Milwaukee park. His cause of death was eventually ruled an accidental drowning, although the family continues to question how he ended up in the water.

“I truly believe this bill would save the life of another veteran who is facing the same situation as my brother did,” Adams said. “Unlike my brother, this individuals will be saved.”

A legislative committee is currently considering the bill.

Wisconsin National Guard troops could help with hurricane relief

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As Puerto Rico struggles to recover from Hurricane Maria, Wisconsin National Guard troops are being called to help.

Governor Scott Walker issued an executive order Tuesday which activates Guard members to provide medical and other aid to victims of hurricanes Maria and Irma. It’s not certain how many troops might go.

Walker’s order comes after Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands made formal requests for assistance.

Federal officials say less than one of five Puerto Ricans have electricity, weeks after Maria went through — and more than a quarter of residents still don’t have clean running water.

Wisconsin’s Irma response scaled back

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Most of the Wisconsin National Guard soldiers that were supposed to help with Hurricane Irma are no longer going.

Captain Joe Trovato, a spokesman for the Guard, said Florida officials determined they didn’t need as many people.

More than 2,500 troops from around the state were activated. Trovato said they sent about 650 of them on Sunday and they’ll be staying. He says they’re expected to help shuttle supplies and provide security. He said the rest are either coming back or they never left.

A team of Wisconsin first responders is also heading home from Florida. The state’s Urban Search and Rescue Task Force was asked to help with searches in the Jacksonville area — but the mission was called off when Hurricane Irma did not hit the region as hard as expected. The team is made up of first responders and search dog handlers from the Antigo, Appleton, Beloit, Chippewa Falls, Green Bay, Janesville, La Crosse, and Oshkosh fire departments.

WHBY