Milwaukee Armed Forces Week Preview

  • Published
  • By SSgt Jenna Hildebrand
  • 128th ARW Public Affairs
The Milwaukee Armed Services Committee scheduled a week of events for the public to engage with military components and their members. The scheduled events are to honor the people who served in the Armed Forces of the United States at home and abroad. Members of the Armed Services, as well as Milwaukee area citizens will come together during Milwaukee Armed Forces Week to understand and appreciate each other's role in the community.

May 11-13 - Military Display, 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the 128th Air Refueling Wing. The display will feature civilian and military aircraft and weaponry. Milwaukee's own KC-135 Stratotankers are among the various assets on display. U.S. military personnel will also be present at the display to interact with the public. Food, merchandise, and information booths will be present during the display. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will be available for airplane rides for children ages 8-17, through their Young Eagles Flight Experience. Free parking and shuttle services will be available from the M.A.T.C. South Campus until 3:00 p.m. on both days of the event. Handicapped parking is available at the 128th Air Refueling Wing.

May 14 - Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Breakfast, 7:30 a.m. at the Wisconsin Club. Military reservists and guard members who are also employees of Milwaukee-based companies and their employers will be recognized. In honor of Major Richard I. Bong, a Medal of Honor recipient from Wisconsin, awards will be presented at the event to military members that have exemplified leadership, motivation, and personal development.

May 14 - Rotary Club of Milwaukee-North Shore Luncheon at Four Points by Sheraton Milwaukee North. The featured guest speaker is Lt. Commander Henry Kim, executive officer of the USS Milwaukee (LCS 5.) The new ship is currently under construction at Marinette Marine with a tentative launch date of July 2013. She is a sister ship of the USS Freedom (UCS -1) that was previously commissioned in Milwaukee.

May 14 - Milwaukee Armed Forces Dinner Dance, 5:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin Club. The featured guest speaker is Rear Admiral Gregory Nosal, U.S. Navy Commander of Carrier Strike Group Two. Joseph Dean, founder and board chair of Stars and Stripes Honor Flight and Brian Ziegler, president of Badger Honor Flight, will jointly receive the Milwaukee Armed Services Committee's 3rd Annual Citizen Support of Our Armed Services Award. This event is by invitation only.

May 15 - Rotary Club of Milwaukee Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. at the Milwaukee Country War Memorial. Featured guest speaker Colonel Ted Metzgar, Commander of the 128th Air Refueling Wing will discuss U.S. and NATO operations over Libya. St. John's Military Academy Trumpet Bugles and Color Guard will also perform.

May 16 - Milwaukee Kiwanis Club Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. at the Milwaukee County War Memorial. Captain Matthew Sibley, U.S. Coast Guard Commanding Officer, will be the guest speaker. 

May 17 - Gyro Club Luncheon and the Sijan Award Ceremony, 11:30 a.m. at the Milwaukee Yacht Club. World War II heroes will be honored, including a Tuskegee Airman of the #332 Fighter Squadron "Red Tails," and Army Machine Gunner who saw action in Belgium, France, and Germany, a B-17 Bomber Pilot - the first to complete 35 successful missions with the 381st Bomb Group, a Marine who was part of the D-Day amphibious landing at Iwo Jima, and a sailor who served at the Battle of Midway.

May 17 - 31st Annual Civic Dinner Dance, 5:30 p.m. at the 128th Air Refueling Wing. Tickets are $30 per person, with live entertainment provided by the Milwaukee American Legion band. Guest speaker Master Sergeant Phil Harkleroad will share his experience in Afghanistan. 

May 18 - Annual Armed Forces Week Golf Outing, 9:00 a.m. at Muskego Lakes Country Club. The event will end with a Texas-style barbecue lunch. The general public is invited to participate. 

May 19 - Harley-Davidson Support the Troops Ride. Registration for the ride along with a pancake breakfast will begin at 9:00 a.m. at Hal's Harley-Davidson, New Berlin. A percentage of the proceeds from the pancake breakfast will go to The Fisher House, a "home away from home" for veterans and their families during their stay at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center. The 55-mile Support the Troops Ride will leave Hal's at 11:00 a.m. and end at the Harley-Davidson Museum, in Milwaukee at 12:00 p.m. Upon arrival, a ceremony will begin including the U.S. Marine Color Guard, refreshments and live music by the band, "Back 40." The Harley-Davidson Museum will also offer a special $12 Military admission on the day of the ride, as well as every day, with a military ID.

Back for the second year, various Milwaukee restaurants will offer discounts for all military personnel with identification badges with them during Armed Forces Week. Lunch and dinner hour discounts will be available Monday, May 14 through Friday, May 18 at the following restaurants: Beta, Café at the Pfister, Catch 22, Club Charlies, COA, Cubanitas, Indulge, Kil@wat, Mason Street Grill, Metro Bar & Café, Milwaukee Sail Loft, Mo's Irish Pub, Palms Bistro & Bar, Rio West Cantina, Rock Bottom, Sabor, The Knick and The Loaded Slate. 

Wisconsin Governer Scott Walker issued a proclamation that declared the week of May 11-19, 2012 as Armed Forces Week throughout the state.  "Civilians get a chance to learn more about the military and to see and experience some of what the members of the different branches do to secure our freedom." The public is invited to show its support for the Armed Services by attending the military display at the 128th Air Refueling Wing, the Civic Dinner Dance, golf outing and the Support the Troops Ride.