WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsGov. Doyle honors Wisconsin veterans
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MADISON (WKOW) -- During Wisconsin's annual Veterans Day ceremony, Governor Jim Doyle said we ask more of our veterans than anyone else in our country.
The governor was one of several speakers at the program Wednesday morning at the State Capitol.
"We have the finest citizen soldiers in the United States," added Doyle.
Seated in the Capitol rotunda, Wisconsin veterans of each military branch were honored. Among them, a handful of World War II vets. State records show fewer than 43,000 of the 330,000, who served, are alive today.
"Our World War II vets have been the heart and soul of this state for the last 50-plus years," said Doyle.
Currently, there are more than 427,000 veterans in Wisconsin. 311,000 are wartime vets and 28,000 are women, including Brigadier General Marcia Anderson.
"From the very day George Washington took command, the uniform of the U.S. military has always stood for courage and decency," said the vice-chair of the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs.
There was no shortage of patriotic pride, but it was combined with sadness. Governor Doyle remembered the two Wisconsin soldiers killed last week in Texas.
"I had the great honor of meeting with members of the families of victims of that tragedy and I was humbled to hear their stories of courage," said Doyle.
Right now, there are more than 3,500 Wisconsin men and women serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world.
Despite budget shortfalls, the governor says he's proud state benefits and services to veterans have largely remained intact, and he says that needs to continue.
*WISCONSIN VETERANS POPULATIONS*
World War I: 122,215 served; 3,932 killed; 0 alive today
World War II: 332,200 served; 8,390 killed; 42,713 alive today
Korean War: 132,00 served; 729 killed; 49,839 alive today
Vietnam War: 165,400 served; 1,239 killed; 144,036 alive today
Operations Desert Shield & Storm: 10,400 served; 11 killed
Operations Enduring & Iraqi Freedom: 27,798 served/ing; 99 killed as of October 2, 2009
Source: Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
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