Think of the USO and images of the legendary Bob Hope entertaining our troops overseas during the holidays quickly come to mind.

Photos: bobhope.com


The USO is a private, nonprofit organization that supports our troops by providing morale, welfare and recreation-type services, as the USO puts it, “extending a touch of home to the military.”  Military members and their families visit worldwide USO centers more than 5.3 million times every year. 

During the past 34 years, Wisconsin has operated its only USO office at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center in downtown Milwaukee. Like the more than 130 centers worldwide, the Milwaukee USO has been offering much-needed recreation programs and boosting morale for our brave military. Sadly, the Milwaukee USO is now in danger of closing.

Elizabeth Geary, Affiliate Liaison of the USO World Headquarters, informed the Milwaukee USO that it failed to meet established Standards of Excellence (SOE) for each USO facility by a November 2008 review date. New criteria established by the national organization require USO affiliates to provide a center for troops and their families, and to increase their fundraising and community outreach efforts. A small office maintained at the War Memorial is the only space the Milwaukee USO has. Additional space is unavailable at the War Memorial, so the USO would have to move to stay open.

The Milwaukee USO Board has rescinded a vote taken during October 2008 to dissolve its charter and is now requesting additional time for the Milwaukee USO office to meet and adhere to SOE’s.

One of my constituents brought this issue to my attention, concerned that the Milwaukee USO office is being forced to close. My constituent met her husband at a USO dance 42 years ago, and is now worried that future Wisconsin military personnel and their families will be unable to benefit from the many valuable programs and services provided by the USO.

Closing this important facility would be devastating to the brave men and women we entrust with our national security who greatly deserve our undying support. The timing couldn’t be worse. About 3,400 members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard will be deployed to Iraq with the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team by next spring.

I have written a letter, co-signed by many of my legislative colleagues in Madison, to members of the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation, requesting that the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate take the necessary action to ensure that the Milwaukee USO office, the only USO office in the state of Wisconsin, remains open to serve our military, their families, and veterans. We strongly urge our Congressional delegation to assist the Milwaukee USO in meeting and adhering to national SOE’s to prevent its closing and secure its operation that will continue to benefit Wisconsin military members and their families.

If you would like to write a letter of support or make a contribution to the Milwaukee USO that operates completely on donations, letters and donations may be sent to USO of Wisconsin Inc., Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Suite 303, Milwaukee, WI 53202-4018.

Under state law, every August 7 is designated as Purple Heart Day. Wisconsin State Statutes s. 14.16 (11) says:

"The governor shall annually proclaim August 7 as Purple Heart Day and urge the people and organizations of the state to display the American flag on that day as a public expression of the recognition of those individuals who have been wounded or killed in action preserving the freedoms that all United States citizens cherish.”

Why August 7?

General George Washington liked to reward soldiers of outstanding valor with a commission or rank promotion until he was ordered to stop in 1782 by the Continental Congress for economic reasons. Washington wanted another means of bestowing a special honor upon his men and came up with it, described in his written General Order issued on August 7, 1782:

"The General, ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers as well as foster and encourage every species of military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings, over his left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with due reward... The name and regiment of the persons so certified are to be enrolled in a Book of Merit which shall be kept in the orderly room...”

General Douglas MacArthur came up with the idea of reviving Washington’s medal and the War Department unveiled the new award on February 22, 1932, in honor of Washington’s Bicentennial. The oldest military honor, the Purple Heart is awarded today for being wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act by any such enemy or enemy forces. President Kennedy took action to expand the award to any civilian national of the United States, and President Reagan extended eligibility to those wounded in international terrorist attacks.

Originally designed by Washington as a cloth medal, the Purple Heart today shows a heart stamped from bronze, plated with gold, hanging from a purple and white ribbon.

On May 26, 2004, two of my constituents in Senate District 28 were presented the Purple Heart by Governor Jim Doyle: Susan Sonnheim of Franklin and Troy Tuschel of Hales Corners.

Sgt. Susan K. Sonnheim was injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated while she was on patrol in Baghdad Sept. 23, 2003.  She was the first female soldier in the history of the Wisconsin National Guard to be awarded a Purple Heart.

Journal/Sentinel photo taken by Tuschel family
Troy Tuschel next to a Humvee in Iraq, where he was deployed with his unit in March 2003.