Aug. 26 event planned to connect veterans with area groups
Veteran organizations in Medford and the surrounding area have been an integral part of our community for more than 100 years. The first such post in Taylor County was the Grand Army of the Republic Lodge 145 chartered in 1884 by Taylor County’s Civil War veterans. The post was named for General James Shields, no relation to the local Schield family. That post closed when the last member died in 1935. In Medford, the Landua- Jensen American Legion post 147 was chartered in 1937 by World War 1 veterans. The Klossner-Dietzler VFW post 5729 was chartered by World War 2 veterans in 1946, and the VFW post 5729 Auxiliary was chartered in 1949. These veteran and veteran support organizations serve local veterans and citizens in many ways.
One of the most solemn services they provide is the military funeral honors ceremony for veteran funerals. This includes the final hand salute by fellow veterans, three rifle volleys, the playing of Taps, and presentation of the American flag to the next of kin. Some of these rites date back centuries and are part of a sacred tradition provided for military veterans.
Members answer formal requests for U.S. Flag presentations and color guards at local sporting events, rodeos and fairs, as well as marching in parades, or displaying the National Colors at various local memorials and national days of recognition such as Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.
Local veteran organizations have raised tens of thousands of dollars for Flag Field, the Killed in Action Memorial, and other memorials in the area. The members conduct clothing drives for homeless veterans, award college scholarships to promising young high school students, sponsor American Legion baseball teams, manage a durable medical equipment lending closet, and much more.
At the national level, veteran organizations actively participate in writing and lobbying for veteran focused legislation in federal government such as the recently passed PACT Act which recognizes the toxic exposures our veterans experienced while serving in the middle east and other parts of the world in the War on Terror, as well as expanding the presumptive conditions of veterans exposed to herbicides during the Vietnam War. They were there when the Agent Orange Act of 1991 was passed, which finally provided recognition, treatment and compensation for the thousands of veterans exposed to herbicides in Vietnam and other locations. At the state level, the groups are instrumental in providing state benefits such as free tuition for eligible veterans and family members at the University of Wisconsin, state tax benefits for disabled veterans, and much more. Without these organizations, veterans would be solely dependent on the good will of politicians and government for providing and maintaining these benefits earned by their honorable service.
These organizations’ influence stems from their membership numbers. As the millions of World War 2, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans leave us, those membership numbers are dwindling. Now more than ever, veterans need to support each other by becoming members of these organizations.
Local veteran organizations will be holding a meet and greet for veterans at the Medford VFW post on Highway 13 on Saturday, August 26th from 1- 5 p.m.. Come and join them for some food, information, and comradeship.
The Taylor County Veteran Service Officer will be there to discuss VA and state benefits. Members will be available to discuss what they do and the benefits of joining your chosen veteran organization. Food, beverages, and veteran apparel will be available for purchase. Veterans and their families and supporters are invited to drop by anytime between 1 and 5 PM on August 26th at the Medford VFW.
