Armed Forces Week kicks off today, and there are several ways for you to honor the men and women who serve our country. The week culminates on Saturday, with Armed Forces Day.
Armed Forces Day was established in 1949 by President Harry Truman; prior to that, each branch of the military had a separate day of recognition.
Here are several events over the next week to celebrate Armed Forces Week:
Monday, May 16
North Shore Luncheon – Rotary Club of Milwaukee
- 11:30 a.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton North Shore
- $15; No charge for military members in uniform
Armed Forces Week Dinner Banquet
- 5:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin Club
- $100; $50 for active duty military, O3 and below
- Contact: Candee Arndt, carndt2370@aol.com
Tuesday, May 17
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Luncheon
- 11:30 a.m. at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center
- Michael Telzrow, Director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, will present on "The Role of the Military in Wisconsin"
- Open to Rotary Club members and their guests
Wednesday, May 18
Kiwanis Club Luncheon
- 11:30 a.m. at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center
- Capt. Jim Hawkins, Commander, U.S. Navy Great Lakes Naval Station will speak on "Naval Station Great Lakes: Your Navy in the Midwest"
- $25; free for military members in uniform
- Contact: kiwanismke@sbcglobal.net
Thursday, May 19
Lance Sijan Award Ceremony
- 11:30 a.m. at the Milwaukee Yacht Club
- Award presented to distinguished heroes
- $35
36th Annual Civic Dinner Dance
- 5:15 p.m. at the 128th Air Refueling Wing at General Mitchell Field
- $40 for guests
- Military members should wear Mess Dress or Service Dress
- Civilians should wear a coat and tie, or semi-formal attire
Friday, May 20
Golf Tournament
- 9 a.m. at Muskego Lakes Country Club
- $75 for 18 holes of golf, cart rental, 2 drink vouchers and a BBQ lunch
Saturday, May 21, Armed Forces Day
12th Annual Support the Troops Ride
- 9 a.m. at Hal's Harley-Davidson in New Berlin
- Complimentary pancake breakfast
- Ride begins at 11 a.m.
- Ride ends at noon, at the Harley-Davidson Museum, where there will be a ceremony to honor military servicemembers
Military Display at the Harley-Davidson Museum
- 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Museum
- Interactive military displays, including weapons and equipment for attendees to see and touch
- Various talks and band performances
- Free event
Liz has been in Milwaukee for almost a decade, after growing up in Madison. It's possible she might like her adopted hometown better, but she would never admit that to her mom. When she's not slaving away at OnMilwaukee, she's probably watching a football game, cross stitching something profane, writing one of the romance novels she publishes under the highly secret nome de plume, Eliza Madison, or some combination thereof. Whatever she's doing, she's drinking Diet Coke.
