By Steve Kabelowsky Contributing Columnist Published Jun 13, 2013 at 3:09 PM

John Malan, a long-time meteorologist in Milwaukee, is known for delivering weather forecasts on WISN-TV Ch. 12 and now with WTMJ-TV Ch. 4.

I remember one promotion with WISN that was very popular in the early 1980s. It featured a number of kids dressed in hats, mittens, boots, scarves and winter coats. The kids would then share:

"My mom dresses me funny because of John Malan."

In these recent years, through a number of reports on the NBC affiliate and in other media outlets, we have also learned of Malan’s military service.

His tour of service included three years in Vietnam, and he earned a Purple Heart after being injured in battle.

On Friday, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele will present Malan with a Milwaukee County Purple Heart Pass at the Marcus Center’s annual Flag Day celebration.

"Long before John was warning us of the danger from severe weather, he was serving our country," Abele said in a release. "This pass is a small way to thank John and all of our Purple Heart recipients for their sacrifice and dedication."

The Purple Heart Pass was launched this year and allows the holders to get free admission into a number of private and public venues in Milwaukee County and across the state, including the Harley Davidson Museum, Discovery World and the Milwaukee County Zoo.

The event is open to the public and starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Peck Pavilion on Water Street. Anyone in Wisconsin who has received a Purple Heart is eligible to receive a pass.

MOVING ON: WDJT-TV Ch. 58 morning anchor Tom Durain left the CBS affiliate last week.

"If you notice something different, don't adjust your sets. I'm no longer anchoring the morning show at CBS 58. I made the decision to take the next move in my career and head to Minneapolis, MN to work as an anchor and reporter there," Durian posted on Facebook.

He will be joining the news team at KSTP-TV, the ABC affiliate in the Twin Cities.

"It's been a great two years in Milwaukee! Together we've seen some big stories ...  and we launched a successful Noon Newscast. I hope that those of you in the Cream City will continue to wake up with Jessica and Lance every morning. They are a great team and were so much fun to work with."

HOT BLOODED AND COLD AS ICE: "FOX and Friends" All-American Summer Concert Series on Fox News continues Friday with rock band Foreigner. Known for their hits "I Want To Know What Love Is" and "Waiting For A Girl Like You," the stadium rockers are scheduled to take the stage around 7 a.m.

Mick Jones, founder and lead guitarist, is the only original member still with the band, which performs at Summerfest on July 6. Jones and original lead singer Lou Gramm have recently been elected into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

HALLMARK MILESTONE: The Hallmark Channel is launching its first original primetime series with "Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove" on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Golden Globe winner Andie MacDowell stars as Olivia Lockhart, who as a judge holds court in the small town where, "surprises and hidden secrets are unveiled." Dylan Neal, Bruce Boxleitner, Barbara Niven, Teryl Rothery and Brennan Elliott make up the supporting cast in the series based on Macomber’s "New York Times" bestseller.

Steve Kabelowsky Contributing Columnist

Media is bombarding us everywhere.

Instead of sheltering his brain from the onslaught, Steve embraces the news stories, entertainment, billboards, blogs, talk shows and everything in between.

The former writer, editor and producer in TV, radio, Web and newspapers, will be talking about what media does in our community and how it shapes who we are and what we do.