Page 3 - WMC 2021 Annual Report

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ANNUAL LETTER
Learning about our history
makes us smarter, learning about
our heritage makes us prouder.
With much gratitude,
Daniel Buttery,
President & CEO
2023
Andy Gordon,
Board Chairman
Dear Friends,
Recently, we were honored to give a tour of the War
Memorial Center to retired Air Force General Robin Rand.
General Rand’s distinguished career includes leading Air
Force Global Strike Command and Air Education and
Training. He told us he was deeply touched by what he
saw here. He said he has visited memorials in Washington,
D.C. and around the world and had never seen anything as
unique and impressive as our War Memorial Center.
Wow.
But the real mic drop moment came when he said that
“learning about our history makes us smarter,
learning about our heritage makes us prouder.”
General Rand told us he felt prouder and more grateful
after visiting the War Memorial Center.
Sometimes it takes an outsider to put the perfect spotlight
of appreciation on what you have. We know how special
the War Memorial Center is to Wisconsin, because you
showed us! When Milwaukee County was going through its
2024 budget process, we put out a call to action for public
support, and you responded.
Your emails, letters and phone calls to Milwaukee County
Supervisors made a difference. Thank you! We still have a
long road ahead, but with your help we will keep the War
Memorial Center a vibrant beacon of
heritage for our community.
This past year has been an exciting one at the War
Memorial Center. We exceeded our goal for Phase Two of
Operation Advance, the War Memorial Center’s campaign
to enhance our exhibits. Thanks to your generous support,
in June 2024, we will be opening an exhibit honoring
Wisconsin’s POW/MIA, our second permanent exhibit.
Our education programs and traveling exhibit, I Am Not
Invisible, set attendance records in 2023. This success is
leading us to take a fresh look at our visitor experience
throughout the entire Center. Stay tuned!
General Rand told us there is nothing more admirable
than to honor our fallen heroes and support those families
and loved ones who carry on their legacy. Thank you for
helping us fulfill that mission.
Onward!
2023 ANNUAL REPORT
— Robin Rand, General (Ret.) U.S. Air Force
WARMEMORIALCENTER.ORG