Never forget our fallen brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. This year, 27,316 flags will be placed-one for every Wisconsin hero killed in action from the Civil War to today. With your support and with the dedication of hundreds of volunteers, we will honor each of them. As a proud tribute to Wisconsin’s fallen, the flags will stand on display through May 27.
11AM in Veterans Park
Join us in Veterans Park for the Field of Flags Remembrance Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. This powerful visual is a sight to be seen. As a proud tribute to Wisconsin’s fallen, the flags will stand on display through May 27.
Nestled on Milwaukee’s picturesque lakefront, the War Memorial Beer Garden is more than just a beer garden—it’s a destination. With its rich history, stunning views of Lake Michigan, and genuine atmosphere, we’ve earned our reputation as one of Milwaukee’s Best Beer Gardens.
6-7:30 PM
Talking With Monuments: What They Don’t Say and The Stories Being Missed
This is a 5-week program that brings veterans and the community together at war memorials to talk about military service and what it means to remember. Participants will learn about moral injury and how being remembered, forgotten, and erased from public memory affects veterans’ well-being and integration.
Monuments often tell just one version of history — and that can leave out many important stories, especially from veterans of different backgrounds. When these stories are ignored or forgotten, it can make it even harder for veterans to adjust after military life.
We’ll visit five different memorial sites, with short history talks covering wars from tribal conflicts to Iraq and Afghanistan. At each site, veteran facilitators will share poetry and comics, helping to bring new life to old spaces and tell a fuller story about who has served.
These visits and conversations will explore themes of service, memory, identity, and healing. Our goal is to make space for the voices that have been left out, and to deepen understanding of what veterans from all walks of life have gone through.
Enjoy Music in the Garden at the War Memorial Center Beer Garden. Bring your family, friends, co-workers, and more to enjoy a lakefront view, great food, conversation, and meet some new friends. Veteran-related organizations will also be on-site with resource tables.
Celebrate America’s 250th with us at our tea party luncheon. Enjoy a patriotic afternoon filled with delicious tea and delightful company. Check back for more details.
This event is for local schools to provide students the opportunity to learn about the history of the War Memorial Center, our mission, and the Wisconsin men and women who answered the call to service. Interactive stations featuring veterans, soldiers, equipment, and educational activities give students the chance to observe, participate, and engage.
Start your winter running season off on the right foot and honor our veterans and current service members by joining Silver Circle for the Vets Day 5K & 10K at the War Memorial.
A documentary exploring Captain Lance P. Sijan’s heroic life and legacy as an Air Force Pilot and Medal of Honor recipient. This moving tribute, narrated by Gary Sinise, documents the true story as his plane went down during the Vietnam War leaving him alone in the jungle, facing insurmountable odds.
