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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For additional information, contact:
Vollrath Associates, Inc.
Michelle Romano
O: 414-221-0210
C: 630-272-3288
[email protected]
Armed Forces Week Announces 2015 Schedule of Events
Public invited to show their support for service members
at events throughout the city, May 11-16
Milwaukee, Wis. April 28, 2015… The Milwaukee Armed Services Committee announced today the
schedule of events for Milwaukee’s annual celebration of Armed Forces Week, to be held May 11-16,
2015. The week’s events aim to increase public awareness of the role of the military, while honoring
and providing a memorable tribute of respect to our nation’s heroes, both past and present.
Throughout the week, events will feature distinguished guest speakers such as Chief of U.S. Navy
Reserve and Commander of the U.S. Navy Reserve Force Vice Admiral Robin R. Braun; chairman of
the USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) Commissioning Committee Vice Admiral Dirk J. Debbink (retired); U.S.
Congressman and chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Paul Ryan; founder and
former president of the Fisher House Wisconsin, Dan W. Buttery; and President of Oshkosh
Corporation’s Fire & Emergency segment Jim Johnson. Armed Forces Week’s featured events
include luncheons and dinners for military personnel, dances, a golf outing and a military display.
The traditional Milwaukee Armed Forces Week Dinner Banquet (sold out), the featured event of the
week, will take place on Monday, May 11, at 5:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin Club, located at 900 W.
Wisconsin Avenue. The keynote speaker for the evening is Chief of U.S. Navy Reserve Vice Admiral
Braun, a decorated naval aviator who has accumulated over 5,800 flight hours during her time with
the U.S. Navy. Attending as a special guest speaker at the dinner is U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan.
Dan Buttery, Iraq veteran and founder of the Fisher House Wisconsin, will receive the Milwaukee
Armed Services Committee’s Sixth Annual Citizen Support for Our Armed Services Award at the
banquet, honoring him for his commitment to the military both through his personal and professional
life.
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Kicking off Armed Forces Week on Monday morning, the annual Employer Support of the Guard
and Reserve (ESGR) Breakfast will be held at 7 a.m. at the Milwaukee County War Memorial
Center, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive. The guest speaker for the breakfast will be Jim Johnson,
president of Oshkosh Corporation’s Fire & Emergency business segment. At the breakfast, military
reservists who are also employees of Milwaukee-based companies, and their employers, will be
recognized, the Major Richard I. Bong Award will be presented to outstanding service members from
each military branch and the Department of Defense 2015 Freedom Award nominees will be
recognized. Also on Monday, Master Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard, Steven W. Cantrell,
will speak to a luncheon for the Milwaukee North Shore Rotary Club, located at the Four Points by
Sheraton Milwaukee North, 8900 N. Kildeer Court, Brown Deer.
The Rotary Club of Milwaukee Luncheon will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12. A preluncheon concert will be provided by a wood quintet from the Navy Band Great Lakes and a song will
be performed by Jayme Dawicki, former Miss Wisconsin. Vice Admiral Dirk J. Debbink (retired),
chairman of the USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) Commissioning Committee, former chief of the U.S. Navy
Reserve Force and chairman of MSI General, will speak about the progress of the USS Milwaukee
(LCS 5) and plans for the Navy’s modern warfare. On Wednesday, May 13, the Milwaukee Kiwanis
Club will host a luncheon, with Captain Amy B. Cocanour, commanding officer of the U.S. Coast
Guard – Sector Lake Michigan, as the featured speaker. Both the Rotary Club Luncheon and the
Kiwanis Club Luncheon will be held at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, 750 N. Lincoln
Memorial Drive, and both will admit members of the military and reserve in uniform free of charge.
The Lance Sijan Award Ceremony and Luncheon will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May
14. At the luncheon, awards will be presented to distinguished heroes of World War II 1st Lieutenant
Ceylon H. Gruenstern and 1st Sergeant Robert J. Donovan. The ceremony and luncheon will be held
at the Milwaukee Yacht Club, 1700 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive.
Events open to the public that will take place during the week include:

The public is invited to show its support for our armed services members by attending the
Civic Dinner Dance, Golf Outing, Support the Troops Ride and Military Display. For more
information on these events, please visit www.milwaukeearmedforcesweek.org.

The 34rd Annual Civic Dinner Dance on Thursday, May 14. The event will be held at the
128th Air Refueling Wing beginning with cocktails and a social hour at 5:15 p.m., followed by
dinner at 6:30 p.m. Sergeant Major Tom Ludka of the 128th will emcee for the evening. Joseph
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Kotarak, a veteran long-time Cudahy business owner, will be honored as the 2015 Civic
Honoree. Live music will be presented at the event by the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America.
Tickets are $35 per person and reservations can be made by calling Master Sergeant Jennifer
Mielcarek at 414-944-8454.

The annual AFW Golf Outing on Friday, May 15, at the Muskego Lakes Country Club. Golfing
begins at 9 a.m. and ends with a Texas-style barbecue luncheon. The cost is $75 per player,
which includes 18 holes of golf, golf cart rental, two beverage vouchers and lunch. Contact Jim
Keck at [email protected] for fees, registration or sponsorship opportunities.

The 12th Annual Support the Troops Ride® from Hal’s Harley-Davidson, 1925 S. Moorland
Road, New Berlin to the Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 Canal Street, Milwaukee, also on
Saturday, May 16. The event will begin at 9 a.m. with registration and a complimentary
pancake and sausage breakfast at Hal’s, and the ride will start at 11 a.m. All motorcyclists are
welcome to participate. The ride will end with a memorial ceremony at the Harley-Davidson
Museum, which will include a 21-gun salute, taps and a wreath laying.

The Military Display at the Harley-Davidson Museum, also on Saturday, May 16. The
military display will be in full swing from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. on the Museum grounds. Weapons,
equipment and interactive displays will be available for attendees to see and experience. This
free event offers a unique experience to talk with all branches of the military to learn about
their experiences and the challenges they face maintaining our freedom. At 11 a.m. and 2:30
p.m., there will be a military gallery talk inside the Harley-Davidson Museum and admission
will be required.
Summary Schedule of Events:

Monday, May 11, 7 a.m. – Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Breakfast

Monday, May 11, 11:30 a.m.. – Rotary Club of Milwaukee - North Shore Luncheon

Monday, May 11, 5:30 p.m. – Milwaukee Armed Forces Dinner Banquet

Tuesday, May 12, 12:00 p.m. – Milwaukee Rotary Club Luncheon

Wednesday, May 13, 11:30 a.m. – Milwaukee Kiwanis Club Luncheon

Thursday, May 14, 11:30 a.m. – Lance Sijan Award Ceremony & Luncheon

Thursday, May 14, 5:15 p.m. – Civic Dinner Dance

Friday, May 15, 9 a.m. – Golf Tournament

Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. – Support the Troops Ride

Saturday, May 16, 12 p.m. – Memorial Ceremony at Harley-Davidson Museum

Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. – Military Display at Harley-Davidson Museum
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For more information, the following officials may be contacted in regards to:

ESGR Breakfast, Doris Schmitt: (608) 242-3729 or [email protected]

Rotary Club of Milwaukee – North Shore Luncheon, Tom Plantenberg: (414) 379-8020 or
[email protected]

Milwaukee Armed Forces Banquet, Candee Arndt: [email protected]

Rotary Club of Milwaukee Luncheon, Phil Vollrath: (414) 221-0216 or
[email protected]

Kiwanis Club Luncheon, Jim Pittelkow: (414) 550-6100 or [email protected]

Gyro Club Luncheon, Tom Plantenberg: (414) 379-8020 or [email protected]

Civic Dinner Dance, Master Sergeant Jennifer Mielcarek: (414) 944-8454

Golf Tournament, Jim Keck: (414) 302-2929 or [email protected]

Support the Troops Ride, Tom Rourke: [email protected]

Military Display, Lisa Remby: [email protected]
More information for Armed Forces Week events and scheduling can be found by visiting the
Milwaukee Armed Forces Week website at www.milwaukeearmedforcesweek.org or by contacting
Michelle Romano at 414-221-0210 (office), 630-272-3288 (cell) or [email protected]
About Milwaukee Armed Forces Week
The 2015 Milwaukee Armed Forces Week, to be held Monday, May 11 – Saturday, May 16, is a joint
effort of the Milwaukee Armed Services Committee, comprised of members of the United States
Army, Navy, Air Forces, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and National Guard, as well as Milwaukee-area
citizens and veterans. Its mission is to increase public understanding of the role of the military in a
democratic society as well as honor and acknowledge Milwaukee-area men and women serving in the
Armed Forces of the United States. For more information, please visit
www.milwaukeearmedforcesweek.org and follow the organization on Facebook and Twitter.
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