Approximately 300 Department of Corrections Veterans from around the State of Wisconsin were welcomed to The Highground on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 by Jackson County Warden Randy Hepp. Key note speakers for this event were Wisconsin National Guard Major General Donald P. Dunbar and
DOC Secretary Gary Hamblin. Secretary Hamblin unveiled a Legacy Stone placed in honor of all veterans working for the DOC. In keeping with The Highground’s promise made in 2003, the names of WI men and women killed in Iraq and Afghanistan were read as the Liberty Bell tolled.
“The Department of Corrections has more employees in the military than any other state agency. More than 1,400 DOC employees are veterans, including nearly 200 staff currently serving in the military. In the past two years, nearly 60 DOC employees have served combat tours in either Iraq or Afghanistan. The Department salutes these men and women for their past and current contributions and extraordinary service to their country and this agency”.
--DOC Secretary Hamblin
The DOC “Welcome Home” initiative is designed to assist our veterans prior to, during and upon return from extended military deployments. One of the primary goals of the initiative is to ensure that all of our veterans are aware of the federal and state benefits they are entitled to receive.
The Department of Corrections values the contributions made by their employees who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. They are proud of the service these men and women have given to our country, state and agency and are pleased to have them back home.
The Highground was honored to have the Department Of Corrections veterans here and we look forward to their return visits. |
