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John A. Scocos Column: Honoring Wisconsin Veterans' Legacy of Service​​​​

November 3, 2016

On this Veterans Day, I want to thank each and every person who ever swore an oath and donned the uniform of a Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airmen or Coast Guardsman. No matter the era or where duty called you, you took a solemn oath to defend this great nation of ours.

All Four Facilities at Wisconsin Veterans Home at King Now Ranked 5-Stars​​​​

October 18, 2016

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Secretary John A. Scocos announced today that according to the October 2016 Nursing Home Compare Five-Star Ratings of Nursing Homes Provider Rating Report by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), each of the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King’s four facilities is now rated 5-stars out of 5-stars, the first time this milestone has been reached at the Home.​​


WDVA Secretary Scocos Announces Zero Veteran Suicide Initiative​​

October 14, 2016

Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs (WDVA) Secretary John A. Scocos announced today the Zero Veteran Suicide Initiative, a new program to help individuals identify military veterans who may be contemplating suicide. Secretary Scocos made the announcement at the WDVA Mental Health Summit and Veterans Stakeholders Symposium.​​

Testimony of Secretary John A. Scocos before the Joint Audit Committee​​
September 21, 2016

We believe that caring for our veterans and their families is an honor. It is our duty to ensure that we provide the safest and best quality care to our nation’s heroes. We want veterans and their family members to experience a high quality of life at King while also receiving the highest quality care that they deserve.​​

POW-MIA Recognition Day in Wisconsin

September 16, 2016

Governor Scott Walker has proclaimed September 16, 2016 as POW-MIA Recognition Day in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secret​ary John A. Scocos made the following statement:​

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September 6, 2016

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, concerned about the rising rate of veteran suicides, is developing an initiative to assist veterans to find the hope and help they need in order to eliminate veteran suicide.

Secretary Scocos Announces Grant Application Period Open for Nonprofits that Serve Veterans, Families​​​

September 1, 2016

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Secretary John A. Scocos announced today that the Department will begin accepting applications for grants up to $25,000 from registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that provide financial assistance or other services to Wisconsin veterans and their families. Non-profits interested in applying for this onetime grant opportunity must submit their completed applications ​by October 31, 2016.


Veterans Home at King Provides Top-Quality Care to Veterans​

August 29, 2016

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) is confident that we provide safe, top-quality care to our nation’s heroes and our record reflects that reality.​

  

Veterans Trust Fund Provides Critical Programs, Services to Veterans

August 24, 2016

The Veterans Trust Fund (VTF) has been the main source of revenue for providing essential veterans benefits in Wisconsin since 1961. Administered by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), the VTF provides access to Wisconsin’s over 400,000 veterans and their family members access to programs, benefits and services.​


Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove Achieves Perfect Healthcare Survey

July 29, 2016

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary John A. Scocos today announced that the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove did not receive any healthcare citations of deficiency during its last survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  ​

John A. Scocos Column: Back to School on​ the Wisconsin GI Bill

July 21, 2016

Wisconsin provides its very own GI Bill education benefits in addition to the great federal benefits afforded to military veteran students and it’s not too early to ensure this benefit will be applied to the next college semester.


Sec. Scocos Honored by Legion for Camp Efforts

July 19, 2016

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary John A. Scocos was honored at American Legion Department of Wisconsin’s annual convention for his work on expanding Camp American Legion.


John A. Scocos Column: June is PTSD Awareness Month

​June 27, 2016

Just one suicide is too many. From 2007 to 2011, 680 military veterans in Wisconsin took their own lives. June 27 is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day and June is PTSD Awareness Month.​​


John A. Scocos Column: Wisconsin is a National Leader When it Comes to Veterans

June 17, 2016

​​Wisconsin is a leader in the country when it comes to investing in veterans and we have the best and brightest staff overseeing all these efforts. The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) excels in providing modern tools to our nation’s heroes so that veterans are able to reintegrate into civilian society with housing, education, health care and meaningful jobs. 

John A. Scocos Column: Flag Day 2016

June 14, 2016

It is fitting on this day to remember the symbol of our nation and those who fought under it – the American Flag. Today is also the Army’s 241st birthday and its soldiers have been carrying their nation’s flag into battle since the Revolutionary War.


John A. Scocos Column: Memorial Day 2016

May 10, 2016

On the most solemn of our nation's veteran recognition days, Memorial Day, one is often reminded to take pause and reflect upon what the "ultimate sacrifice" means to this country and her people and especially to those individuals and families affected by the loss of a service member. ​


WDVA and Veteran Engagement for the 21st Century

March 18, 2016

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs has served our veterans with the best programs, benefits and services in the nation for the last more than 70 years.


WDVA Recognizes Vietnam Veterans Day at King Home

March 17, 2016

As our nation continues to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King would like to recognize the 210 Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans who make their home at King.


John A. Scocos Column: Veterans Outreach & Recovery Program

February 29, 2016

As the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs continues to look at more opportunities to assist veterans with mental health issues, one program that continues to grow and continues to be a success is the Veterans Outreach & Recovery Program (VORP).​


​​​John A​​. Scocos Column: Supporting Community Partners, Employment Efforts, Veteran-Owned Businesses 

February 10, 2016

As the 2015-2015 legislative session is nearing its end, there are a number of pieces of legislation that are making their way through the Wisconsin State Legislature that will positively affect veterans and their families in our state. 


 John A. Scocos Column: Desert Storm +25

January 6, 2016

It was the first major conflict watched by millions on live television – a “prime time” war brought into the houses of Americans who watched everything unfold in real time. As the first large-scale operation since Vietnam, it was markedly different – both in public perception and strategically.​


John A. Scocos Column: Wisconsinites at Pearl Harbor

December 3, 2015

It is truly a day that has lived in infamy and brought the United States in World War II.


WDVA Presents $47, 487 Grant to City of Chippewa Falls for Providing Services to Veterans

December 2, 2015

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Secretary John A. Scocos presented a grant check in the amount of $47,487 to the City of Chippewa Falls for providing services to the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls at a ceremony at the Chippewa Falls City Hall. ​​


Honoring Veterans Through Deeds Big and Small​

November 5, 2015

One last wish – not all of us get a chance at one. The opportunity to do or see something we love before we pass is never a guarantee, but for one Vietnam-era Navy veteran at our Veterans Home at King a particular wish did come true.  ​​


WDVA Announces Ve​terans Day Observances

November 5, 2015

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Secretary John A. Scocos today encouraged veterans and their families to attend Operation Welcome Home, a Veterans Day observance, on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 as part of the state’s Veterans Day celebration at the State Capitol in Madison. ​

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Online Survey for Veterans Now Available

October 14, 2015

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce a new online survey for veterans and their family members to provide feedback to the agency concerning their state and federal veteran benefits.​

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Statement of John A. Scocos Column: POW-MIA Recognition Day in Wisconsin​ 

September 18, 2015
We take pause every year on the third Friday of September to observe POW/MIA Recognition Day in Wisconsin.

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Statement of John A. Scocos Regarding the Passing of Medal of Honor Recipient Einar Ingman

September 10, 2015
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary John A. Scocos made the following statement regarding the passing of Wisconsin Medal of Honor Reci​​​pient Einar Ingman (1929-2015):​ 

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Although it’s been 14 years, most everyone remembers where they were when they heard the news of the terrorist attacks of September 11. 

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John A. Scocos Column: Moving Wall Comes to Wisconsin to Pay Tribute to Wisconsin’s Vietnam Veterans

September 3, 2015
For a conflict that has played such a large role in the formation of American culture, Vietnam is significantly different from both earlier and later wars. Most veterans of our nation’s military received a warm welcome when they returned home, except those from Vietnam. ​​​​

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John A. Scocos Column: 70th Anniversary of VJ Day and the End of WWII

August 14, 2015
​​“The day for which people of the world have prayed is here at last.” Those words from Eleanor Roosevelt echoed on "Victory over Japan Day," or "V-J Day," August 15, 1945.  It was 70 years ago that people the world over breathed a collective sigh of relief. 


WDVA and American Legion to Help Bury Indigent Veterans

August 7, 2015
​​The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and the American Legion Department of Wisconsin today announced an effort to ensure that military veterans receive the proper burial they deserve. The partnership seeks to remedy a situation where a veteran may pass away without a next-of-kin claiming them or without the funding to hold a funeral for them.  ​

WDVA Announces the Return to Camp Randall

​​July 7, 2015
​The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs today announced that it will host “The Return to Camp Randall,” a Civil War encampment and monument dedication, on July 18 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Camp Randall Memorial Park in Madison.


John A. Scocos Column: Remember Our Veterans on July 4th

July 1, 2015
Each 4th of July, we celebrate the birth of our great country. There are picnics, fireworks and parades to enjoy. It’s a time for friends, families and communities to come together and be thankful for our freedoms.


John A. Scocos Column: Camp American Legion

June 26, 2015
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs has many great partners in taking care of Wisconsin veterans, including many great veterans service organizations. Through Camp American Legion and other programs, the American Legion – Department of Wisconsin is one of those great partners.

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