Restored Vietnam Veterans Memorial unveiled in Milwaukee

Restored Vietnam Veterans Memorial unveiled in Milwaukee WISN 12 News Milwaukee's Vietnam Veterans Memorial SOURCE: WISN 12 News Advertisement Updated: 11:45 AM CST Nov 11, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Taylor Lang Digital Content Manager Restored Vietnam Veterans Memorial unveiled in Milwaukee Updated: 11:45 AM CST Nov 11, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Taylor Lang Digital Content Manager MILWAUKEE — The Southeastern Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial, restored after decades of wear, was unveiled Wednesday morning during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Veterans Day at Veterans Park north of the War Memorial Center. Medal of Honor recipient and Vietnam veteran Gary G. Wetzel, Gold Star family members, Vietnam veterans who contributed to the original memorial, Wisconsin VA Secretary James Bond, and Major General Brian Winski, U.S. Army (Ret.) are at the unveiling. Advertisement Originally dedicated in 1991, the memorial was made possible through the generosity and determination of local business leaders and the Vietnam veteran community, according to the news release. WISN 12 News The restoration included significant repairs to concrete footings and 2,946 memorial bricks. "We want this memorial to be as exceptional as was the service of those who fought in Vietnam," President and CEO of the War Memorial Center Brian Winski said in a statement. "This project is a renewed promise to Vietnam Veterans and their families that their service is honored and remembered and that their legacy will endure." Veterans Day in SE Wisconsin: Events, discounts and freebies The restoration is part of "Operation Advance: Preserving Our Future," a $14 million campaign to establish a long-term preservation fund and restore the memorial. Operation Advance aims to achieve five goals for the War Memorial Center: maintaining the historic landmark ensuring free public access to the building restoring and caring for memorials upgrading displays providing a gathering space for veterans statewide to reflect and connect The campaign is nearing its fundraising goal, according to the news release. 98-year-old twin Army veterans reunite after years apart in hospice care Make WISN a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks Missing baby in South Carolina found buried alive a day after authorities say his father took him Mother and two young children killed in Missouri crash after semitruck struck their minivan Donald Trump’s private message to Joe Biden emerges in new White House memoir Kyle Busch posthumously wins NASCAR Cup Series most popular driver award in Miami