Author: Lee Matz

Heroes honored with Memorial Day tributes at Wood National Cemetery

On May 29, the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Association Medical Center continued its tradition of honoring veterans by remembering the lives and legacies of those lost in the service of our nation. The headlines from conflicts in our Nation’s history were paid for by those honored on the lawn of Wood National Cemetery. More than 3.8 million veterans from every American conflict are buried across VA National Cemeteries, on 20,000 acres of land. These hallowed grounds are visited by 7 million people each year, paying tribute to some of the nearly 900,000 Americans who dіеd in military service. That...

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Calatrava’s sculpture and how Milwaukee street art gets installed

Santiago Calatrava’s “S2” sculpture was installed over May 25 and 26 at its display location by the Chase Tower at Water Street and Wisconsin Avenue. While some of the 22 artworks of Sculpture Milwaukee were placed as single piece objects along Downtown’s main road, many required elaborate construction in place. Of all the challenging sculptures, perhaps the Calatrava circle was the most complex to reassemble. “S2” is a complete circle composed of 29 crescent modules that measure 16 feet in diameter. The solid parts were literally sewn together over a slow two day process. The project was led by...

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Photo Essay: An example of courage installed at Mitchell Airport

“Our boy lance continues to bring us together, 50 years later. The Lance P. Sijan Memorial Plaza is tangible evidence of what the power of faith and stewardship can do. A made-up mind is a powerful thing. Faith can move mountains, or an F-4C Phantom Jet.” – Janine Sijan Rozina The Lance P. Sijan Memorial Plaza at 5500 South Howell Avenue was officially dedicated on May 27, and sits just across from the entrance to Mitchell Airport. The international facility was named for another of Milwaukee’s sons and fellow Medal of Honor recipient, Brigadier General William “Billy” Mitchell. A...

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Janine Sijan Rozina: A story not of war but the spirit of love

“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” ― G.K. Chesterton The impact of America’s involvement in Vietnam reached beyond the combatants who fought in the Southeast Asian conflict, and touched the lives of families back home. In Milwaukee, Sylvester and Jane Sijan felt the echoes of the war for the decades that followed, over the loss of their son Lance. While on a mission over Laos on November 9, 1967, Captain Lance P. Sijan ejected from his disabled McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom jet near...

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