WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) — Governor Scott Walker was at the Tribute Golf Course in Wausau to sign a few bills into law on Monday afternoon.
Act 382 requires any official with custody of unclaimed cremated remains to verify with the state if they’re the remains of a veteran. Act 383 helps fund grants for nonprofit organizations that serve veterans, a bill co-authored by Senator Jerry Petrowski.
Wausau’s American Legion Post 10 Commander Don Smith reflected on the loss of veterans without families to claim them.
Smith said, “They had memories and lessons to pass on that never got passed on because, in most cases, they died alone, and that’s a tragedy. Tragedy is a word that is overused in this day and age, but when a human being dies alone, that’s a tragedy.”
Smith was appreciative of the new legislation not just for Wisconsinites, but as an example for veteran services around the country.
He said, “The fact that this legislation has been signed is one more reinforcement that the country and the leaders of the country are really appreciating what veterans do and have done.”
The post commander encouraged any veteran looking for help that the American Legion is here for them.
“I’d love it to be made known to veterans in the area who do need a hand, whatever it might be, contact us and we’ve got the resources to be of help,” said Smith.
Governor Walker took note of the memorial at the Tribute Golf Course and believed it was important to help deceased veterans without family to claim them receive their proper respects.
Walker said, “Just like the names that you see back behind us on the wall have been recognized for their service and their ultimate sacrifice, we want that to be true of all other veterans as well.”
Walker says that the funding of the grants for veteran’s organizations was a bipartisan project and that it’s not a red or a blue issue, it’s red, white, and blue.
“I think we all appreciate the sacrifice that our veterans have made, not only those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but many others who have come back and had challenges, particularly those that have been injured. We want to make sure that they get all the help and support that they deserve,” said Walker.
Act 384 was also signed, creating logos signifying business owned and operated by veterans in Wisconsin.