The July 4th holiday weekend just passed has traditionally been a time ...
.... dedicated to remembering and honoring those who have served/are serving in our military forces. If you are in the Madison area this summer, be sure and stop by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center on the Capitol Square, 30 W Mifflin St., Madison. A new manuscript exhibit in the third floor Research Center focuses on the music and bands of the 32nd "Red Arrow" Division. Using instruments, sheet music, photographs, and other documents, the exhibit highlights the role that the 32nd Division bands played in World War I and World War II, with special attention given to two bandleaders and the famous 32nd Division March. See 32nd Division Bands and Music Flyer.doc. While in the Research Center, you can also view the ongoing Wisconsin National Guard Gallery exhibit that highlights the history of Wisconsin's National Guard unit (the former 32nd "Red Arrow" Division of World Wars I and II).
Be sure to include the first floor main gallery in your visit, where you can view the featured special, the Rise of the Fallen - Wisconsin. This exhibit, created by Madison artist Andre Ferrella, honors the 101 service men and women from Wisconsin who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ferrella's unique "spirit boxes" feature the likenesses of the 101 KIAs from Wisconsin that capture the spirit of the soldier in ways that a portrait cannot. For more information on this exciting project, visit www.theirseofthefallen.org.