Veterans discover a sense of community in these ‘Wisconsin Life’ stories

PBS Wisconsin and WPR honor the sacrifice and courage of those who have served in our nation’s military. These videos and articles from “Wisconsin Life” show how veterans and their families have built communities throughout the state. 

From repairing mobility devices to performing Shakespeare, these groups help bring a sense of camaraderie to those who have served our country.

Explore many more stories from “Wisconsin Life” at wisconsinlife.org and on the free PBS app.

Preserving the family military legacy

Michael Hellquist and his grandfather George Swenson are both regulars at American Legion Paul Herrick Post 21 in Kenosha, where Michael shares discoveries of his family’s military history with fellow Legionnaires. He discovered eight generations of military service going back to the Revolutionary War and continues tracking down his family’s legacy for future generations.

Waupaca veterans repurpose mobility devices for fellow veterans

Retired veterans volunteer at the Mobility 4 Vets Wheelchair Shop in Waupaca for a few hours each week to fix donated wheelchairs and scooters. It’s veterans helping veterans restore a little freedom of movement. Donated goods, volunteers and free rent allow them to make mobility affordable.

Shakespeare workshop helps veterans heal

The Feast of Crispian provides three-day theater-based trauma intensives for veterans performing Shakespeare at Clement J. Zablocki Veterans’ Administration Medical Center in Milwaukee. Professional actors stand at each veteran’s shoulder, feeding them one line at a time until a scene is complete to allow the veteran to use each line in a way that’s best for them.

Guitars For Vets: The healing power of music in the hands of heroes

Patrick Nettesheim and Dan Van Buskirk launched Guitars for Vets in Brookfield to use the power of music to help veterans heal from the lingering trauma of combat. After 10 lessons, veterans graduate and are presented with a certificate, new guitar, tuner, guitar strap, guitar stand, string winder, strings and picks. They are encouraged to return to group lessons or group jams.

Horse therapy program helps veteran fight his battle with PTSD

Tyler Slabey retired from service in 2005, but the images of war were seared into his memory. He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and it consumed him. The path to a better way began in an unlikely place when Slabey was referred to Trinity Equestrian Center in Eau Claire, which provides free horse therapy to veterans with PTSD.

Explore more veteran stories

Discover more stories in the PBS Wisconsin Veterans collection, including “Wisconsin Veterans Coming Home”, “Vietnam War Stories”, “World War II Stories” and “Korean War Stories”.