The War Memorial Center’s mission is to honor the dead – serve the living. The War Memorial Center is a stunning lakefront facility that pays tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice defending freedom, while remembering and sharing the personal experiences and sacrifices of all veterans and their families. It is a place to educate our youth and adults about the importance of national service and provide an oasis for veterans in need of assistance.
The War Memorial Center is an experiential space unlike any other, where heroes are honored, history is taught, warriors are healed, events are celebrated, and memories are made.
In fulfillment of our vision, we promise:
• To Honor all who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces in defense of the United States of America and our allies.
• To Inspire patriotism in people of all ages by telling the heroic stories of our citizens who defend our freedom.
• To Create and maintain a world class campus of memorials and provide access to both permanent and temporary exhibitions.
• To Engage the greater Wisconsin community by providing access to our facility, memorials, and exhibitions through innovative outreach, digital learning, and creative experiences.
We honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice – WMC recognizes the service and preserves the memory of those who have died while serving our country through the memorials and exhibits located throughout our campus.
We serve the community – WMC is a vibrant community resource where veterans can connect with other veterans, community residents and area youth. Today, more than ever, the War Memorial serves a vital role in connecting the community with our nation’s past and the experience of the men and women who risked their lives in defense of freedom.
We touch the lives of thousands – More than just a beautiful structure, WMC is a valuable area resource that continues to have a profound, tangible impact on the lives of thousands each year.
• We provide over $150,000 each year in complimentary services to area military and veteran service organizations to support critical veteran programs.
• We partner with area providers of mental health services to offer programs on PTSD, mental health strategies, and suicide prevention training.
• We serve as a community focal point on national days of remembrance such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Purple Heart Day, and many others.
• Our educational programs bring history to life, reaching more than 9,000 youth and community each year, teaching the importance of courage, integrity, selflessness, and sacrifice, as they learn history from those who lived it – our veterans.
We rely on community support –The War Memorial Center is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and relies upon support from the community to advance our mission to honor the dead by serving the living.
General operating support enables:
• Stewardship of an iconic landmark facility designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen
• Veteran support services of over $150,000 provided annually to area veteran service organizations and others providing needed services for our veterans and their families.
• On-site and virtual educational programs which serve over 9,000 youth and adults annually
• Honoring the service of all veterans and military personnel by actively reaching out to veteran service organizations, employee resource groups, and others for collaboration opportunities.
• Inspiring patriotism in people, young and old, by telling the heroic stories of our residents who defended our freedom and by providing community wide events around national days of remembrance.
• Creating and maintaining a world class campus of memorials and exhibitions.
• Engaging worldwide audiences by providing access to our memorials, exhibits, and oral histories of veterans through innovative outreach, new media, and creative experiences.
• Serving as the place where citizens come to understand and feel America’s strengths and values through community dialogues that connect veterans and community around relevant topics.
• Creating a financially stable organization by increasing capability for contributed income and the development of income generating programs and services.
