Reclaiming Our Heritage is the largest Memorial Day event in Milwaukee — even though it takes place the weekend after Memorial Day, on Saturday June 4 and Sunday, June 5. This free-admission, family-friendly event honors veterans and educates the public about veterans' countless contributions to American society.
Reclaiming our Heritage takes place at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, the site of one of the original three National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers authorized by legislation and signed by President Abraham Lincoln.
A living history event, Reclaiming Our Heritage features reenactments from all the major military eras in U. S. history, starting with the pre-Revolutionary War to the present era. The event also is a resource for veterans interested in up-to-date information on VA benefits and services.
There are many activities during the Reclaiming Our Heritage weekend including the Positively Patriotic Parade, Civil War demonstrations, fashion shows and more. Activities are too numerous for me to list here, but here are some interesting highlights:
Civil War Fashions
Get a good look at the clothing of the Civil War era as Southeastern Wisconsin-based re-enactment group Historical Timekeepers presents a fashion show at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Civil War Field Medical Demo
Learn what it might have been like for doctors practicing, and soldiers receiving medical care on the front at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Voices of Wood National Cemetery
Hear "first-person" tales of some of the men and women buried in Wood National Cemetery at 8:00 p.m. Saturday.
June 4 and 5, 2011
Saturday Hours: 9 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sunday Hours: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
