The group that operates the Racine Veterans Center & Legacy Museum is boosting its outreach efforts.
The facility, at 820 Main St., is run by the group Racine Area Veterans Inc. and serves as a gathering place for area veterans groups.
“VFWs, American Legions, disabled veterans groups, they all meet here once a month,” said Donald Scott, Chairman of the RAVI Board of Directors.
RAVI has recently begun putting on monthly events, each spotlighting various time periods in military history, to try and draw in more veterans and members of the public.
“The community’s sort of aware (that we’re here),” said Bill May, RAVI’s Coordinator. “It’s part of our job to make them more aware.”
The facility’s museum, which honors Racine’s three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, displays military posters, uniforms, and other memorabilia.
In an effort to reach out to area military families, May said RAVI is encouraging people to donate other military artifacts that can be displayed in the veterans center.
“We want to put out the artifacts we collect from the community and, that way, allow the veterans to tell their stories,” May said.
He hopes the increased efforts to revitalize the facility will also make it more of a resource to school groups and others looking to learn more about Racine’s military history.
Scott said it's important to attract veterans from younger generations to the veterans center. Otherwise, Scott said, there will be no one to run and maintain it into the future.
"If we don't do something, it'll just go away," he said of the center.
If you’re interested in donating, call (262) 308-2542 or email benefits.welfare@racineveterans.org.
Be sure and watch TODAY'S TMJ4 on Roku! We are the only station in Milwaukee to provide the latest news, weather and sports on the device. Search for us on Roku today!