The Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce held a luncheon to recognize veterans who have made strides in the state's job market.
The luncheon was held at the War Memorial in downtown Milwaukee.
"We're here to highlight the contributions that military veterans, veteran family businesses, and veterans around the state are making for our state's business community and our state's economy," said Saul Newton, executive director of the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce.
More than 65,000 Wisconsin businesses are owned by veterans.
"We want our veterans to be strong and part of the economy," said Secretary John Scocos of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. "From whether it be the WWII generation that came back to America after the war, we want this current generation to be involved in how our economy is going."
Veteran and business owner Kevin McDermott enjoyed the luncheon because of the camaraderie of being together so close to Memorial Day.
"We lost an airplane here in Milwaukee. Six gentlemen who were my mentors, trainers, went to do a job. An accident occurred. They didn't go home," McDermott said. "So Memorial Day to a veteran is a time to think about the people who aren't here anymore."
Mike Moran, a veteran and corporate banker at PNC Bank said, "Being a combat veteran, it's a difficult time of the year. And I think that it's really nice to do something service related and feel like you're holding up that memory and carrying out the mission in a different way."
