Gary G Wetzel Medal of Honor Way Tribute

10/13/2026

Happy 251st Birthday, U.S. Navy! 🇺🇸⚓

Today, Blue Star Mothers of America proudly celebrates 251 years of the United States Navy!

On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the creation of a naval force, beginning a legacy of service that continues today.

For more than two and a half centuries, generations of Sailors have answered the call to serve, protecting our nation and defending freedom across the seas. Their courage, dedication, and sacrifice are woven into the history of our country.

To every Sailor serving today, every Navy veteran who served before them, and the families who proudly stand behind them, we thank you. 💙

And to our Blue Star Mothers with sons and daughters serving in the United States Navy, today we celebrate your Sailors with you! ⚓❤️🤍💙

Happy 251st Birthday, U.S. Navy!
May you continue to serve with Honor, Courage and Commitment.

⚓ Forged by the Sea. 🇺🇸

10/13/2026

10/13/2026

10/13/2026

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It is time to start collecting names for the 2026 Remembering the Brave Christmas Tree. Since the stars go home with people I need to get permission every year.
If you would like we can add a word or 2-like favorite sports team, drink of choice, favorite activity, or college attended (if applicable). For local Colorado heroes, maybe their high school. This way whoever takes the star home will get to know something about the hero. I have watched as people look all over the trees trying to find a star that speaks to them. With this personalization they might find a common bond with one of these heroes.
Even if your hero has been in the tree in the past I still need-
Rank,
name,
war (if applicable),
date of death
branch
home state
1-2 word personalization (if you want that added). We need to be pretty strict on the 1-2 word limit (and not long words) because we have a very limited space on many of the stars. PLEASE keep it to 1-2 words!
Information can be sent to [email protected] or message the page.
I will not be taking requests for stars to be mailed out till November. I have to focus on the heroes on the tree for right now.

10/13/2026

Racine WI

"MacWhyte sling, October 10, 1941.

A MacWhyte Special 8-part ¼ inch Atlas Double Loop Sling loading sheet steel at the Nash-Kelvinator factory in Racine, Wisconsin October 10, 1941. A. E. Woodworth, photographer."

For the curious: In 1941, the Nash plant in Racine produced metal parts: sheet metal panels, screws, bolts, and so on. It would transition to building trailers for the Army before being sold to Massey for tank production in 1942.

Massey would make light tanks, tank destroyers, parts, and tracks. 250 M5 Stuarts (these were M3s with a V8 instead of a radial engine), 1084 M5A1 Stuarts (an improved turret was added), 1139 M24 Chaffees (which replaced the Stuart), 85 M41 Motor Carriages (a 155 howitzer on Chaffee tracks), 500 conversions of M10 Wolverines into M36 Jacksons (they have the same hull, different turrets and guns), spare parts for all of the above, a number of training hulls for M10/36 gunnery, and 14 million track links.

10/13/2026

Engineman 2nd Class Marc I. Nieto ~ Fon du Lac, WI

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We Remember the 17 Sailors who lost their lives on the morning of Oct. 12, 2000 when the USS Cole (DDG 67) was attacked by terrorists while moored for refueling in the Port of Aden, Yemen.
Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Kenneth E. Clodfelter,
Chief Electronics Technician Richard Costelow
Mess Management Specialist Seaman Lakeina M. Francis
Information Systems Technician Seaman Timothy L. Gauna
Signalman Cherone L. Gunn
Seaman James R. McDaniels
Engineman 2nd Class Marc I. Nieto
Electronics Warfare Technician 2nd Class Ronald S.Owens
Seaman Lakiba N. Palmer
Engineman Fireman Joshua L. Parlett
Fireman Patrick H. Roy
Electronics Warfare Technician 1st Class Kevin S. Rux
Mess Management Specialist 3rd Class Ronchester M. Santiago
Operations Specialist 2nd Class Timothy L. Saunders
Fireman Gary G. Swenchonis, Jr.
LTJG. Andrew Triplett
Seaman Craig B. Wibberley

10/13/2026

When Army veteran Bradley and his family faced a gap in housing after an eviction, they were at risk of having nowhere to go.

Even though Bradley qualified for a long-term VA housing program, the timing didn't line up with his move-in date. That’s when VetsNet stepped in. 🤝

Our Service Navigator worked directly with the VA and the Center for Veterans Issues to secure temporary hotel accommodations, keeping the family safe during the transition. We also connected them with the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative for essentials like food and clothing.

Because of this coordinated effort, Bradley and his four children moved into their new home with stability and hope for the future. 🏠💙

10/13/2026