“Veterans don't want a special handout, but a hand up would be incredibly helpful,” says Congressional candidate Palzewicz.

Brookfield, WI – Regardless of where they serve, whether in combat or in peace, the transition back to civilian life can be a difficult and challenging process for military veterans.  Democrat Tom Palzewicz, running for Wisconsin's Fifth Congressional District seat, is  a U.S. Navy veteran and knows full well what veterans experience.

The military has a completely different pace than civilian life. Highly ordered and disciplined, the men and women in uniform adhere to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and they understand the need to maintain discipline in the ranks. The chain of command is essential to that discipline and military efficiency demands that all personnel pull in the same direction at the same time. Lives depend on that.

When a man and woman go from the disciplined life in the military to the “freedom” of civilian life, it is hard for them to make that change.  In the military they may be highly-trained squad leaders, or division officers, all operating in a tightly controlled system.  As a civilian, they are just another person, sometimes even marginalized or overlooked.  The “thank you for your service” is replaced by having to take orders from someone with a fraction of their experience or expertise.

“Veterans don't want a special handout, but a hand up would be incredibly helpful,” said Palzewicz, a former Electrician's Mate on a nuclear submarine. “They leave the military world and go back to the civilian world, where things are different. I think that's what is apparent when so many ex-military people go into law enforcement. Your time in service counts towards your pension, so it's a natural move. But, it's a completely different thing to be a police officer than it is to be in the Army, serving in Afghanistan. We want their courage and their professionalism, but we don't give them the necessary help they need in making the transition.

“I would support programs that help out returning veterans with higher education, starting their own businesses, but most of all, have something in place for our men and women to assist them in getting reacquainted with civilian life. I had to go through that. It's tough.”

Palzewicz appreciates and respects the training and professional abilities of military veterans. The skills learned while serving their country can and should be used in serving their communities.

“Leadership skills learned in the military apply to most every situation in the private sector,” said Palzewicz. “Good military leaders are decisive, measured and consistent.  They learn skills you can't learn in a classroom.  General Dwight D. Eisenhower became president because he was first and foremost a great leader.  That is where our veterans shine. America appreciates their service, but more importantly, it needs their leadership.”

Palzewicz and veterans like him, sacrificed for their country.  He believes the country needs to sacrifice for the veterans and provide the support they need when they come home.

MADISON —​ On Thursday, Gov. Tony Evers delivered the Democratic Radio Address on the announcement of the judicial panel's selections to the People's Maps Commission and the Commission's first public hearing on Thurs., Oct. 1, 2020.

Audio file of radio address.

Hi, folks. Governor Tony Evers here.

I believe, and I know Wisconsinites do too, that the people should get to choose their elected officials, not the other way around.

That’s why earlier this year I announced and established The People’s Maps Commission.

This commission will work over the next several months to listen to voters and experts to draw our next electoral maps for the state of Wisconsin to be considered by the Legislature during the 2021 redistricting process.

This week we announced the members of that commission who were selected by a nonpartisan panel of retired judges.

These folks are doctors, librarians, and teachers, not politicians, lobbyists, or elected officials. They come from each one of Wisconsin’s legislative districts, from Racine to Menomonie, and they represent the best Wisconsin has to offer.

I am looking forward to this diverse, energetic, and talented group leading the way on nonpartisan redistricting in our state.

Folks, this isn’t a Democratic or Republican redistricting commission, and it’s certainly not the Tony Evers redistricting commission. It’s your commission.

You can meet the commission members and learn more about the Commission at their first public hearing on Thursday, October 1^st. For more information, please visit: www.wisconsin.gov/peoplesmaps.

Thank you.