Wisconsin is the only state where Veterans Day is not a state holiday. A new bill would change that.

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – Lawmakers have introduced a bill that would make Veterans Day a state holiday in Wisconsin, joining the rest of the nation. 

The holiday started out as Armistice Day in 1919 to mark the end of World War I. It became a federal holiday in 1938. In 1954, Congress passed a law changing the name to Veterans Day to honor all who served. 

Over time, 49 states have made it a state holiday. Wisconsin is the only holdout. 

“We are better than that. We have to be better than that,” said Rep. Maureen McCarville (D – DeForest). 

On Oct. 23, a group of Wisconsin Democrats announced a package of bills they called “Veterans Promise”. One of the three bills would finally make Veterans Day a state holiday in Wisconsin. 

“This legislation, if we can get it to a vote, will help Wisconsin catch up with history,” McCarville said. “Let us do something for a veteran, and make November 11 a state holiday.” 

Similar proposals have been discussed for years. A bill to make Veterans Day a state holiday passed the state Senate in 2017, but was never taken up for a vote in the Assembly. 

In Governor Tony Evers’ state budget proposal, he moved to make Veterans Day and Juneteenth state holidays. However, Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee removed that provision. 

“These are not partisan issues, these are Wisconsin issues,” said Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jim Gingras. “Honestly, I know that the legislature can come together to find that compromise solution. To find that way to come together to honor those who have served us. To honor those who have been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. So I am looking forward to hearing about how these bills move forward, because they are really about Wisconsin, and making Wisconsin be better.” 

Making Veterans Day a state holiday would close state offices on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The bill would not force schools to close on Veterans Day; in fact some already do. Many school districts have policies saying they close school on state holidays. 

Democrats’ Veterans Promise package also creates a $5 million veterans mental health grant program, and adds funding to UW’s Missing in Action recovery program which aims to bring home the remains of Wisconsin soldiers who were killed in action. All three bills would need Republican support to pass.