80th Anniversary, Battle of the Bulge
This December marks 80 years since one of the most pivotal battles of World War II: the Battle of the Bulge. Fought from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945, this grueling winter campaign in the Ardennes forest tested the courage and resilience of Allied forces, including countless brave Americans. The German counterattack came out […]
Happy National Cookie Day
Celebrate National Cookie Day on December 6th with facts, tasty recipes, and short history of everyone’s favorite treat during WW2—cookies! Perfect for bakers and cookie lovers alike.
VETERANS DAY Presentation on 11/09/2024
Veteran’s Day Presentations by our Junior Volunteers all day on Saturday, November 9th, 2024
SPOTLIGHT on JR VOLUNTEER:
Dallas Jondreau Dallas Jondreau is a junior (on paper, but one conversation with him will assure you he is one of those rare “old souls”) who has volunteered for the Bong Center for over a year and worked as a paid tour guide here at the center for 3 years. Dallas was motivated to both […]
23rd Veteran Now in house at the Bong
We are proud to announce the arrival of Frances Wittenberg in the office at the Richard I. Bong Center, and introduce her as the 23rd Veteran Events Manager.
Flag at Half Mast
What do you know about Flags flown at Half Mast? Our flags on Monday, August 26th, flew at half-staff with respect for Wisconsin-born and raised Sergeant Jack Hohlfeld. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, WWII POW Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Foreign Service clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal […]
National Dog Day
Richard I. Bong and Speaks National Dog Day This amazing photo was taken in November 1942 when Dick Bong was home. We get to see our Ace of Aces nose to nose with his good boy Speaks. August 26th is considered National Dog Day in the US. We adore dogs at the Bong Center but […]
Happy National Aviation Day!
Our favorite flyers have celebrated this day, August 19th, since it was established in 1939 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, to recognize the history and development of aviation. The image is a painting from our collection: Gene Hill painted this amazing piece of Major Bong flying his beloved “Marge”.
Elementor #5887
Epic Sponsors for Veterans Trip to BWCA We couldn’t offer this amazing trip every year without our incredibly supportive sponsors. We are fortunate to have many of the sponsors return year after year. Our gratitude to them is magnified in the veterans who make the trip. It is an epic experience for every one who […]
Gone but not forgotten.
Gone but not forgotten Unique find in the Archives On August 2nd, 2024, family, friends and American Legion members gathered at the Bong Veterans Center to raise the flag in memory of Navy sailor Robert Makowski. The Bong Center and Robert’s family came together through a serendipitous turn of events. Approximately 15 years ago, a […]