Milwaukee VA hosts early Independence Day picnic for hundreds of veterans

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee VA Medical Center celebrated Independence Day early with a special gathering for their veterans.

VA volunteers hosted an Independence Day picnic at Wheeler Lake Pavilion Wednesday, with food from Mission BBQ, games, and music.

"We have veterans from just about every era here, so it's nice to see when they get to engage with each other," said Jessica Serdynski, chief of voluntary service for the Milwaukee VA.

The gathering is for inpatient and outpatient veterans from the medical center. Many of them live on the grounds.

"Some of them don't get to get out and celebrate the holiday, so we're going to bring the festivities to them," Serdynski explained.

This is the first time since the Covid pandemic the VA has hosted their Independence Day picnic, and more than 100 veterans came by.

"You've got paraplegics, you've got people with PTSD, you've got people that's suffering, everybody is here, and for a moment we can forget that stuff when we're together," said Army veteran Jeff McNeil. "It reminds us that we have each other as a family."

The picnic is a chance to bring vets together on common ground and celebrate with a family meal.

"Breaking bread is a powerful way to bring people together, and humor," said Navy veteran Michael Henley. "If you make somebody laugh and feed them, you have a friend for life."