On September 16, 2002 the Ho-Chunk Nation celebrated the " Grand Opening " of its Veterans Affairs Office at a formal ceremony held at the Executive Building in Black River Falls. The Office, reopened July 1,2002, following action taken at last year's General Council and months of work done by the Ho-Chunk Nation Veterans Affairs Committee (HCNVAC), is dedicated to serving, educating and informing the 544 Ho-Chunk veterans and their families currently on record. From the time the " Flag Song " opened the ceremony to the time the " Honor Song " concluded it, the occasion stressed the importance the " warrior " has in Ho-Chunk tradition and the role the Veterans Affairs Office needs to play getting these warriors the help and benefits they deserve.

Speaking before an audience that included state and government officials, representatives of the military, Legion Post members and other veterans, Ho-Chunk Nation President, Troy Swallow, himself a veteran, stated the Office plays a key role in helping repay the veterans for their efforts by " providing them with the highest level of services possible ". He added that because the Ho-Chunk tradition stresses the importance of military service, " it is important that we provide them their due ".

United States Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) believes that because so many veterans are unaware of the benefits that they have earned or are unwilling to weave through the bureaucratic maze often required to get them, the Nation should be commended for providing help on a different level to better serve its veterans. He noted that because so many veterans or their survivors never receive the benefits due them after leaving the service, the Office is needed to assure " the promises are delivered to those who serve ".

Jesse Torres, Wisconsin Tribal Services Coordinator, stated the Ho-Chunk Nation joins four other tribes in the state with Veterans Offices, ready to network with state and federal agencies to better serve its veterans.

Representing Fort McCoy, Sergeant Major Ken Davidson warned those working in the Office " that a lot of work needs to be done " but quickly added " the rewards exceed the hard work ". Aware that many veterans are in need of assistance or are not getting the benefits promised them, he concluded that the Nation's Veterans Affairs Office, like all those at the tribal, county or state level is needed " to honor the dead by protecting the living ".

HCNVAC member Jeremy Rockman, whose grant writing skills was instrumental in the Office being reestablished, stated the Office is important toward the Nation recognizing its " warrior tradition ". A Marine combat veteran, Rockman stated " I have blood on my hands ", adding that " I don't want to see the traditional ways die " and the veterans deserve to be " the heart of the Nation ". The words were reinforced by Andrew Thundercloud, Jr., who stated the Veterans Office is needed to help the many veterans who have lost their rights, " rights they've earned through the years ".

Noting that " being a veteran is not about being a man ", Navy veteran Betty Funmaker believes " it's a spirit " and acknowledged the Ho-Chunk women, who now as in the past, " didn't take a backseat " when the country needed help.

Department of Veterans Affairs Service Officer, Greg Butterfield acknowledged " today's a great day for all our veterans ". He stated that members of the staff have already been working with other agencies and are getting the training they will need to best serve tribal veterans. Members of the staff include: Butterfield, USMC; Assistant Service Officer, Cara Lee Murphy, USMC; Office Manager, Margaret Garvin, US Navy and VA Secretary, Jason Ennis, USMC.

Special recognition was given to the members of the HCNVAC, whose efforts lead to the recreation of the Office. Members include: Jeffrey Harrison, Paul Cloud, Colin Carrimon, Howard Swallow, Owen (Haga) Mike, Frank Johnson, Jr., Jeremy Rockman and Dexter Yellowthunder.

Also recognized were other veterans, including: Traditional Chief, Clayton Winneshiek and legislators George Lewis, Myrna Thompson and Dallas Whitewing.