Purple Heart Pass

 The Purple Heart is unique among military awards, in that the criterion for the award is very objective: You must be wounded during action with an enemy of the United States.


While clearly an individual decoration, the Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not "recommended" for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled to it upon meeting the specific criteria.


You who are recipients of the Purple Heart are indeed a special group of American veterans.


There is nothing we can add to that award; it stands by itself.


Milwaukee County's Purple Heart Pass program was started in 2013 as a way to recognize that award by granting Wisconsin's Purple Heart recipients a free pass to some of Milwaukee County's world class attractions.


The six Milwaukee County founding attractions, named on the back of the pass, were unanimous in their consensus. There were no meetings, no cost-benefit analysis, no fact finding, no debate. A few emails and a phone call or two, and all agreed that Milwaukee County would recognize and honor your service and sacrifice. 


 

The Pass allows free admission year round for the passholder +1 guest to:

  • Harley-Davidson Museum
  • Milwaukee Art Museum
  • Milwaukee Public Museum
  • Mlwaukee County Zoo
  • Discovery World
  • Boerner Botanical Gardens & Mitchell Park Domes
  • Since the original six attractions signed on, others outside Milwaukee County have joined us.

 

The Highgrounds Veterans Memorial Park in Neillsville provides the passholder + guests a free tour of the site.

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum, located in Manitowoc, offers free admission year-round to the passholder +1 guest.

And most recently Road America is offering free admission to the passholder +1 to two of its more popular races, the June Sprints and the 50th Sports Car Club of American National Runoffs in September.

And we are always in communication with other venues throughout the state, encouraging them to join us in honoring our Purple Heart veterans.

The Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office (MCVSO) will administer the pass, verifying eligibility through military service records. Purple Heart Veterans can contact MCVSO Director Jim Duff via phone (414.266.1235) or email (jduff@milwcnty.com) for more information on obtaining a pass.


Sincerely,
Chris Abele