1867 was an auspicious year!

• The United States was just recovering from the Civil War but already looking to the future. Mind and muscle were dedicated to the development of the West.

• Alaska was purchased from Russia .
• Canada was granted dominion status by England
• Mexico established a republic.

It was in this changeable atmosphere that a home and hospital were established for disabled veterans in Milwaukee . The Northwestern Branch of the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, as it was initially called, was one of only four in the US . After going through many local, state and federal processes, The Milwaukee veterans' facility accepted its first residents in 1867. (Wisconsin Soldiers Home Website)

In honor of the many men and women who have served in our armed forces and the facility and foundation that honors that service, Business Solutions is proud to have as our guests, Kristen Gilpatrick, President and Sandy Foloran, Vice President of the Soldiers Home Foundation, an all-volunteer organization whose mission is the protect, preserve and further the historic integrity and veteran legacy of the National Soldiers Home Historic District, located on the grounds of the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee.

Kristin and Sandy will share with us how the Foundation preserves and honors the memory of our veterans and the many exciting things happening within their organization.

Tune in Saturday, May 27 th as we honor our men and women of the armed services on “Business Solutions with Diane Chamness, live every Saturday, from 1-2 pm, 1130am on News Talk WISN.

Kristin Gilpatrick is a Cedarburg High School and UW Eau Claire graduate, is also a war history author, creating a series of books in The Hero Next Door Collection , through the publishing company she co-founded, Hunter Halverson Press, LLC. Among her titles are Footprints in Courage and The Hero Next Door . She is also the founder of Operation Freedom Appreciation in 2000, where she asks each American to thank one veteran a year.

Sandy Folaron is a lifelong Milwaukee resident, entrepreneur, developer, community activist and preservationist. She is the recipient of 2 Milwaukee Mayor's Design Awards for the Times Cinema and the Milwaukee Coffee Company.

Sandy is also the owner of DIRTBUSTERS, INC. residential cleaning & clearing, Present Director of NUWP, Neighborhoods United for Washington Park, Friends of Washington Park, Committee Vendor Chair of the Reclaiming Our Heritage event and Steering Committee Board Member, Milwaukee Olmsted Park Conservancy. Sandy was also a 2004 Mayoral Candidate.