Fallen Iraq War Soldier Honored with Street Renaming

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett are proud to announce the honorary renaming of a section of Richards Street after Army Specialist Michelle Witmer. Witmer was killed on April 9, 2004 during an attack by small-arms fire and an improvised explosive device in Baghdad.

Specialist Witmer is the first female Wisconsin National Guard soldier to be killed in combat.

“It is an honor to recognize and remember Specialist Witmer for her service and sacrifice,” County Executive Abele said. “I want to thank Mayor Barrett and the Milwaukee Common Council for helping make this a reality, and a special thank you to Jim Duff, Director of the County Veterans Service Office, for leading and championing this effort.”

County Executive Abele filed the application to honorarily rename Richards Street from Capitol Drive to the north after Michelle Witmer; the Milwaukee Common Council unanimously approved the measure.

Specialist Witmer was a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 32nd Military Police Company; fittingly, the section of road that has been renamed includes the Richards Street Armory, home station of the 32nd Military Police Company.

“It is with great honor that we are renaming this street to pay tribute to Army Specialist Michelle Witmer for the sacrifice she made.  She has my deepest respect and admiration for her service to our Country,” Mayor Barrett said.

**Street Unveiling Ceremony**
Who: John and Lori Witmer, County Executive Abele, Mayor Barrett, Wisconsin National Guard Major General Donald Dunbar
When: Sunday April 6th – noon
Where: Richards Street Armory, 4108 N Richards St, Milwaukee

Contact: John Zapfel, Milwaukee County
414-278-4216
Jodie Tabak, City of Milwaukee
414-286-8504

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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