Fitzgerald’s Post Office Bill to Honor WI Civil War Hero Passes in House
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement after his bill to rename the U.S. Post Office in Muskego in honor of Colonel Hans Christian Heg passed on the House floor.
“Colonel Heg was an abolitionist, an immigrant, and military leader who died fighting to end slavery,” said Rep. Bryan Steil (WI-01). “The destruction of his statue in Madison was a sad chapter of the 2020 riots. I’m proud to have helped lead legislation that will honor Col. Heg for generations to come. Thank you to Rep. Fitzgerald, our local officials, and my colleagues in Wisconsin’s congressional delegation for their work to preserve Col. Heg’s legacy.”
BACKGROUND: In 1840, Colonel Hans Christian Heg immigrated to Wisconsin from Norway at just ten years old and his family settled in Muskego. Mr. Heg was eventually appointed Colonel of the 15th Wisconsin Infantry, and he and his men went on to win a major battle for control of the Mississippi River at Island No. 10 during the Civil War and they were given the honor of raising the flag by battle commander Flag Officer Andrew Foote.
On September 20, 1863, at the battle of Chickamauga in Georgia, the 33-year old Colonel was shot and Killed In Action while serving the Union. After the war, veterans raised funds to erect a cannonball pyramid at Chickamauga National Military Park dedicated to Colonel Hans Christian Heg.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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