Celebrating Veterans and Military Families Month 2025

November is Veterans and Military Families Month, a designation that honors and thanks our nation’s veterans and their families through ceremonies and celebrations.

We will be honoring AARP Wisconsin volunteers who are veterans throughout the month. Check back to learn more about these dedicated volunteers who served their country and are now serving their local communities!

Jorjio Hopkins
AARP Wisconsin Speakers Bureau Volunteer

After serving eight years in the Marine Corps and rising to the rank of Captain, Jorjio Hopkins learned that true leadership begins with service to others. Today, he brings that same mindset to his professional work and to his volunteer efforts across Wisconsin, mentoring youth, supporting veterans, and helping others build a better future.

Jim Piontek
AARP Wisconsin Executive Council, Tax-Aide, and Milwaukee Outreach

Jim served in the U.S. Navy aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS Oriskany in 1968 and 1969, where he helped operate the ship’s technical library — a vital resource containing the manuals and publications used to repair both the ship and aircraft equipment. In 1969, the Oriskany deployed on a nine‑month cruise to Vietnam.

Jim now spends part of his time giving back to his community by volunteering with AARP Wisconsin in a variety of roles.

Josie Veal
AARP Wisconsin Executive Council

Josie Veal began military service with the 452nd Combat Support Hospital as an operating room specialist, training at the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center. After completing nursing school and the Army Basic Officer Leader Course, Josie was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army Nurse Corps. Serving both as an enlisted member in the U.S. Army Reserve and later as an officer reinforced the principle of never asking others to do what they were not willing to do themselves. Military service provided a foundation in self‑discipline, agility, and leadership, while instilling the importance of teamwork and the value of a “battle buddy.” Above all, it was an honor to serve alongside soldiers who became an extended family.

Josie received the following Military Awards:

• US Army Reserve Achievement Medal
• US Army Commendation Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Army Service Award Ribbon

Alan & Lisa Kromanaker
AARP WI Madison Outreach

Alan and Lisa met while students at University of Wisconsin -Madison and also performing weekend drills at the Madison Navy Reserve Center / Naval Operation Support Center (NOSC)

The first time they met was at a weekend away at Great Lakes Naval Training Center while attending Shipboard Fire Fighting training.

They started dating when Lisa was an Hospital Corpsman Third Class (E-4) and Alan was a Gunners Mate First Class (E-6). After they were engaged Lisa finished nursing school and eventually earned her commission as an Ensign in the Navy Nurse Corps.

At that time Alan and Lisa had moved to West Memphis Arkansas and began drilling at the Memphis Navy Reserve Center. When Lisa received her commission- Alan was the first enlisted sailor to salute her so he earned the token silver dollar which is part of the Navy tradition to give the silver dollar to the first enlisted sailor to salute. At this time Alan had been promoted to Chief Petty Officer (E-7).

Alan and Lisa drilled together at the same command at various times during their careers including Memphis, TN, Rock Island, IL, Forest Park IL, and ended up where they started at Madison, WI NOSC. Even though they drilled at the same geographical location they were never in each other’s chain of command with Lisa working as a Hospital Corpsman and Nurse in various Midwest hospital units (Naval Hospital Great Lakes, Fleet Hospital Minneapolis, Naval Reserve Medical Expeditionary Force Great Lakes- Madison Unit). Lisa also spent a 13-month mobilization to serve as a nurse at Landstuhl Medical Center in Landstuhl Germany from October 2006- November 2007 back filling nurses from Army and Air Force Active and Reserve components while caring for the wounded warriors during OIF and OEF. Alan was assigned to the Center for Naval Leadership instructing Leading Petty Officers (E-6) and the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy as an instructor of senior ranking (E-7 & E-8) enlisted for four years.

Alan retired after 28+ years of service achieving the rank of Master Chief (E-9) and Lisa retired after 23 ½ years of service as a Commander (O-5) for a combined total of over 51 years of service.

Both remain active in the veteran community in Madison besides being members of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum they maintain memberships with United States Navy League Madison council where they each have held leadership positions including Alan as past-President of Navy League -Madison and Lisa as Secretary. Alan is a lifetime member of VFW Post 7591, holds position of Second Vice American Legion Post 501, Nominating Committee for Madison VA Hospital Hall of Heroes, Madison Veteran’s Council. Both are active volunteers with the Badger Honor Flight with Lisa acting as Medical Crew for three flights thus far. They also volunteer for the Operation Standdown which provides services and resources for homeless veteran in the Dane County area.

Lisa also is part of Wines for Humanity which raises funds for homeless prevention and has raised over $1200 for homeless veterans alone through the in-home wine tasting role. In total she has been responsible for over $30,000 in donations to charities in Dane County with this role.

Alan owns his own business franchise, Fibrenew, a vinyl and leather repair and restoration company.

Lisa retired from Madision College (MATC) as faculty in the School of Nursing.