Governor’s Proclamation Being Read at The Highground

Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 -- 1:00 PM

In observance of USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) Day, a group of veterans and citizens will gather at The Highground on Saturday, August 24 to read Governor Evers’ proclamation.

Along with them, the USS Wisconsin SSBN 827 Association’s 50-foot inflatable replica of the future USS Wisconsin, fondly known as WIS 827, will be displayed overlooking Wisconsin on "high ground" at the park.

"Connecting the future submarine WISCONSIN with the citizens of Wisconsin is our goal,” said CAPT Jim Harvey, USN (ret), President of USS Wisconsin SSBN 827 Association. “The Highground Veterans Memorial Park whose mission is to ‘Honor, Educate and Heal, our Veterans,’ is a most beautiful setting and central to all in Wisconsin – and we thank them for allowing WIS 827 to visit and supporting all veterans."

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, Tony Evers, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, do hereby proclaim August 27, 2024 as USS WISCONSIN (SSBN 827) DAY throughout the State of Wisconsin and I commend this observance across our state and to all our state’s residents, and request a “Minute of Recognition” on August 27, 2024, at 8:27 a.m., or 0827 military time, in acknowledgement."

SSBN 827 is a ballistic missile submarine, under construction with anticipated Keel Laying Ceremony in 2025, and scheduled to join the fleet in the early 2030s as the second boat of the Columbia Class submarines.

She will be the third United States Navy vessel named after the Badger State. The previous two were battleships that served collectively during World War I, World War II, Korea, the Cold War, and the Persian Gulf War.

Other Navy ships are named for cities in Wisconsin, including USS Green Bay (LPD 20) homeported in San Diego, CA, the future USS Beloit (LCS 29) and USS Milwaukee (LCS-5). Wisconsin Inflatable Submarine 827 is an 1/11 scale model of the future USS Wisconsin submarine and was built using scaled down specifications of the actual submarine’s design.

“She might not have 16 ballistic missiles or a crew of 155 Sailors, but WIS 827 is a perfect representation of the future submarine and a very physical reminder to the citizens of Wisconsin of the great honor bestowed on our state with the naming of the USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827)."

For more information about the WIS 827 visit to The Highground, call Pete at 715-743-4224. Additional information about the USS Wisconsin SSBN 827 Association can be found at usswisconsinsub.org.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.