What:

Colonel Hans Christian Heg Post Office Renaming Event.

Who:

Speakers:
Scott Fitzgerald, U.S. Representative WI District 5th District
Rich Kallan, Advocate for preserving Wisconsin’s Civil War heritage
Charles Garrison, Colonel Heg’s great-great-grandson
Jared Herro, Manager, Muskego Postmaster, WI District, USPS

When:

Monday, June 30th at 11:00am.

Where:

Muskego Post Office
S74w16860 Janesville Road
Muskego, WI, 53150

Background:

Public Law 118-127 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at S74w16860 Janesville Road, in Muskego, Wisconsin, as the ''Colonel Hans Christian Heg Post Office."

Hans Christian Heg was a Norwegian-American immigrant, Civil War hero, and respected political leader who left a lasting legacy of courage, integrity, and public service. Born in Norway in 1829, Heg immigrated to the United States with his family as a young boy, settling in Muskego, Wisconsin, where he spent his formative years.

A passionate advocate for abolition and social justice, Heg became active in Wisconsin politics and was appointed state prison commissioner in 1859, becoming the first Norwegian-born American elected to statewide office. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he answered the Union’s call to service and was appointed colonel of the 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment, also known as the “Scandinavian Regiment,” composed primarily of fellow immigrants.

Colonel Heg was admired for his leadership, bravery, and compassion. He led his men through several critical battles and ultimately gave his life for the cause of unity and freedom. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863, making him the highest-ranking Wisconsin officer killed in combat during the Civil War.

His legacy continues to inspire generations of Americans, especially in Wisconsin, where his life of service, sacrifice, and moral conviction remains deeply honored. The renaming of the U.S. Post Office in his name stands as a lasting tribute to a true patriot who embodied the values that strengthen our nation.

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