Gary Kunich, Author at Milwaukee Independent

Army veteran Arvin McCray goes home after a 50-day ordeal fighting COVID-19 to stay alive

Posted by Gary Kunich | May 9, 2020 |

The last thing Arvin McCray remembered was waving goodbye to his sister. Doctors did not think he would live through the night. Or the night after that. For 18 days, the Army Veteran was sedated and on a ventilator as his body tried fighting the coronavirus despite multiple organ failure. Then on Tuesday morning, May 5, McCray left the hospital for the first time in 50 days. Hundreds of Milwaukee VA employees lined the hallway and south entrance and a roar went through the crowd as the elevator doors opened. “He was critically ill,” said Dr. Sarah Nickoloff, who...

Oscar Mike: Noah Currier’s mission to empower injured veterans inspires hope and healing

Posted by Gary Kunich | Mar 11, 2019

The founder of Oscar Mike, a million-dollar apparel company focused on supporting injured veterans, receives his care at the Milwaukee VA. Noah Currier, who is passionate about wheelchair sports, will be fitted for a new wheelchair on March 13 in preparation for the upcoming National Quad Rugby Invitational. Oscar Mike is sponsoring the National Quad Rugby Invitational in Rockford, Illinois from March 28 to 30. There are currently more than 200 slots available for area athletes. Oscar Mike is sponsoring the National Quad Rugby Invitational in Rockford, Illinois from March 28 to 30. There are currently more than 200...

VA Arts competition offers Milwaukee veterans an avenue of expression, healing, and redemption

Posted by Gary Kunich | Feb 12, 2019 |

More than seventy-five pieces of work were unveiled at the local creative arts festival, hosted by the Milwaukee Veterans Affairs as the first step toward the annual national competition. Local veterans enrolled for care at the Milwaukee VA were eligible to participate in the festival competition, and top winners qualify to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in October, held in Kalamazoo, Michigan. There were more than 32 categories in visual and performing arts, including painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics and leatherwork, dance, drama, and music. The festival and competition offers veterans a creative platform for self-expression. Many use...