December 2, 2020 – Port Washington, WI – The news the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan bill to name the Port Washington Post Office in honor of WWII veteran Joseph G. Demler left a lot of neighbors in Port crying tears of joy.
“I knew they were considering it,” said Post Master Cindy Hron. “But I didn’t realize it was finally approved. It is a wonderful tribute because of the sacrifices he made for not only the city but also the United States.”
The news moved Cindy to tears as she talked about the integrity and cheerfulness of Demler who worked for the Post Office for 37 years after returning from home war and imprisonment in a Nazi prison camp.
The bill introduced by Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson (R-WI) will officially change the name of the post office at 104 E. Main Street in Port Washington, Wisconsin, to the “Joseph G. Demler Post Office.”
Joe Demler served in the 137th infantry during the Battle of the Bulge where he was captured by German troops and taken as a prisoner of war. Doctors told him he was days away from death when he was liberated from a Nazi camp in April 1945 weighing less than 70 pounds.
He became known as the “human skeleton” after Life magazine published his photo.
Upon his discharge from the Army in November 1945, Joe began working for the U.S. Postal Service in Milwaukee before transferring to the Port Washington Post Office, where he worked for 37 years. Joe coined the motto “every day is a bonus” which became the motto of the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, an organization he helped organize.
Throughout his life, Joe participated in countless Honor Flights and proudly shared his story of service.
“Joe Demler bravely served our country during World War II, and deserves to have his service and sacrifice to our nation honored,” said Senator Baldwin. “After the war, Joe returned home to Wisconsin, organizing Honor Flights for local veterans and serving his community at the Port Washington Post Office. It is fitting that this building will bear Joe’s name so that his contributions to his community and country will always be remembered. Today, more than ever, we remember Joe’s motto that he shared with us after being liberated from a Nazi POW camp: ‘Every day is a bonus.’”
Joseph G. ”Joe” Demler, 94, of Port Washington, WI peacefully passed away at home with his family at his side Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
Family photo courtesy Poole Funeral Home.