Legendary Chaplain Receives Medal

Fr. Norman R. Oswald, the longtime Chief of the Chaplain Service at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, was honored on Monday with the Medal of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). The Most Reverend Bishop Richard B. Higgins, AMS Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar for Veterans Affairs, presented the Medal to Fr. “Norm” in a brief, emotional ceremony in the offices of the Director of the Medical Center, Mr. Robert H. Beller. The award was authorized by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, in recognition for Father Norm’s “long and outstanding service to veterans, their families, and the caregivers at the Zablocki Medical Center.”

The presentation comes on the occasion of Fr. Norm’s impending retirement, effective April 30. Father Norm is a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, and he is endorsed by the AMS to provide for the spiritual needs of veterans receiving medical care at the massive Zablocki VA campus adjacent to Miller Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers. Following several parish assignments in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Fr. Norm began his VA career as a part-time chaplain in 1990. Given permission by his Archbishop to serve in a full-time position with VA, Fr. Norm quickly rose to become Chief of the Chaplain Service at the Zablocki Medical Center, a position he has held since 1994.

Describing Fr. Norm as the “perfect model of a Chief of Chaplain Service,” Mr. Beller praised the priest for his years of devoted service to veterans and their families. In addition to recognizing Father Norm’s ministry to the patients and caregivers at the Zablocki Medical Center, Mr. Ballard hailed Fr. Norm for the leadership and guidance he has provided to senior staff at the Medical Center. Quoting from the citation that accompanied the award of the Medal of the Archdiocese, Bishop Higgins lauded Fr. Norm for his “fidelity to his priesthood, exemplary care of veterans, exceptional pastoral competence and joyful ministry.”

“I was surprised and deeply honored to receive this Medal and the Citation – to serve the Veterans, their families, and the staff that serve them has been extremely rewarding," said Fr. Norm. "To be recognized in this way reflects not just on me but on the fraternity of the Priesthood that serves those who have served. “ 

In his retirement Fr. Norm will return to “senior” ministry in his native Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

News information provided by the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS).