Demler’s name may live on at Post Office

The Port Washington Post Office could soon be known by a new name, the Joseph G. Demler Post Office.

U.S. Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin have co-sponsored legislation to rename the Post Office after Demler, a World War II veteran who spent much of his career working at the Port post office, where he became the assistant postmaster.

In announcing the tribute, Johnson noted that Demler served in the Battle of the Bulge, where he was captured and then survived the “horrors of a Nazi prisoner of war camp.”

“Joe is an American hero and I am proud to introduce this bill,” Johnson said.

Baldwin said that Demler deserves to have his service and sacrifice honored, noting that Demler served his community by working at the post office after the war and eventually helping organize Honor Flights for local veterans.

“It is fitting that this building will bear Joe’s name so that his contributions to his community and country will always be remembered,” she said.

Demler, who died on Feb. 5 at his Port Washington home, was the face of the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, which adopted his motto “Every Day is a Bonus” as its slogan.

It was a mantra Demler followed after surviving life in a prisoner of war camp for three months. When the camp was liberated, doctors estimated that Demler was three days from death.

A famous photo of an emaciated Demler lying in a cot taken when the camp in Limberg, Germany, was liberated was published in Life magazine, and for many people it personified the cruelty of the war. 

The impetus for the proposed legislation came from Johnson, who met Demler at a Stars and Stripes Honor Flight homecoming at General Mitchell International Airport almost 10 years ago, said Renee Riddle, Johnson’s Wisconsin communications director.

Over the years, Johnson and Demler stayed in touch, meeting at numerous Honor Flight events, she said. 

It was only fitting that Johnson would sponsor legislation to rename the post office for Demler, Riddle said, noting he has sponsored similar legislation to rename post offices in Fond du Lac and Tomahawk for other notable veterans.

“Since Joe Demler had such a long career at the Port Washington post office, even meeting his wife there, the senator thought it would be a very fitting tribute,” Riddle said. “The Demler family agreed.”

The legislation sponsored by Johnson and Baldwin will be taken up by the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee later this month. After that, it would need to pass in both the Senate and House of Representatives and be signed by the president to become law.

While there is no exact timeline, Baldwin’s office said, the process could be completed by the end of the year.