From Sea to Shop: Lee Wulgaert’s Story of Dedication
Kim Viduski | Waupaca FoundryFor Lee Wulgaert, the path to Waupaca Foundry began below deck in the U.S. Navy, where he served from 2003 to 2009 as an Engineman 3rd Class stationed in San Diego. There, he worked in heart of the ship’s engine room with responsibilities that included not only maintaining massive diesel engines, but also turning seawater into drinking water for the crew via reverse osmosis.
“The Navy taught me discipline, pride in my work, and how to stay calm under pressure,” Lee said. “When you’re out there, you learn fast that every job matters.”
While stationed in the Pacific Ocean, Lee and his crew took part in missions ranging from coastal security operations – including intercepting drug runners attempting to move illegal cargo by sea – to humanitarian efforts. One of his most memorable experiences was responding to a distress call from a sinking ship carrying more than 200 migrants. Lee was directed to crank the engines to full without even knowing why. “We were down in the engine room, so we couldn’t see what was going on,” he said. “We just knew we had to get someplace fast. Us guys in the engine room didn’t know it was a rescue mission until those 200 people started boarding the ship.”
Once everyone was safely aboard, the Navy ship used the sinking vessel for target practice. “When those 76mm guns went off, the whole ship shook,” Lee said. The memory stuck with him – not just the sound and power of the guns, but the pride in knowing he was a huge part of saving hundreds of lives.
After completing his service, Lee returned to Wisconsin to be closer to family and started working at a foundry in Kaukauna. When he heard a radio ad for Waupaca Foundry, he decided to apply, drawn by the company’s reputation and the chance for a stable career. For a while, he made the 80-mile round trip every day from Kaukauna to Waupaca, until an accident on one of those commutes made him rethink things.
“That was enough for me,” Lee said with a laugh. “I went from driving 80 miles a day to literally walking down the street. And on good weather days, I sometimes do.”
Today, Lee works in the warehouse. “Waupaca Foundry trusts me to work unsupervised, and that means a lot,” he said. “I take that seriously. I want to make sure things run safely and efficiently, every shift.”
That sense of responsibility – and the teamwork that goes with it – reminds him of his Navy days, especially boot camp. “In the Navy, you’re thrown together with people from all over the country… different backgrounds, different upbringings… and you have to figure out how to work together,” he said. “It’s kind of like that here. You might come from different walks of life, but everyone accepts each other and helps each other out.”
At Waupaca Foundry, that culture of teamwork and support extends across departments. “Each department is like a family,” Lee said. “If you have a question about anything, someone will point you in the right direction. And I’m never afraid to ask. It’s how I learn.”
From keeping engines running at sea to keeping operations running at the shop, Lee’s life has been defined by hard work, loyalty, and pride in a job well done. “I like to do a good job, and I’m happy to have a good job,” he says. “They treat us good here.”
#culture
#veteran
#veterans
#waupaca
“The Navy taught me discipline, pride in my work, and how to stay calm under pressure,” Lee said. “When you’re out there, you learn fast that every job matters.”
While stationed in the Pacific Ocean, Lee and his crew took part in missions ranging from coastal security operations – including intercepting drug runners attempting to move illegal cargo by sea – to humanitarian efforts. One of his most memorable experiences was responding to a distress call from a sinking ship carrying more than 200 migrants. Lee was directed to crank the engines to full without even knowing why. “We were down in the engine room, so we couldn’t see what was going on,” he said. “We just knew we had to get someplace fast. Us guys in the engine room didn’t know it was a rescue mission until those 200 people started boarding the ship.”
Once everyone was safely aboard, the Navy ship used the sinking vessel for target practice. “When those 76mm guns went off, the whole ship shook,” Lee said. The memory stuck with him – not just the sound and power of the guns, but the pride in knowing he was a huge part of saving hundreds of lives.
After completing his service, Lee returned to Wisconsin to be closer to family and started working at a foundry in Kaukauna. When he heard a radio ad for Waupaca Foundry, he decided to apply, drawn by the company’s reputation and the chance for a stable career. For a while, he made the 80-mile round trip every day from Kaukauna to Waupaca, until an accident on one of those commutes made him rethink things.
“That was enough for me,” Lee said with a laugh. “I went from driving 80 miles a day to literally walking down the street. And on good weather days, I sometimes do.”
Today, Lee works in the warehouse. “Waupaca Foundry trusts me to work unsupervised, and that means a lot,” he said. “I take that seriously. I want to make sure things run safely and efficiently, every shift.”
That sense of responsibility – and the teamwork that goes with it – reminds him of his Navy days, especially boot camp. “In the Navy, you’re thrown together with people from all over the country… different backgrounds, different upbringings… and you have to figure out how to work together,” he said. “It’s kind of like that here. You might come from different walks of life, but everyone accepts each other and helps each other out.”
At Waupaca Foundry, that culture of teamwork and support extends across departments. “Each department is like a family,” Lee said. “If you have a question about anything, someone will point you in the right direction. And I’m never afraid to ask. It’s how I learn.”
From keeping engines running at sea to keeping operations running at the shop, Lee’s life has been defined by hard work, loyalty, and pride in a job well done. “I like to do a good job, and I’m happy to have a good job,” he says. “They treat us good here.”
We use cookies and other tracking technologies to personalize content and analyze our site traffic. More information about this is in our Privacy Policy. You can control third party cookies by adjusting your browser settings.