LINCOLN, NEB. — On Thursday, May 8, Governor Jim Pillen, Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs (NDVA) Director John Hilgert, and Nebraska National Guard Adjutant General Major General Craig Strong recognized 18 of Nebraska’s World War II veterans in the Nebraska State Capitol Rotunda. Thirteen of the veterans received a “Celebrating 80 Years of Victory” recognition medal during the ceremony, and five in attendance had received medals in previous ceremonies.
The event included the presentation of colors by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln ROTC Color Guard, music performed by the Ravnan String Quartet, the laying of a wreath by WWII veterans’ great-grandchildren, and a proclamation signing in honor of Victory in Europe Day.
The ceremony was part of an initiative launched earlier this year by Governor Pillen and NDVA to honor Nebraska’s living World War II veterans. Veterans can still apply to receive a medal. Information on the program is available at https://veterans.nebraska.gov/ww2. To date, 117 of Nebraska’s living WWII veterans have received medals in over 40 presentations across the state.
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