(July 27, 2019) — On July 27, 2019, Governor Pete Ricketts and Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs (NDVA) Director John Hilgert welcomed veterans to the State Capitol for a proclamation signing ceremony. During the event, the Governor declared July 27th as “Korean War Veterans Armistice Day” in Nebraska.
“The State of Nebraska places a high value on recognizing and caring for our veterans,” said Governor Ricketts. “We’re committed to giving them honor and making government work for them. While the Korean War is often referred to as ‘the Forgotten War,’ today’s ceremony demonstrates that Nebraskans remember and appreciate the sacrifices of our Korean War veterans.”
July 27th is National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day in America, which marks the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement. The national day of recognition was created in 1998 on the 45th anniversary of the signing of the armistice. Over 37,000 U.S. military service members were killed during the conflict, including 318 Nebraskans. To date, 59 Nebraskans are still unaccounted for according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
“Today’s ceremony was about remembering those who served in the Korean War, honoring the 59 Nebraskans who remain unaccounted for, and recognizing the Korean War veterans who are still with us today,” said NDVA Director John Hilgert. “Their bravery and sacrifices are not forgotten, and will not be forgotten.”
GOV. RICKETTS’ RECORD OF SUPPORT FOR NEBRASKA’S MILITARY FAMILIES & VETERANS
Over the past few years, Governor Ricketts has worked with the Legislature and veterans’ groups to better support Nebraska’s military families and veterans. Below are a few examples of how Governor Ricketts is making Nebraska a more veteran-friendly state:
- Merging NDVA and the Division of Veterans’ Homes to create a one-stop shop for veterans’ services in Nebraska.
- Approving a 20 percent pay increase for staff care technicians working for NDVA.
- Expanding the hiring preference in Nebraska to include spouses of service members.
- Cutting red tape on a key property tax exemption for veterans if no change in medical condition has occurred.
- Creating five additional Military Honor License Plates to recognize the service of members of the reserves of the armed forces.
- Approving revisions to Rule 21, allowing military spouses to receive a three-year teaching permit in Nebraska with a valid out-of-state license.
- Signing legislation to allow members of the National Guard and Reserve, as well as Public Health Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officers with active or reserve service, to designate veteran’s status on their operators’ licenses or state I.D. card.
- Signing legislation to permit active duty military members or their spouses to be licensed realtors in Nebraska without having to pay the licensing fee, provided they have a valid realtor’s license in another state.
- Signing legislation to provide reciprocity for military spouses all over the country by updating language for adoption of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, which allows nurses to have one multi-state license.
- Signing legislation to establish the right of military families reassigned to Nebraska to preliminarily enroll in a school district.
- Signing legislation to allow a veteran, their spouse, or dependents to qualify as residents for post-secondary tuition purposes if the veteran is receiving vocational rehabilitation.
- Signing legislation to authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to issue temporary licenses for occupations regulated under the Uniform Credentialing Act to military spouses.
- Building a new state-of-the-art Central Nebraska Veterans’ Home, which is providing world-class accommodations to hundreds of Nebraska veterans.
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