By Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs
LINCOLN, NEB. — Friday, Governor Jim Pillen, Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs (NDVA) Director John Hilgert, and Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago Sangwoo Hong recognized 82 of Nebraska’s living Korean War veterans in a ceremony at Memorial Stadium. In total, over 500 people attended the ceremony.
“This recognition program does two very important things,” said Gov. Pillen. “One, we want to give our Korean War veterans a huge ‘thank you’ from the people of Nebraska and let them know we recognize the sacrifices they and their family made. And two, we want to do our part to keep these veterans’ stories alive. As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday this year, remembering the men and women who fought to keep our country free is as important as ever so we can enjoy another 250 years and beyond.”
The ceremony was part of an initiative launched earlier this year by Governor Pillen and NDVA to honor Nebraska’s living Korean War veterans. After today’s ceremony, over 250 veterans have received the state’s recognition coin. Veterans can still apply to receive a recognition coin, and community events are scheduled around the state. Information on the program and a listing of currently planned events is available at veterans.nebraska.gov/korea.
“Today’s ceremony was a reminder to our Korean War veterans, and all Nebraska veterans, that the people of Nebraska recognize and honor your service and sacrifices,” said NDVA Director Hilgert. “The turnout for today’s ceremony and the support of this initiative has been incredible. Honoring our veterans is only one piece of NDVA’s mission to support, serve, and advocate for our state’s veterans and their families, but events like this are a reminder of how important it is to recognize our American heroes.”
The ceremony included remarks from Governor Pillen, NDVA Director Hilgert, and Consul General Hong before a presentation of recognition coins to each Korean War veteran in attendance. The Nebraska Korean Association Choir performed renditions of the national anthem of the Republic of Korea, “Aegukga”, and choir vocalist Joyeon Lee sang “The Star-Spangled Banner”. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the choir performed the 600-year-old Korean folk song “Arirang".
“Above all, I would like to convey the deepest respect and heartfelt gratitude of the Government and the people of the Republic of Korea to the Korean War veterans from Nebraska and their families,” said Korean Consul General Sangwoo Hong. “The Republic of Korea will never forget your courage and sacrifice. We will continue to honor your legacy by strengthening our alliance, deepening our partnership with Nebraska, and working together to build a future of greater peace, and prosperity.
Nearly 1.8 million Americans served in the Korean War, which resulted in over 36,000 U.S. casualties, including 318 Nebraskans. According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, 7,359 American soldiers remain unaccounted for, including 56 from Nebraska. Of the Nebraskans who came home from the war, an estimated 2,400 are still living in the state.
NDVA’s mission is to honor Nebraska veterans and their families by providing excellent service, assistance, and care. Its state service office helps veterans identify and access federal benefits, such as disability compensation and healthcare through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and state benefits, such as Nebraska Veterans Aid, tuition waivers, and more. Its four state veterans’ homes offer high quality assisted living and skilled nursing care to veterans and eligible family members across the state. And its cemetery system ensures eligible veterans receive an honorable final resting place maintained to the highest national standards. To learn more about NDVA and how it serves Nebraska’s veterans and their families, please visit veterans.nebraska.gov.
List of recipients at Friday’s ceremony:
First Name, Last Name, City
Harold
Miller
Albion
Clinton
Olmsted
Arapahoe
Erling
Place
Arlington
Paul
Kruse
Auburn
Ray
Boevink
Beatrice
Kenneth
Britenstine
Bellevue
Donald
Fry
Bellevue
Ralph
Steward
Bennett
Charles
Sheets
Bennington
Donald
Lubben
Bruning
Frederick
Benesch
Bruno
Earl
Sedlacek
Bruno
James
House
Cheyenne
Anton
Grohman
Columbus
Orville
Schmidt
Cozad
Gerald
Maresh
Dodge
Larry
Polich
Elkhorn
Robert
Kotas
Fairberry
Junior
Prange
Firth
Charles
Zoubek
Firth
Eddie
Falton
Fremont
Arnold
Lessig
Fremont
Richard
Hoover
Grand Island
Donald
Jansen
Ithaca
Harry
Klimek
Kearney
Curtis
Sanford
Linclon
LeRoy
Andresen
Lincoln
Henry
Bienhoff
Lincoln
Robert
Buckner
Lincoln
John
Campbell
Lincoln
Robert
Cardwell
Lincoln
Marion
Charron
Lincoln
Peter
Gandara
Lincoln
John
Hegel
Lincoln
Robert
Houser
Lincoln
James
Johnson
Lincoln
Garold
Kleveland
Lincoln
Dennis
Kliment
Lincoln
Ven
Lanik
Lincoln
Max
Marquart
Lincoln
Bernard
Michael
Lincoln
Richard
Nelson
Lincoln
Gene
Norton
Lincoln
Donald
Osentowski
Lincoln
William
Pederson
Lincoln
Leonard
Ratzlaff
Lincoln
Gerald
Riggins
Lincoln
Kenneth
Schneider
Lincoln
Lyle
Stoner
Lincoln
Donald
Weber
Lincoln
Frederick
Welch
Lincoln
Charles
Wilson
Lincoln
Lambert
Zoubek
Lincoln
Leonard
Bradford
Lorton
Robert
Johnson
North Bend
Charles
Andrews
Omaha
Frank
Beckman
Omaha
Nick
Caporale
Omaha
Charles
Gruber
Omaha
Robert
Hutton
Omaha
Raymond
Kempnich
Omaha
Jeannette
Kuehn
Omaha
Myron
Marko
Omaha
John
Morris
Omaha
Ronald
Pilege
Omaha
Ralph
Quosig
Omaha
Gerald
Roslawski
Omaha
Ronald
Simmons
Omaha
William
Wegener
Omaha
Warren
Williamson
Omaha
Robert
Moore
Papillion
Paul
Schettler
Papillion
Ralph
Holzfaster
Paxton
Alphonse
Polacek
Prague
Tony
Miranda
Roca
Carl
Hinds
Sioux City
Richard
Leitchuck
Sioux City
Darrell
Jensen
Superior
William
Preuit
Waco
Lloyd
Olmsted
Waterloo
Clarence
Althouse
Waverly
Richard
Christian
York