Highway 20 has been renamed the Nebraska Medal of Honor Highway!

Nebraska only provides two signs (that must be paid for by NMoHFoundation) for the Nebraska Medal of Honor highway within the right-of-way, one on each border. Those signs have been paid for by the Foundation.  I have been in contact with the NDoR District Three Office which will erect a sign on the Nebraska side of the Missouri at So. Sioux City.  It was agreed they would give me a heads up when they were ready to erect the sign.  The Highway belongs to all active military, veterans, and patriotic organizations of Nebraska.  Therefore, I am asking you to RSVP if you wish to be with us when the sign goes up in So. Sioux City.  It is my personal hope that active military, all VSOs and other patriotic organizations will have a representative there for the picture.  There will be a sign that goes up at the Wyoming border and if any of the above would like to be present when that sign is raised please contact me, so that I can make arrangements with NDoR’s District One.  I will ask American Legion representatives out west to cover that sign raising.  The check has been cashed for the signs, so I expect this will happen soon.

 

The signs the state puts up inside the right-of-way do not portray the value and honor that should be attributed to a Medal of Honor Highway.  Our initial push is for 10 signs.  Signs are approximately $2,000 each as attested by Oregon (Oregon has 14 and Wyoming has 14).  We are working toward acceptable sized signs outside the right-of-way at each border, two at Gordon, two at Valentine, two at O’Neill, two where the Highway diverges from HWY 275.  The second initiative is four more signs.  These signs would be along the VFW Memorial Highway/Blue Star Memorial Highway north and south of Valentine on Hwy 83 and two north and south of O’Neil on HWY 281 – The American Legion Memorial Highway.   Thus, the Foundation then is working toward $24,000 to raise the signs and has been advised to have two ready as replacements in the event of damage and replacements at the ready for the borders for NDoR in the event of damage. 

 

The Foundation was created that Nebraska could honor their Medal of Honor Recipients and be part of the national effort to create a National Medal of Honor Highway.  It was also created to relieve the financial burden of any one entity of being responsible for such an undertaking.  I as the President of the Foundation and Ken Hanel as the Treasurer are walking across the Highway beginning May 11, 2020 and ending May 22 in South Sioux City at Siouxland Freedom Park.  The park is at the center of Highway coast-to-coast and has claimed that position as part of the National MoH Highway effort.  Our trek is call Walk the Walk  and is being conducted to raise awareness and honor Nebraska’s Medal of Honor Recipients.  Each six-mile segment is being dedicated in honor of a specific MoH Recipient.  We will also be soliciting for donations. 

 

That being said fellow members of Active Military, Retired, Veteran Service Organizations Members, and Patriots of Nebraska, who wish to honor Nebraska’s greatest Warriors, donations are appropriate and being accepted.

 

The Nebraska Medal of Honor is a registered 501 © 3

 

Donations can be made via our website, can be sent to my address below, or you can bring a check with you and “Walk The Walk”.

 

I will avail myself on behalf of the Foundation to any organization needing us to address their membership.

 

We are still in need of someone coming forward with a motor home that sleeps four and is equipped with washer/dryer, generator, microwave and refrigerator.  We have drivers willing to dedicate 12 days to this or the owner can be one of us. 

 

Nebraskamedalofhonorfoundation.org

 

Daryl G. Harrison – President

Box 266, 355 So. Main

Thurston, NE  68062

[email protected]

(402)922-1329

Donations are Tax deductible

Donations are tax deductible.  We have obtained approval from the IRS for a 501c(3) with the IRS for tax deductible donations. We appreciate your donations. This is our source of funding for this great cause for Nebraska Medal of Honor recipients.

Nebraska Medal of Honor Foundation Coin for Donations

Nebraska Medal of Honor Foundation Coin for Donations

We will distribute the Nebraska Medal of Honor Foundation  coin to donors of $20 or more for face to face transactions.  Donors of $30 (provided we have your address) or more can have their coins sent to them via USPS.

Nebraska’s portion of Highway 20 the “Nebraska Medal of Honor Highway”.

Governor Ricketts formally signed the paperwork to make Nebraska’s portion of Highway 20 the “Nebraska Medal of Honor Highway. 1-31-20

There was a great turnout at Veterans Legislative Day this morning and a lot of wonderful information on this year’s veteran and military-related legislation, our priorities in growing Nebraska, and how veterans and their family members can stay involved.

 

 

41 year old MOH recipient faces new foe: cancer

Shurer is now fighting on different terrain than the mountains of Eastern Afghanistan, and against a different enemy than the battle-hardened insurgents of that remote region.

Fifteen months after he stood at the White House to receive the nation’s highest combat honor, he’s squaring off in an all-consuming battle against life-threatening lung cancer that his doctors rate at stage 4, meaning it has metastasized or spread to other organs.

“It’s everywhere,” Shurer, 41, said in a lengthy Jan. 22 interview at the coffee shop.

More than once, Shurer said he was prepared to comment on everything about the stage 4 cancer except his prognosis. Statistics from the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society point to five-year survival rates of less than 20%, although those numbers come with the caution that they may not reflect recent advances in treatment.

Full Story CLICK HERE

Military Family Scholarship

The attorneys at Berry Law have the utmost respect for the sacrifices made by America’s Veterans and their families in the service of the country. We have long fought for the legal rights of Veterans, and we recognize the critical role that their families play in supporting the mission from home, both during and after service. Which is why we are proud to announce The Military Family Scholarship.

Berry Law Firm 

The Military Family Scholarship

Deadline: January 31, 2020

Award: $1,000 

For more details about this scholarship, please visit our scholarship page.

Legislative Update

Click here to view our Legislative Tracker (last updated 1/24/2020). 

The Legislature is adjourned until Monday, January 27th, at 9:00 a.m. 

For information on the 2020 session, including calendar, committees, senator list, and more, please visit https://veterans.nebraska.gov/legislative-issues.
 

LB 153 Update

Today, LB 153 passed Select File. The next step is Final Reading, where the bill is read in full and voted on last time on. If it passes that round, it heads to the Governor’s desk for signing. If you haven’t reached out to your senator yet, please do to let them know to continue their support for this important step forward. Click here to find your senator.
General File: Check. Select File: Check. Final Reading: TBD.
 

Veterans Legislative Day

The annual Veterans Legislative Day is coming up next Friday, January 31st. Learn about veteran-related legislation and how to get involved and hear from speakers such as Governor Ricketts, NDVA Director Hilgert, and Nebraska senators. 

Veterans Legislative Day Flyer

Senator Albrecht Updates Constituents On Medal Of Honor Highway Name Change Proposal, Workforce Development

WAYNE – District 17 Senator Joni Albrecht provided information about a proposed name change to a state highway while workforce development work continues.

According to a release from the office of District 17, Senator Albrecht joined other state senators from Legislative Districts in October through which Highway 20 runs and on Friday, December 13 heard back on a proposal to rename the highway to the Medal of Honor Highway.

In Nebraska, the American Legion Family has been leading the charge as HWY 20 goes through Dakota County in District 17. Legislative District 17 was well represented by members of American Legion District 3 at the Nebraska Highway Roads Commission meeting held in Lincoln last weekend. The Commission gave unanimous consent to the proposal and the measure has gone to the Governor for approval as states from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans are going through this process.

Senator Albrecht is entering her third year serving on the Workforce Development Board and stated that Nebraska’s unemployment rate is low as lawmakers often hear from employers that are having trouble finding qualified applicants for unfilled positions. The Board brings together state, regional and local workforce partners to help build a workforce development system that can more effectively match employers, employees, education and training opportunities.

The Board convened on December 6 for its quarterly meeting and heard about growing coordinated training opportunities, industry-specific partnerships, grants, scholarships and apprenticeship programs across various disciplines including the construction and rural healthcare industries, a growing concern for many in District 17 and throughout Nebraska. Other topics brought forward included efforts to more rapidly respond to unemployment and job connection needs of dislocated workers with the formation of teams that include veterans, employers and other local community members.

Senator Albrecht would like everyone in District 17 to have a safe and joyful celebration this holiday season. Prepare for the unexpected by having extra supplies on hand and a preparedness package in your car that includes a blanket, a warm change of clothes, water and non-perishable food items. It is always a good idea to let friends or loved ones know your travel plans, route and anticipated arrival time.

To contact Senator Joni Albrecht, call 402-471-2716 or email [email protected].

Beverly A. Neel

American Legion Auxiliary

Past Department President – Nebraska

402 369 0152

“Veterans – Our Soul & Heart’s Inspiration” 

Medal of Honor Memorial Highway

This project passed the Nebraska Department of Roads 12-13-19 in a beard meeting. The project will now go to the Governor’s office for signing.

As you may know states along Highway 20 from Newport, OR to Boston, MA have been working to rename HWY 20 the Medal of Honor Memorial Highway across America.  To accomplish this Am. Legion Past Department Commander Gene Twiford of Laurel, NE began the legwork.  When he reached a point of needing assistance, Ken Hanel of West Point and I stepped in to help him.

A philosophy was adopted that the Nebraska Medal of Honor Memorial Highway (NMoHMH) belonged to all Nebraska Veterans, Active Military, Guard and Nebraska Patriots as a means of paying tribute to our Heroes of Heroes.  

On Friday, December 13th, 2019 at 08:30 in Nebraska Department of Road’s Main Building on 1500 So. Highway 2, Lincoln, the Commissioners will decide between 3 applications.  They can only choose one.  The political groundwork had been laid and the Commissioners have been informed that with the support of the Nebraska Veteran’s Council it is the will of more than 30,000 Nebraska Veterans NMoHMH be declared the choice. 

This being said it is with great hope that as many Nebraska Veterans as possible can show up for this meeting wearing their hat.  Make it an outing.  Invite your comrades to ride with you or organize a suburban full and head for Lincoln.  We need to show with obvious intention that NMoHMH is the choice to be made.  And then go have a celebratory breakfast knowing you did a good thing for our Heroes. 

Once the decision is made it becomes the applicants’ responsibility to pay for signage now and in perpetuity.  For that reason the Nebraska Medal of Honor Foundation has been formed.  It is in this manner  that all Nebraska Veterans, Active Military, Guard, and Nebraska Patriots will be able to support the Foundation’s work.

Ken Hanel and myself are somewhat old school about doing things properly and in an honorable manner.  Therefore, the first fund raising event is called, Walk the Walk.  He and I will be walking across Highway 20 from Wyoming to South Sioux’s Siouxland Freedom Park where we will pass the effort on to Iowa.  All other states west of Nebraska have completed their efforts.  The walk takes place beginning May 11th 2020 and will take 12 days.  This is “our” way of directing Nebraska’s attention to the how we (all of us)honor our Medal of Honor Recipients. 

This event allows all that wish, to join us in the walk.  We will keep you in the loop as the event draws closer. 

Please visit www.nebraskamedalofhonorfoundation.org

Daryl G. Harrison

Box 266, 355 So. Main

Thurston, NE  68062

[email protected]

(402)922-1329