Governor Jim Pillen Wednesday marked the 79th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with a proclamation signing, and announcement of a special medal for surviving WWII veterans with Nebraska ties.
The medal is an homage to the victory medal issued by the U.S. military, with the front of the medal featuring ‘The Sower’ and an outline of the state celebrating 80 years of victory, and the reverse showing Lady Victory, the American flag and the words, ‘On Behalf of a Grateful State – Thank you for Your Service.
During a news conference unveiling the medal, Pillen said it’s up to present-day Nebraskans to ensure the values and ideals that those veterans fought for continue into the future. “It’s fitting on Victory in Europe Day that we’re that we’re talking about this program to recognize our World War II veterans,” said Pillen. “It’s unbelievable that almost 140,000 Nebraskans served in World War II… 140,000, with right at 800 still living with us today.”
Eligibility for the medal is limited to those who served in the armed forces between Dec. 1, 1941 and Dec. 31, 1946, current legal residents of Nebraska or those who can show Nebraska residency when entering service, and discharge under conditions other than dishonorable.
The Nebraska National Guard’s Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Craig Strong, took the occasion to recount a trip at the start of this week in which he was part of the senior U.S. military command team taking part in a V-E Day celebration in eastern Europe:
Details can be found online at veterans.nebraska.gov/WW2.
