May 27, 2024

Nebraska memorials – Honoring the state’s fallen, veterans

timtrudell Columbus, Fremont, Nebraska, North Platte, Omaha, Papillion, Santee 0

People pose in front of Santee veterans memorial — Tribal members observe Vietnam Veterans Day at the Santee Veterans Memorial.

Forget the picnics. Forget the cookouts. Forget the three-day holiday weekend. Memorial Day is about remembering the women and men who have sacrificed their lives for their country, families and communities.

Almost every city, town and village around the United States has a veterans monument or memorial. They either respect the fallen warriors or honor the people who served during times of conflict.

In Nebraska, seven memorials stand out to me. From Omaha to North Platte, these – in my opinion – are musts to visit if you want to experience patriotism.

White curved colonnade — Omaha’s Memorial Park is home to the city’s veterans monuments.

Omaha

Memorial Park is known for its wintertime sledding hill and an annual July 4th outdoor concert. But, its original mission was to honor the people of Douglas County, who served during World War II. The white colonnade lists the names of about 1,000 people who died during the war.

In front of it, a memorial honors people who served during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.

When the city of Omaha redesigned its riverfront attractions, military monuments were moved to park. Here you’ll find monuments recognizing the dedication of family members during World War II and paratroopers, among others.

Eagle sculpture — Fremont’s veterans memorial recognizes each of the five militaty branches.

Fremont

Fremont’s military memorial is fairly new to the community, opening within the past decade. Located on east Military Avenue, the memorial pays tribute to each military branch, including the Merchant Marine.

A bald eagle sculpture greets visitors. A memorial featuring a kneeling soldier holding a flag in front of a rifle and pair of boots memorializes area residents who died during their service.

About two blocks east, murals recognize veterans.

Soldier statue in front of Higgins boat — National Higgins boat monuments shows soldiers exiting the vehicle on a beach.

Columbus

Nebraska native Andrew Jackson Higgins is credited with the success of the D-Day invasion at Normandy, France, during World War II. He designed an amphibious vehicle, which became known as the Higgins boat, used to transport soldiers from ships to the beach as Allies invaded Europe to defeat Nazi Germany and reclaim occupied countries.

The national monument features a life-size replica Higgins boat with soldiers outside it on a beach. The memorial also recognizes veterans of other wars and conflicts, including the recent Middle East conflicts.

A memorial to the victims and heroes of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001, features metal from one of the two World Trade Center buildings. An eagle is perched at the top.

Statue of soldiers looking at monument — The 20th Century Veterans Monument in North Platte rivals any across the country.

North Platte

The 20th Century Veterans Memorial in North Platte recognizes the men and women who served during the nation’s wars during the 1900s.

Located south of Interstate 80, the memorial celebrates each military branch with six sculptures on either side of a walkway, representing each military department, including the Coast Guard. The sculptures are based on actual people.

The memorial wall depicts the five major conflicts of the 20th century – World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam Conflict and Middle Eastern conflicts.

Also honoring the volunteers of the North Platte Canteen, a sculpture of a woman offering food represents those who volunteered their time to help feed and support the 6 million soldiers who made their way through North Platte on trains during World War II.

Statue of Canteen woman volunteer — Statue of woman recognizes the work done by volunteers at the North Platte Canteen.

South Sioux City

A half-size replica of the Vietnam Wall memorial anchors Siouxland Freedom Park in South Sioux City. Nearly 20 years old, the public park’s Vietnam memorial is an exact duplicate of the national monument in Washington, DC, and includes the names of each servicemember killed during the Vietnam Conflict.

The 55-acre park also features a Korean War memorial similar to the one in DC. At night, the memorial is illuminated.

Names of soldiers killed during the Vietnam War are listed on the wall. — The South Sioux City Vietnam Wall is a half-size replica of the national monument in Washington, DC.

Siouxland Freedom Park also includes the first Freedom Rock outside of Iowa. With paintings honoring local military stories, the Freedom Rock series is designed by Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II. Each of Iowa’s 99 counties features his work.

The Interpretation Center includes artwork and personal videos by area veterans.

Santee

Santee’s Veterans Memorial recognizes the Dakota Nation’s 38+2 warriors from the 1862 Dakota-US War to recent Middle Eastern conflicts. The memorial may be the Knox County village’s star tourism attraction.

The memorial features the names of tribal citizens who served during America’s wars. The granite exhibit also features images of Mdewakanton iSanti warrior Tate Kaga from the Dakota-US War and Walter Cody John (Wasagya Mani Hoksida), a World War II code talker.

Santee veteran sits and looks at the veterans memorial. — The Santee veterans memorial honors the Indigenous nation’s fallen and veterans.

Papillion

The Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Papillion will have its public dedication June 6. It honors nearly 400 Nebraskans who died in combat. It also recognizes Vietnam veterans, with about 37,000 living in Nebraska. Veterans’ personal essays can be found on the memorial’s website.

While I would love to feature the hundreds of monuments statewide, these memorials represent our respect of them. As you observe the weekend however you choose, please take a moment and honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives in the name of the United States.