20th Century Veteran's Memorial
Remebering with honor

The 20th Century Veteran's Memorial in Iron Horse Park, at the crossroads of Interstate 80 and U.S. Hwy 83, will be not only be a place of respect and honor, but also a place of beauty.

Six bronze statues created by well-known North Platte artist, Ted Long, a Korean War veteran, will stand on either side of the walkway, depicting the honorable military service of men and women during the 20th Century.

The "Walk of Honor" passes by the U.S. flag into the hallowed "Place of Meditation." This display includes the names of veterans from Nebraska who sacrificed their lives during 20th Century conflicts.

The back wall of the memorial will be a 15-by-40-feet brick bas-relief mural reflecting the struggle to preserve peace and freedom during the 20th Century.

Still under construction, the walk of honor will eventually be lined with 8,000 commemorative bricks showing the names of veterans who served during the 20th Century.

To date, 2,920 bricks have been purchased, representing 132 towns in Nebraska, 40 states and one from Canada.

"The main emphasis we like to place is on the bricks to honor the veterans," said Wilma
Salisbury, who works in the Veterans Memorial office.

Some of the notables who have purchased bricks are Senators Bob Dole, Chuck Hagel and Robert Kerrey, and other political figures.

Five flags depicting the five branches of service and the five major conflicts fly proudly over the
site.

A memorial is already on the site, dedicated to those who served at the Canteen during World War II. More than 6 million military men and women were fed, cheered and encouraged as they passed through North Platte on troop trains. On one side of the stone memorial is a listing of all of the communities whose residents somehow made the daily miracle of the Canteen a reality.
On May 26, there will be a ceremony to dedicate what is currently at the memorial, although no actual completion date has yet been set.

A tax-deductible donation of $150 can buy a commemorative brick to honor a veteran. The veteran's name, branch, rank, which conflict and any medals awarded can be placed on the bricks.

For more information about the memorial, or to purchase a commemorative brick, contact Wilma
Salisbury, at the office for the Memorial in the Pawnee Hotel, 221 E. Fifth, North Platte, NE 69101. The phone number is (308) 532-6579 and hours are from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Or contact the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation or log on to the 20th Century Veteran's Memorial website.