Pillen and NDVA announce initiative to honor Nebraska’s living Korean War veterans

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Gov. Jim Pillen, along with the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs, announced a statewide initiative to honor Korean War veterans with a special recognition coin.

At the Governor’s Hearing Room Monday, Gov. Pillen was joined by the NDVA Director, John Hilgert, and Korean War veterans for the announcement.

“This is a great opportunity, so the Korean Vets that we can celebrate bring families together; to make sure their key stories of who they are- that their grandkids, their kids, and their grandkids...and maybe great grandkids, never forget,” said Gov. Pillen.

The initiative is intended to honor Nebraska’s living Korean War veterans. According to a release, there are about 2,400 in the state.

The coin itself is housed in a blue velvet presentation case, emblazoned with NDVA’s logo. The coin shows the 48 star U.S. flag, the South Korean flag, and a quote saying, “Honoring those who answered the call to defend a country they never knew.”

Also on the back is the NDVA emblem.

“This program and this recognition effort is unique to our state,” said NDVA Director Hilgert. “No other state is doing something like this.”

The Korean War recognition coin is available to all living Korean War veterans who meet the following criteria:

• Served in the United States Armed Forces between Jun. 27, 1950, to Jan. 31, 1955.
• Must be a current legal resident of Nebraska or demonstrate Nebraska residency at a time of entering the service.
• Have to be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

For this, a special ceremony is being held ahead of the Korean War Veterans Armistice Day at the Nebraska State Capitol on Jul. 24. Veterans who wish to receive their coin at that ceremony will need to sign up at Veterans.Nebraska.Gov/Korea

For those who can’t make the event, the state is engaging with veteran service organizations at their respective conventions and localized events across the state.

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