GRAND ISLAND – With the Nebraska State Fair offering plenty to do for all ages from Friday, August 26 – Monday, September 5, veterans will be honored in late August.
According to a release from the Nebraska State Fair, veterans will be acknowledged throughout the day on Tuesday, August 30 in recognition of Iraqi and Afghanistan war veterans.
State Fair officials say every year, the group recognizes their ‘heroes proved in liberating strife,’ as ‘America the Beautiful’ says, through their annual Veterans Day. Thanks to our patriots, freedom isn’t just a dream and the Nebraska State Fair is proud to honor them.
A special program will be at 3 p.m. on August 30 in the Heartland Events Center in Grand Island.
Local veteran Ed Meedel will host the service. Steven Floyd will speak on “What Freedom Means to Me” and will also serve as grand marshal for that day’s parade. Chaplain Zachary Bruenningsend will offer the invocation and benediction.
A Ride-in Motorcycle Show and Service Dog Meet-and-Greet will follow the program.
Also on Tuesday, veterans from Central Community College will mingle throughout the grounds all day. The 28-foot Mobile Veterans Unit will be at the Heartland Events Center with information about resources available to Nebraska veterans.
The following veteran-related displays and activities will be available throughout the fair at the Nebraska Building:
• Flights of Honor display — Hundreds of photos from the Nebraska Honor Flights that took 3,466 veterans to Washington, D.C., between 2008 and 2019.
- Grand Island VA Hospital Art Display — Art created by veterans.
- Me and My Hero Photo Opportunity — Grab a veteran and take a photo in this specially designed photo-op.
- Patriotic Postcards — Write to a Nebraska veteran with a free postcard.
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Remembering the Fallen exhibit — Display commemorates the fallen heroes who have served the United States.
The Nebraska State Fair runs August 26 through September 5 in Grand Island. For more information, visit statefair.org.
