Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen speaks at an event honoring his state’s World War II veterans at the Nebraska State Capitol Rotunda on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Office of the Governor of Nebraska)
(Tribune News Service) — World War II veterans Robert Manthey (from left), Theodore Mills, Roger Peters, Marvin Schultz and Wayne Steele listen to remarks from Gov. Jim Pillen on Thursday in the Capitol Rotunda.
Roger Peters, 101, knew exactly what he was going to wear on Thursday when he was honored for his service during World War II — his old U.S. Army uniform.
With his military boots and side cap, there was no missing the veteran who served his country for three years.
On Thursday, the 80th anniversary for the end of World War II, Nebraska honored 13 veterans for their service during the war. The ceremony, which was held in the Capitol Rotunda, is part of a yearlong attempt to honor veterans and civilians who supported the war efforts.
The idea was suggested by John Hilgert, director of the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and embraced by Gov. Jim Pillen.
More than 140,000 Nebraskans are believed to have served during the war, and 3,626 Nebraskans lost their lives during their service. Another 703 Nebraskans remain unaccounted for.
After Thursday’s ceremony, a total of 117 veterans, hailing from more than 50 cities, towns and villages in the state, have been recognized. There are an estimated 250 World War II veterans living in Nebraska, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Peters walked around proudly on Thursday in his World War II uniform which he wears at least once a year. The veteran served in the U.S. 9th Army, 1143 Engineer Combat Group in France and Germany.
He can still remember Victory in Europe Day. His group was at the Lichtenburg concentration camp in Germany.
“They called us down to the headquarters truck and then they said, ‘The war is over, you don’t have to wash steel helmets anymore,’” Peters said. “We said, ‘Oh the war is different, whoopee. I can’t see anything any different.’”
Peters said the only differences were not having to worry about tanks running the soldiers over, but they still had to worry about snipers.
After returning home from the war, Peters said he enjoyed working at KMTV in Omaha, riding bicycles and teaching at an elementary school in Elkhorn.
His grandson, Andy Peters, traveled from Colorado to attend the ceremony.
“When I sat down, it was like woah. There’s something about being surrounded by everybody and all the other soldiers just like grandpa,” Andy Peters said. “It’s kind of a hard thing to put the right words to, but he felt it, and I felt it, and that was really great. It meant a lot to me and I knew it when I sat down.”
Inside the Rotunda, more than 150 family members and friends gathered for the ceremony.
Pillen said he was overwhelmed with emotions and gratitude. Over the past six months, the governor said he’s heard stories about the veterans’ bravery, selfless giving and from those accepting the medals on behalf of their brothers that didn’t come home.
“Hopefully today, all of the rest of us can get inspired by the victory of May 8th many years ago because of your extraordinary sacrifice, your selfless giving and picking up and doing whatever it took to save the United States and save the planet,” Pillen said.
Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, adjutant general of the Nebraska National Guard, was at the ceremony to address the honored veterans along with five more veterans who were previous recipients of the recognition medal.
“Thank you for your service, thank you for your sacrifice,” Strong said. “You indeed were the greatest generation.”
The veterans honored on Thursday were: Kenneth Arenas, Ray Arnold, Douglas Baker, William Brown, Jack Caldwell, Gerald Lobeda, Robert Manthey, Theodore Mills, Roger Peters, Marvin Schulz, Wayne Steele, Ralph Wagner and Alfred Zieg.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen awards a commemorative medal to World War II veterans at a ceremony honoring them at the Nebraska State Capitol Rotunda on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Office of the Governor of Nebraska via X)
Zieg, who will be 102 this month, enlisted in the Navy in Reno, Nevada, at age 19. Eventually, he boarded the AGC-9, also known as the USS Wasatch, which was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. He served as a first-class electronics technician before he was discharged on Feb. 22, 1946.
At Thursday’s ceremony, Zieg was reunited with his old friend Ralph Wagner, 97, who also grew up in Scribner. Ralph Wagner’s son, Doug Wagner, said the two veterans hadn’t seen each other in nearly 20 years.
“They were from the same town and we didn’t even know Al was going to be there,” Doug Wagner said. “They had coffee at Mel’s bar every day, a famous bar in town.”
Doug Wagner said his dad joined the Navy at just 17 years old, but was only in the war for 14 months before it ended. Doug Wagner also joined the Navy and said it’s been nice to be part of the American Legion with his dad.
“Just to have him around all this time, it’s just been wonderful,” Wagner said.
Several of Wagner’s great-grandchildren took part in the ceremony by presenting a wreath in honor of those who have died.
While Thursday was the largest recognition program, smaller ceremonies will continue to occur until every World War II veteran in Nebraska is recognized for their service.
In addition to the veterans, those who rolled up their sleeves and participated in the war efforts from home are being honored with a Hometown Heroes certificate.
World War II Recognition Program
Living veterans who are Nebraska residents (or who were at the time of entering service) and who served in the U.S. armed forces between Dec. 1, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946, are eligible to receive a commemorative medal, provided they were not dishonorably discharged.
A Hometown Heroes certificate is also available to those who supported the war effort as a civilian. These roles can include joining the wartime workforce, serving as a member of the Crop Corps, growing a Victory Garden, providing nourishment to soldiers at a Canteen or partaking in food rationing. The certificates can be presented in person at ceremonies, or mailed to recipients’ homes.
To apply for the medal or a Hometown Heroes certificate, or for more information about the program, visit Veterans.Nebraska.gov/world-war-ii-recognition-program, email ndva@nebraska.gov or call 402-471-2458.
Nebraska’s WWII Recognition Medal, part of an initiative launched by Gov. Jim Pillen to recognize Nebraska’s living World War II veterans in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. (Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs)
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