In February of 2020, Governor Pete Ricketts decreed that U.S. Highway 20 shall be known as the Nebraska Medal of Honor Highway to honor Nebraska’s greatest military heroes.
American Legion members, 66 year old Daryl Harrison of Thurston and 74 year old Ken Hanel of West Point, will Walk the Walk, a 432 mile dedication of the Nebraska Medal of Honor Highway starting at 5 a.m. MT on May 11th at the Nebraska – Wyoming border. The men will alternate walking six mile segments for a total of 37 miles a day. They both will walk an extra mile together. Each segment is dedicated to a specific Nebraska Medal of Honor recipient. There are currently 74 in Nebraska.
The entourage will stop in 11 communities, Crawford, Hay Springs, Gordon, Cody, Valentine, Wood Lake, Bassett, Atkinson, Orchard, Osmond and Laurel to spend the night over the 12 day period. Each community will join the team in celebration and several will hold fundraising events of their own.
The two men are walking to raise money for signs along the highway and to introduce Nebraskans to their largest veteran memorial. The highway will eventually become part of a National Medal of Honor Highway that stretches from Newport, Oregon to Boston, Massachusetts.
On the morning of May 22nd, a motorcycle convoy will take off from the Wyoming – Nebraska border at 8 a.m. with the mission of forming a flag line at Siouxland Freedom Park in South Sioux City. Motorcycles from American Legion Riders, Patriot Guard Riders, ABATE and other organizations will be making the ride and all other patriotic motorcyclists are invited to take part.
At 5 p.m., Hanel and Harrison will be joined by Medal of Honor recipient James McCloughan who will sing the National Anthem. He will be joined by Charles Hagemeister, one of only two living Nebraska Medal of Honor recipients. The ceremony will include speakers, other dignitaries, families and friends.