Gov. Jim Pillen honors three Nebraska WWII veterans

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Gov. Jim Pillen honored three World War II veterans in McCook on Thursday, awarding them for their service to our state and country.

Russell Eisenhart, John Hubert and Joseph Uerling were given medals as part of the World War II recognition program.

Pillen said in a post on X that events like these are “off the chart moments” as Nebraska’s governor:

When it comes to ‘off the chart’ moments as Nebraska’s governor… it’s hard to beat days like today. I had the privilege of presenting medals to three WWII veterans at a town hall in McCook today. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Russell Eisenhart, John Hubert and Joseph… pic.twitter.com/maFxurWhDr

— Governor Jim Pillen (@TeamPillen) January 16, 2025

The program is a new initiative for 2025 with a goal of recognizing Nebraska’s living WWII veterans in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of the war.

Veterans who are honored must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces between 1941 and 1946, be a current legal resident of Nebraska and have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.