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In times of war, those who served had to travel along many rugged roads and seemingly endless highways in order to reach their destination.
In 2000, at the urging of members of the Nebraska Veterans of Foreign Wars and many others, the Nebraska State Highway Commission voted to rename Nebraska Highway 83 as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Highway. Gov. Mike Johanns approved and signed the bill and the highway was officially dedicated on Veterans Day of the same year.
The highway, which extends from Canada to the border of Mexico runs through portions of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska. Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Nebraska was the first state to rename the highway to honor its veterans and many supporters of the change hoped other states would follow.
To date, all of them have with the exception of South Dakota, according to Monica Harvey. Nebraska President of Highway 83 Trade & Tourism.
“South Dakota is using our video as an incentive to the legislature to change theirs” she said, referring to the “Nebraska Sky” video. The video, which was created as a tribute to all veterans of foreign wars, features Nebraska’s own musical group, ‘Chance,’ as they serenade the spectacular scenery on and around the high way.
When the highway was renamed, the Nebraska VFW purchased new signs and paid for their installation and maintenance. Those traveling it can now see that it has been dedicated to the veterans of foreign wars.
“A couple of the guys who put signs up along our highway are from the Vietnam era, Harvey said. “They said they put the signs up to say ‘thank you’ to themselves, because nobody welcomed them home when they came back.”
“Another man told me every time he goes south to see his family in McCook he gets a tear in his eye when he sees the signs,” she continued.
Harvey said she is not sure if all the states who have renamed the highway have signs in place indicating the changes
“I know we do, Kansas does and North Dakota does,” she said.
Harvey said the renaming and dedication of the highway was especially poignant for her because it serves as a memorial to her father, Eben Scott, who served in the 137th Quartermaster Battalion; 10th Mountain Division in World War II.
“He died in 1999, and in 2000 this was dedicated,” she said. “It was just perfect timing.”
According to Harvey, a tour guide is available for those who would like to learn more about the highway and the area that surrounds it. The “Nebraska Sky” video is also available to view by contacting Harvey at 308-636-2658 .
