Generations of Nebraska Warriors

Air Date: 08/18/2014

There are thousands of combat veterans in Nebraska.

Men and women who have fought through the hedgerows of France in World War II, through the streets of Iraq and Afghanistan in the last decade and as part of every war in between. Veterans who say it’s hard to understand what it’s like unless you have been there.

Generations of Nebraska Warriors is about those experiences. The stories of war and of the way it changes those who fight it. We brought together small groups of Nebraska veterans who know each other and because they have something in common: their stories are candid, raw and powerful.

Generations of Nebraska Warriors Segments
  • Vietnam Friends - Jim Cada and Greg Holloway are Vietnam veterans who became friends while working on veterans projects. Both served in the Army in Vietnam.
  • Women Warriors - Anita Curington and Kim Moore are veterans of recent Nebraska Army National Guard deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
  • Three Marines - Cody Sparks, Kevin Barret and Steve Phillips are Marine veterans from three decades of conflicts who are connected by their involvement in the Marine Corps League.
  • Vietnam Connection - Marty Ramirez and George Albright are Army veterans who fought in Vietnam.
  • Bismark Survivors - Jenny Bos and A.J. Bloebaum have served in the same Nebraska Army National Guard transportation unit for more than a decade, and fought together when their convoy was ambushed in Iraq in what became known as the Battle of Bismark. (Related Nebraska Public Media News story: "It got scary:" Nebraska National Guard soldiers reflect on ambush in Iraq, 10 years later)
  • Friends From Two Conflicts - Dave Spry and Dennis Pavlik are friends from different branches of the military and different wars. Spry was a Marine in Vietnam, while Pavlik was in the Army during the Korean War.
  • Final Thoughts - Final thoughts from all of our project participants.


NEBRASKA RESOURCES FOR VETERANS

Veterans Service Officers - available in each county to assist with VA benefits and other needs.

Vet Centers - with locations in Lincoln, Omaha, Rapid City, SD and Cheyenne, WY, Vet Centers provide a broad range of counseling, outreach and referral services to combat veterans and their families, with a veterans holding a majority of staff positions.

Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs - assists veterans and dependents with benefits and other information.

Nebraska-Western Iowa VA Health Care System - with Nebraska hospitals/clinics in Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, Grand Island, Holdrege, Norfolk, North Platte and O'Neill.

American Legion - veterans organization with posts throughout Nebraska.

At Ease - Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska program offering trauma treatment and therapeutic support for active military, veterans and their loved ones.

Blue Star Mothers of America - organization supporting military members and families, with Nebraska chapters in Lincoln and Nebraska City.

Brain injury resources from the Nebraska Brain Injury Advisory Council.

Disabled American Veterans - empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity.

Employment resources from the Nebraska Department of Labor, including information about the Hiring Our Heroes program.

Military Order of the Purple Heart - service organization for military men and women who have received the Purple Heart Medal, with Nebraska chapters in Omaha, Lincoln, Norfolk and Grand Island.

OTHER RESOURCES

Coaching Into Care - VA service that provides assistance to family and friends who are trying to encourage veterans to seek help.

Military OneSource - Department of Defense program providing confidential information on every aspect of military life.

Military Parenting - online course providing military and veteran parents with information and strategies to improve parenting skills.

Veterans Crisis Line - 24 hour hotline for veterans, 1-800-273-8255, press 1

Wounded Warrior Project - organization serving injured service members.