Local resident raises Veterans Day awareness

With Veterans Day around the corner, one local man would like to enhance the community's knowledge of those who dared to serve.

Larry Nelson, a retired U.S. Colonel, has a very unique collection of uniforms. Collected from war veterans in this city and others, Nelson has brought their stories to life. His collection of uniforms are scattered throughout downtown Sidney.

"The objective is to call attention to Veterans Day," said Nelson. "One way of doing that is to portray or present the uniforms of a lot of the veterans in this area, plus veterans that aren't necessarily known, but the uniforms are on display."

Nelson has also written a series of biographical stories of veterans for the Sidney Sun- Telegraph. His Veterans History Project has shined light on veterans who have served their country and went on to be productive members in society.

"Its an effort to interview as many veterans as possible," said Nelson. "At the time, the focus was on World War I veterans. Now there aren't any more, so the focus has shifted to World War II and subsequent years."

When these interviews are conducted, a copy of the interviews goes to the Library of Congress.

"While interviewing some of these guys, they'd say that they had their uniform with them and asked me if I wanted it. I started collecting them and it doesn't do any good to just leave them in a storage area. They have more meaning once people get to see them."

The focus of Nelson's efforts is on the recognition of brave individuals who served their country in times where such valor was needed. He seeks to make all generations just as aware as their predecessors were.

"The main purpose is for people to take a few seconds to remember their veterans," said Nelson. "This community never really needs to be reminded of that. The business people and people I talk to are very veteran-conscious. It really isn't a hard effort. This community is full of support."

Nelson wants to encourage people to go downtown and look at the various uniforms being displayed in the shops.

Businesses such as Miller Office Products, Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Accents, Imagine That, Moose and Goose, Simply Natural and the old and new Salvation Army stores.

On Saturday at the Sidney Library, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Nelson will have a Veterans Day program.

"I'll talk about the various veterans in this county," said Nelson. "Hopefully we'll have a chance to interview one in particular during the presentation. Most of my uniforms are out right now, but I should have a couple there."

In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson designated Nov. 11 as Armistice Day. The 11th of November was officially made a legal holiday on May 13, 1938 by an act of Congress. The day was primarily meant to honor World War I veterans.

After World War II, the 83rd Congress amended the act of 1938 by eliminating the word "Armistice" and replacing it with the word Veterans. On June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.