NEBRASKA CITY – Nebraska City could be the second in the state to declare itself a Purple Heart city.

The Otoe County Board earlier proclaimed the designation for the county, clearing the way for Purple Heart signs at the county border on highways 2 and 75.

Otoe County Veterans Service Officer Chad Miller said there are no specific qualifications to be a Purple Heart City, except for a desire to honor Purple Heart recipients.

Lincoln is the first city in the state to make the proclamation at the request of the Order of the Purple Heart chapter in Lancaster County.

There are Order of Purple Heart chapters in Lincoln, Omaha and Grand Island.

Miller said several of the order’s members live in Otoe County and Nebraska City is home to several other veterans who will be honored.

Miller: “It’s just a respectful thing to declare that we support our Purple Heart veterans.”

Miller expects the issue to be on the city council’s December agenda.

Photo courtesy of Nebraska Department of Veteran Affairs