Signs Designate Purple Heart Community

NEBRASKA CITY – Purple Heart recipients joined public officials Tuesday to officially recognize Nebraska City and Otoe County as the state’s first, rural  Purple Heart communities.

Tom Grooman  received the Purple Heart in 1970 toward the end of his tour in Vietnam. He said the signs  along Highway 75 are great.

Grooman: “Everybody is doing it across the country, when you go. To bring this town into it, brings it up to date.”

 

 

He said the sign lets people know Nebraska City and the county are committed to recognizing their Purple Heart recipients.

Larry Lawton of Nebraska City received two Purple Hearts , once from taking a sniper’s bullet to his shoulder in northern Vietnam.

Lawton: “We were up in the northern part. We were crossing a mountain ridge over there and we got snipers. I got one in the shoulder and I was with… we were trying to take this one mountain and we were having not too much luck.”

 Justin Christiansen of Nebraska City received his Purple Heart in Afghanistan. He was driving a truck that was hit by an improvised explosive device, IED.

Christiansen: “It means everything . I mean, the chance that you’ll give your life  and you survived – some didn’t. “

He said he is very patriotic and loves to see the Purple Heart County and City signs.

Christiansen: “It shows a sign of respect for people who have been wounded or didn’t make it.”

 Otoe County Veterans Service Officer Chad Miller said Lincoln and Lancaster County are the first in the state with the designation, but Nebraska City is the first rural community.