LUSK – Dating back to the Civil War, the Congressional Medal of Honor is one of the highest acknowledgements of sacrifice and service a member of the military can receive. The requirements for the Medal of Honor are standardized among all the services, requiring that a recipient has “distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.” 

In the years since it was established, there have only been 3,508 recipients. 

In February of 2020, Governor Pete Ricketts declared U.S. Highway 20 shall be known as the Nebraska Medal of Honor Highway to honor Nebraska’s greatest military heroes.

To commemorate this declaration, American Legion members, 66-year-old Daryl Harrison of Thurston, Nebraska, and 74-year-old Ken Hanel of West Point, Nebraska, walked the 432 miles from the Nebraska-Wyoming border to South Sioux City. 

Motorcyclists from American Legion Riders, Patriot Guard Riders, American Bikers Aiming Toward Education (ABATE) and other organizations assembled on May 22 at the first American Legion post in the United States to begin their flag line convoy to South Sioux City for the ceremony that would happen at the end of this “Walk the Walk” event. 

Despite the rain and fog, tremendous numbers of bikes, cars and trikes assembled to give thanks to God and show appreciation for the service and sacrifice of military members. As one Lusk local, Lori Doyle stated, “I am honored to be part of the event.”

From there, the convoy traveled along highway 20 adding members from every community they passed through ending at Siouxland Freedom Park in South Sioux City, Nebraska. Many riders and drivers were themselves veterans or had veterans in their family. More than a few tears were shed in the recollection of those stories and memories and in appreciation for the acknowledgement of those who have served.