Courtesy of News Channel Nebraska.
The nation’s longest road, running through northern Nebraska, is now officially known as the Medal of Honor Highway. Massachusetts became the 12th and final state to designate its portion of Highway 20 with this honorary title, following Nebraska’s designation in 2020.
Travelers along Nebraska’s stretch now have a meaningful new way to honor those who have served our country. Casey Walton is heading up the project in Gordon.
Walton has a deep family history of military service, with his dad, grandpa, several uncles, and even his great-great-grandpa all having served.
“My grandfather and all his brothers served in the military. Their grandfather served in the Civil War,” Walton said.
But Casey himself was unable to put on the uniform.
“I lost sight in my right eye, so I couldn’t go,” Walton said.
Instead, he’s found a different way to honor those who have risked it all for our country. Walton is spearheading a project to expand the Veterans Memorial Park in Gordon.
“A guy, his name was Freeman Peterson, started this park with the helicopter, but then he got old, and his health got bad. Nobody ever finished it, so I kind of took over,” Walton said.
Walton, along with other volunteers, have added a memorial wall, along with pillars and two eagle statues.
“I get emotional just talking about it,” Gary Fuchser with Legion Riders said. “We have one more big eagle coming. These are two smaller ones. We have one that’s a lot bigger from Chadron State.
“It’s 6.5 feet tall with a 13 foot wingspan. It’s a big bald eagle. It’s a monster,” Walton said.
But that’s not it. The group is raising money to expand the park another 30 feet and add even more military equipment.
“We’ve got a Deuce and a Half truck that came out of Desert Storm. That’s on loan. We’re working with the Wyoming National Guard to see if we can get an M110 Howitzer cannon,” Walton said.
An eye-catching display that these volunteers hope will have travelers taking a moment to honor those who’ve served.
“It’s great to see people pull in and look at it,” Fuchser said.
“People stop here almost all day long and take pictures. It’s a beautiful thing to see,” Walton said.
A beautiful project that’s given Walton a unique way to serve his country.
“This is kind of my way of serving I guess you could say,” Walton said.
If you would like to add your loved one to the wall, there is still space available, and the veteran didn’t have to live in the Gordon area. Each brick costs $40. Contact Walton at 308-207-5709 for more information.