108-year-old World War II veteran honored in Elkhorn

ELKHORN, Neb. (WOWT) – Gov. Jim Pillen and Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs (NDVA) director John Hilgert were at Elk Ridge Village in Elkhorn on Thursday afternoon.

They celebrated the two World War II veterans who live there—108-year-old Joe Burgess and 97-year-old John Debiak.

Each man received a World War II recognition medal and a certificate for their service.

This is all part of Gov. Pillen’s initiative announced earlier this year to honor World War II vets living in Nebraska.

Both men were grateful for getting the recognition,

“You don’t know in 50 years ahead and expect something like this,” Burgess said. “I thank you all.”

“Something was mentioned here about the ‘Greatest Generation,’ and I think we were,” Debiak said. “I think maybe it’s time for a new generation to be a great generation again, and I think it’s going to come to pass.”

The NDVA said it’s still taking applications for World War II vets to receive this honor. If you know one, they encourage you to apply here. There is no deadline.

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