Korean War veterans were recognized at the Custer County Classic Bull Riding.
On Monday, July 27, before the bull riding entertainment began, Custer County welcomed nine area Korean War veterans to Trotter Arena to present each of them a special challenge coin as part of a Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs (NDVA) state initiative.
Those area veterans recognized were, serving in the United States Army: Dale Brown, Norland Carr, Ralph McIntosh, Bill Shaw, Roy Stamp, and Ronnie Woodward, serving in the United States Navy: Dr. Loren Jacobsen and Jim Jones; and serving in the United States Air Force: Lyle Ferguson. Escorting and presenting the awards were Broken Bow VFW Commander Dell Moninger, Custer County American Legion Commander Bill Shad, and District Senator Tanya Storer.
This special recognition comes after Governor Jim Pillan and NDVA Director John Hilgert announced, on April 23, 2026, a state initiative to recognize Nebraska’s living Korean War veterans with special challenge coins. The coins are available to living veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces between June 26, 1950, and January 31, 1955, and are legal residents of Nebraska or were Nebraska residents at the time they entered the service. Details on the coins themselves can be found at veterans.nebraska.gov/korea.
