Photo caption: Lancaster County Agricultural Society board members Ron Snover (front left) and Roger Powell (front right), along with members of the VFW Post #131 Color Guard. Snover and Powell are 4-H alumni as well as veterans.

The Lancaster County Agricultural Society dedicated a 4-H and FFA Veteran’s Memorial on the first day of the Lancaster County Fair. The memorial is located near the front entrance of the Lancaster Event Center, 84th and Havelock. The dedication ceremony was led by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #131.

The memorial features two flags poles placed in concrete which is in the shape of a “V”. A brass plaque will commemorate the local 4-H and FFA alumni who went on to serve in the armed forces of the United States.

The Ag Society operates the Event Center, which opened in 2001. It is a public, multipurpose facility which hosts a variety of local, regional and national events. In its mission to promote agriculture, youth and community, the Ag Society works closely with the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County 4-H Youth program and local FFA chapters: Norris, Raymond Central, Waverly and Crete.

According to Scott Nichelson, member of the Lancaster County Agricultural Society board of directors, “We just wanted to honor 4-H and FFA kids who went on into the service, because 4-H and FFA taught them a lot and that learning continued on in the military.”

Gary Bergman, FFA alum and veteran of the Vietnam conflict said, “The memorial is a nice tribute to local men and women who have served their country. I appreciate the honor bestowed by the Lancaster County Ag Society.” Bergman is also Unit Leader of University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County.