The University of Nebraska–Lincoln celebrated the start of construction on its Veterans’ Tribute project during a Nov. 5 ceremony at the Pershing Military and Naval Science Building.

The Veterans’ Tribute project will create a reflection area along Vine Street, from the steps of the Military and Naval Science Building to the Coliseum. The $3.75 million project is part of an ongoing, multi-phase upgrade of the mall immediately east of Memorial Stadium. This upgrade further complements Memorial Mall and Memorial Stadium, both also built in honor of veterans.

In consultation with a Veterans’ Tribute committee, the university is finalizing project design, which includes stories from veterans and their family members for possible inclusion on the panels within the site. More than 900 quotes have been submitted for the tribute. All of the submissions — including those not selected for inclusion in the site design — will be held in the University Archives and Special Collections for future reflection and potential publication.

“The project design will be military neutral without specific names of service branches or individuals who have served,” said Michelle Waite, assistant to the chancellor for government and military relations. “It will treat the military branches as one family, indicating that military service is universal, and illustrate the many multiple positive attributes of serving in the military.”

The design will feature glass panels, similar to those featured in the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C. The university’s panels will illustrate the multiple facets of a service member’s life, including the importance of family, faith and camaraderie, while also depicting the personal sacrifice military service entails.

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