The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall (above) passed through the area on Wednesday as it was transported to the Nebraska State Fair. A stop was made at Sapp Brothers near the Interstate so that Patriot Guard members could prepare to escort the wall down Highway 2. Photo by Dan Swanson.

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall made its first entrance into the state Wednesday with an escort of over 100 motorcycle riders as it passed through Nebraska City.

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be on display at the Nebraska State Fair in Lincoln from Aug. 22 to Sept. 1. It is a 3/5 scale replica of the war memorial in Washington, D.C.

Over 115 Patriot Guard riders assembled across the Missouri Bridge prior to the 2 p.m. escort into Nebraska. Members of the National Guard’s 192nd Military Police and Otoe County Sheriff’s Department joined in the escort.

“It was awesome,” said Connie Higgins, a Blue Star Mother who greeted the escort at Nebraska City.

“They were looking at us as we were watching them pass. They gave us the thumbs up, and honked their horns. It was so cool to welcome them to Nebraska,” she said.

Angela Petersen of the fair staff said it is especially meaningful for the state fair to be the first to host the memorial wall.

“The state fair represents our state’s culture from our past to our future. The Vietnam experience is a part of our heritage, so the state fair is a natural place to put the memorial,” she said.

Sgt. Greg Liberty said the escort was his first ride with the Patriot Guard.

“The reason we’re involved is to show our respect to our fallen comrades and to the soldiers, airmen and Marines that were fighting in the Vietnam Conflict,” he said.

Chuck Fattig, of the Nebraska district of the American Legion Riders, said the Patriot Guard is made up of several organizations with a common purpose.

“You’ll see Vietnam veterans who are really moved by this escort. You’ll find other patriots, men and women who have served in the armed forces and you’ll also find the ‘average Joe’ who has taken a day off, taken vacation time to come out and escort these young men and women, whose names are engraved on this wall, to Lincoln,” he said.