Sculpture honors Nebraska vets

A 550-pound metal sculpture has been permanently suspended inside the Qwest Center Omaha to honor all Nebraskans who have served in the armed forces.

“The Great American Eagle” is more than 5 feet tall, with a wingspan of 8 ½ feet. It is crafted on a stainless steel framework covered with individually made brass and copper “feathers.”

The public art project was funded by the Peter Kiewit Foundation along with David and Peggy Sokol of Omaha and Roy Dinsdale of Palmer, Neb.

The sculpture was designed and crafted by Justin Hancock. He is employed at Hempel Sheet Metal Works, a family-owned business in Omaha since 1903.

While wanting to dedicate the sculpture to the military service by Nebraskans, “our trustees and the other donors to the project also intend that the gift … especially honor all World War II Nebraska veterans and the organizers of the Heartland Honor Flight, Bill and Evonne Williams of Omaha,” said Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein, executive director of the Peter Kiewit Foundation.

The Honor Flight program, funded by local donors, sent nearly 1,500 Nebraska World War II veterans to see the new WWII monument in Washington, D.C.

Located in the center of the convention center concourse above the grand staircase, the sculpture also is visible from outside the building.

The Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority contributed the cost of engineering and installation.