Archived story: Nebraska Highway 83

This phenomenal venture begins in THE CENTER OF THE WORLD aka Stapleton, Nebraska. Monica Harvey, a former school teacher, and her students were involved in a project investigating the Central North American Trade Corridor. This stretch of highway spans north to south, from Canada to Mexico. As Monica became more involved with the project, she found herself more intrigued and involved in it. In 1999, her father died. He had served in WW II in Italy in the 10th Mountain Division. Monica took on the project of connecting all the Chamber of Commerce's from the South Dakota to Kansas border to promote the small businesses along this highway. The first "Traveling Nebraska via 83 Rural Adventure Tour Guide" was published in the spring of 2000 which led to honoring Veterans along this stretch of highway. It tugged heavily at her heart strings that the highway was not getting the recognition it deserved nor were "all" the men being welcomed home whom made it possible for us to continue living with freedom, so Monica was encouraged to plant seeds to get the highway dedicated to Veterans.

Due to the efforts of the NE VFW, County Commissioners and the NE Department of Road; the Nebraska Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Highway 83 signs were dedicated by Governor Johanns on November 11, 2000. Signs are posted at the South Dakota and Kansas borders and two signs at each Nebraska county line on Highway 83. Nebraska Highway 83 is the first along this route to be a designated memorial to Veterans of Foreign Wars which honors living Veterans, those who are putting their lives on the line for our country, and for remembering deceased Veterans.

But our story doesn't stop here…

On August 25, 2001 during a Veterans parade, Monica was riding with the VFW State Commander in an antique wagon behind Percheron mares, something spooked the mares and in the resulting runaway, they crashed into the back of a pickup. The driver broke his ribs, the State Commander severely broke his leg, and another rider bruised a kidney had shoulder surgery. Monica flew 19 feet through a "brown cloud" landing first on her right fist and jamming her right elbow and bruising her right leg. Monica's extraordinary experience caught the attention of the Veteran Commanders and as a result they adopted her as their "little sister". It was at this moment Monica knew her path in life was Highway 83.

Since that time, Monica travels with them and provides a music and storytelling healing ministry to all the veterans she comes in contact with. When she meets a veteran, especially the Vietnam Era Vet, she looks him in the eyes and says "Welcome Home" while shaking their hands or accepting a hug. Monica has traveled through Nebraska to Veterans Homes, hospitals, psychiatric wards and correctional centers and was at Oakley, Kansas for the Kansas VFW Memorial Highway 83 dedication. She has been to the Cheyenne VAMC plus several senior centers, rest homes, church groups and Patriotic gatherings. This Memorial Day Weekend Monica is speaking and singing at the Wahoo Nebraska Cemetery honoring past veterans.

Currently, Monica is the President of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Non-Profit Organization. If you would like to know more about Monica's passion or to request a tour guide, here are two websites for you to look at: www.veteransmemorialhighway83.com and www.veteransmusicministry.com. For those of you without computers, the contact address is: Monica Harvey, Box 244, Stapleton, NE 69163. If you are veteran and in the area of Stapleton on Father's Day 2004, plan on attending the "83" Jamboree for a fantastic day of fun!

Please honor a veteran, Monica style, with a "hug" or handshake and sincerely tell him "Welcome Home!"

Written by: Petrina Lance