Honoring Nebraska’s Fallen Heroes
A powerful tribute to Nebraska’s fallen heroes is taking shape through wetland restoration, major donor support, and a memorial that conserves waterfowl habitat for generations
January 01, 2026 •
2
min read
Ducks Unlimited
(From left) Fallen Heroes Tribute Co-Chair Mike Dudzinski, Senior Director of Development Terry Kostinec, Senior Regional Director Steve Wilson, tribute Co-Chair Kyle Hildebrand, and Land Manager Tim Horst
The freedoms we enjoy exist because brave individuals fought and died to protect our way of life. Ducks Unlimited’s Eastern Nebraska Senior Regional Director Steve Wilson recently worked with a group of volunteers to answer an important question: How can we recognize the sacrifices of the Nebraskans who have ensured that our freedoms will last forever?
During the 20-year “Global War on Terrorism,” numerous Nebraska service members were deployed to combat zones worldwide. The absence of those who gave their lives had a profound impact not only on their families but also on the extended DU volunteer community. From this shared sense of loss and gratitude, the Fallen Heroes Memorial was born. The tribute is dedicated solely to Nebraska’s service members and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice in our nation’s recent conflicts.
In 2023, Nebraska DU volunteers hosted the Fallen Heroes Gold Star Family Dinner, a heartfelt event made possible by the generosity of DU supporters. Over 400 guests, including Gold Star families, friends, and donors, gathered to honor these heroes. The evening was fully underwritten, allowing every moment to focus on remembrance and appreciation.
The impact didn’t stop there. Through additional major donor efforts, volunteers raised $382,000 to restore a 160-acre property, which is now part of DU’s Verona Wetland Complex in Nebraska’s Rainwater Basin. Every member of the planning team stepped up with new major donor commitments to support the effort and project dedication in September 2025.
“The memorial’s natural and peaceful landscape symbolizes the freedom of our life in Nebraska and reminds us of the sacrifices that have been made by departed service members and their families,” said DU volunteer and major donor Kyle Hildebrand, who is also a retired captain in the Nebraska National Guard. “Simply saying ‘thank you’ to those who have answered our nation’s call lasts only a few seconds, but building an awe-inspiring memorial is a timeless way to express our gratitude. I believe that the Fallen Heroes Marsh Tribute will do just that.”
