9/29/26
From the NJHS Archives: Decorative Plate
This feature is part of an ongoing series showcasing artifacts from the collection of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. By spotlighting these objects we aim to strengthen our community identity, encourage education and reflection, and ensure that meaningful stories, both large and small, remain part of our collective memory.
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ITEM: Decorative plate presented to Nathan Grossman by the Lincoln, Nebraska VA Hospital
DATE: Presented on May 16, 1976
Nathan Grossman, originally from Lithuania, immigrated to Lincoln in 1911 at just 17 years old. He attended Lincoln Business College and by 1915 had his own chain of Army Stores. He enlisted in the U.S. army on April 1st, 1918, and served in the 89th Division, Company B, 355th Infantry where he was involved in the St. Mihiel Drive and the Meuse-Argonne Battle. For his outstanding service, he was awarded by the French government.
After his honorable discharge in 1919, Mr. Grossman would spend the remainder of his life dedicated to the welfare of his fellow veterans. He would be elected as the State Commander for the Nebraska division of the VFW in 1926 and was the driving force behind the establishment of the Veterans Hospital in Lincoln. Even after his tenure as State Commander ended, he would continue volunteering at the hospital for a total of over 50,000 hours throughout the course of his life.
Grossman was honored for his work many times over, notably in 1973 by then-President Richard Nixon who commended him for his “exceptional service to others, in the finest American tradition”. The plate pictured above was presented to Nathan Grossman during the bicentennial of the United States in honor of his lifelong commitment to the nation and the brave men and women who fought for it. The text on the plate reads “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land. 1776 Independence 1976”, which was a widely used motto during the United States Bicentennial.
If you have any stories or memories about this item or the person who it belonged to, we’d love to hear them. Send your information to Toni Heilman at theilman@jewishomaha.org.
The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society works to preserve histories of the Jewish families who settled in Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa. We promote the acquisition, cataloging, and use of collected materials which depict history by: providing educational community programs, exhibits and publications. If you have items with a historical connection to the Nebraska Jewish community that you’d be willing to donate, please contact us at (402) 330-2024.
The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.
