Every Veterans Day, we honor the people who served our country in uniform. Here in Nebraska, many veterans continue serving long after returning home by strengthening neighborhoods, supporting families, and building more inclusive communities. Their stories are part of a broader national legacy. As of 2022, nearly 731,000 U.S. veterans were born outside the United States.
These internationally born veterans, along with veterans from immigrant families, deserve opportunities to thrive in the country they served. They remind us that service, belonging, and commitment to community are defined not by where someone was born, but by how we show up for one another.
A Legacy of Leadership in South Omaha
One powerful example is the American G.I. Forum. Founded to challenge discrimination against Mexican American veterans and their families, the organization advanced educational opportunities, civil rights, and economic mobility. In Omaha, Latino veterans established a local chapter in 1957, creating a space to organize, advocate, and work toward a more equitable future.
The G.I. Forum became more than a veterans' organization. It became a catalyst for civic participation and progress, like the Heartland Workers Center. Decades later, its influence is still felt throughout our community.
Carrying the Work Forward
That legacy reflects the mission of Heartland Workers Center. We believe communities prosper when workers and families understand their rights, share their voice in decisions that affect their lives, and advocate for a better future.
Our very own Luis Sifuentes is an example of that. Luis served in the United States Marine Corps and currently serves as a Community Organizer at Heartland Workers Center in Fremont.
“Veterans know what it costs to protect our freedoms. But those freedoms only mean something when people know they have them and use them. That’s why this work matters to me. I want every worker and every family in our community to know their voice counts and to use it.”
Luis Sifuentes, Community Organizer at Heartland Workers Center
Through community education, voter engagement, leadership development, and workplace advocacy, our team helps neighbors build the knowledge and confidence needed to create lasting change.
Honoring Their Legacy Through Action
This Veterans Day, we honor veterans not only with gratitude, but by continuing the work many of them championed: creating places where people are respected, represented, and engaged in civic life.
The legacy of immigrant veterans and organizations like the G.I. Forum lives on throughout Nebraska. By investing in workers and immigrant families today, we can help ensure that legacy continues for generations to come.
