Nebraskaland

Nebraskaland April 2021

NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.

Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1349053

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April 2021 • Nebraskaland 55 Part of the Family By Renae Blum "Prepare to load … prepare to fi re … Fire!" At Jerry Gronewold's command, the fi ve cannons at Fort Kearny State Historical Park fi re, delighting visitors at the park's living history weekends. Gronewold has volunteered with the park's living history group for more than 25 years, and at age 78, is its oldest member. Several of the volunteers, who he's watched grow up, still call him "Grandpa Jerry." "It's such a nice group. It's really kind of a family group," Gronewold said. "I've gotten to know so many wonderful people." After the cannons fi re, the volunteers disperse to Civil War-style tents where they can engage in period activities and chat with visitors, who come from across the United States and as far away as New Zealand and Germany. "We're just really good ambassadors, all of us are, for Fort Kearny," he said. N "Fort Kearny played a real important role during the Oregon Trail and Mormon Trail migrations, because it was kind of a halfway point across Nebraska and a stopping-off point," Gronewold said. "Kind of a respite place — what I call 'the beacon on the plains.'" What we want you to know about Fort Kearny A Volunteer Profi le

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