Terry Grammer recognized as January 2026 Jefferson County Veteran of the Month

A Nebraska lifer, he served in the U.S. Army in Europe for three years in a crucial period of post World War II restoration.

Jefferson County native Terry Grammer is the first Jefferson County Veteran of the Month in 2026.

Born in Jefferson County in 1940, Grammer split his childhood between Fairbury and Endicott before joining the Army in 1959. Enrolling in the Buddy Program, Terry and a friend both headed to Omaha for their physicals - Terry passed his physical but his friend did not, so Terry went on to the Army himself. 

After completing training in Missouri and Colorado, Grammer was sent to Germany. Working with an Engineer Transportation Unit, Grammer was tasked with transporting supplies and personnel, working around the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961. He was on a shortlist to be sent to Cambodia or Vietnam multiple times with the active conflict taking place there, but he and others instead had their tour of duties in Europe extended to combat potential Soviet aggression. In total, Grammer spent 25 months in Germany.

On one rare stretch of time off, Terry, a state track finalist in high school, represented the US forces in the 24th Infantry in a competitive track meet against one of the German infantry divisions - Grammar came in second in the 100-yard dash.

Released from the Army in 1962 after almost exactly three years, Grammer returned to Nebraska and eventually, to Fairbury. He returned to his train transportation roots for a time, before eventually working for Endicott Clay Products for 21 years - the same company his dad worked for when Terry was a kid in Endicott. He has been married to his wife Joleen, who was present for Tuesday's ceremony, since 1965 - they have enjoyed raising various dog breeds like pointers and setters, and, now, two grandchildren and great-grandchildren.