When Rachel Wilke learned her late husband, James Wilke, would be honored as Nebraska's citizen hero for the annual Hy-Vee Heroes Game between Nebraska and Iowa, she was, quite frankly, shocked.
"I knew from Facebook and a few other places that people had nominated him," Rachel said, "but I guess I just assumed across the state there would be tons of people, and we wouldn't be the recipient."
But here's what really impressed Rachel about the honor. Not only did close friends and other people who knew James and his heroic act deem him worthy for this special recognition, the American Red Cross, which chooses the recipient, told the family that some 40 people they didn't know also nominated him.