Bert Cote of Rochelle recently received a medal and letter from Zekelman Industries in honor of Veterans Day and his service to the country in World War II. Cote, 102, served in Germany under General Patton. He was among the first American troops that went into Berlin. He’s also a Gold Star family member. Cote was unable to attend the city’s Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11 due to a hospital stint, so Mayor John Bearrows went to the hospital and presented him with his letter and medal, along with a flag that flew over the capital. Cote recently went home from the hospital. Zekelman Industries operates Wheatland Tube Western Tube in Rochelle.