1. No category

January/February, 2015
Volume XCII
Number 1
Andrew Jackson Higgins
Memorial Utah Beach Museum in
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, France
I am writing this letter to acquaint you with a truly unique
opportunity to honor our nation’s
veterans and one of Nebraska’s
native sons. The community of Columbus has
been given an opportunity to honor Andrew
Jackson Higgins in the
place of perhaps his biggest impact: the beaches
of Normandy.
As you will see on the
enclosed, Mr. Higgins
was born in Columbus
before moving to Omaha. He attended Creighton Prep and built his first boat
in the basement of the family’s
Omaha home. After moving to
New Orleans he began Higgins
Industries, eventually designing and building landing craft
used in every major invasion
of World War II including the
D-Day landings on the beaches
of Normandy.
Now we have been given the opportunity to recognize this great
Nebraskan and all of those brave
Americans who rode ashore in
his boats on the hallowed ground
of Utah Beach. The Utah Beach
Museum in Sainte-Marie-duMont, France has agreed to place
a replica of Columbus’ “Higgins
National Historic Monument’’
on the beach overlooking the
museum. The replica will include
statues of WW Il soldiers and Mr.
Higgins, as well as a replica of
the landing craft.
U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry is working with French
authorities to gain the necessary
permissions and to undertake
the infrastructure work that
needs to be completed. Our local
commitment is to raise sufficient
funds to re-create the statues and
replica of the boat. Renowned
artist Fred Hoppe has agreed to
contribute approximately half of
the cost of each statue so we will
need $50,000 for each of the four
statues.
Because of a very compressed
timeframe a general public campaign will be difficult to complete. Thus, it is our hope to find
donors to provide funds for at
least half of the amount needed
for each statue. These donors
will then be recognized on the
Memorial in France as well
as in the Higgins Memorial in
Columbus. To date, First
National Bank has committed funding to the project
and contributions are being
considered by Behlen Mfg.
Co., Superior Industries,
DuoLift Mfg., Union Pacific, Pinnacle Bank and
Valmont. A group of local
citizens has also undertaken the challenge to collectively fund one of the
statues.
Because this is truly a
unique opportunity to honor
American veterans’ service and
at the same time recognize the
global impact of a very special
Nebraskan, we are proud to ask
for your support of the Andrew
Jackson Higgins Memorial at the
Utah Beach Museum. Sincerely
K.C. Belitz, President, Columbus
Area Chamber of Commerce.
To make a donation please
make check out “Columbus
Community Foundation-Higgins
Memorial Fund” and mail to
Lauretta Dixon
4821 35th Ave.
Columbus, Nebraska 68601
Department Photo Contest
Cancelled
We have been advised by The National American Legion
Headquarters Division that has produced our calendar in the past
that They no longer have the resources to print our calendar.
We appreciate all of the individuals that have provided us
with some of the most outstanding pictures that we have had
the privilege to review and place in the previous calendars.
This will serve as notice until I have time to notify individuals by E-Mail or send the actual pictures back to those
that provided hard copies of pictures.
Thank You
John Thompson, Editor.
2015 Dues Notice
If you have not paid your 2015 dues the
March issue of The Nebraska Legionnaire
will be your last issue.
In order to continue your subscription
without interruption it will be necessary for
your dues to be received by your Post and
forwarded to Department Headquarters by
February 15, 2015.
Legion Remains Firm on
Immigration
Though pleased with some
aspects of President Obama’s
executive order regarding illegal
immigration announced this evening, American Legion National
Commander Michael Helm
reiterated the organization’s
long-standing position on those
who enter into and then reside in
the United States illegally.
The president said that two
focuses of his executive order
would be increased border patrol/enforcement, and the deportation of people who threaten
national security – both areas of
emphasis applauded by American Legion National Commander Mike Helm.
But Helm said the Legion
remains steadfast in asking that
those who live in this country do
so as legal, naturalized citizens. “The American Legion opposes
illegal immigration and supports
legal naturalization for those
from foreign lands who wish
to become U.S. citizens,” Helm
said.
“While aspects of the president’s executive order are in line
with what The American Legion
has repeatedly advocated, this
order begs this questions:
How does it affect future immigration laws, how does it ensure
that the current number of illegal
immigrants does not increase,
and how does it address illegal
immigrants who have been in
the United States less than five
years? And how does this order
affect existing laws? Does it
now fall on Congress to ratify
this? These all are questions
that need answered.” Helm also
questioned how immigration
officials would enforce a third
area of focus in the president’s
executive order: Getting undocumented immigrants who
have lived in the United States
for more than five years and are
parents of U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents to register for, and pass, criminal and
national security background
checks. “While this part of the
order sounds great in principle,
execution is another matter,”
Helm said. “How many will be
willing – or even know they are
required to – come forward and
submit to these checks?”
The national commander said
that while deporting all illegal
immigrants isn’t realistic, the
threat of deporting individuals or
specific groups can be effective.
“Deportation of select groups is
an option that should be executed,” he said. “Effective deportation and possible incarceration
would serve as a deterrent to
those considering migrating to
the United States illegally in the
future.”
Helm noted that more than
300 American Legion posts
nationwide offered citizenship
programs in 2013, helping immigrants who came to this country
legally to prepare for the naturalization process.
“The Legion supports regulated legal immigration into the
United States so immigrants can
be smoothly absorbed in society
and the economy,” Helm said.
“But it has always believed that
a path to citizenship should be
a legal one, not one laden with
shortcuts that cheapen the road
taken for those who followed the
correct path.”
National
Commander
Mike Helm
Offers Fundraising
Pin
for more information go to
http://www.legion.org/commander/pin
Inside
Page 2 National Commander
Mike Helm article on Membership
Page 3 Calendar
Page 4 Department Membership Report
Center pages-The Auxiliary
Star
Page 5 Mid-Year Conference
Schedule
Page 7 NEF
Page 7 Legion Riders
Page 7 TAPS
Page 8 Pictures
Commander’s
Corner
Fred Craigie
Department Commander
It’s time for the Annual Mid-Winter Educational Conference. The
dates for the conference are January 16-18th at the Norfolk Inn and
Suites in Norfolk. If you are planning on attending, and haven’t
yet made reservations for a room, you should do this soon. If you
have never attended a Mid-Year Conference, or not attended one
in a while, you should make plans on attending this one. We will
offer training on three different aspects of the American Legion,
Legislative, Public Relations and Post Operations-Membership. The
instructors will be from the National Headquarters in Indianapolis.
No matter how long we may have been Legionnaires there is always something new to learn about the Legion. Also, the National
Vice-Commander for the Midwest, Paul Sanford from Kansas, will
be with us. I’m sure he will have some valuable information that he
will give us on the national level. Saturday evening we will have
the State Finals for the Oratorical Contest. The contestants will be
the winners of the four Area contests. This is always an exciting
event please plan on attending.
I attended the Boy’s State meeting in Lincoln. After a great amount
of discussion the fee for attending Boy’s State was increased to
$350.00. This is because of the constant increases from the University of Nebraska. Even with the raise it’s still a great value, because
of the education that each boy that attends Boy State receives.
A reminder about National Commander Mike’s project this year
of raising Four Million Dollars for the American Legion Charities
including Operation Comfort Warrior, National Emergency Fund,
Child Welfare fund, Legacy Scholarship fund and new to the cause
is Soldiers Wish. You can learn more about each of the charities
on the American Legion website www.legion.org.Therefore, I’m
asking each post to contribute to any of these funds, send what you
can afford. These funds are truly Legionnaires helping Legionnaires.
Remember, every cent donated to this fund goes to help our fellow
Legionnaires; there are no administrative costs as is the case in some
other charities that you may contribute to. I have visited several posts
this year and they have responded with a donation. Can I count on
your post? Thank you very much.
There was a great time attending the District One tour. The weather
was great for this time of year in this part of the state. National
Vice-Commander Paul Sanford drove up from Kansas, met me in
Kearney along with Alternate NEC Bill Crosier and Department
Sergeant-at-Arms Roy Vap we started the great adventure to the
northwest part of Nebraska. We visited with14 Legion Posts along
the way and a stop at the VA Hospital in Hot Springs SD. There
has been discussion about closing the hospital. We need to continue
the fight to keep this facility open.
District Conventions will be beginning in February and going into
March. Senior Vice Commander Mike Reimer and I will share the
duty of attending the different conventions. I plan on attending as
many as I can but there are several days where two or more conventions are scheduled for the same day. There is one day with three
conventions; Mike and I will be very busy that day and flying low.
I am looking forward to attending these conventions and talking
Legion business.
MEMBERSHIP: Membership time again. Nebraska is still in
fourth place at this writing on the national level. That’s a good thing,
and we need to stay there or move into first place. At this writing
we have 10 Posts at 100%, I want to recognize the posts that reached
their goal of 100% so far. Congratulations to Shelton Post 297, Nehawka Post 157, Merna Post 50, Winnebago Post 363, Springfield
Post 98, Lynch 228, Monroe Post 322, Lebanon Post 313, Guide
Rock Post 278 and Greenwood Post 173. Congratulations to all
who reached their goal. There are 39 Posts that need 3 renewals or
less to make 100%. That’s only 3 phone calls. There are another
110 Posts that need 4 to 10 members to make 100%. It’s a priority
that we need to work on retention. That is a goal of National Commander Mike Helm. Call and check on those members that have
fallen off the rolls. Ask them to come back, personal contact works
wonders. Remember I have a steak dinner riding on the outcome
these numbers that I really don’t want to send great Nebraska beef
south of the border to Kansas.
Thank you for making the effort to become 100%. We need to
make every effort to make our membership goal so we can sit up
front at the Baltimore National Convention in August so we don’t
have to watch the convention on the big screen for a change. For
those who attended the 2012 Houston convention you know what
I’m talking about. I hope every Legion family member had a great
and joyous Christmas.
Diane and I wish for you a very Safe and Happy New Year.
As always: “Honoring our heroes past and building for the future”
Fred Craigie
Department Commander
Page 2-The Nebraska Legionnaire-January/February, 2015
Dear Department
Commanders and
Membership
Chairmen:
I write to you today with considerable disappointment and
concern over the current state
of our membership programs.
When we met in Indianapolis
last summer, we all agreed on
the importance of increasing our
retention programs at the post,
district and department levels.
Unfortunately, thus far we have
shown no success in increasing
our retention rates, and therefore
although some of the departments have shown growth, the
vast majority of departments are
falling further and further behind.
Today I am announcing a
member retention surge, beginning immediately and running
through January 31st, 2015.
During this period, I expect each
and every one of you, along with
your department and district officers to support the membership
renewal programs in each and
every post by accomplishing the
following:
* Telephoning at least 3 lapsed
members per week and renewing
them
* Telephoning each of your
subordinate commanders at either the area, district, county or
post level at least once a week for
the next 6 weeks to promote renewals and provide accountable
feedback on what they are doing
to increase renewals
* Promoting membership renewals as your command focus
and priority by statements in your
department communications, in
e-mails or during Legion functions at every opportunity.
As leaders of the largest wartime veterans’ organization in the
world; we have an obligation to
our members and to the organization to keep the American
Legion strong. The way we do
this is by having a growing and
robust membership that allows
us to continue to have the lead
amongst the veteran’s community. We owe our members and our
programs our maximum efforts
over the next six weeks.
Thank you in advance for these
efforts and the continuing privilege to serve each of you and
the veterans that make up this
organization as your National
Commander.
Sincerely,
Michael D. Helm
National Commander
A bit of history:
Nebraska peaked in 1946 with
79,683 members. In 1992, our
membership was 65,555, and has
decreased every year since to its
present 35,000.
NEBRASKA AMERICAN LEGION
Department Headquarters Office
Physical Location:
5600 P Street, Lincoln, NE 68505
Adjutant & Staff - (402) 464-6338
Phone Numbers:
FAX - (402) 464-6330, 24-hour access
Business Hours:
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Central), Mon-Fri
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5205, Lincoln, NE 68505-0205
Web site:
http://www.nebraskalegion.net
[email protected]
E-Mail Address:
Editor
[email protected]
Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fred Craigie, Lincoln
Senior Vice Commander. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael G. Reimers, Aurora
Area A Vice Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ken Watkins, Ponca
Area B Vice Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry Mach, Weston
Area C Vice Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deb Day, Utica
Area D Vice Commander. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Don Nelsen, Valentine
Adjutant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Salak, Omaha
Activities Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brent Hagel-Pitt, Lincoln
Public Relations Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John E. Thompson, Lincoln
Chaplain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Roger A. Wolfe, Dorchester
Historian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant
Judge Advocate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ronald J. Albin, Norfolk
Finance Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Novak, Dawson
Sergeant-At-Arms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roy Vap, Red Cloud
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brendan Moore, Lincoln
Service Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steven A. Burger, Lincoln
National Executive Committeeman . . . . . . . . . Jerry Landkamer, Norfolk
Alternate NECman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Crosier, Kearney
District Commanders
Dist. 1.....Roxanne Sones, Rushville
Dist. 2.............. Doug Frahm, Amelia
Dist. 3............... Rex Sears, Decatur
Dist. 4................ Jack Bruns, Sidney
Dist. 5.Michael Heinemann, Wallace
Dist. 6................. Bill Weber, Burwell
Dist. 7.............. Joe Osthoff, Weston
Dist. 8.John Henry Pearcy, Papillion
Dist. 9.............Dick Bennett, Elwood
Dist. 10........Richard Binder, Minden
Dist. 11............. Gary Wooten, Wilber
Dist. 12......... Jim Varejcka, Hickman
Dist. 13..... Rick Gyhra, Pawnee City
Dist. 15........... Ed Schnabel, Lincoln
The Cornhusker State
(USPS 376-180)
(ISSN 0028-1875)
Official Publication of The American Legion Department of Nebraska.
Published monthly except for January/February; April/ May; July/August
and October/November which are combined into one issue.
Subscription included in annual membership dues.
For non-members $6.00 for a years subscription.
John E. Thompson..........................................................Editor
Dave Salak....................................Publisher’s Representative
PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE: L. John Buhl, Genoa; Paul A. Evans, Bayard; Thomas Robbins, Omaha
and Julie Schnitzler, Gibbon.
EDITORIAL OFFICE: Editor, The Nebraska Legionnaire, 5600 P St., P.O. Box 5205, Lincoln, NE 68505.
Phone (402) 464-6338. Send correspondence, articles and photo submissions to above address prior to
monthly submission deadline. The Nebraska Legionnaire assumes no responsibility for material submitted.
ADVERTISING: Rates available upon request to Editorial Office. The Nebraska Legionnaire reserves
the right to refuse any advertisement. Advertising published on behalf of an individual or organization
does not constitute endorsement or reflect the policy of the Nebraska American Legion.
NON-MEMBER SUBSCRIPTION: $6.00 per year, payable in advance. Send change of address and
subscription order to Editorial Office.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Members send old mailing label and complete new address to: The American
Legion, Department of Nebraska, P.O. Box 5205, Lincoln, NE 68505-0205. Nebraska’s mailing labels
are now produced internally, and are maintained on a separate list from the labels for the National
Magazine. Address changes should be reflected within 2-3 weeks after receipt.
Periodical Postage Paid at Lincoln, Nebraska and at additional mailing offices.
Postmaster: Send Form 3579 to P.O. Box 5205, Lincoln, NE 68505-0205
Nebraska Department Adjutant Dave Salak is pictured with
Jennifer Ryba at the Nebraska Department Headquarters. A
framed print of her “Not Forgotten” pictured was unveiled
and is a beautiful depiction of actual veterans at the Veterans
Memorial Garden in Antelope Park in Lincoln.
Straight
Talk
E
Steve Burger
Department Service Officer
Vietnam Veterans with PTSD Now Eligible for Discharge Upgrades and Benefits
Tens of Thousands of Veterans could Receive Awards of Disability
Pay, Separation Pay and GI Bill Eligibility
Under a new Department of Defense directive, Defense Secretary
Chuck Hagel is directing the military boards responsible for correcting or upgrading discharge status to give “liberal consideration”
to petitions from veterans who received a less-than-honorable
discharge due to behavior resulting from Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD). Discharge upgrades could lead to the award of
previously denied benefits, such as disability pay, separation pay,
GI Bill eligibility and VA benefits.
Hagel directed that the military review boards “fully and carefully
consider every petition based on PTSD brought by each veteran” and
that such reviews will include “all materials and evidence provided
by the petitioner.” The Pentagon’s new rule will apply to all veterans
with discharges prior to the formal recognition of PTSD in 1980,
which resulted in government agencies denying disability claims,
discharge upgrades and VA benefits. Hagel wrote in a September
3rd memorandum <http://www.defense.gov/news/OSD009883-14.
pdf> to military agency heads that supplementing this guidance
is necessary because the records of service members who served
before PTSD was recognized “do not contain substantive information concerning medical conditions in either service treatment
records or personnel records,” making it very difficult to document
conditions to prove a connection between the veteran’s PTSD and
the circumstances surrounding the less-than-honorable discharge.
The new guidance is focused on veterans with low-level misconduct that may have resulted in administrative discharge. In effect,
a veteran seeking a revised discharge will have to prove three elements: that he or she suffered from PTSD at the time of service,
that the cause was related to military service and that the symptoms
were a factor in the misconduct underlying the less-than-honorable
discharge.
Make Your Reservations Now
The Mid-Year Conference will be held at the Norfolk Lodge and Divots Conference Center
January 16-18.
This is a very nice facility with numerous activities in the community of Norfolk.
The Mid-Year will once again have interesting guests, speakers and entertainment.
The rates are single/double rates for rooms are $83.00 to include up to 2 breakfasts per night.
Please contact the Norfolk Lodge at (402) 379-3833 Toll Free (888) 355-0553 or www.divotsconference.com and is located at 4200 W Norfolk Ave. Norfolk, NE 68701.
Other lodging options are:
Holiday Inn Express 402-379-1524
Hampton Inn 402-379-3585
Country Inn 402-371-4430-(Newly remodeled rooms)
Rodeway Inn 402-371-9779
Super 8 402-379-2220
Victorian Inn 402-379-3035
If Legionnaires have questions they can contact their
Post Service Officer or my office at 402-420-4021
Steve Burger
State Service Officer
Events Calendar
January
1
New Year’s Day
16 10:00 A.M. D.E.C. Meeting,
Norfolk Lodge and Divots
Conference Center, Norfolk
17
6:00 P.M. State Oratorical Contest 16-18 Mid-Year Conference,
Be sure to request the American Legion discount.
Norfolk Lodge and Divots
Conference Center, Norfolk
19
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
21 Membership Target Date (80%)
February (Americanism Month)
1
Four Chaplains’ Sunday
By John Smithberg, POW/MIA Liaison
11
Membership Target Date (85%)
14
Valentines Day
As I/we await Commander explanation changed. They once attention to bones-crash sites,
16
Presidents’ Day
Mikes’ Hanoi report, I will share talked about live prisoners and graves etc.. JPAC was now
March
what I did last week for my VFW stories that gave us hope. They the new object of interest and then turned their collective discussion.
POW disposition.
1
Maynard Jensen Scholarship I will be contacting them and First, I had our chaplain pull
Applications Due
others to see what they have to out the POW flag, so all could
1 Eagle Scout of Year Applications say. Wish me luck.
see what was actually on it. I
Due
I hope all of you had a blessed asked the men if they saw that it
8
Daylight Savings time begins
and Merry Christmas. May 2015
had turned into a pirate flag with
11
Membership Target Date (85%)
bring us much joy and success.
skull and cross bones? Of course
15
American Legion’s Birthday
Maybe a prisoner or two released
not, there was the guard in the
15
Boys State, Junior Law Cadet
alive would be nice.
tower looking over what looks
Applications Due
like a live prisoner to me.
17 Saint Patrick’s Day
You see, about ten years ago,
Keep praying.
Pirate Flag???
all the military groups I hold
dear-Legion, VFW, VVA and
the like, suddenly and without
Page 3-The Nebraska Legionnaire-January/February, 2015
2015 Membership Analysis – December 15, 2014
2014
2015 2015
DISTRICT 1
Mbrs
Goal Mbrs
Ainsworth
102 10383
Long Pine
22
23
17
BROWN County 124 126100
Valentine
111 11278
20
21
18
Wood Lake
Cody
81 8276
212
215 172
CHERRY County
201 202152
Chadron
Crawford
60 6154
261
263 206
DAWES County
Springview
31 3232
32
32
KEYA PAHA County 31
71 7257
Bassett
Newport
20 2119
ROCK County
9
93
76
Gordon
149 150129
Rushville
124 125117
Hay Springs
121
122 116
SHERIDAN County 394
397 362
1,113 1,126 948
Total 2014 20152015
DISTRICT 2
Mbrs
Goal Mbrs
Orchard
32 3328
Tilden
215 216198
Neligh
146 147123
Elgin
83 8480
Clearwater
49 5043
Brunswick
15 1615
ANTELOPE County 540
546 487
56
57
48
Cedar Rapids
Albion
113 11499
St Edward
67
68
48
Petersburg
80 8167
Primrose
10 1110
BOONE County 326
331 272
Butte
48 4937
Bristow
15 1615
Spencer
57 5855
Lynch
31 3232
151
155 139
BOYD County
Atkinson
145 146139
O’Neill
212 213168
Stuart
103 104101
Ewing
31 3227
34 3528
Page
Chambers
60 6152
HOLT County
585
591 515
Wausa
40 4130
Creighton
62 6348
Crofton
127 12891
Verdel
17 1817
Niobrara
39 4033
Bloomfield
77
78
68
Verdigre
63 6448
425
432 335
KNOX County
Norfolk
704 705565
Madison
126 12793
Newman Grove
63
64
52
Battle Creek
50
51
44
MADISON County 943
947 754
Pierce
133 13499
Plainview
79 8065
Osmond
135 136116
347
350 280
PIERCE County
10 1110
Pilger
Stanton
38 3935
STANTON County
48
50
45
Total 3,365 3,402 2,827
2014
2015 2015
DISTRICT 3
Mbrs
Goal Mbrs
Tekamah
108 10991
Oakland
59 6046
Lyons
40 4131
Craig
24 2518
Decatur
75 7669
BURT County
306
311 255
Hartington
35 3632
Wynot
42 4335
Laurel
75 7663
Randolph
37 3833
Coleridge
47 4842
Belden
16 1714
CEDAR County
252
258 219
West Point
134
135 105
Wisner
10 119
Beemer
94 9575
Bancroft
62 6362
CUMING County
300
304 251
Homer
62 6351
Jackson
72 7354
South Sioux City
230
231 164
Dakota City
41
42
38
DAKOTA County
405
409 307
Emerson
52 5337
Newcastle
48 4941
Wakefield
114
115 104
Ponca
56 5755
68 6961
Allen
DIXON County
338
343 298
Pender
115 116102
Walthill
21 2217
Winnebago
75 7677
Thurston
46 4743
THURSTON County 257
261 239
Wayne
99 10087
Carroll
46 4742
Winside
110 11194
WAYNE County 255
258 223
Total
2,113 2,1441,792
DISTRICT 4
Mbrs
Goal Mbrs
Alliance
191 192155
92 9377
Hemingford
285 232
BOX BUTTE County 283
Sidney
99 10080
12 1312
Gurley
Lodgepole
26 2718
38 3936
Potter
Dalton
35 3628
CHEYENNE County 210
215 174
27 2824
Chappell
Big Springs
18
19
14
45
47
38
DEUEL County
13 147
Lewellen
Oshkosh
15 1613
Lisco
24 2520
GARDEN County
52
55
40
Hyannis
38 3933
GRANT County
38
39
33
Kimball
19 2019
Dix
16 1715
KIMBALL County
35
37
34
Bridgeport
33 3426
Bayard
34 3528
Broadwater
16 1710
83
86
64
MORRILL County
Scottsbluff
64 6539
Morrill
50 5143
Gering
434 435325
Mitchell
71 7253
SCOTTS BLUFF
County
619
623 460
Total
1,365 1,3871,075
2014 20152015
Mbrs
Goal Mbrs
DISTRICT 5
Arthur
25 2625
ARTHUR County
25
26
25
Sumner
17 1816
Gothenburg
106 10785
53 5440
Cozad
Lexington
111 11289
Eddyville
14 1511
Overton
25 2620
Farnam
22 2317
DAWSON County 348
355 278
Mullen
46 4743
HOOKER County
46
47
43
Ogallala
75 7662
Paxton
89 9067
164
166 129
KEITH County
North Platte
434
435 333
Maxwell
35 3625
Sutherland
81 8266
Wallace
47 4837
Hershey
68 6952
LINCOLN County 665
670 513
Stapleton
48 4943
LOGAN County
48
49
43
Tryon
20 2117
21
17
MCPHERSON County 20
Grant
36 3728
Elsie
17 1815
Venango
51 5241
Madrid
31 3221
135
139 105
PERKINS County
Thedford
34 3527
THOMAS County
34
35
27
1,485 1,508 1,180
Total 2014 20152015
DISTRICT 6
Mbrs
Goal Mbrs
Brewster
47 4840
BLAINE County
47
48
40
Kearney
544 545448
40 4145
Shelton
Gibbon
148 149119
Elm Creek
21
22
17
Pleasanton
26 2725
Ravenna
41 4237
Miller
38 3936
BUFFALO County 858
865 727
Merna
26 2728
Callaway
80 8163
Sargent
48 4943
Broken Bow
90
91
77
Arnold
61 6244
Mason City
24
25
15
Ansley
43 4441
Comstock
28 2921
Oconto
38 3932
CUSTER County
438
447 364
Burwell
152 153114
GARFIELD County 152
153 114
Scotia
31 3225
Greeley
81 8268
Wolbach
33 3429
Spalding
80 8168
GREELEY County 225
229 190
Grand Island
808
809 636
Doniphan
124 12556
Wood River
115
116
80
Cairo
33 3422
HALL County
1,080 1,084 794
Aurora
150 151117
38 3933
Hampton
HAMILTON County 188
190 150
St Paul
264
265 213
Boelus
70 7160
Dannebrog
63 6459
HOWARD County 397
400 332
Central City
208
209 191
Page 4-The Nebraska Legionnaire-January/February, 2015
Palmer
106 10792
111
112
96
Silver Creek
428 379
MERRICK County 425
Belgrade
36 3732
Genoa
86 8782
Fullerton
116 117103
238
241 217
NANCE County
144
145 139
Loup City
Ashton
34 3533
22
23
21
Litchfield
SHERMAN County 200
203 193
Ord
125 12695
64 6554
Arcadia
North Loup
25
26
18
214
217 167
VALLEY County
Bartlett
17 1813
WHEELER County
7
18
13
Total
4,479 4,5233,680
2014
2015 2015
DISTRICT 7
Mbrs
Goal Mbrs
Dwight
170 171142
David City
139
140 117
Brainard
108 10991
62 6352
Bellwood
BUTLER County
479
483 402
Schuyler
112 11388
Howells
86 8781
Clarkson
11 129
43 4435
Leigh
COLFAX County
252
256 213
Hooper
98 9984
Fremont
322 323268
Scribner
69 7061
Dodge
83 8471
Uehling
27 2826
DODGE County
599
604 510
Humphrey
39 4031
Columbus
710 711564
63 6451
Lindsay
Platte Center
45
46
37
Creston
39 4037
Monroe
41 4242
PLATTE County
937
943 762
Osceola
108 10987
Stromsburg
87 8866
Polk
43 4436
Shelby
73 7459
POLK County
311
315 248
102 10380
Wahoo
Ashland
219 220179
Cedar Bluffs
53
54
56
Malmo
32 3327
Ceresco
135 136110
79 8064
Prague
Yutan
103 10481
Colon
47 4843
Weston
79 8080
Morse Bluff
137
138 114
Valparaiso
181 182164
SAUNDERS County1,167 1,178 998
Total
3,745
3,779 3,133
2014 20152015
Mbrs
Goal Mbrs
DISTRICT 8
Omaha #1
1,257 1,258 991
Omaha #30
103
104
77
Valley
95 9669
Omaha #112
151
152 133
Elkhorn
80 8163
Bennington
108 109103
Omaha #331
803
804 549
Ralston
351 352268
Millard
1,487 1,4881,207
DOUGLAS County 4,435 4,444 3,460
Papillion
630 631495
Bellevue #37
41
42
30
Springfield
117
118
96
Gretna
198 199163
Bellevue #339
184
185 141
SARPY County
1,170 1,175 925
Arlington
100 10190
Blair
162 163134
Herman
105 10697
Fort Calhoun
102
103
80
Kennard
18 1915
WASHINGTON County 487 492416
Total
6,092 6,1114,801
2014 20152015
DISTRICT 9
Mbrs
Goal Mbrs
Imperial
11 1211
Wauneta
48 4939
CHASE County
59
61
50
Benkelman
47 4832
Haigler
12 1310
DUNDY County
59
61
42
Curtis
50 5134
Eustis
27 2826
Maywood
15 1614
FRONTIER County 92
95
74
Beaver City
29
30
23
Arapahoe
26 2723
Wilsonville
13 1410
Cambridge
34 3527
Oxford
44 4536
Edison
65 6662
FURNAS Co.
211
217 181
Elwood
98 9989
GOSPER County
98
99
89
Hayes Center
48
49
44
HAYES County
48
49
44
Culbertson
31 3231
Stratton
22 2315
47 4835
Palisade
Trenton
40 4136
HITCHCOCK County140
144 117
103 10472
McCook
Bartley
35 3627
12 137
Danbury
Lebanon
32 3333
49 5040
Indianola
RED WILLOW County231
236 179
Total
938 962776
2014
2015 2015
Mbrs
Goal Mbrs
DISTRICT 10
243 244197
Hastings
Kenesaw
33 3426
31 3228
Holstein
Juniata
28 2927
ADAMS County
335
339 278
Glenvil
35 3629
Sutton
142 143118
Clay Center
70
71
51
Harvard
20 2118
Edgar
24
26 27
Fairfield
29
30
17
CLAY County
322
328 257
34 3528
Bloomington
Campbell
57 5849
Franklin
29 3024
Upland
14 1513
Riverton
17 1813
Naponee
45 4642
Hildreth
28 2927
FRANKLIN County 224
231 196
Alma
52 5343
Orleans
41 4232
19 2019
Stamford
Republican City
14
15
14
HARLAN County
126
130 108
Minden
122 12315
Wilcox
52 5340
KEARNEY County 174
176
55
Lawrence
87 8880
Superior
135 136129
Hardy
21 2220
Nelson
68 6948
20 2116
Ruskin
NUCKOLLS County 331
336 293
Holdrege
133 134115
Bertrand
31 3221
Loomis
21 2218
185
188 154
PHELPS County
Cowles
48 4942
Blue Hill
79
80
69
Red Cloud
26
27
17
Guide Rock
13
14
14
WEBSTER County 166
170 142
Total 1,863 1 ,898 1,483
Western
Swanton
Dorchester
Tobias
SALINE County
Bruning
Hebron
Alexandria
Byron
Hubbell
Carleton
Davenport
Deshler
THAYER County
Gresham
York
McCool Junction
YORK County
Total
24
27
28
35 3631
106 10789
32 3324
541
549 467
33 3426
94 9570
22 2316
11 1210
19 2017
19 2016
32 3328
78 7966
308
316 249
20 2117
283 284244
48
49
43
351
354 304
2,706 2,7452,297
2014
2015 2015
DISTRICT 12
Mbrs
Goal Mbrs
Plattsmouth
158 159133
Nehawka
24 2526
Greenwood
17 1818
24 2521
Eagle
Union
26 2726
Weeping Water
136
137 115
Elmwood
32 3325
Louisville
81 8269
Murray
9 105
CASS County
507
516 438
Hickman
84 8567
Waverly
17 1812
Bennet
80 8168
145 146120
Hallam
Firth
11 129
Havelock
212 213175
Denton
204 205181
LANCASTER County753
760 632
231
232 181
Nebraska City
Syracuse
176 177149
Palmyra
44 4539
Talmage
47 4845
OTOE County
498
502 414
Seward
73 7464
Utica
136 137104
Milford
68 6955
Beaver Crossing
55
56
47
Pleasant Dale
187
188 155
35 3613
Cordova
Garland
54 5543
SEWARD County6
08
615 481
Total
2,366 2,3931,965
2014 20152015
DISTRICT 13
Mbrs
Goal Mbrs
Tecumseh
71 7244
2014 20152015
Sterling
53 5446
DISTRICT 11
Mbrs
Goal Mbrs
Crab Orchard
15
16
12
90 9174
Fairmont
33 3427
Cook
Geneva
86 8771
Elk Creek
31
32
29
Shickley
37 3834
JOHNSON County 203
208 158
Ohiowa
27 2825
Auburn
148 149111
Exeter
49 5041
Johnson
55 5646
53 5446 NEMAHA County 203
Milligan
205 157
FILLMORE County 342
348 291
DuBois
26 2722
Wymore
122 123111
17 1814
Burchard
Beatrice
505 506419 Pawnee City
52
53
40
Adams
35 3631
Table Rock
51
52
43
Odell
39 4035
PAWNEE County
146
150 119
Cortland
59 6049
Falls City
122
123
84
Liberty
43 4436
Shubert
24 2514
Barneston
35 3629
Humboldt
102 10389
Virginia
69 7057
RICHARDSON County 248 251 187
GAGE County
907
915 767
Total
800 814621
Fairbury
92 9378
2014 20152015
Daykin
31 3226
DISTRICT 15
Mbrs
Goal Mbrs
Plymouth
45 4639
Lincoln
2,130 2,1311,773
Diller
28 2924
Total 2,130 2,131 1,773
Steele City
20
21
19
Jansen
41 4233
2014
2015 2015
JEFFERSON County 257
263 219
HEADQUARTERS Mbrs
Goal Mbrs
Wilber
111 11298
468
469 451
Headquarters
Crete
49 5047
Friend
103 10499
DEPT TOTAL
35,028 35,392 28,802
DeWitt
78 7955
Standings as of December 15, 2014
2014
2015
2015
Percent
Place Area Commander
Members Goal
Members Goal
1
B
Larry Mach 11,589
11,704
9,640
82.36 %
2
C
Debra Day 9,865
9,981
8,139
81.54 %
Dept Fred Craigie
35,02835,39228,80281.38 %
3 A Ken Watkins
8,2058,2556,59379.87 %
4 D Donald Nelsen 4,9014,9833,97979.85 %
Place Dist
1
1
2 11
3
3
4 15
5 2
6 7
7 12
Dept
8 6
9
9
10
8
11 5
12 10
13 4
14
13
Roxanne Sones
1,113
1,126
948
84.19 %
Gary Wooten
2,7062,7452,29783.68 %
Rex Sears
2,113
2,144
1,792
83.58 %
Ed Schnabel
2,1302,1311,77383.20 %
Doug Frahm
3,3653,4022,82783.10 %
Joe Osthoff
3,7453,7793,13382.91 %
Jim Varejcka
2,3662,3931,96582.11 %
Fred Craigie
35,02835,39228,80281.38 %
Bill Weber
4,4794,5233,68081.36 %
Dick Bennett 938
962
776
80.67 %
John Henry Pearcy
6,092
6,111
4,801
78.56 %
Michael Heinemann1,4851,5081,18078.25 %
Richard Binder 1,8631,8981,48378.13 %
Jack Bruns
1,3651,3871,07577.51 %
Rick Gyhra
800
814
621
76.29 %
Department of Veterans Affairs Partners with Walgreens to Expand Real-Time Sharing of Medical Information of Vaccines Provided by Walgreens to
Enrolled Veterans
Pilot Immunization Program
in Florida Expands Nationwide
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a
first-of-its-kind partnership, the
Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) today announced that it
will join forces with retailer Walgreens to provide greater access
to Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention-recommended
vaccinations to Veterans across
the country. This partnership
grew out of a successful pilot
program that began in Florida to
provide flu vaccines to Veterans
throughout the state. Based on
those results, VA is expanding
the pilot nationwide.
Through its nearly 8,200 locations nationwide, Walgreens
will offer flu and other recommended vaccinations to Veterans. Pharmacists can administer
vaccinations to Veterans and
will leverage eHealth Exchange,
through its Walgreens Cloud
Electronic Health Records platform, to securely share immunization records with VA to help
ensure complete patient medical
records.
Vaccinations are available daily
during all pharmacy hours with
no appointment necessary and
are subject to availability.
“VA is proud to partner with
Walgreens to provide needed
vaccines to our nation’s Veterans,” said VA Secretary Robert
A. McDonald. “This partnership
is a great example of how government and the private sector
can work together to effectively
and efficiently provide Veterans
the care and benefits that they’ve
earned.”
“Walgreens is committed to
supporting our Veterans, and
we are proud to work with the
Department of Veterans Affairs
to provide convenient access
to vaccines,” said Walgreens
President and Chief Executive
Officer Greg Wasson. “This is
an excellent opportunity for our
pharmacists to help VA educate
Veterans about the importance
of vaccinations, to improve
immunization rates through
greater access and to contribute
to helping veterans get, stay and
live well.”
“The VA-Walgreens partnership gives Veterans greater
choice in time and location for
getting their flu shots without
having to complete any other
VA forms,” said Interim Under
Secretary for Health, Dr. Carolyn Clancy. “With this program,
the Veteran patient’s record is
integrated, and VA maintains a
complete immunization record
that allows us to more effectively
provide patient-centered care.”
Vaccines are subject to availability. Age, state and health
related restrictions may apply.
Many immunizations may be
covered by commercial insurance plans, Medicare Part B
or Medicare Part D. As part of
this launch and under the agreement, VA funding can provide
approximately 75,000 flu shots
for enrolled veterans. Patients
are encouraged to check with
their health plan for specific
coverage details. To find the
nearest Walgreens, veterans can
call 1-800-WALGREENS or
visit www.walgreens.com. For
more information about VA’s
immunization program, visit
http://www.ehealth.va.gov/Immunization.asp
If you are in crisis and need
immediate help, please call
1-800-273-8255 and (PRESS 1)
Vietnam Veterans
with PTSD Now
Eligible for
Discharge
Upgrades and
Benefits
Tens of Thousands of Veterans
could Receive Awards of Disability Pay, Separation Pay and
GI Bill Eligibility
Under a new Department of
Defense directive, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is directing
the military boards responsible
for correcting or upgrading
discharge status to give “liberal consideration” to petitions
from veterans who received a
less-than-honorable discharge
due to behavior resulting from
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD). Discharge upgrades
could lead to the award of previously denied benefits, such as
disability pay, separation pay, GI
Bill eligibility and VA benefits.
Hagel directed that the military
review boards “fully and carefully consider every petition based
on PTSD brought by each veteran” and that such reviews will include “all materials and evidence
provided by the petitioner.” The
Pentagon’s new rule will apply
to all veterans with discharges
prior to the formal recognition
of PTSD in 1980, which resulted
in government agencies denying
disability claims, discharge upgrades and VA benefits. Hagel
wrote in a September 3rd memorandum <http://www.defense.
gov/news/OSD009883-14.pdf>
to military agency heads that
supplementing this guidance is
necessary because the records
of service members who served
before PTSD was recognized
“do not contain substantive
information concerning medical conditions in either service
treatment records or personnel
records,” making it very difficult to document conditions
to prove a connection between
the veteran’s PTSD and the
circumstances surrounding the
less-than-honorable discharge.
The new guidance is focused on
veterans with low-level misconduct that may have resulted in
administrative discharge. In effect, a veteran seeking a revised
discharge will have to prove
three elements: that he or she
suffered from PTSD at the time
of service, that the cause was
related to military service and
that the symptoms were a factor
in the misconduct underlying the
less-than-honorable discharge.
Cancer Can Strike Anyone at
Anytime
The National Institute of Health estimates overall costs for cancer
at $201.5 billion per year*. If you get cancer, your share alone may
run into the thousands of dollars. Despite huge strides in cancer
research, the odds of getting cancer are still bleak.
According to statistics from the American Cancer Society men
have a 1-in-2 risk of developing cancer; women, 1-in-3*.
This is why The Legionnaire Insurance Trust created the Cancer
Care Plan. We want to send you extra benefits if you find yourself
caught in a battle with cancer. In this plan you will receive benefits
that are payable up to a lifetime maximum of $300,000 which help
pay for various aspects of your treatment. This plan will provide cash benefits you can use toward: hospitals,
operations, doctors, drugs and more.
Because the Legionnaire Insurance Trust Cancer Care Plan is a
group plan that was negotiated on behalf of over 1.7 million Legionnaires you pay group rates. These are likely more competitive
than rates you could find on your own and cannot change unless
they change for the entire group. Better yet, you are guaranteed
acceptance in this plan if you’re an eligible Legionnaire and have
not been diagnosed with Cancer in the last 10 years**.
For additional information regarding the Legionnaire Insurance
Trust Cancer Care plan, visit www.TheLIT.com or call 1-800-2356943 and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you.
*Cancer Facts & Figures, 2014
**2 years in GA, 12 months in TX, 6 months in CA
Underwritten by: Monumental Life Insurance Company, Cedar
Rapids, IA, a Transamerica company
The National Commander’s
Renewal Push
Commander Helm wants to see all Departments succeed at hitting 100% in 2015! In every effort to help the Commander, we’ll
be refreshing a list of members currently in the Direct Renewal
campaign out on your myLegion Portal. Remember, “Just Asking”
in every way possible …the US Mail, Email, phone calls and good
old boots-on-the-ground…will do nothing but increase the number
of renewals we achieve in 2015!
The data is compiled in separate files by District. We hope that
each Department Commander and Adjutant will enlist their District
officers to watch-dog the renewal efforts at each Post. The data will
be refreshed on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Just watch the
“Date” stamp to determine exactly when a new file is generated.
Court Rules Wearing
Unearned Medals a Crime
Lying about receiving a military medal is protected speech,
but there’s no right to wear a
combat decoration that hasn’t
been earned, a federal appeals
court said Wednesday.
The difference, said a divided
panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit
Court of Appeals, is that lying
is speech, but wearing a medal
is conduct, according to a report
in the San Francisco Chrnonicle.
The decision in an Idaho case
returned the court to a controversy that led to a 2012 Supreme
Court ruling and a rewriting of
the law by Congress in 2013.
The defendant, Elven Swisher,
served in the Marine Corps from
1954 to 1957, the Chronicle
reported. In 2001 he applied for
disability benefits, claiming he
had been wounded in a secret
mission to North Korea in 1955,
after the Korean War ended.
The Department of Veterans
Affairs granted the request in
2004 after Swisher submitted
what appeared to be a military
document saying he had been
awarded a Silver Star and other
medals for his actions.
But the VA learned in 2006
that the document was forged
and ordered Swisher to repay the
benefits, the paper noted. He was
later convicted and sentenced to
a year in prison on charges that
included stealing government
funds and wearing unauthorized
medals at a veterans’ event.
The appeals court upheld
Swisher’s conviction in 2009,
but he filed a new appeal after
the court, in a 2010 case, struck
down a federal law that made
it a crime to lie about earning
military decorations. The U.S.
Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling,
agreed with the Ninth Circuit in
June 2012 that the law violated
freedom of speech. But three
months later, in another case, a
different Ninth Circuit panel upheld the ban on wearing unearned
military medals.
Congress has since rewritten
the law to prohibit lying about
military honors for financial gain,
while repealing the ban on wearing medals one hasn’t earned. But
the repeal didn’t help Swisher,
whose conviction under the former law was upheld Wednesday.
[email protected]
Page 5-The Nebraska Legionnaire-January/February, 2015
Chaplain’s
Corner
Rev. Roger A. Wolfe
Department Chaplain
Your chaplain has always believed that the American Legion Family has been greatly blessed by the Good Lord. I will go as far as to
say that much of the work involved to “stay on course” as National
Commander Mike Helm has advised us to do, was inspired by the
Holy Spirit of God. Mike quotes Scripture quite often. However, for
us to stay on course during the constant challenges of the rule of law
in various aspects of our government’s present condition, will take
much prayer. My grandfather, A. J. Pavlish, was always predicting
that America would someday become the victim of anarchy.
The definition of anarchy in Webster’s dictionary says political
disorder and confusion and lacking order or control. It is the rejection of all forms of coercive control and authority. The public
would come to believe that all forms of government are oppressive
and undesirable.
Goodnight folks, that’s the talk in coffee shops all around the nation.
This is a difficult topic for me because I’m somewhat of an eternal
optimist.
The Bible, the Holy Scripture, says in Romans 8:28 that “all things
work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the
called according to His purpose.”
Our national chaplain says that we need to “go back to God.” Most
Legionnaires never left Him, but the nation must have.
Life on planet earth can be tough for many, granted, but my mom
and dad always told me that we have to do without things once in
a while to get ahead. That is not considered anymore. I believe
as far as our Legion family is concerned, we need to restore our
confidence in God.
My doctor, now in post eternal, always told me that it’s not fair
trusting God when life doesn’t make sense. He was my flight surgeon
in the Air Force.
Many will say, “Where is justice?” How can we have confidence
in God when life seems to favor those who have no regard for Him?
What about the drunk driver who walks away with only minor
scratches while the man he crashed into lives in a coma for a few
days before he dies and is a veteran?
A man finds his widowed mother’s bank account is empty, she has
been duped by a “charity” and now has no money left to live on.
Most of us in the Legion family have faith in God and for us to
question or criticize God’s wisdom, or attempt to judge God’s performance, is to attempt a task for which we are woefully unequipped.
His widom is both perfect and eternal and He makes no mistakes.
God says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your
ways My ways”. Isaiah 55:8. When we are tempted to question
God’s handling of a situation, it’s helpful to remind ourselves that
God’s work in the present can be trusted because He is the only One
who has perfect knowledge of the future. You see, only God knows
what will happen the next day.
I notice “TAPS” in our last paper..........the list is getting longer.
We in the American Legion believe in Post Everlasting and when
life runs its course, we believe that God will fulfill His promise of
a home with Him forever. He said that He would never leave us
or forsake us.
Remember, in all of the rotten things that go on in the world, Jesus
tells us, “I am the Resurrection and the Life, those who believe in
Me though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes
in Me will never die.” (John 11: 25 & 26)
A Tribute to My
Father-in-Law
By: Jennifer Salak
After a long hard fight, my father-in-law, Don Salak, lost his
battle with cancer on Thanksgiving Day 2014.
He was a family man, a patriot,
and a U.S. Navy veteran. Throughout his Navy career,
he traveled around the world
with his family to places like
Morocco and across the U.S.,
and after 21 years, retired as
a Senior Chief Petty Officer
Cryptologic Technician. My father-in-law had a distinguished
military career and was the
inspiration for my husband
dedicating 30 years of service
to our country.
My father-in-law participated in many proud moments
throughout his son’s naval career such as placing Dave’s
Chief Warrant Officer shoulder
boards at his commissioning
ceremony and being piped in
through the sideboys at Dave’s
retirement ceremony. He also got to see his son become Department Adjutant of
the Nebraska American Legion,
an organization in which he
has been a 36-year continuous
member of Hartman Post 84 in
Columbus.
There are so many things I
am going to remember about
my father-in-law. His strength,
laughter, love of family, compassion for animals, river music,
and the list goes on.
Don went to Heaven wrapped
in the loving arms of his family.
I wish everyone could be that
blessed. I know how blessed
I was to have had him as my
father-in-law.
Fair winds and
following seas…
Department Chaplain,
Rev. Roger Wolfe,
Box 195, Dorchester
Dorchester, Nebraska, 68343-0195
Phone: 402-946-2461
([email protected])
VA Implements National Hypoglycemic Safety
Initiative
VA Implements National Hypoglycemic Safety Initiative - As
part of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) ongoing effort
to improve Veterans’ access to
healthcare, VA is announcing
the launch of a national Hypoglycemic Safety Initiative (HSI)
to encourage diabetic Veterans
receiving VA care to seek support
to lower the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The new
initiative will enable Veterans
living with diabetes to work more
closely with their VA clinicians to
personalize health care goals and
improve self-management of the
disease.
Page 6-The Nebraska Legionnaire-January/February, 2015
Hypoglycemia has only recently been prioritized as a national
public health issue, but Federal
agencies are taking a leadership
role in addressing the problem. We
are proud to note the collaboration
of VA with Department of Health
and Human Services in aggressively addressing this problem.
S.A.L.
Notes
Detachment Commander
This is a mixed time of year, here we are at the beginning of a
new year with everything that entails, such as resolutions for things
we may want to change or accomplish, good things in our own
lives and for others. Hopefully this new energy and resolution that
comes with this time of year will be reflected in a renewed desire
to be there for our Veterans and a striving to make our community,
state and nation great as only we know they can be. The foundation
for achieving these things is found in The American Legion and its
programs. The Legion family has long dedicated itself to the very
things that we want to see happen and we should be working with
our local Squadrons, Posts, Units and Chapters to select projects
that build on the Four Pillars if The American Legion.
We also see at this time of year that we are over halfway through
The American Legion year, which started at convention last June.
At that time we set new goals for where we wanted to be with membership and what projects we wanted to emphasize. My project for
this year was to see every squadron adopt their local State Veteran’s
Home and to contact them to identify needs that each one has and
then to work with the Veteran’s Home to address that need. It may
be in the form of needed items, money contributed or something as
simple as having members go to the Veteran’s Home to volunteer.
If your squadron has not done this yet, the Legion year is getting
short and the time to take action is now.
Now to the topic of membership. At this time of the year the
membership goal for every Squadron was to be 100%. Membership
is due by the first of the year and after January 1st is delinquent. If
a member has not paid his dues by this point in time, he can lose
out on many of the benefits that come with membership to this
great organization. Realistically we know that not every member
is going to be paid up on time, but never the less, this is the goals
that we should all be working on. Headquarters spreads the goal of
achieving our yearly accomplishment of 105% membership from the
previous year at convention time. Our hope is that the membership
above 100% comes from new members and obviously some of these
would come after January 1st. I ask that every Squadron member
and also Post/Auxiliary member check with your squadron adjutant
to make sure that memberships that are collected are getting sent
in in a timely manner as no Squadron should sit on dues that have
been collected because this may have a direct effect on a paying
member who in good faith assumes his membership has been sent
in. I also ask that each Squadron make membership a priority for
the rest of this Legion year as we are currently well below where
we should be in membership.
In closing I would like to thank District 1 for inviting me to attend
their District Tour. I would also like to thank American Legion Midwest National Vice-Commander Paul Sanford who participated in
the District Tour with us. We visited 13 posts, collected hundreds
of dozens of cookies and filled pickups and vans with items that
were desperately needed and greatly appreciated at the Hot Springs
VA. This is a yearly event that receives a lot of support from all of
the members of the Legion Family in District 1. We were able to
conclude the 4 day tour with a Christmas party for the veterans at
the domiciliary in Hot Springs on Saturday and a Christmas party
at the Veteran’s Home in Scottsbluff on Sunday. What a wonderful
way to enter into the holiday season. It really set the tone for me
and my family and put the focus on taking care of our Veterans.
A last thought that I wanted to bring up. As we are moving into the
last half of our year, please be sure that you are keeping track of the
activities of your Squadrons and members so that you can provide
an accurate accounting when you submit your Consolidated Report.
Sincerely
Keith Kearns
Detachment Commander
WEWE NEED
PICTURES AND STORIES
LET US KNOW WHAT YOUR
SQUADRONS ARE
DOING.
cJohn [email protected]
Commander Keith [email protected]
The American Legion Riders
It is so hard to believe that it is
actually January of 2015! The
holiday season seems to go by
so fast and we already are into
a brand new year. American
Legion Riders are planning the
upcoming seasons poker runs,
fundraisers, activities and Veterans support missions are still
running at full speed all over Nebraska during this time. Before
you know it, the actual riding
season will be upon us. Is it me,
or does the time seem to go by
faster the older that I get? After
you finish thinking about that
little quandary, let me ask something else that I know Legion
Riders ask themselves. If the rest
of time seems to go by so quickly, why the heck does Nebraska
winters drag on so slowly?
Like many of you at this point,
I thought how nice it would be
to be able to fast forward to the
spring weather and the ability to
pull my beloved motorcycle out
of her stall in the garage and roar
off into the next adventure. She
is silently still, hibernating there
in the corner, with a fresh batch
of fuel stabilizer in the tank and
shielded only by her cover and
an extra sheet to keep the dust
away. The custom fitted cover
would be completely adequate,
of course, to keep my girl from
acquiring the film of dust that
magically appears on surfaces
that we desperately try to keep
clean, but I don’t have to explain
to any of you about the love
affair/sickness that we all have
with the motorcycles in our lives.
I guess the extra sheet over top
of the breathable nylon cover
is a little extra “something” for
her that somehow resembles
tucking in a loved one with an
extra blanket on a cold winter
night. Speaking of life, the
only sign of sentience from this
Nebraska motorcycle cryogenics
experiment we all conduct every
winter, is the telltale LED lights
on the battery tender and the
two wires trickling the precious
life support current up into the
battery compartment of my
beloved steed. How many of
you have just went out to your
garage lately and just stared at
your bike, and thought about
all the good times and precious
memories that they have brought
you? The simple fact is that be-
cause of these wonderful chunks
of metal, electronics, and rubber,
we all have made new friends
and new memories in a way that
seems to bring an extra bit of
magic to our lives. They say that
you will never see a motorcycle
parked outside of a therapists
office, and I laugh every time I
hear it. I believe that statement to
be completely true. The way that
all of life’s pressures
seem to magically melt away, the
more miles that you put between
them. Now, I’m not telling you
to shirk your duties and responsibilities EVER, but being able
to ride a motorcycle seems to
magically put everything in
perspective. Each mile chipping
away at the huge mountain of
problems and work nuances, and
eventually chipping enough out
of that mountain to make a stair
step over the top or even a tunnel blasting straight on through
to the other side. I am thankful
every day for the blessings that
I enjoy in my life, and one of
those is the fact that we all have
another motorcycle family that
genuinely cares. This family is
the American Legion Riders and
I can honestly say that this organization has literally changed my
life. I hope to see you soon and
until the warmer weather arrives
and we can begin this years motorcycle adventures, stay strong
as you are not the only one going
through motorcycle withdrawal!
Thank you for being an American Legion Rider. Thank you
for being YOU! Let’s make the
most of 2015 and make some
wonderful memories together!
Shannon Falk
Nebraska State Liaison
2014-2015
“Riding for the American
Legion’s future by honoring
our American Heroes past”
Alexander, B. L., Ansley
Rounds, Stephen D., Arcadia,
Hollins, Gerald S., Valley.
Asher, Ben F., Page, WWII
SAL
Vietnam
Barba, Stanley, Omaha, WWII
Rowell, Wayne, Shubert
Hultquist, Lawrence “Larry” J.,
Barber, Charlie M. Jr., Ceresco,
Salak, Donald G., Columbus,
Oakland, Korea
Vietnam
Korea
Jipp, George H., Blair, WWII
Bart, Gerald A., Millard, Vietnam Johannes, Eugene H., Central
Sandel, James R., Omaha, Korea
Bartling, Leroy, Fort Calhoun,
Schmid, Paul L., Monroe, WWII
City, Vietnam
Korea
Kamp, Marion L., Omaha, WWII Schneider, William J., Columbus,
Baustian, Harlan, North Platte,
WWII
Kasun, James J., Yutan, Vietnam
Korea
Schroeder, Jack, Oakland, WWII
Kaup, Thomas W., Stuart, Korea
Beem, Clarence E., Humboldt,
Schueth, James P., Elgin, Korea
Kavan, Richard R., Morse Bluff,
WWII
Schwarten, Weldon C.,
WWII
Beringer, Paul J., Bellwood,
Wakefield, SAL
Kesterson, Delmar G., Maxwell,
Korea
Selting, Donald, Elgin, Korea
Korea
Birt, Dean, Oxford, WWII
Shackelford, Clifford L.,
Kimball, Wayne, Norfolk, Korea
Boettcher, Harold F., Millard,
Wauneta, WWII
Klasna, Donivon D., Spencer,
Vietnam
Shunk, Delwyn, Chappell, WWII
Korea
Boruch, George, Osceola, SAL
Sinovich, John, Millard, WWII
Kleine, Christian F., Auburn,
Brandt, Milton K., Grand Island,
Snodgrass, D. V., Papillion,
Korea
Korea
Korea
Knox, Douglas, Tilden, Vietnam
Breunig, Richard T., Wahoo,
Staab, Bernard D., Kearney,
Kriz, Leonard, Lincoln, Korea
Korea
Korea
Lair, Leon, Grant, WWII
Brune, Al, Dodge, Korea
Larsen, Howard, Herman, WWII Stauffer, Kent W., Lincoln,
Bures, Eddie, Dodge, Korea
Vietnam
Lehr, Donald J., Ashland, WWII
Buss, Robert, Laurel, Korea
Stauffer, Mike, Kearney, WWII
Maser, George Jr., Lincoln,
Carstens, Norris, Burwell, Korea
Stuhr, Anthony J., Bellwood,
WWII
Cash, Edwin L., Omaha Benson,
Vietnam
Meints, Arnold, Cortland, WWII
WWII
Svoboda, Robert J., Lawrence,
Menefee, James L. Jr., Lincoln,
Chism, Joe L., Denton, Vietnam
WWII
Vietnam
Christensen, Greg D., St. Paul,
Swim, Keith E., Atkinson, Korea
Metcalf, Neamon, Hay Springs
Vietnam
Thomas, Jay K., Omaha, WWII
Michalek, Ronald G., Omaha,
Coco, Thomas J., Omaha, WWII
Thompson, Kenneth P., Herman,
Korea
Curd, Wallace J., Millard, WWII
WWII
Molacek, Donald Sr., Howells,
Delmont, Thomas J., Beemer,
Underhill, Duane L., Omaha.
Korea
WWII
WWII
Naslund, Ralph F., Beatrice,
Dohse, Donald, Omaha Benson,
Vavak, Lester, Prague, WWII
WWII
WWII
Vosler, James, Ashland, Korea
Nelsen, Virgil L., Friend, Korea
Dutton, Gerald J., Omaha, Korea Nelson, Duane K., Omaha,
Wagen, Lawrence P., Omaha,
Edwards, Donald, Hardy, Korea
Korea
WWII
English, James M., Beemer,
Warneke, Leonard J., Plainview
Newnaber, Donald J., Beatrice
Vietnam
Windmeyer, Neal, Norfolk,
Nissen, Delbert R., Millard,
Erickson, Dewaine R., Wilcox,
Vietnam
WWII
Korea
Witt, Walter E., Lincoln, WWII
Nissen, Victor, Hay Springs
Fisher, Frank, Dannebrog, SAL
Njus, Gordon E., Papillion, Korea Wordekemper, Donald, West
Fitch, George M., Herman,
Point, Vietnam
O’Brien, John L., Wallace
WWII
Workman, Ronald L., Milligan,
Osberg, Eldon M., Plainview,
Fjellin, Duane R., Malmo
Vietnam
WWII
Flaming, Wendell L., Wallace
Wrede, Buford, David City,
Owens, Raymond D., Arcadia,
Forman, Joseph J., Omaha,
WWII
SAL
WWII
Perry, Milo D. Jr., Plattsmouth
The following names were listFowler, Dewayne, Norfolk
Petersen, Ronald E., Tilden,
ed incorrectly in last months
Francis, Ronald A., Hebron,
WWII
TAPS. Mylon Beulter of BanKorea
Pitsch, Richard M., Seward,
croft Post 191was listed as
Franzen, Raymond E., Gurley,
deceased in last month paper
WWII
and he is very much alive. Name
Korea
Renz, Fritz M., Thurston, Korea
correction- listed as Olckfolck
Fricke, Garfield J., Lincoln,
Rhode, Jermain, Howells, WWII
and should have been Folck,
Vietnam
Roan, Richard, Cedar Rapids,
Andrew F. Bloomfield, Korea.
Gall, Wilbur M., Eustis, WWII
Vietnam
Grosskopf, Gary W., Dwight,
Korea
Grote, Gerald G., Shickley, Korea
Gufford, Charles A., Cambridge,
The NEF is one of National Michael Helm’s Projects for
Korea
the year. The amount that individual people, posts, and
Hanen, Harold O., Fremont,
districts have sent in through the Department for the fisKorea
cal
year August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014 was $22,784.66.
Hansen, Norman L., Ogallala,
From August 1-December 19th we have received
Korea
$1,741.50
Harmon, Robert O., Omaha,
Please consider donating to this worthwhile program.
Vietnam
Hartman, Dwaine E., Lincoln,
Your donations have assisted your fellow Nebraska LeWWII
gionnaires in their time of need.
Hatfield, Gary F., Wahoo,
Vietnam
Heindryckx, Robert, Osceola,
SAL
Herber, Raymond C., Omaha,
WWII
Hoffman, Ralph R., Omaha,
Korea
Page 7-The Nebraska Legionnaire-January/February, 2015
National Emergency Fund
Auxiliary member Dori Diltz of Ord submitted this photograph for the calendar competition. This was taken at the
field of Flags at the Vietnam Traveling Wall display.
Bellevue American Legion Post 339 gave
Thanksgiving Baskets
with all the fixings to
needy families in Bellevue.
Bellevue American Legion Post 339 monthly
bingo at the Victory
Apartments. Bingo every 2nd Thursday of the
month for the Veterans
living at the Victory
Apartments.
American Legion Ceresco Post 244 members traveled to
Wahoo to present Lyle Weber his certificate for 65 years
continuous membership and to celebrate his 100th Birthday.
Pictured (l-r) are Post Commander Larry Kaiser, Lyle Weber,
Loren Swanson, Bud Potthoff and Past Post Commander
Lynn Maxsom.
Tekamah American Legion Post 15 recognized individuals
for outstanding service and assistance which contributed
to the advancement of the American Legion and American
Legion Auxiliary programs. Pictured (l-r) are Sergeant of
Arms Larry Nelson, Sylvia Rollins, Melvin Schmidt, Rich
Smiley, Delmar Chamberlain and Vic Jensen. Provided by
Joe Zink/Burt County Plaindealer
Winter car care
Prevention and maintenance is key to keeping
your car moving in harsh weather:
• Check your tire pressure – Although you want to do this
monthly, it is especially important to check tire pressure
in winter weather. For every 10 degrees the temperature
drops, your tires can lose about 1 pound per square inch
(PSI) of pressure. It’s quick and easy to do. You can find
the manufacturer’s specific tire pressure on the inside of
the doorjamb.
• Turn on your headlights – In inclement weather, visibility
is oftentimes less than perfect. Turning on your lights allows you to see, and just as important, to be seen by others.
Remember this general rule: Wipers On - Lights On.
• Keep a roadside emergency kit and necessary supplies in
your vehicle during the winter months. We suggest carrying:
* Hand/feet warmers
* A stocking cap and blankets
* LED flashers/flares
* A spare phone charger
* Kitty litter
* Food/snacks
* Folding shovel
provided by Bridgestone Tire Company
Page 8-The Nebraska Legionnaire-January/February, 2015
Elmwood American Legion Post 290 held a flag retirement
ceremony in October. The old tattered and worn flags are
ceremoniously burned to retire their service. Mel Divis,
Duane Kelly, Loyle Debban and Bill Weismann show their
respect while the flags are burned.
The picture is of the flag at
the War Memorial in Legion
Park Sidney. American Legion Post 17 and citizens of
our county were so pleased
to have the flag flying again.
After finishing a long week
working on a 345kv line the
workers help out the people of Sydney on their way
home. They felt privileged
to repair their 150 flag pole,
which had been out of service for two years. The line
workers had the only truck
that could go that high and
fix the flag pole.
Wreaths were place on the memorial stones at the courthouse on Saturday morning by American Legion Post 290
members Mel Divis, Dale Burkhalter, Duane Kelly, Michael
Reimers Senior Vice Commander for Nebraska, Loyle
Debban, Ray Yeutter, Keith Withers, Carlton Clark and Bill
Weismann.
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ets
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Mid-Year
Educational
Conference
Mid-Year
Educational
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a
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JACKI
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tem
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8 Convention
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8 Convention
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Omaha
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Have youDistrict
sent
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Washburn
or Department
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getting
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year.
a
year.
for Mid-Year
Conference,
FridayDeb CST
Albers will attend
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a.m.
Saturday,
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District
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information
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9:30 CST
a.m. CST
Feb.
15
— 15
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ing has changed.
District
13
Girls
State
Orientation
District
13
Girls
State
Orientation
ets for the Saturday classes. Our
We looked over the five-year stratePost
330 Johnson
— Sunday,
Post 330
Johnson
— Sunday,
Feb. Feb.
15 15
gic plan and saw what needs to be put
13 Convention
— Saturday,
DistrictDistrict
13 Convention
— Saturday,
Feb. Feb.
21 21
into action. Heck, we even talked about
2 Tecumseh
— 8 CST
a.m. CST
Post 2Post
Tecumseh
— 8 a.m.
the Paid Up For Life membership dues
ALA Washington
Conference
— Feb.
ALA Washington
Conference
— Feb.
21-2521-25
increase on the National level.
The subject of the membership sys9 Convention
— Saturday,
DistrictDistrict
9 Convention
— Saturday,
Feb. Feb.
28 28
Mid-Year
Educational
Conference
By JACKI O’NEILL
tem was brought up again, so I
Post
203 McCook
— 9 CST
a.m. CST
Post
203
McCook
— 9 a.m.
at Norfolk
Lodge
and
Conference
Center
Department Secretary
explained the advantages of having the
District
4 Convention
— Saturday,
March
7
District
4 Convention
— Saturday,
March
7
Unit and District signing on. Check
Thursday-Saturday,
Jan,
16-18
Post
— MST
8:30 MST
GeringGering
Post 36
— 36
8:30
Recently, I sent a letter to the Unit with me for more information. Good
District
8
Convention
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South
Omaha
Post
331
5 Convention
— Sunday,
March
8
DistrictDistrict
5 Convention
— Sunday,
March
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Membership Gals getting to know them deal for only $10 a year.
Saturday,
Feb.
7—
9 a.m.
Post
163 North
Platte
— 8 CST
a.m. CST
Post
163
North
Platte
— 8CST
a.m.
better and I got a great response…what
Next, I will contact the Unit presi-
Department of Nebraska
Freedom,
Freedom,
Faith,
Faith,
Family
Family
aa
January/February 2015
What Is Your Strategic Update?
Freedom, Faith,
Family
a bargainand
andananamazing
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to honor
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yourVeteran’s
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service. The
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and
hada a wonderful
wonderful time
time during
during
I Ihad
Octobertraveling
travelingtotoDistricts
Districts and
and Unit
October
meetings,and
andI Ithank
thankeveryone
everyone for
for the
meetings,
hospitalityand
andfriendship
friendshipoffered
offered to
to me
hospitality
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myvisits.
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and an amazing
From
The
Desk
TheDepartment
DepartmentSecretary
Secretary
—way to honor
From
The
Desk
OfOfThe
—
your Veteran’s service. The simple
Reminders
Reminders
— —
question: “Who is that person on your
dents
dentswith
withthe
thelist
listofofunpaid
unpaid2015
2015memmembutton & how do I get one?” presents an
bership.
bership.Your
YourUnit
Unitshould
shouldcontact
contact those
those
opportunity for you to share your story
unpaid
unpaidmembers.
members. Example:
Example: Sutton
Sutton
and potentially sign up a new member!
Unit
Unitgets
getsa ateam
teamofofladies
ladiestotocall
call them.
them.
I had a wonderful time during
There
Therewill
willbebeone
onemore
more newsletter
newsletter
October traveling to Districts and Unit
before
before Mid-Year
Mid-Year Conference
Conference in
meetings, and I thank everyone for the
January.
January.Please
Pleaseplan
plantoto attend!
attend! ItIt is a
hospitality and friendship offered to me
great
greatplace
placetoto get
get better
better acquainted.
acquainted.
during my visits.
Also,
Also,letletme
meknow
knowififyou
youwant
wantto
to attend
attend
If not me, then who? If not now, then
thetheTraining
Trainingsessions.
sessions.The
The cost
cost of
of the
when?
sessions
sessionsare
areincluded
includedininthe
the$5
$5 registraregistration
tionfee.
fee.
We
Weare
arekeeping
keeping very
very busy
busy in
in the
office.
office.Donna
DonnaBoston
Bostonhas
hasgone
goneinto
into full
retirement
retirement and
and Amanda
Amanda Washburn
Washburn
dents
with
the list of unpaid 2015 memworks
works
part-time.
part-time.
bership.
Your
Unit should
those
Keep
Keep
watching
watching
the
the contact
nebraskalenebraskaleunpaid
members.
Example: page
Sutton
gionaux.net
gionaux.net
website
websiteLOTTERY
LOTTERY
page
to
Unit
aname
team
ofcomes
ladies
see
seeifgets
ifyour
your
namecomes
up
uptoas
ascall
one
onethem.
of
of the
There
will winners!
be
one more
newsletter
Raffle
Raffle
Lottery
Lottery
winners!
One
Onewinner
winner for
before
Mid-Year
Conference
each
eachday
dayof
ofthe
theyear…it
year…it
could
couldbe
be you!
you!in
January. Please plan to attend! It is a
great place to get better acquainted.
Also, let me know if you want to attend
the Training sessions. The cost of the
sessions are included in the $5 registration fee.
We are keeping very busy in the
office. Donna Boston has gone into full
retirement and Amanda Washburn
works part-time.
Keep watching the nebraskalegionaux.net website LOTTERY page to
see if your name comes up as one of the
Raffle Lottery winners! One winner for
each day of the year…it could be you!
From The Desk Of The Department Secretary —
Reminders —
DistrictDistrict
11Convention
Convention
Milligan
PostMrch
6 Convention
— Sunday,
District
6
——Sunday,
Mrch
8240 8
Sunday,
Feb.
15
—
9:30
a.m.
CST
Post
310 Gibbon
— 9 CST
a.m. CST
Post 310
Gibbon
— 9 a.m.
DistrictDistrict
13Convention
Girls
State —
Orientation
3 Convention
— Saturday,
March
District
3
Saturday,
March
14 14
Post 43
330
Johnson
Sunday,
Feb. 15
Post
43 Wayne
—
9 CST
a.m. CST
Post
Wayne
— 9—a.m.
DistrictDistrict
13Convention
Convention
Saturday,
Feb.March
21
7 Convention
— Saturday,
District
7
——Saturday,
March
14 14
Post
2
Tecumseh
—
8
a.m.
CST
Post
84 Columbus
10 CST
a.m. CST
Post 84
Columbus
— 10 —
a.m.
ALA Washington
Conference
Feb.March
21-25
District
12 Convention
——Saturday,
March
District
12 Convention
— Saturday,
14 14
DistrictPost
9 Convention
—
Saturday,
Feb.
28CST
8 Nebraska
City
— 8 CST
a.m.
8Post
Nebraska
City —
8 a.m.
203
McCook
9 a.m.
CSTMarch
District
2 Convention
—
Sunday,
DistrictPost
2 Convention
——
Sunday,
March
15 15
DistrictBrunswick
4 Convention
—
Saturday,
March 7
Brunswick
— 8 CST
a.m. CST
— 8 a.m.
Post
36 —
— Saturday,
8:30
District
1 Convention
— MST
Saturday,
March
DistrictGering
1 Convention
March
28 28
DistrictPost
5 Convention
—
Sunday,
8
Post
90 Valentine
— 9March
a.m. CST
90
Valentine
— 9 a.m.
CST
163
Platte
—
8 a.m.
CST
District
10North
Convention
— Saturday,
March
DistrictPost
10 Convention
— Saturday,
March
28 28
DistrictPOST
6 Convention
—
Sunday,
Mrch
8 CST
POST
94 Minden
— a.m.
9:30 CST
a.m.
94 Minden
— 9:30
Post 310 Gibbon — 9 a.m. CST
District 3 Convention — Saturday, March 14
Post 43 Wayne — 9 a.m. CST
The
Star
The Star
InsideInside
District 7 Convention
—
Saturday,
March 14
Post 84 Columbus — 10 a.m. CST
Service
Service
to 12
Veterans,
to Veterans,
Chairmen
Chairmen
Reports
Page Page
2
2
District
Convention
— Reports
Saturday,
March 14
In Memoriam,
In
Memoriam,
Unit
Activities
Unit
Activities
Page
Page
3
3
Post
8 Nebraska
City — 8 a.m. CST Page Page
Chairman
Chairman
reports,reports,
Unit Activities
Unit Activities
4
4
District 2 Convention — Sunday, March 15
Brunswick — 8 a.m. CST
District 1 Convention — Saturday, March 28
Post 90 Valentine — 9 a.m. CST
See
SeeYou
You
AtAt
Mid-Year
Mid-YearEducational
EducationalConference!
Conference!
My Quilt of Valor Journey
By EMMA WILLERTON
Unit 195 Junior Member
I go into the living room to find that my mother Rikki
watching another one of her sewing shows and it was just
starting so why not just sit down to watch for a little while.
The “show” turned out to be a documentary for Quilts of
Valor on PBS. I had originally intended to watch a few minutes and go on my merry way, but then it got interesting. I
stayed and by the time the credits were rolling I turned to my
mom and said, “We have to make one.” She then suggested
that I make one for my Girl Scout Silver Project and asked
whom I wanted to make it for. The answer was simple,
“Derik.”
Tech Sergeant Derik Campbell is quite a person. I have
known him for a very long time, and he has gone to my
church for longer than I have. His daughter was a friend of
mine when I first started to go to the church, and I knew what
they had been going through, I just didn’t know how to help.
Derik signed up for the Air Force Reserve the day after 9/11,
this goes to show what kind of a person Derik is.
When we first started, my mother and I went to the Quilt
of Valor requirements website to plan how we were going to
make it because we already had the material (given up generously from a project my mother was going to make that was
supposed to be something completely different). This was not
only just my first quilt, but also my first sewing project, I had
seen my mother work on the sewing machine but I had never
made anything nor used the sewing machine for anything at
all. Lets just say that it was a learning experience. My new
favorite line had become “My new best friend is the seam ripper.” This was how we knew that we needed to find the seam
ripper.
Eventually however, the quilt did start looking like a quilt.
Going back and searching for the requirements several times
we decided on a maroon, navy, and cream rail fence. The
interesting part was learning to go with the flow. We were finishing up the top piece and I was thinking, “If only there were
some way to represent the family.” I might have been think-
ing out loud, I don’t really remember how we decided it.
But late at night, we were making four gold stars to put on
the top. The largest star was to show the hero Derik, the
next largest was Melinda his wife, the next to represent his
oldest son Trevor, and the littlest to represent Madeline,
his little girl (my friend). The stars were place by size in
the corner of the quilt top, the three smaller ones surrounding the larger.
I had done all of the work needed for the top piece and
was ready to send it off to the long armer. It turned out that
Kristi Ryan, the long armer that decided to take on finishing my project, did not live very far away. So my mother
set up a time to meet her (with out me knowing). So we
meet her and I explain everything to her about the project,
about him, and about whatever else she asked questions
over and she told me it would be back to me in a few
weeks.
Over the time that she was working on it, she sent my
mother updates, and mailed it to my house without, again,
without me aware of it. I had a delightful surprise one day
when I arrived home from school. I see it on the front
porch and run back to the car with the box realizing what
it was when I saw who it was to and where it came from.
My mother brought me inside so we could open it and take
pictures of it. When we opened it, we saw that she had
sewn words into the cream fabric. The vocabulary on the finished Quilt of Valor was: Husband, Father, Son, Hero, Faith,
Love, Service, and Thank You.
Kristi had never been to a presentation and she had always
wanted to go so we invited her. I had worked with my mother to figure out how to present the quilt. While we had
planned to have a ceremony at the church, we had also
thought of how Derik hadn’t missed a Joplin High home football game if he could help it. So we decided on a surprise
presentation at a home game.
At the football game, Derik still didn’t know what was
going on, and all his wife, Melinda, would tell him was that
he had to be in his dress blues. I think
he first realized what was going on
was when we were walking onto the
field during pregame and the announcer was narrating everything. We opened up the quilt to show him, and then turned it
toward the stands so they could see the beautiful creation, and
we ended the ceremony by wrapping it around Derik’s shoulders.
For me it was a wonderful experience, and I loved it so
much. I helped someone, I got to show what a hero Derik
was, and got a new hobby in the process.
My mother and I have already got an idea for another Quilt
of Valor that we want to make. The Quilt of Valor Foundation
has gotten another person to continue making quilts for them
for quite some time.
Holidays Are Over — Our Veterans Still Need Us!
CONNIE FRANDSON
Service to Veterans Chairman
When we think of the Christmas season, one of the things
we think about is giving. Various organizations and individuals remember those in veterans’ homes and nursing homes.
We want those living there to enjoy the season too.
Thank you to all who provided material items to our veterans, and to those who shared your time with them during
the holidays.
But now that Christmas is over, let’s not forget that our
veterans still need us. If your Unit can provide some tray
favors or centerpieces, please give me a call or send an email.
I know you have really good ideas, but please do not include
food of any kind due to various dietary conditions.
If some of you would like to do some sewing but need
patterns for bibs, wheelchair caddies, etc., please contact me.
I will be happy to send them to you, and I will also have them
at mid-year convention.
Thank you, ladies, for all that you do!!
Keep the good work up, and keep track of all that you do
so we will have lots of information for our reports.
Service to our Veterans
2015 Centerpiece and Tray Favor Assignments
Bellevue
GI Med Center GI Veterans Home
Eastern NE VA
Norfolk VA Home
10 Cntrpc
215 Tray Fav
Home 24 Cntrpc
20 Cntrpc
January February March April #19 York #141 Hampton #96 Arapahoe #199 Cambridge #163 N Platte #264 Dorchester #6 Central City # 21 Fremont #176 Blue Hill #132 Stromsberg May June July August #183 Friend November December #160 Polk #209 Franklin #218 Exeter #198 Daykin September October #225 Eddyville #290 Elwood #3 Lincoln #251 Arcadia #96 Arapahoe #225 Eddyville #257 Eustis #42 Aurora #288 Farnam #60 Emerson #283 Platte Center Western NE Home
7 Cntrpc
#7 Alliance #133 Culbertson #240 Milligan #371 Valpraiso #32 Papillion #264 Dorchester #226 St. Edward Western NE Home Omaha Med Center
90 Tray Fav
75 Tray Fav
#7 Alliance #133 Culbertson #264 Dorchester
#96 Arapahoe #364 Naponee
#364 Naponee #294 Hallum #302 Leigh Bellwood #171 Milford #243 Plymouth #156 Burchard #353 Louisville #32 Papillion #12 Chadron #283 Platte Center Bellwood #283 Platte Center #95 Curtis #243 Plymouth
#246 Rising City
#197 Eagle
#28 Beaver City
#264 Dorchester
#232 Malmo
#12 Chadron #178 Beaver Crossing
#50 Merna #336 Crab Orchard
#137 Gurly #95 Curtis #222 Shubert
#294 Hallum
In Memoriam
Notices received
through November 6, 2014
Members recently recognized by Unit 141 at Hampton are, from left, Mary Ann Guilford,
who received a 20-year pin, and Doris Senff, a 35-year pin; Cleta Alberts, who received a 35year pin; and Phylis Christainsen received her 65 year pin, with her niece Donna Driewer,
who received her 15-year pin. Also honored, but not pictured are Lois Bare and Linda Senff, who received 15-year pins, and Danille
Bamesberger received a 10-year pin.
Agnes Loukota and her sister Donna
Welchert, above and below, from Fort
Calhoun Unit 348 made lap blankets
and knit caps that were donated to the
Veteran's hospital at Omaha.
Getting ready for cold and flu season! Get Out The Tissues!!! Leigh Unit No. 302 donated 15 boxes of Kleenex to the Leigh Elementary School through their "Give 10 for Education"
program. From left, standing are, Shirley Henke and Janet Eisenmann; and seated, Adeline
Brown, Ceola Sedlacek, Mary Ann Schroeder, Mary Ann McMullin, Lorraine Held, Betty
Molacek and Norma Maliha.
Barneston Unit #356 entertained six of their members with 50 years or more
service with a noon luncheon. Recognized for their accomplishments and service
in the Auxiliary are, from left, Alice Meints, Edna Schmidt, Donna Rae Graham, Lila
Rees, Elaine Rees, and Ruby Jones. In addition to supporting local veterans, they
support veterans nationwide in their various programs.
When sending photos to The Star
by e-mail or snail mail, be sure they
are sharp and clear.
I will not be able to use grainy, dark
or ‘foggy’ photos, because they will
not print well.
Luayne Weisgerber
Star Editor
OOPS! I goofed. My apologies to the Barneston Unit —
On page 3 of the December issue of “The Star” I got in a
duplicate photo with your information. The photo above
is the correct one.
Luayne
The American Legion Family
is raising money for a 6-passenger golf cart
for the Norfolk Veterans Home.
The cart will be used to transport residents
to the new Heroes Park.
Send donations to
ALA Department, of Nebraska
P.O. Box 5227, Lincoln, NE 68505-0227
Earmark “golf cart”
For information, call
Karen Ohlrich, 402-750-2358; or
Ardis Bruckner, 402-276-3689
Helping at the Milford Unit #171 Christmas Bake Sale were, from left,
Alice Ficke, Santa Claus, Kathy Eberly, Marvene Wurst and Mrs. Santa
Claus. Money raised was given to the veterans residing in the local nursing homes.
Alexandria
Ruth E Summers
Allen
Marion Ellis
Alliance
Mildred Abbott
Alliance
Bayone Meyer
Alliance
Patty Schick
Ashland
Ruth Boot
Ashland
Gretchen Clark
Ashland
Dorothy Kremer
Ashland
Joyce A Howard
Ashland
Katherine M Schult
Barneston
Esther Pilster
Bassett
Ella Shaw
Benkelman
Verna E. Lemon
Bertrand
Hildur Gardine
Blair
Beryl Dixon
Blue Hill
Ruth E Kral
Blue Hill
Sophia J Krueger
Cedar Bluffs
Kathleen Sloan
Central City
Barbara Reeves
Ceresco
Carol Nau
Chadron
Catherine Ash
Chadron
Margaret G Samuels
Chambers
Dorothy S Welsh
Clearwater
Pat Claussen
Clearwater
Ilene M Jones
Cody
Dorothy Savage
Crawford
Doris Hamaker
Crete
Blanche Kuhlmann
Crete
L A Johnson
Crofton
Marilyn Benal
Dakota City
Helen Dunagan
Dakota City
Shirley Leedom
Doniphan
Madeline K Mccray
Elm Creek
Yvonne I Gibbons
Elm Creek
Clara Marshall
Eustis
Bertha Schmeeckle
Eustis
Velma M Romantzke
Fairfield
Ione M Lipovsky
Falls City
Anna M Schawang
Falls City
Kathleen Williams
Friend
Ruth Motis
Grand Island
Pearl Brokofsky
Grant
Lucile Bates
Grant
Margaret Parrish
Greenwood
Doris C James
Guide Rock
Victoria A Lee
Guide Rock
Cathy E. Shaw
Hardy
Bernice Hansen
Harvard
Eloise McDonald
Hastings
Cecil Dittmer
Hastings
Leola McDowell
Havelock
Ruby V Walin
Hay Springs
Edna Tulloss
Herman
Catherine Rowe
Hershey
Lucille D Liles
Hershey
Ruby P Nutter
Hickman
Alice Vanderhook
Hooper
Geraldine Fauss
Hyannis
Frances J Davis
Hyannis
Tomoko Neal
Jackson
Nellie Keairns
Kearney
Pamela Ayers
Kearney
Virginia M Knecht
Kennard
Frances E Stender
Leigh
Elda Mae Urban
Lincoln
Fern E Barnard
Lincoln
Roberta S Casteel
Lincoln
Lois M Corning
Litchfield
Maxine Brewer
Mullen
Mary Elliott
Nebraska City
Barbara Esser
Nebraska City
Mary E Gress
Norfolk
Doris Mrsny
Norfolk
Dolores M Ogan
North Loup
Betty Jensen
North Platte
Della M Fisher
Omaha
Suzanne Walde
O'Neill
Mary Lowery
Orchard
Opal J Classen
Orleans
Frances M Happs
Osceola
Lorraine M. Harbour
Osceola
Helen Tiaden
Osmond
Joan M Gansebom
Osmond
Lois A. Gudenkauf
Osmond
Helen Thomsen
Papillion
Isabelle E Johnson
Petersburg
Bernadine Zabka Bonneau
Ralston
Carol Clifton
Rushville
Edith Jensen
Schuyler
Marcella Waters
Scribner
Mildred Vonseggern
Silver Creek
Cynthia D. Kelly
Silver Creek
Rosemarie Wandro
Spencer
Anna M Filips
Spencer
Margaret C Kocian
St. Edward
Carol Engstrom
St. Paul
Velma Crist
Stratton
Charlotte Larsen
Stuart
Elane Kaup
Superior
Harriet M Cacek
Superior
Lorna Hill
Syracuse
Janis Auer
Syracuse
Dorthea Schroeder
Thedford
Leona Dugger
Thedford
Coyla M Nutter
Tobias
Deloras Bartels
Uehling
Barbara J Kerby
Union
Esther A Kendall
Valparaiso
Vernola Hudkins
Valparaiso
Sally M Schmid
Wahoo
Ardath L Coday
Wahoo
Edna Haba
Wakefield
Iris Larson
Wallace
Delores Jenkins
Weeping Water
Henrietta Pilfold
West Point
Mary E Danielson
Wilcox
Pauline G Nickel
Wilcox
Connie L Schepler
Winside
Fern Deck
Wolbach
Elaine Jacobsen
Wood River
Dorothy Knight
York
Jo A Harry
York
Pauline Miller
Music Surrounds ‘Freedom-Faith-Family’ Chaplain’s Corner
By MARLENE MEYER
Music Chairman
The year 2014 has disappeared all too
quickly, and we need to continue to celebrate
the holiday season by sharing our gifts of love
through music as we begin the new year of
2015 with Freedom-Faith-Family.
Let's take music to residents in Veterans
Homes, care centers, hospitals, assisted living
facilities, senior centers, and even to those
Auxiliary members who cannot come out to
your meetings.
What a wonderful way to remind each other of the comfort of belonging to a family!
February is a month for "LOVE."
Along with music, how about delivering colorful
Valentines to veterans to tell them "thank you"
for all their sacrifices allowing us the privilege
of Freedom?
Enjoy music! Have fun with it at your meetings, conferences, and conventions!
And always remember to ask in prayer for the
continued protection of our freedom, faith, and
family.
January:
Hymn: It is No Secret
Patriotic: You're a Grand Old Flag
Fellowship: Winter Wonderland
February:
Hymn: What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Patriotic: Battle Hymn of the Republic
Fellowship: Let Me Call You Sweetheart
By KATHY MAZUR
Welcome to the beginning of a new year.
It's time to reflect on the past year and take
stock of its successful, and not-so-successful,
endeavors. This is also the time that many
people make resolutions to better themselves
in the coming year.
As a member of the American Legion
Auxiliary, know that you are an important
part of something more significant than self.
We exist to serve the concerns of our veteran-heroes and their families, and to instill and inspire Americanism and
patriotism in our communities and in our children.
Member involvement is essential to the success of our programs. The
ALA wants you and needs you to share your interests and talents. Make
a difference and make a sincere resolution this year to become a better,
more dynamic member of your American Legion Auxiliary.
Hebrews 13:16 - Do not neglect to do good and to share what you
have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Lord, You make all things new. You bring hope alive in our hearts and
cause our spirits to be born again. Thank You for this New Year and for all
the potential it holds. Come and kindle the flame of service in us so that
in our time, many will see the wonders of God and live forever to praise
In Your name. Amen
The Star
Send submissions to —
Luayne Weisgerber, 1119 Hudson Ave.
Alliance, NE 69301-2761
— or —
[email protected]
e-mail photos .jpg as attachments
Student teacher Kady Zoucha's idea was to create a flag for the Veterans Day Program. The 6th
grade students at Lyons-Decatur Northeast School assembled this flag. On the white stripes are
words that reminded the students what a Veteran is. Submitted by Decatur Unit 215
If you don’t see your photos, be patient. I usually have
more photos than space. I really would rather not run
them too small to appreciate.
Clip ‘n’ Save
The names and addresses of your Department chairmen are in the ABC
Book that was sent to each Unit. Since reports will be coming due before too
long, here is a list of those ladies —
On the night of June 2, 1969, the Australian aircraft carrier Melbourne was in collision
with the destroyer USS Frank Evans that was on maneuvers off the coast of Vietnam.
On board the Evans were brothers Gary, Gregory and Kelly Sage of Niobrara. Author
Louise Esola wrote the book “American Boys” which tells the story of the lives of the
three brothers. Their Gold Star mother Eunice was a life time member of American
Legion Auxiliary Unit #224. Shown presenting a copy of that book for the Niobrara
Library are, from left, Unit Chaplain Karen Dryak, Judy Kopp Librarian and Unit
President Kathy Meier.
Take an American Legion Auxiliary
Membership Eligibility Quiz:
True or False?
1. The only eligible veteran in my family is deceased so I can't join.
FALSE. Members can join through eligible deceased veterans even if the veteran had never been a
member of the American Legion.
2. Women Legionnaires are eligible to join the Auxiliary through their own service.
TRUE. Sign up a lady Legionnaire and you have a whole new group of potential members in her
family. Check out the "Dual is Cool" campaign for 2015.
3. If my Legion member drops out, I can no longer be an Auxiliary member.
FALSE. As long as you pay your Auxiliary dues, you remain a member.
If you got 1 or more correct, you are a membership guru, so go sign up some members!!!
Americanism — Patricia Wiseman, P.O. Box 58, Homer, NE 680300058
Auxiliary Emergency Fund — Carol Ulrich, P.O. Box 336, Wakefield,
NE 68784-0336
Chaplain/Gold Star — Kathy Mazur, 13932 Meadow Ridge Rd.,
Omaha, NE 68168-3471
Children & Youth — Sharon Brozovsky, P.O. Box 86, Wilbur, NE
68465-0086
Community Service — Diana Langer, P.O. Box 282, Osceola, NE
68651-0282
Constitution & Bylaws — Vicki Colson, P.O. Box 61, Paxton, NE
69155-0061
County Government — Ruth E. Jackson, 2313 D Rd., Riverton, NE
68972-5161
Education — Mary Ann Boldt, 79006 Drive 419, Callaway, NE
68825-2556
Girls State — Lorene Bartos, 7441 San Mateo Lane, Lincoln, NE
68516-0226
Junior Activities — Amanda Washburn, 455 CR 7, Ashland, NE
68003-1472
Leadership — Vicki Ozenbaugh, 515 Rd. 18, Ohiowa, NE 684163029
Legislative — Erma Naber, 1110 Rd. V, Waco, NE 68460-7158
Membership — JoAnn Seick, 1856 Holdrege Rd., Pleasant Dale, NE
68423
National Security — JoAnn Ward,
Parliamentarian — Bonnie Dumler, P.O. Box 179, St. Paul, NE
68335-0179
Past Presidents Parley — Cheryl Vap, 1189 Rd. CD, Red Cloud, NE
68970-7047
Poppy — Jenice Bates, 1355 Walnut, Syracuse, NE 68446-9750
Public Relations — Rita Wagner, P.O. Box 346, Elgin, NE 686360346
Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation — Sharon Scott, P.O. Box 97,
Niobrara, NE 68760-0097
Service to Our Veterans — Connie Frandson, 50 Egan Rd., Chadron,
NE 69337
Department office — P.O. Box 5227, Lincoln, NE 68505-0227
Or call 402-466-1808