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5October/November, 2015

Volume XCII Number 7

Page 2 dues informationPage 4 National Convention picturesPage 5 CalendarCenter pages-The Auxiliary StarPage 7 TAPSPage 8 Pictures

Inside

Dale Barnett w a s e l e c t e d national com-mander of the 2 .2 mi l l ion-member Amer-ican Legion on Sept. 3, 2015 in Baltimore, Md., during the 97th national convention of the nat ion’s largest veterans organization.Barnett gradu-ated from the U.S. Military Academy and served as an Army infantry officer from 1974 to 1996, re-tiring as a lieutenant colonel. A member of American Le-gion Post 105 in Fayetteville, Ga., he served The American Legion at every level, in-cluding Department (State) Commander of Georgia from 2007 to 2008. After leaving the military, Barnett taught high school social studies and coached basketball, baseball and cross country. He was the Creekside High School Teacher of the Year in 2005-2006 and a national board certified social studies teacher in 2003. Raised in central Indiana, Barnett attended Whiteland Community High School, where he was student body president, captain of the track

Dale Barnett Elected American Legion

National Commander

and basketball teams and presi-dent of the Whiteland United Methodist Youth Basketball Team. He credits his experience with Hoosier Boys Nation in 1969 with his decision to attend West Point. Barnett served from 1990 to 1991 as the battalion executive officer of the 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. His decora-tions include The Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Med-al, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2 Awards), Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and Pathfinder Badge. In addition to an Interna-tional Relations / Public Affairs degree that Barnett earned at West Point, he holds a Masters of Business Administration from Boston University and graduated from Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Barnett served as The American Legion National Membership and Post Activities Chairman from 2008 to 2010 and National Economic Chairman from 2010 to 2013. Dale and his wife, Donna, live in Douglasville, Ga., and have five children: Michelle, Andrea, Desiree, Kathalyn, and Joseph. They also have four young grandchildren: Heather, Daniel, Joanne and Brandon.

At the 2015 American Le-gion National Convention in Baltimore, a $5.00 increase in the national per capita was approved effective for all dues received at National Head-quarters on and after January 16, 2016. No doubt, many Posts will raise their post dues in conjunction with the national increase and because of this, this is a very good year to pay

National Dues Increase Information

dues by the first of the year. Department Headquarters is asking all members to pay their 2016 membership dues to their posts before the National per capita increase goes into effect on January 16, 2016. Please al-low your Post Adjutant time to get the membership processed and sent to Department Head-quarters by December1,2015. This may also be a good opportunity to become a Paid Up For Life member of the American Legion.

(More details on page 2)

The Mid-Year Conference will be held at the Lied Lodge & Conference Center in Nebraska City and will be January 15-17, 2016. This is a very nice facility with numerous activities for both indoor and outdoor en-thusiast. The Mid-Year will once again have interesting guests, speakers and enter-tainment. The rates are single/double rates for rooms are $87.00 to include up to 2 breakfasts per night, triple rate per room is $112.00 (with 3 breakfasts) and

quadruple rate is $135.00 (with 4 breakfasts). Please contact the Lied Lodge & Conference Center at 402-873-8733 Toll Free 800-546-5433 or www.liedlodge.org and is located at 2700 Sylvan Road, Ne-braska City, NE 68410.

During his travels to de-partments, American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett will be walking to raise awareness about vet-erans and the Legion’s posi-tive impact on communities nationwide. And he’s asking the Legion family to join him by conducting an awareness Walk for Veterans. “I want you to tell your story (when walking) about why you joined The Ameri-can Legion and why you stay a member in The American Legion,” Barnett said. “We’re going to get the message of The American Legion out to the communities.” The awareness walks are also a way to “walk for those who marched for us,” Barnett said. “I strongly believe that we should walk not for our-selves but for those who have marched before us. In war or peace, America’s veterans have repeatedly sacrificed for our freedom. These awareness walks are the least that we can do for them.” The walks can coincide with Barnett’s visits to de-partments, but departments are encouraged to conduct them even if the commander is not visiting. The walks can be any distance and should

include Legion family mem-bers, Legion youth program participants, Boys Scouts, high school JROTC units, community leaders and any-one else interested in helping bring Legion visibility to communities. Additionally, the walks can: •Bring attention to the many great services the Legion pro-vides, such as advocacy for veterans benefits, job fairs and family support through Tem-porary Financial Assistance. •Promote and raise funds for Legion charities, such as National Emergency Fund (Barnett’s fundraiser during his term as commander), Op-eration Comfort Warriors and Legacy Scholarship Fund. •Remind employers that the best way to thank a veteran for his or her service is to hire them. •Highlight the Four Pil-lars of the Legion.Showcase the Legion’s many premiere

youth programs, such as Boys State, Boys Nation, Oratorical Contest and Legion Baseball. •Bring attention to veterans who served their country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. National Headquarters staff can assist in planning and promoting a Walk for Veter-ans event. A media advisory, 60-second radio spot and flyer are available for download. A Walk for Veterans flag banner and table cloths may be available for temporary use during an event. T-shirts with the Walk for Veterans logo can also be purchased. For more information, con-tact Matt Herndon, deputy director of the Legion’s Mem-bership Divison, at mhern-don@legion.org or (317) 630-1406. If your department is con-ducting an awareness Walk for Veterans, send details to crichardson@legion.org.

Walk for Veterans withCommander Barnett

Make Your Reservations

Now

Department Commander

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 .........................................................EditorDave Salak ...................................Publisher’s RepresentativePUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE: L. Geraldine Thomas, Omaha; Paul A. Evans, Bayard; Thomas Rob-bins, 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 ad-dress 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.

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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

The Cornhusker State

(USPS 376-180) (ISSN 0028-1875)

Page 2-The Nebraska Legionnaire-October-November, 2015

NEBRASKA AMERICAN LEGIONDepartment Headquarters Office

Physical Location: 5600 P Street, Lincoln, NE 68505 Phone Numbers: Adjutant & Staff - (402) 464-6338 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 E-Mail Address: al20023@windstream.net Editor comdirlegion@windstream.net

Dist. 1.............Terry Cogdill, Chadron Dist. 2................Doug Frahm, AmeliaDist. 3.............Ken Hanel, West PointDist. 4.................Jack Bruns, SidneyDist. 5...Michael Heinemann, WallaceDist. 6.........William Berney, SpaldingDist. 7...............Joe Osthoff, Weston

District Commanders

Michael Reimers

Commander’sCorner

Dist. 8................Bob Sadil, OmahaDist. 9............Dick Bennett, ElwoodDist. 10.......Richard Binder, MindenDist. 11...........Gary Wooten, WilberDist. 12.Norm Vanderkuur, TalmageDist. 13....Rick Gyhra, Pawnee CityDist. 15...........Ed Schnabel, Lincoln

Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael G. Reimers, AuroraSenior Vice Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth Linn, ScottsbluffArea A Vice Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rex Sears, DecaturArea B Vice Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shannon Falk, NorfolkArea C Vice Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lyle Bartels, TobiasArea D Vice Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Colson, PaxtonAdjutant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Salak, OmahaActivities Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brent Hagel-Pitt, LincolnPublic Relations Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John E. Thompson, LincolnChaplain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Willian Jackson Jr,,LincolnHistorian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jennifer Salak, Omaha Judge Advocate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ronald J. Albin, Norfolk Finance Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Novak, DawsonSergeant-At-Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rich Lemmerman, MarquetteAsst. Sergeant-At-Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Roy Vap, Red CloudService Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steven A. Burger, Lincoln National Executive Committeeman . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry Landkamer, NorfolkAlternate NECman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Crosier, Kearney

Since my last article Lori and I attended the National Conven-tion in Baltimore Md. Was a fast trip out to Baltimore with the entertainment trailed for the tri stack party. But we made it out without any problems. There were several resolutions that passed. Some will help our veterans and country. And one that you may not agree with is Dues increase. There has not been a dues increase for 9 years and the economy has not stood still. As most of you know it will increase $5.00 that is still less than 10 cents a day. It did pass and it goes into effect Jan. 16, 2016. That means that we need to work membership hard before the first of the year. We all need to help get membership in, you as a member need to see that your friend/buddy has his membership paid before the first of the year to save him or her $5.00. I know you may think about your membership but you know what the American Legion does for the veterans and the children as well as its commitment to the community. So let’s make membership fun this year. Then we listened to some great speeches from past military person-nel, and of course feel good speeches from politicians. Every day there was at least a breakfast, luncheon or banquet to attend. Speaking of Baltimore, a very nice place to visit, an abundance of hospitality and very helpful if you had any questions. I attended the LIT luncheon-business meeting. The Legion Insurance Trust has a FREE accidental death policy for all Legionnaires if their dues are paid and you are enrolled. It pays a $5,000.00 benefit if you are on official Legion business and $1,000.00 for all other situations. You can enroll online at www.theLIT.com. We need to try to get every one to enroll. The new National Commander of The American Legion is Dale Barnett. This now makes Charles Schmidt from Oregon the leading candidate to become the next national commander. Also, the National Vice-Commander for our region is Alan Davis from Minnesota. A couple of the great points at the convention were at the final count. The 4X4 Campaign for Mike Helm raised over $7.5 Million for all American Legion Charities. On September 7th I attended the State Fair in Grand Island, there was a ceremony and a Parade. Also was in Arcadia for the Parade. Went to several POW/MIA ceremonies, we can not forget those people. Some of them are right here among us. Just a reminder, the leadership school is coming up October 3rd at the Post Home & Breemer Center in Aurora, NE. Please, if you are planning on attending, and I hope you are, let Dept. know who and how many from your post will be attending. We want to have enough packets for everyone. Last year many attended the leadership school so pre-register and that way we will not run out of packets. There will be a joint Homecoming for Commander Reimers and President Washburn at the Fair Grounds in Aurora, NE that evening. Also, send your reservation(s) and check for $16.00 per person to Michael Reimers, 1504 North P. Road, Au-rora, NE 68818. The deadline for reservations is September 29, 2015 but the sooner the better. My project for the year will follow the National Commanders project. One last item, MEMBERSHIP. State wide we are at about 50 % renewal rate. Not too bad, but these are the easy renewals. Mem-bership chairmen contact your members now. It’s easier knocking on doors now than when the snow is blowing. Some of the posts are well over the 50% mark while some have not turned in a single renewal. That’s impossible. Adjutants if you are holding the cards send them in now. District Commanders, you get the membership report, use it. Find out what the problem is in turning in member-ship. At the same time, call the posts that are doing a good job and give them a pat on the back. Membership is everybody’s job. Our national goal is 34,065 which is basically one more than last year’s membership number, we can make that goal.

Michael ReimersCommander

What this means to Posts in Nebraska is that after January 12, 2016, Posts will need to remit $29.75 per membership card sent to Department Head-quarters instead of the current $24.75. All Posts are affected by the dues increase but 111 Posts in Nebraska will be adversely af-fected by this increase because their current dues amount isn’t high enough to offset the $5.00 increase. All Posts must have a minimum dues amount of $29.75 or they will have to subsidize the difference. Posts who do not meet the minimum $29.75 dues amount are: 10, 18, 21, 26, 31, 44, 45,48,50, 51, 55, 57, 65, 69, 76, 78, 80, 85, 88, 89, 97, 99, 107, 113, 114, 117, 121, 125, 131, 134, 141, 143, 142, 145, 147, 148, 149, 150, 152, 153, 156, 157, 159, 165, 169, 171, 173, 175, 176, 189, 191, 194, 198, 199, 202, 204, 214, 218, 223, 224, 225, 227, 244, 245, 251, 255, 261, 265, 266, 268, 270, 273, 281, 282, 283, 285, 286, 288, 289, 295, 297, 302, 304, 305, 309, 311, 318, 321, 322, 326, 330, 334, 336, 341, 343, 344, 346, 349, 352, 354, 356, 357, 361, 363, 365, 366, 367, 370, 372, 376 and 377. If your Post will be in-creasing post dues, authorized Post Officers should down-load and fill out the post data form available on our websitewww.nebraskalegion.net and return it to Department Head-quarters by December 1, 2015.

Faces Never Forgotten:

Putting faces with names on

The WallThe old saying is “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Since 2009, VVMF’s Faces Never Forgotten photo collec-tion campaign has received more than 42,000, but organiz-ers realize it will get harder as the number remaining dwindles. If you have a picture of a loved one or fellow Veteran whose name is on The Wall, please help VVMF honor these individuals by putting a face with a name. Not sure if there is already a photo posted? Just search the Wall of Faces by name to check. Regardless of whether or not VVMF has a photo of the individual already, multiple photos are encouraged.The Wall That Heals may be in your area. For more informa-tion on how to submit a photo, click here, or contact VVMF at inbox@vvmf.org

AttentionDues Increase Information for Members and

Adjutants

Beemer ALR Chapter had a raffle drawing on Monday evening, September 21. Past National Commander Mike Helm was asked to draw three tickets. The first ticket was for a Big Boy Henry Rifle and Mark Matthies of Clark-son was the recipient. The next ticket was for $500.00 cash and Flinn Doescher of Beemer was the recipient. The Grand Prize was a 2015 Street Glide (PNC Mike is seated on it) and the winner was Ron Keogh of Oakland.

E

StraightTalkDepartment Service OfficerSteve Burger

It’s History

The following is for Post and District Historians.

1975

By Department Historian Jennifer Salak

Veterans All veterans who are legal residents of Nebraska and are 64 years old or older and have an honorable or general-under honor-able conditions discharge are eligible for a veterans annual small game hunt/fish permit for a fee of $5. The permit is valid Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 of each calendar year and must be renewed each year for a fee of $5. No additional state stamps or fees are required. Any veteran 65 years old or older who had been issued a fee exempt permit before Jan. 1, 2006 does not need to purchase or renew that permit.

69 Years of Age or Older Small Game Hunt/Fish permits plus all necessary stamps will be issued to any Nebraska resident 69 years of age or older for a fee of $5. These permits are valid Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 of each calendar year and must be renewed each year for a fee of $5. These permits are issued at Game and Parks Commission district offices, Lincoln headquarters, Omaha and the Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium. Forms are enclosed with your first order of permits. Any Nebraska resident who is 70 years old or older and had been issued a fee-exempt permit before Jan. 1, 2006 does not need to purchase or renew that permit. Aquatic Habitat Stamps, Habitat Stamps and Nebraska Migra-tory Waterfowl Stamps: The holder of a valid veteran fee-exempt permit, a veteran 64 years and older, or a 69 year and older permit is NOT required to purchase a Habitat Stamp, an Aquatic Stamp or a Nebraska migratory waterfowl stamp.

Five Dollar Fishing and Hunting Licenses

Burial Benefits Available For Veterans, Spouses and Dependents

For Burial in a National Cemetery

Burial benefits available include a gravesite in any of our 131 national cemeteries with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a Government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family. Some Veterans may also be eligible for Burial Al-lowances. Cremated remains are buried or inurned in national cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains. Burial benefits available for spouses and dependents buried in a national cemetery include burial with the Veteran, perpetual care, and the spouse or dependents name and date of birth and death will be inscribed on the Veteran’s headstone, at no cost to the family. Eligible spouses and dependents may be buried, even if they predecease the Veteran. The Veterans family should make funeral or cremation arrange-ments with a funeral provider or cremation office. Any item or service obtained from a funeral home or cremation office will be at the family’s expense.

For Burial in a Private Cemetery

Burial benefits available for Veterans buried in a private cem-etery may include a Government headstone, marker or medal-lion, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family. Some Veterans may also be eligible for Burial Allowances. There are not any VA benefits available to spouses and dependents buried in a private cemetery.

Donating Burial Flags in National Cemeteries

Most of the Department of Veterans Affairs national cemeter-ies display an Avenue of Flags on patriotic holidays and during special events. The Avenues consist of burial flags donated by the families of deceased Veterans and provide a unique visible tribute to all of our Nation’s Veterans. A Certificate of Appreciation is presented to the donor for providing their loved ones’ burial flag to a national cemetery. Please contact the cemetery of your choice for information on how to donate a Veteran’s burial flag.

If Legionnaires have questions they can contact their Post Service Officer or my office at 402-420-4021

Steve BurgerState Service Officer

This month I am going to break from tradition and instead of writing about what happened in the past, I am going to write about what is happening now and in the coming months. Since being appointed as Department Historian in January by Past Department Commander Fred Craigie, I have been busy developing the very first Department Yearbook. For anyone who has put together a post-level yearbook, you know it is a very time-consuming task. Despite the many hours I have spent on this project, it has been fun and rewarding, and I realize how important it is for all of us to be keeping a historical record of the great things we are doing throughout the year. Now that I have finished the 2014-2105 yearbook, it will be reviewed and certified by De-partment Adjutant Salak and sent to National Headquarters for entry into the annual yearbook contest. The yearbook will be judged by a panel of Historians at the upcoming Fall Meetings in Indianapolis. In judging the yearbooks, the panel uses a strict set of criteria that are outlined in the Post Officer Guide and Manual of Ceremonies publication. These rules, which are very detailed and spell out exactly how a yearbook should be put together, include everything from page numbering to what information should be included in a photo caption. If you are currently working on a post-level yearbook, and plan to enter it into the annual contest, you need to follow these rules. If you are not familiar with the rules, the Post Officer Guide can be downloaded from www.legion.org under the Media tab and then Publications tab. The guide is listed under the Internal Affairs category. Speaking of the annual contest, one of the items on my to-do list as Department Historian is to bring back the post history contest. To help historians put together quality yearbooks, I would like to have training sessions to get everyone up to speed. After being trained, they can go back and work on their yearbooks and then submit completed yearbooks to me for judging at the 2016 Department Convention in June. The winner of the contest would be certified by me and then submitted to National Headquarters for the annual contest during the 2016 Fall Meetings. My goal going forward is to develop a battle rhythm for historians throughout the department and provide them with the information they need to effectively perform their duties. This will include holding training sessions, putting information on the department’s website (including a PDF copy of the Department Yearbook), and sending out regular email updates. If you are a post historian and want to receive regular updates via email, please email me at salak17@yahoo.com and I will add your name to my list. Finally, I would like to briefly touch on the Legion’s Centennial Celebration efforts. The goal of the Centennial Celebration is to honor the past 100 years of The American Legion’s history and prepare the organization to continue its legacy of service. This is a huge effort which is being supported at all levels of the organization in all 55 departments. For more information on the celebration or how to set up a webpage for your post, visit www.centennial.legion.org and download the Post History Workbook. Thank you to Bellevue Post 339 for taking the lead and setting up a post page with information and pictures. We have over 360 posts in Nebraska and I would love to see a centennial webpage set up for every single post. I know there are great stories out there so let’s showcase them on the Centennial website! I am very proud to represent Nebraska Legionnaires as the Department Historian. There is a lot of work to be done and I am looking forward to working with all of you in order to record our history so future generations can look back and see all that we have accomplished!

Government officials from the Defense POW/MIA Ac-counting Agency (DPAA) met with more than 300 fam-ily members of servicemen who went missing during past conflicts at the Korean/Cold War annual briefings Aug. 13-14, 2015, in Wash-ington, D.C. At this meeting, representatives from the U.S. government’s personnel ac-counting community briefed family members on the gov-ernment’s efforts to account for their loved ones, to in-clude briefings on govern-ment policy, remains recov-ery operations and methods of identifying remains. As family members stood to tell their stories during the morning remembrance ceremony, it was clear that whether it was a wife, grand-son or granddaughter, niece or nephew, or even a son or daughter, each had similar memories to share. Losing a family member is always difficult, and some families wait years for closure. Mary McClung, the daugh-ter of Marine Corps Master Sgt. William J. McClung III, who was also a World War II veteran, stated that

Korean and Cold War’s Families Seek Answersthe Korean/Cold War annual meeting gives families a place to get information and share a common bond. “When I lost my father I was three years old,” said Mary McClung. “It has been difficult to grow up without a father, but luckily my mother was great. She remarried a great man, and I had family surrounding me.” Family members, like Mc-Clung, gain knowledge about their lost loved ones and are provided the opportunity to discuss their specific cases with analysts. McClung stated that she was very curious about her father’s loss and began to attend gov-ernment briefings as an adult to obtain detailed information surrounding his case. Today, more than 7,900 ser-vice members are still missing from the Korean and Cold Wars. Many families of these service members attend these annual briefings each year in hopes of receiving additional information about their lost loved ones and what the gov-ernment is doing to bring them home. As the meeting continued, Mr. Michael Linnington, who recently has been appointed

the first Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, conveyed his remarks. “This is the most important mission I have had in 35 years,” This is about families and pro-viding information to families.” The accounting community conducts six to eight briefings a year throughout the U.S. and the meetings are designed to provide updated information to family members on their miss-ing loved ones’ cases. McClung has been attend-ing this briefing for the past 13 years, she stated. Since 1995, DPAA and the personnel accounting commu-nity partners have briefed more than 26,000 family members, just like the McClungs.

Page 3-The Nebraska Legionnaire-October-November, 2015

Page 4-The Nebraska Legionnaire-October-November, 2015

Nebraska delegates attended the Department Caucus, heard Committee reports, received updates on the con-vention and were advised of the process for our depart-ment to participate in the parade. Several Legionnaires visited our State Caucus on Commander Dale Barnett and Leading Candidate Charles Schmidt’s behalf.

Choosing to ride in the Na-tional Convention parade was in the back Randy Busch, Department JSSP Liaison; Diane Craigie, driv-ing is Debra Day and the passenger is John Van-Winkle.

NEC Jerry Landkamer, Department Commander Dave Bruckner and PDC Fred Craigie and others from Nebraska prepare to show Nebraska’s pride in supporting Dale Barnett named National Commander.

Carrying the banner in the National Convention Parade are (l-r) Past Department Commander Dave Bruckner, SAL Alt. NEC Danny Smith, Past Department Commanders Ron Corbett, Jim Sidel, Bill Crosier, Rollie Otte, Richard Baxter, Doug Boldt, Jerry Landkamer and Mike Landkamer.

Delegation Chairman Past Department Commander Fred Craigie was responsi-ble for running the Nebras-ka caucus that concluded just prior to the national convention parade.

The National Convention in Pictures

OMAHA, Neb. – The De-partment of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the arrival ofCindy M. Van Bibber as the first director of Omaha Na-tional Cemetery, effective Sept. 8, 2015. The new national cem-etery, now under construction, is located along South 144th St. (Highway 50), at 14250 Schram Road. “I am excited to be here and anxious to get to know the lo-cal veteran community,” said Van Bibber. “I want them to know that we are committed to providing world-class burial and memorial benefits to our veterans, their spouses and family members.” Prior to her assignment, she served as assistant director of Riverside National Cemetery in California from February 2014. Before that, she served as director of Bakersfield Na-tional Cemetery in Arvin, Ca-lif., from May 2010, director of Fort Bliss National Cemetery

First Director Arrives at Omaha National Cemetery

GOD PLEASE WATCH OVER AND

PROTECT OUR TROOPS

in El Paso, Texas, and Fort Bayard National Cemetery in Grand County, N.M., from January 2008, and as assistant director at both facilities from September 2007. Van Bibber completed the National Cemetery Admin-istration (NCA) comprehen-sive, year-long Cemetery Director Intern Program in September 2007. Prior to joining NCA, Van Bibber held positions with the Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia, Va., from 1997 to 2006 as a cemetery program support technician and as the superintendent. Van Bibber served for more than 10 years in the U.S. Army. Her service included assignments in Korea, Kan-sas and with the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium. Van Bib-ber joined the Army from her hometown of Grand Island, Neb.

Boy Scout of the Year Ethan Copple of Elkhorn addressed the National Con-vention and was one of the Youth Champions that were special guest of The Ameri-can Legion.

National Firefighter /EMS of the Year Steven Brune of West Point addressed the National Convention and received his award from National Commander Mike Helm.

Nebraska received a plaque and also The National Com-manders Award for Membership. Receiving the awards (l-r) Alternate NEC Bill Crosier, NEC Jerry Landkamer, Department Commander Mike Reimers, past Department Commander Fred Craigie and National Commander Mike Helm.

Page 5-The Nebraska Legionnaire-October-November, 2015

Events Calendar

Most things in your life depend on your ability to earn an in-come. Your home. Your everyday living expenses. Your savings. Your children’s child care and educational needs. Your hopes for retirement. Your dreams for the future. But if an injury kept you from earning your income, how would you pay your everyday living expenses? Many people think it won’t happen to them. Unfortunately, re-cent statistics from the Social Security Administration, Disability Benefits handbook show that nearly one in three workers will be-come disabled before they reach retirement. With so many things in life being uncertain, why not help protect yourself and your loved ones from the financial risks and uncertainties surrounding a disability? Enroll in the Legionnaire Insurance Trust Accident Disability Plan today … so you’re protected if you ever need it. This new benefit will pay you $300 a day for up to 100 days ($30,000) in cash benefits for hospital stays caused by a covered accident. You also have access to $500.00 a week paid for up to 52 weeks ($26,000) in cash benefits for a total disability caused by a covered accident which prevents you from earning a pay-check! This is all in addition to the $50,000 cash benefit paid to your loved ones if you fall victim to a covered fatal accident. This high-benefit plan is available to you and your spouse at an affordable group rate negotiated exclusively for Legionnaires. Best of all, your coverage is pre-approved no matter what your health is like. For additional information on how to protect your assets, visit us online at www.thelit.com or contact our customer service representatives at 1-800-235-6943.

Protect your Savings from Financial Risk

October-National Disability/ Employment Month 3 Leadership School begins at 10:30 a.m. Aurora Post Home 3 Commanders & Presidents Banquet 6:30 p.m. Hamilton County Fairgrounds Agriculture Building 12 Columbus Day (Observed) 12-15 Fall Meetings in Indy. 13 Membership Target Date (55%) 25-30 American Legion College 31 Halloween November-Member Retention Month 3 Election Day 11 Veterans Day

13 Membership Target Date (65%) 26 Thanksgiving Day December 6 Hanukkah 7 Pearl Harbor Day 10 Membership Target Date (75%) 21 First Day of Winter 25 Christmas Day 31 New Year’s Eve

try honorably, she returned to her segregated civilian life. Peterson said she is grateful to have met Hamilton. While they got to know each other, the two bonded closer togeth-er after realizing they were both stationed at Ft. Meade in Maryland at different points during their military careers. “To understand her back-ground and her bravery is a tre-mendous honor,” Peterson said. Seeing the men and wom-en lined up at various points across the district to greet her and the other veterans warmed Hamilton’s heart. “I cried all the way through the D.C. airport because of all the people that were there greet-ing us. This opportunity re-ally made me feel better about my service,” Hamilton said. Hamilton also had the op-portunity to meet fellow Army veteran Verna Jones, executive director of The American Legion’s of-fice in Washington, D.C. "People are finally starting to understand and value the con-tributions women have made while serving in the military," Jones said. “Our roles in the military have always been downplayed. To have an event like this lets us know that our sacrifices, service and com-mitments to our country are recognized. Our country un-derstands that we are patriotic in every sense of the word, and we give to our country as well.” “It is hard to verbalize what this feels like. When those la-dies walked in, they were so proud," Jones said. "Those of us standing on the sidelines were just as proud. We were clapping, shaking hands, giv-ing high fives and hugging each other. It is a sisterhood.” Among the ranks of a veteran mother and daughter duo, a ra-dio operator that helped break Nazi code during World War II, a Navy veteran featured on a recruiting poster, an aircraft repair officer and a host of oth-ers who played equally as im-portant roles, a few navy blue caps with gold trim stuck out as women Legionnaires stood proudly beside their sisters-in-arms. Seven members of the Greater Cincinnati Wom-en's American Legion Post 644, including Commander Georgia Dahlberg, made the trip to Washington together. Since the first Honor Flight took off 10 years ago, more than 180,000 veterans have been granted opportunities to visit the respective memori-als of the wars they served and fought in. Before the his-toric flight Tuesday, no more than five women had been on an Honor Flight at one time.

As they boarded their flight at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Air-port Sept. 22, the 140 veterans on board, the first all-women Honor Flight, had some in-kling of what they were get-ting themselves into. While the aircraft touched down in the nation’s capital, the magnitude of the event be-came more and more evident. The women veterans came from all walks of life and were paired with other women who served during a different era. For them, it was an opportunity to share their experiences and build the camaraderie that a lot of them have been missing. Although the tour included a few stops along the way, the first landmark – the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Arlington, Va. – was a pivotal moment. While there, the women met other fe-male active-duty service mem-bers and veterans. They also had the chance to hear from Department of Veterans Af-fairs Secretary Bob McDonald. During his time with the veterans, McDonald thanked the women for their service. “Our nation is grateful. We are grateful for the challenges you endured and overcame, and the sacrifices you have made that men simply didn’t have to make. The service you have rendered to this coun-try is more valuable than you could have ever imagined.” His words hit home, resonat-ing with those in attendance. “This is exciting. I have nev-er seen this many women vet-erans together,” said Johnnie Hamilton, an Army veteran

who served in the 1950s. “It is time for us to be recognized." Gulf War veteran Alicia Peterson said the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity gave her some insight into what it was like to be a minority in the military when segregation and racial injustice were at a peak. While she escorted Hamilton, Peterson learned intimate de-tails about Hamilton's service in the Women’s Army Corps that she has never shared with anyone else – not even her husband who also served in the Army during World War II. “It is amazing to be a part of her day,” Peterson said. “The barriers that she broke through – she paved the way for wom-en in the military like me.” Reluctantly, Hamilton ad-mitted it was tough grow-ing up during the time she was an adolescent. While walking around downtown Cincinnati one day shortly after her high school gradu-ation, Hamilton found her inspiration to join the Army. “I saw this picture at the post office that said, ‘Uncle Sam wants you.’ So I went in and joined,” she said.It was not easy to go into the military during segregation, Hamilton said. “It is very personal – the things that we went through as blacks in the military – especially around Fort Lee in Virginia, Fort Mc McClellan in Alabama and in Maryland. It just wasn’t a good place to be at that time.” After what she endured be-fore the military and while serving her country, Hamilton said her journey was far from over. After serving her coun-

First All-Women Honor Flight 'Long Overdue'

Page 6-The Nebraska Legionnaire-October-November, 2015

Department ChaplainDr. William Jackson

S.A.L.NotesDetachment Commander

Keith Kearns

Dr. William JacksonDepartment Chaplain

Chaplain’s Corner

Chaplain’s note: These next few editions will examine our role with the Nebraska Department Commander, Mike Reimers’, signature theme for 2015 – 2016: Faith, Family, Freedom, and Future. We Legionnaires have been around since 1919, supporting American interests at home and abroad via our stake in the communities we live, work, and play in. We stood for patriotism, fair play, and the right of everyone to be free to make their own choices about who and what governs them. But, we also know, we can no longer be the world’s policeman. It’s too costly, too widespread, and too draining of our American lives to maintain that kind of altruistic, but telling drain our resources. Yet, as Americans, especially veterans, from many cam-paigns over these past 239 years since our inaugural step as a fledgling nation, that same, compassionate desire to see others partake of our bounty, hasn’t dissipated. But Legionnaires may still be an example for others, right here in good, ole, Nebraska. How so, you ask? Why, by becoming your own ambassador for our department commander to every fellow Legion-naire family, and to those veterans who’ve not yet joined us. We want to have their concerns, hopes, and dreams of living a better life really come true, with deserved benefits and remembrances by those who know the score, yet, are willing to take another stand for what is right. Let’s start this new beachhead for the department commander’s theme with examining their initial semantics.• Faith...it’s what I peddle from Holy Scriptures to you, in the form of heart-warming sentiments about patriotism, compassion, and genuineness, and, of course, Godly encouragement through private and confidential counseling, to maintain our Legionnaire Four Pillars of Americanism, Children and Youth, National Security, and Veterans Support and Rehabilitation • Family...the soul of America, and of us Legionnaires, from which we garner God’s Love, learn moral and ethical behavior, pick up a sense of duty to God and country, and become brave and trustworthy to be the best at what we do, with my counseling along the way to help keep you on track and focused• Freedom...it’s what spells America, in big, bright, beautiful red, white, and blue letters, streamers, and flags displayed appropriately ev-erywhere, knowing that our blood, sweat, and tears made it all probable• Future...it’s that which is only known by God, but, with His Guid-ance, and my counsel, we’ll travel the right paths, to do the right things, at the right time. So, let’s head back to that Faith thing. In accordance with Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hopes for; the evidence of things unseen.” What that asserts is that faith is the key to sustaining any forward motion. But, what does this word “faith” really mean, in order that you get the best speed out of it? We’ll take a brief vocabulary lesson to breakdown this meaning. And no, you won’t be tested in the morning like in Mrs. Whatshername’s class so long ago, even though I hold a bachelor of arts (BA) degree in English myself.• Faith...confidence or trust• Belief...acceptance that something is true• Trust...taking the reliability of something to heartOther examples of these notions at work are seen in Scripture as follows:• Proverbs 3: 5, 6...“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and He will set straight thy paths.”• Romans 3:3...“For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?”• 2 Thessalonians 2:13...“But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:” Simply put: everyone trusts, believes, and/or has faith in something, or, someone. Why not maintain your trust-faith-belief in Jesus, despite the world seeming to take a back seat to immorality and non-ethics? As Legionnaires, most of us were raised to know-love-serve the Lord, which enabled us to serve our families, this great nation of ours, and, each other. Continue in Faith, as our department commander has called us to, so that we may also blaze a worthy trail for our children to follow.

Striving for 4F Status

Sincerely Keith Kearns

Detachment Commander

I wanted to start this letter by thanking Department Commander Mike and President Barb for the invitation to take part in this Year’s Leadership school and also their Homecomings. While I will not be able to attend, I hope that many of our members, especially those who live in the Aurora area will take this oppor-tunity to learn more about our Legion Family and its programs and celebrating with Commander Mike and President Barb the kickoff of their year of leadership and taking care of our veterans and promoting The American Legion Family. This is an exciting new year with our new National Com-mander Kevin Collier from the great state of Alaska. Commander Collier’s theme this year is: R.O.C.K.E.D. “Remembering Our Commitment Keeping it Every Day”. As Sons and part of the Legion Family, he would like for our members to Continue to support our veterans, Improve educational communications to our Squadrons and Detachment, Increase donations to the National Emergency Fund, To continue to focus on the Child Welfare Fund, To continue to promote activities in Americanism and Children and Youth programs, and To promote an increase in activities in VA & R. This is an ambitious set of goals but I know that our members here in Nebraska and throughout our great organization are up to the challenge of making this happen. Our membership is the biggest factors in The American Legion Family being as successful as we are in advocating for our Veter-ans. The number of members we have ensure that our voices are heard when we talk to our legislators. Our membership and their hard work helps us to be successful as we build on the Four Pillars of The American Legion and allows for us to meet the needs of our Veterans and communities. Our activities and presence in our communities are the very things that make The American Legion Family an organization that people want to belong to. When we are involved in our communities, we need to reach out to potential new members and allow them to be part of our work and mission. Through new members we gain the strength to accomplish even more . This is a self fulfilling recipe for success, stay active in your communities with your youth and veterans, communicate what your are doing (blow your own horn and do it loudly because no one else will), be open and reach out to new members and take advantage of their energy and ideas to do even more. Coming up in October we will be seeing our American Legion District family getting started on fall projects. Here in District One we will be having our Fall Roundup, which is the launching point for winter. We will be getting set up to lead into the Holi-day season which is an important time to take part to ensure our Veterans know they are not forgotten during this time. In closing I would like to congratulate Danny Smith on his Can-didacy for Sons of The American Legion National Commander. He was selected to be a candidate at this year’s National Conven-tion in Baltimore. Danny has dedicated a large part of his life to serving our Veterans and working as part of The American Legion Family. Danny had a kickoff event this past month in September at his home Squadron and Post family. Danny will be the first National Commander from the State of Nebraska for the Sons and he would like to have a chance to visit as many Squadrons as he can in Nebraska during this coming year. This is a momentous event for the State of Nebraska and Danny needs the support of every Squadron to help make his candidacy a success. This will be a good time for every Squadron to show their support of our First National Commander by contributing towards his campaign. This can be through hosting a fund raising event or making a com-mitment to donate a set amount per member of your Squadron. Please bring this up at your next squadron meeting and find a way to support Danny Smith for National Commander, Sons of The American Legion.

VA Announces $4 Million in Funding

to Help the Homeless

WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Veterans Af-fairs Robert A. McDonald announced the award of $4 million in renewal funding of-fered through the Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program to 21 community agencies that currently provide enhanced services for homeless Vet-erans with special needs. “These important grant re-newals will allow community agencies to continue to pro-vide critical transitional hous-ing services where they are needed,” said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald. “As a key component of the VA’s plan to significantly reduce homelessness among Veter-ans, the Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Special Need grants will provide funding to com-munity agencies that provide services to homeless Veterans. The program promotes the development and provi-sion of supportive housing and services with the goal of helping homeless Veterans achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and income, and obtain greater self-determination. Spe-cifically, GPD Special Need grant funding will assist with additional operational costs that would not otherwise be incurred but for the fact that the recipient is providing transitional housing and ser-vices for the GPD “Special Need” populations, including women, chronically mentally ill, frail elderly, terminally ill, and individuals who have the care of minor dependents. As a result of these and other efforts, Veteran homelessness is down significantly since the launch of the Federal Strate-gic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in 2010. The state of Connecticut and cit-ies of New Orleans, Houston, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City have all recently announced the achievement of signifi-cant milestones related to ending Veteran homelessness. More information about VA’s homeless programs is available at www.va.gov/homeless. Community orga-nizations seeking details and/or more information may visit VA’s National Grant and Per Diem Program website www.va.gov/homeless/GPD.ASP.

Page 7-The Nebraska Legionnaire-October-November, 2015

The American Legion Riders

Kind regards.Brian Mann

Nebraska State LiaisonAmerican Legion Riders

The following names were listed incorrectly in last months TAPS. Gary E. Hahne of South Omaha Post 331and Charles A. Wiliams of Ashland Post 129 were listed as deceased in last month paper and they are very much alive.

Well, summer has come and gone and fall is upon us. That means motor-scooter hibernation is just around the corner. Such a sad, sad sce-nario for the wind-in-the-face and bugs-in-the-teeth lovers of the open road. It is what it is, and so the saying goes…the big wheel keeps on turning. It’s also FOOTBALL season and to quote Lee Corso… “Not so fast, my friend!”. Even though we’ve all got some great memories and stories of all the rides we’ve taken and missions we’ve had the privilege to be a part of the past few months, Fall presents some of our FAVORITE riding weather! That’s right! Nothing feels better than jumping on the old bike on a cool, crisp Fall afternoon and putting in a couple hundred miles just riding the back roads and tak-ing in the beautiful colors of Mother Nature going dormant. Nothing can compare my friends. IT’S GREAT! Fall, and anytime for that matter, is also a great time to spark up conversations with your neighbor or strangers you see out and about riding the two (…or three) wheelers to find out if they are eligible for American Legion family membership and interested in joining an ALR chapter. When we ain’t out ridin’, we’re re-cruitin’…right?! That’s what it’s all about folks, growing and extending our reach and touch throughout our com-munities. That said, it’s my honor to introduce our newest ALR chapter to the Nebraska state family of American Legion Riders. A BIG WELCOME to the Gibbon Post 310 ALR chapter! Gibbon became the 38th ALR chapter overall! I was super impressed with the turnout for the startup meeting and the leadership displayed by those stepping up to take on the Officer positions. A big thanks to Rick Lange (Gibbon Post 310 AL Com-mander) for hosting the new ALR chapter! And, likewise to Ryan James Brehmer for doing the initial leg work and working with the Gibbon folks to make it all possible! It’s my pleasure to introduce the newly appointed Officers for the Gibbon ALR Chapter: Steve Kautz (Director), Larry

Aden, Henry V., JuniataAlt, Francis E. Jr., Shelby, VietnamArends, Michael R., Mullen, VietnamArenz, Charles L., Omaha, WWIIAurich, Obert, Beemer, WWIIBackous, Howard T., Scotts-bluff, WWIIBailey, Robert O., Fremont, WWIIBartak, Keith, Ewing, KoreaBecker, Harold L., Lyons, WWIIBeckman, Alfred J., HermanBellino, Richard T., Papillion, VietnamBenig, Clifford H. Jr., Omaha, WWIIBergman, Ralph E., Omaha, KoreaBertram, David, Hershey, VietnamBesse, Richard, Beaver Cross-ing, VietnamBetts, Donald D., Plainview, VietnamBienhoff, Herbert F., HildrethBird, Marvin, Winnebago, VietnamBock, Jack E., Lincoln, WWII Bomberger, Gary R., Oconto, VietnamBourn, Robert H., Herman, VietnamBowden, William L., Tekamah, WWIIBruha, Frank E., ScotiaBurbach, Alfred T., Crofton, VietnamBurkett, Rolly D., CroftonBusboom, Clarence W., Lincoln, Korea Camp, Donald L., Beatrice, WWIICarman, Richard E., Millard, KoreaChristensen, Merle O., Albion, KoreaClausen, Cecil, Boelus, WWIICook, Jack A., Valentine, WWIIDavis, Ethel, Ashland, WWIIDavis, Kenneth, Fullerton, WWIIDenker, Eugene H., Omaha, KoreaDinges, Phillip JR., Lincoln, WWII Dodge, Levi J., Beatrice, WWIIDoht, Dale, Thurston, WWIIDreesen, Kenny, Crofton, KoreaDuncan, Charles, Omaha Ben-son, KoreaDuren, Myron J., ShelbyEastin, Farell V., Lincoln, WWII Etmund, Brian, Hickman, VietnamFager, Fred H., Craig, WWIIFeller, Donald P., Elkhorn, WWIIFollmer, Gerald T., Nelson, VietnamFortney, Donald D., Ashland, KoreaFossler, Harvey, Beatrice, KoreaFrevert, Myron C., Bloomfield, WWIIGaston, Russell S., Broken Bow, KoreaGebers, Walter H., Johnson, WWIIGobel, Leon E., Crofton, KoreaGoodbrod, Walt, Papillion, WWIIGouldie, Donald B., Brewster, KoreaGregory, Robert M., Omaha, WWIIGrobeck, Don J., Ralston, WWIIGrove, Lee E., Superior, Viet-namHalvorsen, Virgil, Palmyra, KoreaHammond, Mike, Schuyler, WWII

Hawkins, Fred H. Sr., Lincoln, WWIIHeiliger, Duane P., Kearney, KoreaHelmbrect, Chris D., Mullen, VietnamHenning, Harvey J., Kearney, WWIIHermsen, Dale, Gretna, VietnamHill, Neal S., Allen, WWIIHillard, Gary, Scottsbluff, KoreaHoptkins, Ralph L., Eddyville, KoreaImm, Wayne R., Orleans, WWIIJahn, Walter P., Grand Island, WWIIJennings, Russell C., Hickman, WWIIJiskra, LeRoy G.., Crete, KoreaJohns, Clyde L., Gering, KoreaKeiser, Thomas R., Cody, KoreaKiolbasa, James E., Clay Center, VietnamKliment, Myron L., Papillion, KoreaKoehn Curtis R., Clarkson, KoreaKotouc, Terry, Humboldt, S.A.L.Koval, Emil J., Lynch, KoreaKubat, Aloysius A., Prague, WWIIKucera, Victor J., DodgeKuskie, Clifford G., OgallalaLang, Marvin E., Uehling, VietnamLayher, Frank W., Grand IslandLeigh, Johnnie G., Callaway, WWIILindauer, Richard L., OgallalaLittle-Wolf, Regina R., Win-nebago, WWIILong, Owen W., Bartlett, KoreaLueken, James T., Lynch, Viet-namLustgraaf, Harold, ColonLuther, Jack E., Hooper, WWIIMacrander, Melvin H., Fremont, WWIIMartin, Troy J., Omaha, VietnamMcDole, James R., Omaha, KoreaMeduna, Raymond J., WestonMeduna, Rudy J., ColonMekoliczak, Ted, Greeley, KoreaMoller, E. Craig., AshlandMoore, Wayne, Bartley, KoreaMorey, Bob, Atkinson, VietnamMorris, Ken, Norfolk, WWIIMorris, Lawrence L., Hastings, WWIIMusgrave, William W., Omaha, WWIINadrchal, David, Norfolk, VietnamNantkes, Louis G., Seward, WWIINaran, Alexander, Omaha, WWIINelsen, Francis K., Creighton, KoreaNeuhaus, Robert W., Leigh, WWIINeville, Donald L., McCool, VietnamNewton, Clyde D., Bloomfield, WWIIO’Neill, Robert J. Jr., Beatrice, VietnamOltman, Bernard J., South Omaha, WWIIOrmesher, Ted J., Valentine, VietnamPatterson, Randy L., Lincoln, VietnamPavel, James, Dwight, KoreaPolivka, Leonard, Brainard, WWIIRabel, Roger R., Lincoln, Korea Reed, Robert D., Kearney, KoreaReed, William F., RushvilleRehberg, Charles G., Ralston, WWIIReuter, Marvin, Allen, WWIIRhoades, Richard D., Big Springs, WWIIRhode, John E., Ansley

Rigler, Dave, Callaway, VietnamRitchie, Gary L., Merna, Viet-namRobinson, Clyde O, Jr., Plain-view, WWIIRogers, Charles V., Decatur, WWIISanatzke, Billie J., Crofton, WWIISchackelford, Dean, Trenton, KoreaSchardt, Ralph, Deshler, WWIIScheffert, Albert M., HallamSchepker, LaVerne J., Hebron, WWIISchill, John V., Millard, WWIISchilling, Bernard, Sidney, WWIISchwarten, Merle J., Wakefield, KoreaSelvig, Robert G., Ralston, KoreaSeverin, Dale D., Hallam, WWIISiebels, Elwyn J., Omaha, KoreaSimmons, Clifford N., Beatrice, KoreaSmith, Roland, Jr., Blair, WWIISowl, Michael A., Kearney, VietnamStarks, Donald R., Omaha, KoreaStava, Dennis J., Lincoln, KoreaSteenson, Patrick E., Wolbach, VietnamSteinbrink, Eldon, Loomis, KoreaStewart, George A., Ogallala, WWIIStutzman, John W., Weeping Water, VietnamThomas, C. D., Clay Center, WWIIThomson, Frank D., Lynch, KoreaTowle, Gerald D., Norfolk, WWIITravis, Freddie L., Omaha, VietnamTucker, Rodney, North Omaha, Lebanon/GrenadaTurner, Lee S., Brewster, Viet-namVackimer, Ed, Ewing, WWIIVanackern, Darrel D., Dorches-ter, Grenada/LebanonVance, Joseph J., South Omaha, WWIIVoss, Wilbur D., Havelock, WWIIWagner, Dan, Dorchester, VietnamWait, Raymond M., Ainsworth, WWIIWalton, Kenneth L., Stuart, VietnamWedergren, Raymond E., Ueh-ling, KoreaWickett, Marvin, LaurelWidhalm, Wilbert F., Norfolk, WWIIWilkins, Allen P., Clay Center, WWIIWoidneck, Marion P., Spencer, WWIIWolf, John J., Ralston, WWIIWusk, George A., Sterling, KoreaZaugg, Charles J., YutanZoeb, Douglas, Gretna, Viet-namZwart, Lawrence J., Omaha Benson, S.A.L.Zyla, Stanley G. Jr., Omaha, Vietnam

Fenster (Vice Director), De-nise Fenster (Secretary), Chris Kautz (Treasurer) and Don Endecott (Sgt of Arms). I have no doubt they are on the right road for a solid and successful ALR chapter! Please reach out and WELCOME THEM TO THE FAMILY!

This year the American Le-gion Riders state-wide were again invited to participate in a couple events at the Nebraska State Fair on the closing day, Monday, September 7th. Our AL Department Commander Mike Reimers worked with some great people on the state fair committee to plan out the details, which consisted of a flag line and riding in the parade. Around 12:30PM 35+ ALR riders formed flag lines at both entrances to the Heart-land Events Center to greet our many honored Veterans arriving for the Veterans Day Program. It was an impressive sight and very much appreci-ated by the many Veterans arriving to partake in the pro-gram. National Commander Mike Helm participated in the program and had nothing but great things to say about ALL the ALR chapters across the state. Though none of us were there to receive or draw any attention to ourselves…it was good to hear the words of en-couragement from our national leader. We closed out our day by riding in the parade. We had roughly 60-70 bikes and riders that participated in the parade. GREAT TURNOUT FOLKS! As usual, the crowds LOVED THE LOUD PIPES and SHINY BIKES…espe-cially the youngsters! And, we felt humbled and proud to be part of such a great program, recognizing and honoring all of our Veterans from across the great state of NEBRASKA!

Until next time folks!

Ride as One, Band Together as One....for Those Who Served and Serve Today.

Page 8-The Nebraska Legionnaire-October-November, 2015

Osmond Post-326 recognized nine members for their continuous Legion Service. Back row (l-r) Marvin Koehler Dale Blunck, Delmar Neubauer, Milford Kumm, Arnold “Bud” Gutz; front row: (l-r) Norman Lorenz, Gerald Kumm, Glenn Sazama. Commander Jerry Dennis is on the far right. All were presented with 60 year awards except Delmar Neubauer who was awarded 70 years of service. Also not pictured is Lloyd Timmerman. Well Done.”

Shown ( l - r ) Depart -ment Commander Fred Craigie, Driving Award winner Alexis Hower, Grand Island; Marks-manship Award Winner Kim Schneider, O’Neill; Outstanding Junior Law Cadet Kayllee Harvey, O’Neill.

Fort McPherson National Cemetery hosted a ceremony for the 70th anniversary of the end of World War ll on August 15, 2015. Pictured are three W.W.ll veterans from North Platte P.R. Halligan Post 163 who attended the event. Pictured (l-r) Howard Gebhardt, Navy; Norval Holtmeier, Army and lllo Gene Mitchem, Army. Picture and story by Dennis Lombardi.

Hickman Post 105 Commander Martin Neal presented Marvin Moser a certificate for his 70 years of continuous membership in the American Legion. Marvin served in WWII landing in France and served in combat until his discharge in 1945.

Ewing Sanders Post 214 honored Don Ruroede (left) as a 60-year continuous member of American Legion. The ceremony was during the Memorial Day program held at Ewing Public Schools.

WE NEED PICTURES AND STORIES

LET US KNOW WHAT YOUR POST, SQUADRON OR RIDERS ARE DOING.

WE TAKE ITEMS FOR ARTICLES AND PICTURES BY E-MAIL AT

comdirlegion@windstream.net

Fremont American Legion and VFW combined honor guard posted colors at the American Legion Junior Baseball Tournaments. Pictured (l-r) Stan Vyhlidal, Gerald Verbeek, Don Ammon, Ray Svtak, Dale Fenske, Richard Schlenz. Neil Schilke (shorts) is the gentleman who is the founder and developer of the field that the American Legion used for the tournament. The baseball player is Neil’s Grandson Nick Novak.

Bellevue Post 339 members provided materials, labor and collected financial support to make the pavilion and commercial picnic table a reality. Victory apart-ment’s residents cut the ribbon to dedicate the addition.

Morse Bluff Post 340 Honored Gerald Jen-sen for his fifty years of continuous member-ship in the American Legion. Commander Galen Johnson made the presentation at their annual barbecue.

The Booth was set up for John C. Fremont Days. Pictured (l-r) Stan Crabb, Gerald Verbeek and Stanley Vyhlidal. Also pictured is the display that is available to any post by contacting de-partment headquarters.

Janet Jefford, of Manchester, Conn., was elected national president ofthe American Legion Auxiliary during the organization’s 94th NationalConvention in Charlotte, N.C., Aug. 22-28.

Jefford joined The American Legion Auxiliary through her fatherWilliam Lucas, a WWII Army veteran. She is also eligible through herson, Jeff, a Desert Storm Army veteran. Jefford is a member of Goodale-Rameker Unit 56.

Jefford is the first Connecticut resident to represent the AmericanLegion Auxiliary as national president since Helen Lee Gilbert during the1944-1945 administrative year. She has held numerous leadership posi-tions in the organization at the unit, district and department levels, includ-ing eight national program chairmanships. She currently serves on the2014-2019 Centennial Strategic Planning leadership team.

Jefford recently retired as vice president of institutional effectivenessat Goodwin College in East Hartford, Conn. She served as a commission-er on an agency that accredits schools and colleges, and as president andchairman of the Board of Connecticut Training Center, a community-based nonprofit training center. Jefford has two children and two grand-children. All are members of The American Legion Family.

By JACKI O’NEILLDepartment Secretary

The Department Convention plans are setand now we need you to come to Kearney June26-28 to join us. What’s new for this year? Theitems on hand from Flag and Emblem sales willbe available to purchase. Copies of newbrochures and pamphlets will be available.Everyone that attends will receive a packet ofnew brochures and a Convention Annual withthe chairmen reports and awards listings.Membership cards will be available to pick upfor each unit. Those not picked up will bemailed from Department Headquarters after

Convention. Anyone wanting their cards mailed to the unit membership chairmenprior to Convention will need to call 402-466-1808 and submit a request.

Thanks to all of you that submitted your volunteer hours and dollars for ouryear-end reporting. Those numbers are so important to this organization when TheAmerican Legion reports to congress.

By the way did you know being an American Legion Auxiliary member liter-ally took an Act of Congress to make that available to you? Please let other eligiblewomen know how important their belonging to this organization means to ourVeterans. It’s time to be proud to say - I belong because MY Veteran made it pos-sible for me through his/her service to this great country and with an Act ofCongress. At Department Convention I will be reporting on what I learned at theDepartment Leadership National Conference this May in Indianapolis.

See you in Kearney!

By BARB SKILLMANDepartment President

Dear Members,I would like to say thank you for all the work you have done this year.

And thank you for allowing me the privilege to serve as yourDepartment President. The time did go very fast and I will have wonder-ful memories of the visits, special meetings, and the special Auxiliarymembers I have met that made this year special.

I hope you will attend the Department Convention June 26-28 at theHoliday Inn Kearney. Please come meet our special guest NationalPresident Janet Jefford.

I have received our last membership update from National we aredoing well on renewals — Nebraska is in first place; on our Numeric goalwe are slipping fast — we are at 9th place.

Have you renewed your membership? Iif not do so today. Unit mem-bership chairman please do not hold any dues to be sent in for process-ing. We need every paid membership we can get our hands on to makeour goals. Thank You!

I just returned from a special event at the Harry S Truman Library andMuseum remembering our President for his 131st birthday and the 70years since VE Day. It was a wonderful day.

I will have the pleasure to attend Girls State on May 31 through June6. Our special guest will be Northwestern Vice President Lori SkallerudI am looking forward meeting all the girls you chose from your Unit toattend this special week.

The American Legion AuxiliaryDepartment of Nebraska The Star

March 2015

Freedom, Faith,FamilyBarb Skillman

Reminders —Girls State.....................................................................................May 31-June 6

Department Convention...............................June 25-28 Holiday Inn, Kearney Please make plans to attend the 2015 Department Convention

Every Unit President received a “Convention Call” to promote attendance tothe Department Convention. The business will take place on Thursday andFriday followed by Chairmen reports which include many awards distributed tounits and members. Each Unit is allowed delegates and alternates according tothe unit paid membership by May 24.REGISTRATION FEE — Delegates, Alternates and Senior members will becharged a registration fee of $10.00.Junior members will be charged a registration fee of $5.00, that fee will notinclude the packet with the Convention Annual. Have your 2015 member cardavailable for quicker registration.

Girls Nation.........................................................................................July 18-25

From The Desk Of The Department Secretary —

National President To VisitNebraska ALA Convention At Kearney

Inside The Star

Lottery Winners, Service to Veterans, ConventionSchedule Page 2In Memoriam, Unit Activities, Special Notices, ThankYous Page 3Chairman Reports, Scholarships, Help Wanted Page 4

Jackson Unit #175recently sponsored aPoppy Poster Contestand an AmericanismEssay Contest.

Poster winners arefirst through third place,3rd Grade — Tia Pick,Brady Carnell and TaylorFleury; 4th Grade —Abbie Hrouda, BrienaGallardo and MariannaRomero; 5th Grade —Faith Pick, MackenzieSchram and KennedyHarding; 6th Grade —Nayleli Cabrales, EliRiedel, and JocelynnGraves; and SpecialNeeds — HannahWahls, Lucas Twohigand Nate Coffman.

Essay winners are,first through third place,3rd Grade — Lily Korth,Deighton James andDylan Kastning; 4thGrade — Abbie Hrouda,Cole Jackson and EllieMcAfee; 5th Grade —Taylor Korth, MacKensieSchram and MatthewLenz; 6th Grade —Caden Schram,McKensie Kneifl andKaden Fields; andSpecial Needs — NateCoffman, JacksonStroud and AvaFontenot.

The Hartford, which is an approved member benefitsprovider of the American Legion Auxiliary, will be mailingmembers information about their Senior Term LifeInsurance. These mailings are scheduled to be sent outstarting Monday, May 18th. More information regarding theHartford can be found on the national website in theMembers Only section by clicking on Member Benefits.

October-November 2015 !

Barbara Washburn Department of Nebraska President

American Legion Auxiliary 2015-2016

!

Barbara Washburn Department of Nebraska President

American Legion Auxiliary 2015-2016

October is here already, and I have enjoyed meeting so many of you and want to thank you for the hospitality. The Leadership School and Homecoming celebration were incredible experiences, capped with a visit by our National President, Sharon Conatser, whose theme

is “Keeping the Promise”. Hope-fully, everyone was able to learn something useful to help promote our mission. We must Always Re-member that our primary mission is to serve our Veterans and military personnel. And, if we live and share that mission every day, we will be

able to recruit new volunteers.As a follow-up to the Leader-

ship Conference, I encourage every unit to make and present a Quilt of Valor to a Veteran in your commu-nity. Make this a community event and invite everyone to help. What a great opportunity to share our mission and recruit new members. Information about the Quilts of Valor project will be sent to District Presidents for sharing with their units.

Unit Presidents: By now, you should have received your ABC Book; and we hope you like the changes. We condensed the content and focused on the main points for each program. Chairmen will be sharing more detailed information in “The Star” for all members. Be sure to check out the Award Cross-Reference sheet, which provides an

“at-a glance” view of awards for all programs. I am looking forward to hearing Nebraska’s name called from the podium at next year’s Na-tional Convention for winning one or more of these awards. I know the great work that your units do, so be proud to share your story with the rest of the country!

Please plan to attend upcoming activities at the Veterans Homes and Medical Centers during November and December. Dates for Dollar Days, Gift Shops, and Gifts for Yanks were in the September issue of “The Star”. PLEASE take a few hours of your day to come join us; your heart will be touched, and you will be inspired to find ways to sup-port our Veterans --- either in person or through Service to Our Veterans projects. These are our best oppor-tunities to reach out to members and

get them involved.Make plans to attend our Mid-

Year Educational Conference at the Lied Lodge in Nebraska City, Janu-ary 15-17, 2016. Judy Twete, the Northwest Division National Vice-President from North Dakota, will be our special guest. Our leadership team is planning an educational and fun event for all members.

As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me or any of the Department Leadership team. We are here for you.

In Service to God and Country.Barbara Washburn

Department President

Everyone is talking Mem-bership! That was the main topic at National Convention in Baltimore, too. I

can truly say I survived another Na-tional Convention. That story will be revealed at a later time. Let’s just say I wanted to kiss the tarmac in Omaha!

We received recognition for the hard work done on the rejoin/renew campaign; and, of course, the North-west Division --- of which Nebraska is a part. Of course, the “goals” were also discussed, as everyone in the nation, has that 18.99% increase as of June 15th totals.

Did that keep Nebraska from getting in the race? No, you put on those shoes and got started. 24 units made the 50% Department Mile-stone 1 by September 1. National’s “Keeping the Promise” monthly challenge of having 25% by Sep-tember 7, 2015, for the early birds, before a reminder was mailed, will be awarded to 80 units in Nebraska --- along with 2 Districts.

Nebraska is currently in 7th place nationally, and in 1st place in the Northwest Division. But, wait, 2015 dues still need to be paid! Don’t let years of continuous

membership end along with eligibil-ity. Now, the not-so-good news: 43 units in Nebraska show zero mem-bers on the books.

Membership is everyone’s job --- members, unit leadership, membership chairman, district and county leadership --- as well as Department and National leaders.

Need to get started to be in the race. RUN? I am! Please remember, the American Legion Auxiliary is a NO CRAB ZONE!

Barb MeyerMembership Chairman

12455 Riverdale Rd. Riverdale, NE 68870

Preferred phone: 308-893-2200

MEMBERSHIP — RUN ???

227 Newport 88.235%215 Decatur 87.931%*105 Ashton 86.957%*347 Primrose 85.145%98 Springview 81.757%156 Burchard 80.392%293 Litchfield 79.545%75 Battle Creek 78.378%110 Dwight 70.423 %322 Monroe 69.565 %*ATH

MEMBERSHIPTOP 10 UNITS

BY % OF GOAL BY SEPT. 14, 2015

Sharon Conatser of Champaign, Illinois, was elected national presi-dent of the American Legion Auxil-iary during the organization’s 95th National Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, Maryland held August 28 - September 3.

Conatser, a lifetime member, joined the American Legion Auxil-iary through her father, Clay Lofton, an Army veteran who served in World War II and the Korean War. She also is eligible through her son, Rick Malloch, a Desert Storm veteran, and her husband, Marty Conatser, a Vietnam-Era veteran and past national commander of The American Legion. Conatser is the first national president who also is a former First Lady of The American Legion.

“Keeping the Promise” is the

theme Conatser has chosen for her term as president. “Keeping the Promise can mean many things,” said Conatser during her installation speech. “Abraham Lincoln promised our soldiers that they would always be taken care of. We, as an orga-nization, are keeping that promise by remaining a vital organization. Keeping the promise to our values, to our American Legion Family, to each other and, most importantly, to ourselves will be priorities.”

Conatser has held numerous leadership positions in the organiza-tion at the unit, district, and depart-ment levels. At the national level, she has chaired many committees and has served special appointments since 2001. Conatser is a member of the Urbana (Ill.) Unit 71.

Conatser is retired from the

NATIONAL PRESIDENT ELECTED

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she served as an administrative assistant for 25 years. She is an active member of her com-munity and the Faith United Church. Conatser’s three sons, daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren are all members of The American Legion Family.

HONORARY DEPARTMENT JUNIOR PRESIDENTElla Wilkins, of Milligan, is the

2015-2016 Honorary Department Junior President. Her theme this year is “Helping Veterans to Slay Their Dragons,” and her project is to raise money for organizations that support Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress

Disorder (PTSD). Ella encourages all Units/Dis-

tricts to hold a “food” auction at an event this year to raise funds. How about auctioning a grocery bag filled with non-perishable food items or some home canned food items? A

silent auction of home canned goods was well-received at the Department Leadership School in Aurora on October 3rd.

Please support Ella with her project this year.

FORMER DEPARTMENT PRESIDENT PASSES AWAYPast Department President

Arlyce Smith of Ceresco, Nebraska passed away August 10, 2015 at home with her loving family around her. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Keith, who was The American Legion Depart-ment Commander in 1992-1993, having served in the U. S. Navy dur-ing WWII and the Korean conflict. Arlyce leaves four daughters, nine grandchildren and spouses, twenty-three great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Past President Arlyce joined the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #244 in June of 1950. She served the organization at all levels in her unit, was an officer of Saunders County, served as Junior Chairman, Parlia-mentarian, Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President and President of District 7.

Her leadership continued on the department level receiving a national award for attaining an all time high and reaching national goal. As Children and Youth Chairman, she won the national award for most outstanding report in Northwestern Division. She was Girls State Vice

President, Chaplain, and Gold Star Chairman, Chairman of Past Presi-dent’s Parley, National Security, and Auxiliary Emergency Fund. While serving as Department Historian, she won the national award for submit-ting the best history in Northwestern Division before serving the depart-ment as Vice President.

Arlyce was elected to the high office of Department President for the 1986-1987 year. Her leadership qualities and commitment were rec-ognized on the national level when she became our National Executive Committeewoman and was ap-pointed to serve the Northwestern Division as membership chairman the same year. Annually, she con-tinued to receive national appoint-ments for ten years and was named National Membership Chairman in 1990-1991.

Arlyce attended 26 National Conventions, 24 Regional Confer-ences, and 10 Washington Aware-ness Assemblies. She served as campaign chairman for Past Na-tional Presidents Ruby Paul and Carol Van Kirk from Nebraska.

Arlyce joined Eight & Forty Salon #358 in1967, transferring later into Lincoln Salon #832. She was Past Le Petit and Area Chapeau at both Salons. She was Departemental Children and Youth Chairman, De-partemental Constitution & ByLaws Chairman, and Area Children and Youth Chairman.

American Legion Auxiliary Past Department President Arlyce Smith was not only a great leader but also a valued mentor for many members. May she rest in Peace.

August 11 . . . . . .Donelle McNaughton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00August 12 . . . . . .Dave Zeleny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00August 13 . . . . . .Donelle McNaughton . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . $25.00August 14 . . . . . .Darlene Sheridan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $150.00August 15 . . . . . .Tom Rutjens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00August 16 . . . . . .Diane Mooney. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00August 17 . . . . . .Dakota City Legion Post 376 . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00August 18 . . . . . .Karen Molloy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00August 19 . . . . . .Marilyn Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200.00August 20 . . . . . .Dan Holmes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00August 21 . . . . . .Albert Bartek. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . $25.00August 22 . . . . . .Norma Farrens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00August 23 . . . . . .Theresa Harral. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . $50.00August 24 . . . . . .Luayne Weisgerber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00August 25 . . . . . .Glen Riensche. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00August 26 . . . . . .Security Bank of Osmond . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00August 27 . . . . . .Security Bank of Osmond . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00August 28 . . . . . .Roy Liernamm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00August 29 . . . . . .Donna Boston. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . $250.00August 30 . . . . . .Carlie Sharek. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . $50.00August 31 . . . . . .Jerry Litrel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $250.00Sept 1 . . . . . . . . .Chris Twibell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $250.00Sept 2 . . . . . . . . .Glen Riensche. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00Sept 3 . . . . . . . . .Stan Faber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00Sept 4. . . . . . . . .Christina Larreau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00Sept 5. . . . . . . . .Sharlene Guenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00Sept 6. . . . . . . . .Carol Ulrich. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00Sept 7. . . . . . . . .Denton Auxiliary Unit 355. . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00Sept 8. . . . . . . . .Al Bergen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00Sept 9. . . . . . . . .Wesley Felt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00Sept 10 . . . . . . . .Victor Dierking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00

CONGRATULATIONS, LOTTERY WINNERS!

2015-2016 DEPARTMENT OFFICERS & CHAIRMANDepartment Officers

President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barbara Washburn . . . . . . . .455 County Road 7, Ashland, NE 68003Vice President . . . . . . . . . . Debra Albers . . . . . . . . . . . .1759 5200 Road, Davenport, NE 68335Historian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathy Mazur. . . . . . .13932 Meadow Ridge Road, Omaha, NE 68138Chaplain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beverly Neel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57580 847th Road, Wayne, NE 68787Secretary/Treasurer. . . . . . Jacki O’Neil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PO Box 5227, Lincoln, NE 68505

National CommitteewomanBarbara Skillman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6910 SW 91st ST., Denton, NE 68339

District PresidentsOne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karol Lockmon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PO Box 147, Rushville, NE 69360 Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen Ohlrich . . . . . . . . . . . 113 N Franklin St. Brunswick, NE 68720Three. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cheryl Schulz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PO Box 45, Beemer, NE 68716Four . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Donna Bratt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .541 2nd Avenue, Bayard, NE 69334Five . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pat Heinemann . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 W Rodney, Wallace, NE 69169 Six. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicki Cyboron. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5152 N 155th Ave, Omaha, NE 68116Seven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Contreras . . . . . . . . . . .3115 N 47th Ave., Omaha, NE 68104 Eight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sally Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . . . .17511 “O” Street, Omaha, NE 68135Nine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M. Joyce Petersen . . . . . . . . . . . . .73474 RD 390, Curtis, NE 69025Ten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diana Aldrich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PO Box 317 Orleans, NE 68966 Eleven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Judy Bespalic . . . . . . . . . . . . 1140 Grove Avenue, Crete, NE 68333Twelve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jody Schmale . . . . . . . . .4930 Cleveland, Apt. 1, Lincoln, NE 68504Thirteen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kay Ebeler . . . . . . . . . .72656 608 Avenue, Crab Orchard, NE 68332

Department ChairmenAdvisory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cheryl Vap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1189 RD CD, Red Cloud, NE 68970Americanism . . . . . . . . . . . Pat Wiseman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PO Box 58, Homer, NE 68030 Auxiliary Emergency Fund . Cheryl Vap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1189 RD CD, Red Cloud, NE 68970 Cavalcade of Memories . . . Kathy Mazur. . . . . .13932 Meadow Ridge Road, Omaha, NE 68138Children & Youth . . . . . . . . Sharon Brozovsky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PO Box 86, Wilber, NE 68465Community Service . . . . . . Diana Langer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PO Box 282, Osceola, NE 68651Constitution & Bylaws . . . . Betty Snyder . . . . . . . . 1942 South 42nd Road, Talmage, NE 68448County Government . . . . . Donna Campbell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PO Box 26, Stuart, NE 68780Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicki Colson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PO Box 61, Paxton, NE 69155Finance/Publications . . . . . Elizabeth Paes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PO Box 92, Prague, NE 68050Girls State . . . . . . . . . . . . . Renee Van Winkle . . . . . . . . . . . . 2063 9th Ave., Farwell, NE 68838Junior Activities . . . . . . . . . Amanda Washburn. . . . . . . .455 County Road 7, Ashland, NE 68003Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicki Ozenbaugh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515 Road 18, Ohiowa, NE 68416Legislative. . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Ann Boldt . . . . . . . . . . . . .79006 Dr. 419, Callaway, NE 68825Membership . . . . . . . . . . . Barb Meyer . . . . . . . . . 12455 Riverdale Road, Riverdale, NE 68870Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marlene Meyer. . . . . . . . . . . .501 Douglas St,, Creighton, NE 68729National Security . . . . . . . . Barbara Skillman . . . . . . . . . 6910 SW 91st ST., Denton, NE 68339Parliamentarian . . . . . . . . . Bonnie Dumler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PO Box 179, Davenport, NE 68335Past Presidents Parley . . . . JoAnn Ward . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72655 Ave 359A, Palisade, NE 69040Poppy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jenice Bates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1355 Walnut, Syracuse, NE 68446Public Relations. . . . . . . . . Lisa Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 Railroad Wilber, NE 78465President’s Publicity Scrapbook . . . Kimberly Gurley . . . . . . . . . PO Box 277, Milligan, NE 68406 “The Star” Editor. . . . . . . . Lorene Bartos . . . . . . . . . . . . 7441 San Mateo Lane, Lincoln 68516

Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation:Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sharon Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PO Box 97, Niobrara, NE 68760Service to our Veterans . . . Connie Frandson . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Egan Road, Chadron, NE 69337

Veterans Administration Medical Center Representatives:Lincoln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Omaha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gertrude Johansen. . . . . .10102 N 156th St., Bennington, NE 68007Grand Island . . . . . . . . . . . Kathryn Cyboron . . . . . . . . . . . 2454 7th Avenue, Boelus, NE 68820Veterans Administration Medical Center Associate Representatives:Hot Springs, SD . . . . . . . . . Karol Lockmon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PO Box 147, Rushville, NE 69360Nebraska Veterans Home Chairmen:Grand Island . . . . . . . . . . . Jessie Kiser . . . . . 410 E. Roger Welsch Ave., Dannebrog, NE 68831 Norfolk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen Ohlrich . . . . . . . . . . 113 N Franklin St. Brunswick, NE 68720Eastern Nebraska . . . . . . . Louise Nichols . . . . . . . . . 908 South Jefferson, Papillion, NE 68046Scottsbluff. . . . . . . . . . . . . Marilyn Schutt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1630 T, Gering, NE 69341

Honorary Department Junior OfficersHonorary President . . . . . . Ella Wilkens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MilliganHonorary Vice President. . . Emma Thede . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wilber Honorary Historian. . . . . . . Daisha Hoffman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dorchester Chaplain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katelyn Babula. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Milligan

Department Headquarters contact informationPO Box 5227, Lincoln, NE 68505 Telephone: 402-466-1808

Email:neaux@windstream.net Web: nebraskalegionaux.net

EDITOR’S NOTEPlease send articles and pictures for future editions of “The Star” to Lorene Bartos, Editor, 7441 San Mateo Lane, Lincoln, NE 68516 or email to ALATheStarNE@yahoo.com. Send photos jpg as attachments. Materials for the next issue need to be submitted by November 10, 2015.

The purpose of this article is to inform Unit Membership Chairmen how the Department will handle notification of membership renewals made online with a credit card.

If your unit is already using ALAMIS (American Legion Auxilia-ry Management Information System), the Membership Chairman will have the renewals report available online.

For those units who are not using ALAMIS, Unit Membership Chair-

men will be notified about the online renewals by the Department using the email address listed for their unit. If your unit does not have an email ad-dress on file, a letter will be mailed to the Unit Membership Chairman.

The Department of Nebraska will receive this information approxi-mately once per week during the busy times of membership renewal. The money for the dues renewed online will be mailed by the Department to

the units on a quarterly basis. This is a new computer program

for all of us. The way things are handled now may change as the De-partment and units become familiar with it.

Remember, as before, renewals and new memberships can still be mailed to your Unit Membership Chairman.

Elizabeth PaesDepartment Finance Chairman

ONLINE MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Honored members of the Clearwater American Legion Auxiliary. Pictured (l-r): Rena Wattles, 40 years; Caroline Jaeke, 41 years; Roberta Patras, 51 years; Norma Hoffman, 63 years; and Ruth Prater, 67 years. Prater is a charter member. Auxiliary members Elsie Wolfe, Arlene Mather, and Maxine Minerich were recognized but not in attendance.

SERVICE TO OUR VETERANS2016 CENTERPIECE AND TRAY FAVOR ASSIGNMENTS

Bellevue GI Med Center GI Veterans Home Eastern NE Norfolk VA Home Western NE Home Western NE Home Omaha Med Center 10 Cntrpc 215 Tray Fav VA Home 20 Cntrpc 7 Cntrpc 90 Tray Fav 75 Tray Fav 24 Cntrpc

January #38 Ord #176 Blue Hill #288 Farnam #288 Farnam Virginia Bauman Sherri Lynn Ruth Ann Hess Ruth Ann Hess February #294 Hallam #310 Gibbon #264 Dorchester #307 So Sioux City #7 Alliance #7 Alliance #354 Peasant Dale Kathryn Kerns Sue Tillemons Linda Brodstad LuWayne LuWayne Kathryn Liesveld

March #199 Cambridge #141 Hampton #307 So Sioux City #10 Morrill #10 Morrill Dorchester Juniors Norma Wymore Jean Driewer Linda Brodstad Marina Muller Marina Muller

April #126 Broken Bow #193 Ohiowa Dorchester Juniors Nancy Harrold Barb Dunse

May #166 Durham-Mammen #225 Eddyville #264 Dorchester #243 Plymouth #222 Shubert Janelle Bruning Phyllis Hollabaugh LaVonne Wasserman

June #294 Hallam #132 Stromsberg #326 Osmond #364 Naponee Kathryn Kerns Laura Hunt Martina Thomas

July #310 Gibbon #6 Central City #172 Neleigh #17 Sidney #17 Sidney #364 Naponee Sue Tillemons Nancy McGinnis Rose Martin Bonitta Bonitta Martina Thomas August #209 Franklin #243 Plymouth Jenny Marick LaVonne Wasserman

September

October #225 Eddyville #294 Hallam Phyllis Hollabaugh Kathryn Kerns

November #364 Naponee Hyannis Hyannis #354 Peasant Dale Martina Thomas Kayla Kayla Kathryn Liesveld

December #166 Durham-Mammen #222 Shubert Janelle Bruning

Service to our Veterans

2016 Centerpiece and Tray Favor Assignments

January #176 Blue Hill District 12 District 12

February #294 Hallam #310 Gibbon #264 Dorchester #307 So Sioux City #7 Alliance #7 Alliance #354 Peasant Dale

March #199 Cambridge #141 Hampton #307 So Sioux City

April #126 Broken Bow

May #264 Dorchester #243 Plymouth

June #294 Hallam #326 Osmond

July #6 Central City #17 Sidney #17 Sidney

August #209 Franklin #243 Plymouth

September #335 Davenport Exeter

October #316 Elm Creek #372 Thurston #133 Culbertson #133 Culbertson #294 Hallam

November #57 Hyannis #57 Hyannis #354 Peasant Dale

December #62 New Castle #95 Curtis #95 Curtis

GI Med Center 10 Cntrpc

GI Veterans Home 215 Tray Fav

Eastern NE A Home 24 Cntrpc

Norfolk VA Home 20 Cntrpc

Western NE Home 7 Cntrpc

Western NE Home 90 Tray Fav

Omaha Med Center 75 Tray Fav

#38 Ord #288 Farnam #288 Farnam

#10 Morrill #10 Morrill #264 Dorchester Jrs.

#193 Ohiowa #264 Dorchester Jrs.

#166 Bruning #225 Eddyville #222 Shubert

#132 Stromsberg #364 Naponee #310 Gibbon #172 Neleigh #364 Naponee

#12 Chadron #12 Chadron

#225 Eddyville

#364 Naponee

#166 Bruning #222 Shubert

NEW OFFICE STAFF

Nikki (Nicole) Points … I go by Nikki all the time.

Department Bookkeeper ... is the position

Departments address and phone still the same, of course.

The bookkeeper email changed to nealabookkeeper@gmail.com

John L. Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary #318 of Palisade, in recognition of the “Star Spangled Kids” program honoring Constitution Day on September 17, 2016, presented each student with a copy of “Our Constitution” to study. Also, each student received a patriotic coloring page for the coloring contest. Winners were presented with $3.00, $2.00, and $1.00 awards1st place winner: Peyton Cox2nd place winner: Hailea Baker3rd place winner: Sonya Behrends

The poppy has continued to bloom for the causalities of four wars, its petals of paper bound together for veterans by veterans, re-minding America each year that the men and women who have served and died for their country deserve to be remembered. Let’s remember to use the poppy and Department President Barbara’s theme “Always Remember”.

How many of you know the symbolism of the poppy? Let’s review---

Red petals stand for the v a s t o u t p o u r i n g o f b l o o d . Yellow and black center, the mud and desolation of all battlefields. Green of the stem is symbolic of the forests, meadows and fields where generations of American have perished to make this land free. The stem represents the courage and

determination of our fallen warriors. The assembled product, a flower, is a symbol of resurrection which is sure to follow.

In the past, only poppies hand-made by disabled veterans could be distributed by Auxiliary members. Now, unit members and volunteers can assemble the poppies but cannot be paid for doing this. Have any of you tried making a poppy?

National Poppy Committee Chairman Brenda Collins is encour-aging distribution of poppies not be just one or two days a year but a year round event and especially in the month of May. I would like to see many of our units do this and increase our donations. Let’s try!!!

Children are involved as well as unit members. Two programs not to be forgotten are the Poppy Poster Contests in schools for students in

grades 2-12 and the Miss Poppy Contest. Please contact your schools early for the Poppy Program so they can arrange this on their agenda. Poppy Posters should be displayed so the children can be noticed for their work.

The financial benefit for poppy distribution is huge, nearly 3.5 mil-lion poppies were distributed by units last year, raising $2.1 million. The American Legion Auxiliary pro-motes the poppy as a symbol of the sacrifices our military have made, a symbol to open people’s hearts and inspire them to donate. Now is the time to start thinking about plans for your unit’s poppy program. We want to make our program noticed by all and to “Always Remember” our veterans.

Jenice BatesPoppy Chairman

FROM THE POPPY CHAIRMAN

Remembering our veterans is not only our responsibility, but is also such an honor!

There are many ways to show our veterans that we remember them and their service. Providing table centerpieces and tray favors for those in our veterans’ homes and medical centers to make meal time more pleasant is one way. Below is a chart that shows what facilities

still have needs for 2016.Fall fabric for the background

on six bulletin boards at Norfolk has been provided. The next fabric needed will be for the Christmas season which should be sent to the Norfolk Veterans’ Home by the end of November. I have information on the various sizes, etc. regarding this project, so please contact me if you have any questions or would like to

provide this service. Some of our facilities have

some sewing projects that are needed. I will share those needs in the next issue. Email connief_scot-tish@hotmail.com or call 308-430-1750 with any questions or to fill an opening.

Connie Frandson, Chairman

SERVICE TO VETERANS

Remember, November 16-20 is American Education Week.

This would be a good time to promote Auxiliary Scholarships. Check out the National and Depart-ment Scholarships that were mailed to your unit in August. A donation sheet (yellow in color) was included in a packet mailed to you. It has different scholarships listed that could be helped by your donation. Information can be found at www.

ALAforVeterans.org/Scholarships and on the Nebraska web site.

If you have any children in your community who have a deployed family member, see what you can do to help. Resource tools/guidelines to assist schools in working with military children at their local level can be found at www.militarychild.org/parents-and-students/resources.

Assist and support veterans pursuing higher education and

vocational education. Include them in your celebrations and meetings. Become informed about the GI Bill and sign up to receive The American Legion’s Legislative Action Alerts.

Think about how your unit can work Education into your plan to

“ Always Remember.” Contact me with questions at colson.vicki@yahoo.com.

Vicki ColsonEducation Chairman

EDUCATION

With November being the American Legion Auxiliary’s an-niversary month, it is the perfect opportunity to display your unit’s memorabilia. Don’t have a post home? Contact your local library or community center to find a place to display your items. Share your unit’s accomplishments and memo-ries with everyone!

Kathy Mazur

History from the “STAR” – 20 Years ago: Department Presi-dent Eva Nollette announced the Ne-braska American Legion Auxiliary Cookbook of Culinary Gems (5th printing) is off the press and ready

for distribution. All eyes are on the Senate and watching for the out-come of the vote for the amendment to protect our flag from desecration. National President Syble Dehotel has named four Nebraska members to serve with her during the 1995-1996 administrative year – Carol VanKirk, Sutton Unit 61, appointed to National Legislative Chairman; Ruby Paul, Millard Unit 374, ap-pointed to the National Advisory Committee; Arlyce Smith, Ceresco Unit 224, appointed to Northwestern Division Americanism Chairman; and Gladys Landy, Shubert Unit 222, is the Northwestern Division Poppy Chairman.

CAVALCADE OF MEMORIES

You don’t have to be a leader to be involved in Auxiliary leadership. All Auxiliary members can be a part of the leadership program just by being a member. The five leadership goals give us direction to develop leaders, grow our membership, and to be a mentor to others. Whether you serve as an officer, chairman, or member of a committee, you develop as a leader.

Perhaps the simplest way to participate in Auxiliary leadership is to nurture a culture of goodwill. Just exactly what is goodwill? If you think of kindness, friendliness, helpfulness, concern, or care, you are on the right track. Then, think how these are

achieved in your daily lives. Next, apply that to your Auxiliary events. The result --- goodwill!

Let’s cover some goodwill tips:• Listen and don’t interrupt. To be a

good listener, you need to focus on what is being said, be open-minded, and give others a chance to explain their point of view without inter-rupting.

• Remember the golden rule “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” by respecting others.

• Want to live longer and have healthi-er and happier lives? Then, practice kindness, generosity, and gratitude. Studies show this to be true.

• Say “thank you.” Pretty simple and creates good feelings.

• Think positively. This is another one that promotes living longer and hap-pier lives. So, are you a half-full or half-empty type of person?

• Pay special attention to whomever is speaking. Silence your cell phones or, better yet, leave them in your car during the meeting.

• We never stop learning, so use teach-able moments. A major study has shown that social skills (good man-ners, respect, empathy) are a more accurate predictor of future success than test scores. Help develop in-terpersonal skills and relationships by engaging others in conversation.

Definitely different than communi-cating via Facebook, Twitter, texting, or any other activity involving small screens and buttons!

• By balancing your “internet” contact with phone calls and face-to-face visits, you will be nurturing social relationships, which will generate happiness and friendliness.

• Keep your cool! Express yourself without intruding on others and do it in a calm, kindly way.

• Let goodwill start with YOU by promoting decency. This should be daily, with everyone, not just among Auxiliary members.

I challenge you to follow these

goodwill tips at all Auxiliary events during this year. You will be amazed at the result in your unit. Many of these tips should be a natural part of your persona, so simply spread your goodwill to others! “Always remember” goodwill for our Veterans, their children and families, and our communities.

Vicki OzenbaughLeadership Chairman

AUXILIARY LEADERSHIP—IT’S EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY

Margaret Burton from Merna Unit 50 was recognized at the Custer County Convention for having 70 years of continuous membership.

The 95th National Convention was held in Baltimore, Maryland August 29-September 3. Twenty-six delegates and alternates attended the pre-convention meetings on Satur-day August 29.

Congratulations to the follow-ing from Nebraska who received awards!

Junior Activities: • Best Overall Junior Activities

Program in Division: August Vanek Unit 264 - Dorchester.

• ALA Girls Nation: Kamryn San-nicks of Lincoln, Nebraska, Girls Nation President.

Children and Youth: • Conducting the Best Promotion of

Children & Youth program: Mar-ian Melcher of Bitting-Norman Unit 27 - Beatrice.

• Most Outstanding Program Pro-moting STAR SPANGLED KIDS

AWARD: Mary Davidson of Wil-liam Wolfe Unit 91 - Osceola

• Conducting the best innovation program Supporting Military Children Award: Susan Kliment of Valley of Paradise unit 317 – Valparaiso

Poppy:Poppy Poster Contest

• Class 1 - Katelyn Painter. Age 9. Grade 3. Springview Unit 98

• Class IV – Jaslin Blythe. Age 14. Grade 8. Beatrice Unit 27

History:• 1st Place Northwestern Division:

Debra Albers, Historian. Depart-ment of Nebraska

Senior Division Caucuses were held with Northwestern Division Vice-President Lori Skallarud of Minnesota conducting the meet-ing. Nebraska’s Barbara Skillman

served as Chaplain.

Divisional Awards to Depart-ments:

• Centennial Strategic Plan - Goal 4• Achieving 10% or more increase

in unit member attendance at Department-wide meetings in the Northwestern Division

• Developing Effective training tools and Recourses for units in the Northwestern Division.

Judy Twete of North Dakota was introduced as the candidate for the Northwestern Division Vice-President in 2015-16. Nebraska’s Virginia Nelson was introduced as the candidate for Northwestern Division Vice-President in 2016-17.

Sunday found members at-tending the Chaplain’s Breakfast with the Youth Champions as the featured speakers. One of the six featured speakers was Ethan Copple,

2015 NATIONAL CONVENTION of Elkhorn, who was named by the American Legion as Eagle Scout of the Year.

Also on Sunday, members at-tended the Joint Patriotic Memorial service. In the afternoon, the Na-tional Convention Parade marched down Pratt Street. Nebraska Auxil-iary members were honored to have National Commander Mike Helm march with them part of the way.

On Monday, the National Con-vention was called to order by National President Janet Jefford. One of the highlights of the day for Nebraska delegates was the address by Kamryn Sannicks of Lincoln, the 2015 Girls Nation President. The other highlight was when National Commander Michael Helm and his wife, Debbie, brought greetings from the American Legion.

Tuesday found delegates wear-ing the ALA T-Shirt given them at registration, and the group had their picture taken. The Salute to Servicewomen Award was given to four impressive servicewomen. They were honored at a luncheon along with Members of the Year and Woman of the Year. The Woman of the Year award was awarded to Holocaust survivor and educator Nesse Godin for her tireless efforts in educating our youth of the lessons learned through the Holocaust. In the evening, members attended the National Commander’s Banquet.

The Wednesday session found delegates voting for national officers for the ensuing year. Elections were as follows: National President, Sha-ron Conaster from Illinois; National Vice President, Mary Davis from Washington; National Chaplain, Bird Derrick from Idaho. The two candidates for National Historian were Debra Noble from New Jersey

and Cindy Newton from Louisiana --- with Debra Noble winning the election for National Historian.

Divisional National Vice Presi-dents were nominated at the division meetings on Saturday. Divisional National Vice Presidents elected were Central – Lynda Lancaster from West Virginia; Eastern - Helen Skelton from Delaware; Northwest-ern - Judy Twete from North Dakota; Southern – Flora Jean Craig from North Carolina; and Western – Linda Workman from California.

Nebraskan Taylor Gerdes’ proj-ect “Juniors are Taylor Made for Vet-erans” was featured in the National Historian’s report. The States Din-ner was the evening entertainment.

The National Convention con-cluded on Thursday morning with the installation of the 2015-16 of-ficers.

Kristi Kemnitz, of Verdel Unit #223, was erroneously listed as de-ceased in a previous issue.

CORRECTION

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking2 Chronicles 13:16-17 And the

children of Israel fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hand. Then Abijah and his people struck them with a great slaughter; so five hundred thousand choice men of Israel fell slain.

The Gettysburg Address: The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863) resulted in the largest number of casualties in the Civil War (over 51,000) and is frequently cited as the war’s turning point. Abraham Lincoln’s address at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on November 19, 1863, has come to be regarded as one of the greatest speeches in American history. His opening words invoked the prin-ciples of human equality espoused by the Declaration of Independence and defined the Civil War as “a new birth of freedom” that would bring true equality to all of its citizens. His ending words symbolized the defini-tion of democracy itself, and those words consecrated the living in the struggle to ensure that “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

“Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on the continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposi-tion that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of this field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who strug-gled here have con-secrated it far above our poor power to

add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but I can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.” (The American Patriot’s Bible, The Word of God and the Shaping of America, Dr. Richard G. Lee, Gen-eral Editor granting permission to use this content.)

Dear Lord Jesus,The month of Veterans Day and

Thanksgiving seems only appropri-ate to be akin to one another. The first Pilgrims for Freedom came to America to escape religious injustice and our beloved Veterans of the past, present, and future are led through your guidance to put their trust in You. America is a thankful nation for our many freedoms and apprecia-tive of the many sacrifices made to maintain our freedoms. Today, Lord, look upon America as a Nation of goodness, kindness, and thankfulness for your protection through the years. Through your holy name, Christ the King, we pray, Amen.

Beverly A. Neel, Department Lay Chaplain – American Legion Auxiliary

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER We are well into au-

tumn and the harvest season. We have so much to be thankful for. Most of all, our free land represented

by our flag. Especially, at this time of the year, we must remember to tell our veterans “thank you” for all their sacrifices to keep us free. We must also remember to thank those who are currently serving. It means so much to them to hear those two single words --- “thank you” --- spoken from our hearts.

American Education Week would be a perfect time to do a program about our flag in your local schools. The history of the National Anthem should also be included. Presenta-tions need to stress “Respect” for our flag and National Anthem by always placing our hand over our heart and standing “straight and tall.”

As you share music with one another, this might be a good time to think about making a donation to a local school to help with their music program.

Celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Let us keep God and prayer in our lives everyday, and we can pray through music as we “ALWAYS REMEMBER” to thank God for all our blessings.

October:Hymn: Onward Christian Soldiers Patriotic: You’re a Grand

Old Flag Fellowship: I Believe in Music

November:Hymn: What a Friend We Have

in Jesus Patriotic: Battle Hymn of

the Republic Fellowship: Auxiliary Standing Tall

Marlene MeyerDepartment Music Chairman

“ALWAYS REMEMBER’ WITH MUSIC In MemoriamNotices received

July 10, 2015 to September 10, 2015

Helen McGrew . . . . . . . . Lincoln 3Patricia Vitzthum . . . . . . Lincoln 3Twilla C Pohlman . . . . . . Lincoln 3Lenla Adams . . . . . . . . . Alliance 7Darlene Martin. . . Nebraska City 8Arvis Porath . . . . . . . . . . Norfolk 16Phyllis M Milligan. . . . . .Fairbury 24Bonnie Davis . . . . . . . . . . Glenvil 26Lois Gran . . . . . . . . . . . . Gordon 34Dorothy Anderson . . . . . Gordon 34Bonnie Palmblade . Columbus 84Florine G. Speicher . . Columbus 84Dixie Kerr…….. . .…. Hickman 105Joann A. Piechota . . . . . .Ashton 108Marcella Wisnieski . . . . . . Dodge 122Estella Mortensen . . . Rising City 146Veola Prachell . . . . . . . . . . Crete 147Janet McQuillan. . . . . . . Greeley 186Ruth D. Quinn . . . . . . . . . Oxford 219Donna Gregor . . . . . . . . . . Elgin 229Arylce L. Smith . . . . . . . Ceresco 244Lynne D. Koontz-Howard . .Edgar 248Eileen H. Mikkelsew. . . . . .Edgar 248Marilyn Morse . . . . . . . . Winside 252Dorene Filip . . . . . . . . . Swanton 258Evelyn Sucha . . . . . . . . .Verdigre 259L. A. Hilgenkamp . . . . . . . .Colon 265Dorothy Warfield . . . . . . . .Colon 265Eleanor Swartz . . . . . . . . .Colon 265Marjorie Cline . . . . . . .Humboldt 269Helen Hlavac . . . . . . . . Brainard 273Ruby King . . . . . . . . . . . Bennett 280Germaine Liebig . . Platte Center 283Lucille I Hagan. . . . . . . . Elwood 290Elaine Ahola . . . . . . . . . .Hallam 294Vivian Buttle. . . . . . . . . . . . Cody 319Lois E Mandolfo . . .South Omaha 331Beverly Hanson . . South Omaha 331Joann K Benson. . South Omaha 331Lucille M Heider. . . . . . . Deshler 352Helen R. Acklie. . . . . . . . Denton 355Rose Blumhorst . . . . . . . . . Cook 360

By KATHY MAZURWhen my children were much

younger, I never had much time to sit andread; but when I did, I enjoyed readinganything by Erma Bombeck. She had away of finding the humor in everyday life,work, home and child rearing, and writingabout it. I hadn’t thought about her in yearsuntil a few months ago when I saw a posterwith one of her quotes. It read, “When I

die and stand before God, I hope to not have one bit of talent left in meso I can say . . . I used everything you gave me.”

Talent is ability that has many forms. Some people have artistic tal-ent, some culinary talent, some leadership talent; I have a couple

nephews with the talent of making me laugh before we can finish aconversation. In this day and age of putting one’s self first, the talentwe need to expend before we face our Maker is the talent for mak-ing other peoples’ needs a priority in our lives, also.Some of the needs of our veterans, our children and our communi-

ties can be met through the programs of the American LegionAuxiliary. The talents of our members are necessary to execute theseprograms through creative projects. If you’re a member, find a way toget involved and share your talents and ideas. If you’re not a memberand eligible (I know there are ladies who are reading theLegionnaire/STAR right now), come join us. Be that person who canstand and say . . . I used everything you gave me.

Phillipians 2:4 – Let each of you look not only to his own interests,but also to the interests of others.

Almighty God, you have blessed each of us with unique gifts, andhave called us into specific occupations, relationships and activitiesusing those gifts. Enable us to use our talents to witness to our faith inyou and to communicate your love to the people we meet each day.Empower us to be ministers of love, hope and justice. Keep us stead-fast in our commitment to serve actively in your name, Lord. Amen

Chaplain’s Corner

The StarSend submissions to —

Luayne Weisgerber, 1119 Hudson Ave.Alliance, NE 69301-2761

— or —ALATheStarNE@yahoo.com (e-mail photos .jpg as attachments)

If you don’t see your photos, be patient. I usually have more photos than space. I really would rathernot run them too small to appreciate.

By MARLENE MEYERMusic Chairman

March is the time for DistrictConventions; and also for cele-brating The American Legion'sbirthday! Hopefully many ofyou will be able to attend thesefun conventions and meetings.Enjoy music! Music is a greatway to say "thank you" to veter-ans and Legionnaires for theirsuccesses and efforts whichallow all of us the freedoms we must NEVER take for grant-ed.

Continue to sing God Bless the USA and AuxiliaryStanding Tall. Both of these are especially fitting as we cel-ebrate "Freedom-Faith-Family" with our American LegionFamily.

March musical selections are:Hymn: Faith of our FathersPatriotic: You're a Grand Old FlagFellowship: My Wild Irish Rose

Music Surrounds‘Freedom-Faith-Family’

Your SecurityIs National Security

By JOANN WARD National Security Chairman

In a matter of weeks youwill need to prepare thosedreaded annual reports. Thereis a questionnaire on page 80of the ABC book for NationalSecurity. Quite frankly I wish Icould do it over as the ques-tions would be different. Yousee, chairman also learn asthey go along and now I havelearned of many things you

could report on easier. So... when you make your reportsplease add a narrative that tells me something about collect-ing coupons for overseas; A Christmas card drive for activeservicemen; Special efforts made for active duty servicefamilies; Clothing drives for rehab facilities; food pantrysfor the homeless. If you're reporting these things toVA&R...Great! Just be sure they are reported.

Make yourself acquainted with how Cyber Securityworks. Suicide is still an area of great concern among ouractive service members. Their families wil need help. A sta-tus note: There are 1,639 service members unaccounted forfrom the Vietnam war. Remains were returned to aWisconsin family just a few months ago in 2014. A tragedywe need to be aware of.

Keep safe and remember: Freedeom — Faith — Family

“Extra, Extra…Read All About It”

By SHARON BROZOVSKYChildren & Youth Chairman

April, designated as the American Legion’s Children andYouth Month, is fast approaching. Units are asked to conducta special activity preferably with your Post that places empha-sis on the Children and Youth Program. Be sure to publicizewhatever activity you plan. Ask the mayor to issue a proclama-

tion naming April as Children andYouth month. Send a news releaseto your local paper, with a briefexplanation of the Children andYouth Program and the details forthe activity to be held. Remember,programs affecting the childrenand youth in your community isnewsworthy!!

Youth Hero and Good DeedAward presentations during aschool assembly in April is a per-fect time to recognize deservingyouth. Work with your school

principal and/or school counselor in identifying youth whoqualify for these awards. Don’t forget to invite the media.

A brochure which highlights April Is Children & YouthMonth can be downloaded at www.legion.org.

Lastly, PLEASE, PLEASE remember to report the detailsof your activity on the end of the year Children & Youth reportform due on May 1.

Cornhusker Girls State 2015Election Volunteers Needed —

We Want You!Plans are underway for Girls State

2015 and we need your help.Election volunteers are needed to help

ensure that the election proceduresrun smoothly and efficiently.

Volunteers are needed on the followingdates and times:

Monday, June 1 - Filing for Office - 8:00a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, June 2 - Primary Election -7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday, June 3 - General Election -9:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

(all times are approximate – location isUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln)

If you are interested in volunteering,please contact either

Krisit Nohavec atkristi.nohavec@gmail.com

or 402-416-9380 or Heidi Kaschke at

ichbinheidi@mac.com or 402-926-9605Those who volunteer will receive more

information in mid-May.

Wear A Poppy With Pride!By JENICE BATESPoppy Chairman

Units, Have you contacted your local schools for the Poppy PosterContest? Another contest available to the Units is the miss PoppyContest. Rules for both contests are in the ABC Book. I encourageeveryone to begin making plans for their distribution of Poppies(Poppy Day). Remember, you can do this any time of the year andmore than one time. Make contacts with your newspaper, mayor, busi-nesses, Junior members, Brownies/Girl Scouts and have a big wonder-ful event. Wear your Auxiliary pin for identification. Make our

Veterans proud.The poppy Centerpiece Contest is held atDistrict and Department levels. There has

been a change in the rules from the ABCBook — as follows —

The National American Legion hasmade changes to the poppy program.

According to the changes the poppies can bemade by non-veterans and can be made out of anymaterials. (Only Veterans get paid to produce the orig-inal crepe paper poppies).

At the 2015 Department Mid Year Conferenceour standing rules VA&R #3 was amended to read:Nebraska American Legion Auxiliary promotes only

the Memorial crepe paper Handmade poppy for use in our Poppyfundraising program…

The current 2015 poppy centerpiece rules do not mention that thepoppies used will be only crepe paper poppies. It is preferred that westay with tradition and only use the crepe paper poppy in our center-pieces, but because the rules do not clearly state “crepe paper poppyonly” other types of poppies will be allowed.

The Flag and Star of David may be used in this year’s centerpiecesto follow the President’s theme of “Freedom, Faith, Family.”

Please complete the annual Poppy program report at the end of thePoppy Unit in the ABC book. I must receive the report by May 1.

Speaking Of ScholarshipsBy MARY ANN BOLDTEducation Chairman

Scholarships are due to the UnitPresidents by Sunday, March 1, and toDepartment, post marked by Sunday,March 15. The American LegionAuxiliary offers the NationalScholarships Children of Warriors,National Presidents’ Scholarship, theSpirit of Youth, and the Non-Traditional Student Scholarships.

This year there are only the Vocational TechnicalScholarship and Nurses Scholarships on the Department level.Units are encouraged to visit charter and private schools, aswell as put an ad in the newspaper for those who are home-schooled. We want to be sure all students have the informationavailable to them.

Be sure and check the rules sheet for pertinent informationsuch as who can apply and due dates. This is very important,as applicants have been disqualified for not following the rulesor not meeting the due dates.

For your information there is a spring program: NationalAssociation for the Education of Young Children’s Week ofthe Young Child is April 12-18! This would be an excellenttime to reach out to local preschools and even kindergartenclassrooms! Offer to run an activity or read a story.www.NAEYC.org has wonderful ideas and activities to getinvolved with young children. You can also Google thephrase! As we all know, learning starts early! This is a greatopportunity to have a large impact on the next generation; andwho knows, you may find a potential new member in theprocess!

Community Service —What Have YOU

Been Doing?By DIANA LANGERCommunity Service Chairman

REPORT, REPORT, REPORT your CommunityService volunteer hours and dollars. The nextreports are due on May 1, 2015. Ladies, keep arecord of what you do, the amount of time given,and how much money you may have spent.

One lady said, “I don’t want to brag.” This is notabout bragging. You are reporting your time anddollars to help our veterans by letting Congressknow how much is being done at home. Withouteach of you reporting they don’t know and the vet-erans are being shortchanged.

Hint: Write your hours and $’s on a calendar,total monthly, then total the year to give to yourUnit President by April 15. She then can report tothe Dept. Chairman by May 1.

The report form is found in the ABC Book oronline at www.nebraskalegionaux.net.The Shubert American Legion Auxiliary Unit #222 held a flag burning ceremony

at their September 8 meeting. The proper way to dispose of US flags is to first honor the flag, then cut out the section of the stars and a stripe of each color, and then proceed with the actual burning. Auxiliary members Tana Brown, Dona Hall, Linda Patchen, Twila Hochstein, Sharon Howard, and Junior Auxiliary member Addy Maddox conducted the ceremony. The unit received about 30 flags from the surrounding community for the ceremony. Pictured are Dona Hall, Linda Patchen, and Junior Auxiliary member Addy Maddox getting ready to prepare the first flag for disposal.

On behalf of the Nebraska State Fair, we’d like to thank you for your participation in the Celebration Pa-rade at the 146th Nebraska State Fair. The Nebraska State Fair Celebration Parade series is an important event at the Nebraska State Fair and are thoroughly enjoyed by fairgoers. Your organization was an appreci-ated addition to the parade. Thank you for the time and preparation it took to participate.

Thank you, again, for your par-ticipation in the Celebration Parade at the 2015 Nebraska State Fair. I hope you enjoyed the experience and will consider participating again in the future.

Regen SmithNebraska State Fair

Thank you to all of my friends in the American Legion Auxiliary and to the Past Presidents Parley for the lovely cross that was sent to me. I am recovering fine after my latest surgery. Just a few weeks off from work. Again thank you.

Carol UlrichPast Department President

THANK YOU

Franklin Unit 209 had a booth at the Franklin County Fair. The theme was “The Service Star.”

Franklin Unit 209 raised $200 for the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation with a fun “pig pen” fundraiser project.

Genny Marick, Franklin Unit Treasurer, presents the Good Deed Award to Trenton Christiancy.

Gordon, Rushville, Hay Springs, and Chadron American Legion and Auxiliary volunteers hosted a picnic at Ft Robinson on August 15th for veterans from Hot Springs.

Papillion Unit 32 President Judy Fueston presented an $1800 donation to Peggy Woltman, Papillion Community Foundation, to go towards the purchase of a flag pole for Papillion’s Veterans Park.

Auxiliary Unit 32 invited its Girls State delegates to its August meeting where they presented stories and sang the Girls State song from their week in Lincoln. Unit Chairman Charlene Marchand presented the girls with a Certificate of Appreciation. Pictured are (Back row) Assistants Judy Fueston and Tess Ward. (Front row) Girls State delegates Jacqueline Sweet, Alaina De Leo, Allison Marks with Unit Chairman Charlene Marchand. Not pictured was delegate Gabby Catterson.

Shickley Unit #164 was very happy to have one of their Poppy Poster participants win at the Department level. A very pleased Hayley Sliva is shown here with her letter, prize, and a package of poppy seeds so she can grow her own.

The Shickley unit appreciates the help that we receive from Mrs. Jorgenson, our public school art teacher. She makes sure we have around 40 Poppy Poster entries to chose from each year. We then display them around town in several of the businesses during the month of May.