Scout Working on Eagle Project, June 2023

The purpose of the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship program is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation for the United States Constitution. Contestants must present without notes an 8 to 10 minute oration on some aspect of the Constitution and then give a 3 to 5 minute speech on an assigned topic with only five minute preparation time. Our District 15 Oratorical Contest was held on 2 November. Our winner was Jack Watermolen. Jack is 16 years old and a Junior at Lincoln Southwest High School, where he is the Debate Team Captain. He aspires to study International Relations in college after graduation from high school. The title of his oration was “A More Perfect Union” discussing the constitutional changes originating out of the American Civil War. 

As our District 15 contest winner, Jack will compete in the Area C Contest to be held on Sunday 4 December at 2pm in the Seward Civic Center. He will receive a cash award of $100 upon participation in the area contest. The winners of area contests receive cash awards ranging between $200 and $1,000. They then will compete in the Nebraska Department contest to be held on 14 January 2023 in Norfolk as part of the Mid-year Convention. Winners of state competitions will receive a $2,000 scholarship and compete 21-23 April in Indianapolis, Indiana as part of the National Convention. They receive an additional $2,000 scholarship for each time/round they compete in the national completion. The first place national winner will receive a scholarship 

of $25,000, second place $22,500 and third place $20,000. 

Volunteers that assisted in our District 15 Contest were:
Bruce Gubser soliciting applicants for the contest and doing initial organization to set up the contest. 

Ron Hindmand acted as master of ceremonies.
Brendan Moore, Rich Lemmerman and Jeff Warrick acted as judges.
Fred Craigie was the Time Keeper.
Ed Schnabel was the tabulator and coordinated location for the contest along with advising on all contest aspects.
John Ottoson acted as contestant monitor.
Gerry Wolf led off the contest with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Steve Bartos took photos and performed a PR function. 

Thank you to all that participated! Ron Hindmand 

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most  prominent values-based youth development organizations, providing  programs for young people that build character, trains them in the  responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal  fitness.

For more than 100 years, Boy Scouts of America has helped  build future leaders by combining educational activities and lifelong  values with fun.

Alex  is a member of Boy Scout Troop 76 in Waverly, Nebraska. He received his  honor Eagle Scout honor in March 2018.​Alex's project was to  replace/upgrade wooden street signs on the ground of the Lincoln  Regional Center. This project took 3 1/2 months to complete, with over  107 hours in labor. These signs were made entirely by hand. A total of  20 signs and six sign posts were constructed.

https://www.scouting.org/

Update - Legion Baseball & Legion Post 3 - 2022 This article is late in coming. Many have wondered about the involvement of Legion Baseball and Post 3, for the past 2 years and the future. 2019 was the last year we were lessee of Sherman Field from the city, and fully involved in financially supporting Legion Baseball through Legion Post 3. Today, the Post supports the program in name only. So what happened? 

1. Prior to the 2020 season we assumed the position that for various reasons, Post 3 could no longer maintain the help required to operate and maintain the field. Several baseball committee members moved and Chair, Dick Clarence, passed away. We could find no one who would step up and assume these positions.

2. The increasing and exorbitant rent from the City of Lincoln for Sherman Field and LPS placed a huge financial strain on the post. Revenue from the gate and tournaments did not make up for the thousands, of dollars needed to rent those fields. 

3. Covid, as we all know, caused the cancellation of many sporting events, including Legion Baseball. 

4. Withdrawal of national sponsorship and support from the national organization. 5. Department of Nebraska’s decision to eliminate area tournaments during the Covid era, which was a major income for the Baseball budget. 

For these reasons, the decision was made and declared that we would provide administrative sponsorship to American Legion Baseball in Lincoln, Nebraska. We also agreed to provide minimal financial support, as we were able, but not enter into a lease for Sherman Field, LPS field or have any direct control of the summer program. We apologize for the late report on Legion Baseball. Furthermore, we would like to thank the sponsors who helped fund the program in the previous years. Thank You plaques were given individually to sponsors in 2020. The following deserve gratitude of thanks for their sponsorship to help continue Legion Baseball. 

 JC Brager 

Anderson Ford 

 Lincoln Orthopedics

 Ayars & Ayars  

Nemaha Sports Construction

Carpet Land  

Sandhills Global

 Judds Brothers 

 Schwisow Construction

 Lincoln Hotel Group  

Stonebrook Exterior

 OnTo College 

 Union Bank

 Pinnacle Bank  

Vermeer High Plains 

Sampson Construction  

Surface Sealers

 We especially want to thank Kyle Sitzman, Jon Sterns and those involved for taking the lead for Legion Post 3. Their help is greatly appreciated.

 If further info is need refer to Lincoln Legionnaire, January-March 2018, Volume 65 number 1, or call our office, 402-466-3958.