Commander's Message, January 2026

Fellow Legionnaires,

Hopefully you and your families enjoyed a wonderful Christmas! 

You can be proud of the good cheer and giving done by your Legion family this Christmas season. At our December Post 3 meeting we teamed with Unit 3 of the Auxiliary collecting nonperishable food for the Veterans Clinic. Post 3 members, Auxiliary Ladies and Legion Riders rang Bells for the Salvation Army.  Our Sons of the American Legion did their annual give away of cash at a local grocery store.  Great work by all in giving back to the Lincoln community!

On 3 December 2025 a document was filed in the Lancaster District Court “American Legion Post 1919 vs The American Legion Department of Nebraska.” Listed Plaintiffs were two members of Post 1919 and one member of Post 3. 

Listed Defendants were 13 American Legion members including 8 from Post 3 and 21 individuals associated with the Lincoln Baseball Association.  As this is a pending case no more information will be given at this time. As Commander of Post 3 I will be the contact for any questions or announcements and will keep you informed. The case number of this document at Lancaster District Court should you want details is D02C12500042333.

This month we are transitioning our Post 3 Adjutant duties from Ed Schnabel to Steve Fowles. Ed has been both our Post Adjutant and Finance Officer for approximately eight years. Additionally, Ed served as Post 3 Commander, VA Clinic volunteer, Honor Guard member, and many others.  His contributions to the veteran community have been outstanding and we thank him as he is about to celebrate his 80th birthday. Thank you, Ed! 

Taking over as our new Adjutant, Steve Fowles brings great experience from the Massachusetts American Legion.  A Navy veteran, Steve has extensive service as a Post, SAL, Veterans Council and County Adjutant as well as commander of a Post, SAL and Council Commander.  Welcome Steve!

Looking into the new year the Nebraska American Legion Department Mid-Year Convention will be January 16-18 in Norfolk. The Norfolk Lodge and Suites (402-379-3833) will be hosting the Convention this year.  A full schedule is attached in this newsletter. A condensed schedule will be published in December in the Nebraska Legionnaire and we can discuss it at our January monthly meeting.  If you have not attended one of the Department Conventions this is a great opportunity to see your Legion Leadership in action and experience the comradeship of fellow veterans.  

Best wishes for a safe happy New Year! 

For God and Country,

Ron Hindmand

Post 3 Commander