Memorial Day 2024 At Wyuka Cemetery
The ceremony at Wyuka Cemetery included a wreath casting from the historic bridge and a parade to the Old Soldier’s Circle. The Lincoln Fire and Rescue/Lincoln Police Department Pipes & Drums led the parade and posted the Colors. The National Anthem was sung by Olivia Vanderford. The invocation was delivered by John Terpsma. Remarks were made by Greg Osborn and Bob Fitzsimmons. General John A Logan’s General Order #11 was read.
Colonel Thaddeus Fineran was the guest speaker. The GAR Circle was decorated by Girl Scout Troop 20205. The ringing of the bell was performed by the Lincoln Fire & Rescue Honor Guard. A 3-shot rifle volley was fired by The American Legion, VFW and the Civil War reenactors. The day ended with “Taps” and the retirement of the Colors.
Memorial Day 2024 At Lincoln Memorial Cemetery
The VFW Color Guard opened the ceremony by posting the Colors. The National Anthem was sung by Olivia Vanderford. The invocation was delivered by John Terpsma. Welcoming remarks were made by Ed Hall. The ringing of the bell was performed by Lincoln Fire & Rescue Honor Guard. General John A. Logan’s General Order #11 was read. A wreath and Battlefield cross were placed by Kwame Gyamfi and Vietnam Veteran, Gailen Young.
Colonel Thaddeus Fineran was the guest speaker. The folding of the Flag and the meaning of each fold was conducted by Boy Scout Troop 456. A 3-shot rifle volley was fired by The American Legion, VFW, and the Civil War reenactors followed by “Taps “ and retirement of the Colors.
CONSOLIDATED POST REPORTS
The Consolidated Post Report (CPR) was established in 1975 in order to assist departments in the documentation of the various post activities in which a specific post --- or its members --- have participated during the 12-month period, June 1 through May 31.
The CPR may be the most beneficial document the post will complete. The post’s information for the 2022-2023 CPR, combined with that of other posts, is used when the National Commander and others testify on Capitol Hill as mandated by our federal charter. Each post has a story to tell; and --- when we speak collectively --- our strength is magnified. Nebraska has a very good national reputation in that Nebraska almost always has a Consolidated Post Report completed for 100% of its posts, and it’s time for Post 3 to start working on the preparation of the next one to be submitted. (The national completion percentage is about 65%)
Do you do any volunteering? Give blood? Make monetary donations? Are you involved with schools or interacting with youth groups? If you have done any of these things, please let us know, as the National American Legion collects the numbers and information from all of the CPRs received to prepare its annual report to Congress. The CPR has 122 items that collect data, broken down into 7 general areas.
The seven general areas --- and just a few examples of things that qualify for being reported --- are shown below.
- Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation. Volunteer hours recorded at VA facilities. Emergency aid given to veterans from post funds. Monetary contributions to VA Volunteer Service programs.
- National Security. Being a blood donor. Number of pints of blood donated. Supporting high school and college ROTC programs. Participating in Homeland Security or disaster relief efforts. Law enforcement officer and fire fighter of the year programs. Participating in ceremonial honors for veterans.
- Media and Communications. Contributes to a post website or newsletter.
- Veterans Employment and Education. Participates in career fairs. Participates in or supports programs for homeless veterans.
- Americanism. Participates in or supports (financially or otherwise) programs like Boys State, American Legion Baseball, Scouting, Oratorical Contest, and school awards programs. Does community service activities (report hours). Participates in Veterans Day and Memorial Day activities.
- Children and Youth. Volunteers for or donates to children and youth activities. Donates to American Legion Children and Veterans Foundation. Provides financial aid to benefit children. Donates to child service charities.
- Internal Affairs & Membership. Participates in Legion Riders Legacy Run. Participates in or donates to National Emergency Fund. Participates in Buddy Check. Miscellaneous fundraising for American Legion or veterans activities.
If you have anything to report that we might be able to include on the next Post 3 Consolidated Post Report, please call, drop us a note, or send an email If you’re not sure, send it anyway --- and we’ll take a look to see if it can be included. Thanks in advance for sharing with us the things you do. It’s important that we blow our own horn a little from time to time!!
Ed Schnabel Post 3 Adjutant