Additional Information

We are starting to possibly see the end of Covid. Many of us have had our shots and resumed somewhat of a normal life again.

Without a doubt, we all have known someone who was infected and recovered or passed due to the illness. Memorial Day has passed with many of us returning to cemeteries to place flowers on our loved one’s graves. What if you had a child pass at birth or at a young age and was buried without a headstone to mark their final resting place? Without a doubt, that would be a very depressing moment. This is a Sad and True story.

Mary Spencer, Director of the Historical Board Wyuka Cemetery Foundation, was a guest speaker at our June Meeting. She gave a summary of the history of Wyuka. It was established in 1869 as both a cemetery and park by state legislation. That legislation provided free burial for state wards, indigents, and orphans from birth to the age of 18. The first child was buried in 1870. Today, there are 2,800 children buried at Wyuka that don’t have headstones. The funeral home wasn’t established until 1999. Prior to that time, only a plot and service were provided; headstones were not provided. The infant was buried in a plot and only marked by a numbered cement cone. Most of the children were buried between 1870-1920. The cause of death in many cases was the Spanish flu, polio, pneumonia, and, saddest of all, starvation. Poverty or lack of a family often meant a marker wasn’t purchased.

It’s unthinkable that police officers during this time would routinely bring in a child that had starved on the streets of Lincoln.

Littlest Angels is a project that Mary Spencer and friends are trying to rectify. This project endeavors to place a headstone on all graves. Each child must be identified through extensive research. Headstones would have the name, birthdate, and death date, along with two angels. Children whose records are not found would have “unknown child” on the headstone. At this time 2,150 have been named with no headstone. Each headstone costs $250. Many headstones have already been placed in Section 28.

So what can we do to help this project? One of four pillars that the Legion supports is Children and Youth. Post 3 has decided to help support this project in any way we can. We have contacted the Ladies Auxiliary, and other organizations, to help support this noble cause. At this time, we will purchase one headstone and place this on our yearly budget to purchase more. If you are able and want to help out, please contact Post 3. We will make sure all funds go to Mary. If you belong to other organizations, please let your members know of this project. Small babies should not be forgotten. Post 3 will donate $250 this year and make it a line item donation for the upcoming years. Please consider and amount that you are capable of.

Jack Sibert

Project Baby Land-Littlest Angles

Presenting First check to Mary Spencer

July 2021 $250

Second Check

March 2022 $250

Recently, Jack Sibert presented Mary Spencer with a second $250.00 check to support Mary’s work of placing headstones on unmarked graves of “Littlest Angels” in Wyuka cemetery. Wyuka cemetery was established in 1869 as both a cemetery and park by state legislation. That legislation provided free burial for state wards, indigents, and orphans from birth to the age of 18. Those individuals were buried in a plot and only marked by a numbered cement cone. Today, there are 2,800 children buried at Wyuka that don’t have headstones. We purchase one headstone each year and place this on our yearly budget to purchase more. If you are able and want to help, please contact Post 3. We will make sure all funds go to Mary.

YELLOW RIBBON REINTEGRATION PROGRAM

The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program is a congressionally mandated program that was established in 2008 under the National Defense Authorization Act. The mission of the program is to promote the well-being of National Guard and Reserve members, their families, and communities by connecting them with resources throughout the deployment cycle.

American Legion Post 3 was one of about a dozen agencies and organizations that set up information tables at The Graduate Hotel in Lincoln on Saturday, February 8th, as the Nebraska National Guard held a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration program for Nebraska Guard members who either recently redeployed or were about to deploy. Most of the program attendees were from the Grand Island area.

Bruce Gubser represented Post 3 at the event.

Wreaths Across America

Additional Information

December marks the beginning of winter. For some folks, it’s their favorite time
of the year. This month also remembers the start of World War II and Pearl Harbor
Day. But, a relatively unheard of observance is “Wreaths Across America,” where
our war dead are ceremoniously remembered at Arlington National Cemetery,
across America, in our own Nebraska State Capitol, and in Lincoln’s Wyuka Cemetery.
The week of December 10 will feature two events. Nebraska’s Capitol will host
an observance in the Wamer Chamber at 11:00 a.m. on December 14th. Later on there will be observances at Wyuka’s two Soldiers’ Circles on Saturday, December 19th. The first one begins at 11:00 a.m. near the Vine Street access. The second one will follow at the older circle located near the center of Wyuka. Being a patriotic activity, among the attendees will be honor guards from: the Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts 131, 3603, and 7722; Lincoln American Legion Post 3; and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (Shiloh Camp 2). Cadets from the University of Nebraska Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), soldiers and airmen from the Nebraska Army and Air National Guard, and Boy and Girl Scouts are also scheduled to be there.
Knowing that it is winter, all celebrants are advised to dress warmly, in layers, due to the chilly air and possible snow fall. But, do come out and show your fervor for the heroes who gave their all for all of us.

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Join us on National Wreaths Across America Day
December 2021

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,400 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad. Find out more at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org

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Salvation Army Bell Ringers

Post 3 Participates Yearly

What does it take to show compassion, concern, and sacrifice that no one could
deny, even for those you don’t know? Try your hand at becoming a Salvation
Army volunteer bell ringer over the Christmas holidays.

American Legion Post 3 Legionnaires and their families have been doing just
that for decades at any number of locations around Lincoln. You may be shopping
for groceries. Your family might be looking for that special gift, or even returning
something for a better selection. You might be window shopping to get a good
idea of what you intend to buy later on. Or you and that special someone may be
out on your date night to a special place.

But be aware that where ever you find yourselves over the coming Christmas
season, you just might spy someone, or two, standing just outside your favorite
haunt ringing that familiar Salvation Army bell, with appropriate aprons, and
offering you season’s greetings with a smile and a thank you.
You might even meet one of your closet friends --- a neighbor, a relative, or
that fellow that just moved in down the street. Keep in mind that these American
Legion bell-ringers are your neighbors, your friends, family members, and most
of all, some people you know well.

Additionally, Legionnaires and their families served America in our U.S. Armed
Forces here at home and abroad. They did it because they cherished our American
ideals of God, country, and family. They knew that by their sacrifice, you and their
family and friends would be safeguarded against foreign aggression on our shores.
So far, their efforts have obviously paid off.
The Post 3 Family of American Legion organizations will be ringing bells on
the afternoon of December 14th. Among the volunteers you’ll meet this holiday
season will be Auxiliary members, Sons of the American Legion, American
Legion Riders, and the Honor Guard.

If you’re interested in how to become a Salvation Army volunteer bell-ringer as
well, why not contact Post 3 or them through http://www.lincolnsa.volunteerfirst.org, or call 402-474-6263.

National website https://www.salvationarmy.org/

AMERICAN LEGION POST 3 December 2021

SALVATION ARMY BELL-RINGERS

Christmas season is here, and with it comes the ringing of the Salvation

Army bells.

Organized and coordinated by 2nd Vice Commander Ron Hindmand,

members of the Post 3 American Legion Family (Legion, Auxiliary,

Riders, and Sons of the American Legion) have made a good showing as

they volunteered to ring bells for the Salvation Army in Lincoln this year.

On four full days and one half-day --- as a group (in shifts) --- they took

responsibility to ring bells at one of the available sites.

Thanks to all who helped out and supported the effort to ring bells and help

raise funds for the many great local causes of the Salvation Army. Those

who were signed up to participate are listed below:

Ron and Paula Hindmand, Bill Speilman, Stan Fraas, Mike Streeter, Ed

Muggy, Ron Bevard, Kathy Enlow, William Smisek, Ray Paulson, John

Brehm, Mary Brehm, Carl Fitzke, Brad Christian, John Stevens, Lori

Gubser, Bruce Gubser, Barb Skillman, Jeanie Harris, Nancy Vallis, Lynne

Wild, Barbara Michail, Shirley Horstman, Carol Nelson, John Ottoson, Steve

Bartos, Brendan Moore, Dave Timmerman, Angela Hutchins,John Trayer,

Jack Sibert, Rev Dr. William Jackson, Wade Graft, and Gerry Wolf. The Salvation Army representative for Bell Ringing in Lincoln thanked our Post 3 group for Ringing and informed us that our group raised $ 2,215.81!!! The Salvation Army will be using funds we collected for the distribution of food and toys to those in need in our community. Post 3 rang for a total of 36 hours. We had 34 volunteers who rang at two locations. Our Legion Riders rang for a complete 8 hour day at Hobby Lobby and our Ladies Auxiliary rang for one eight hour day at the Williamsburg Mall Hy-Vee. The remaining Post 3 volunteers all rang at the Williamsburg HyVee.

THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT!

POST 3 HONOR GUARD

Blue Team Six

The rendering of Military Funeral Honors for an eligible veteran, free of charge, is mandated by law. An honor guard detail for the burial of an eligible veteran shall consist of not less than two members of the Armed Forces. One member of the detail shall be a representative of the parent Service of the deceased veteran. The honor detail will, at a minimum, perform a ceremony that includes the folding and presenting of the American flag to the next of kin and the playing of Taps. When available taps will be played by a bugler, however there are so few buglers available that the military services may choose to provide an electronic recording of taps. The veteran's parent Service representative will present the flag.

Funeral Honors Eligibility

Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
Former military members who served on active duty and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
Former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

Verifying Eligibility

The preferred method for verifying eligibility is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If the DD Form 214 is not available, any discharge document showing other than dishonorable service can be used. The DD Form 214 may be obtained by requesting it online from the National Archives.

Honor Guard Requirements:

Honor guard members must adhere to a stringent set of guidelines, which include physical ability. Unit members can be male or female. A neat appearance, which includes short hair and a clean-shaven face, are standard requirements for honor guard members. Females are typically permitted to secure hair with a rubber band and tuck it firmly under the helmet. Good moral character and exemplary conduct of honor guard members is required both in and out of uniform. Honor guard members are typically of similar weight and height to create a seamless and uniform unit appearance.

Goverment resource https://www.militaryonesource.mil/military-life-cycle/veterans-military-funeral-honors

We participate in over 200 requests yearly. We presently have 15 members on our Honor Guard.

Honorable Flag Disposal

Flag Burning

What is Flag Burning all about?

Flag burning takes place when an American flag is deemed too marred and tattered to continue to fly. Never is it acceptable for an American flag to be thrown away, as this would be a sign of defeat for the message that it stands for. Instead, flag burning is deemed a more honorable option. The United States Military does everything that it can to take care of its flags, out of a deep seated respect for “the republic for which it stands.” Sometimes however, especially if it has been torn apart in a battle, it is simply unavoidable. When this happens, a flag burning service is held, giving the flag its last honor.

This flag burning service usually begins with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a reading of the poem, "I Am Old Glory," which recounts all of the fateful moments and victories the American flag has witnessed. A moment of silence is usually next, as the crowd quietly considers the solemnity of the moment. Then the field of blue stars is carefully cut out of the flag, and placed on the fire. As the red and white stripes are added to the fire, the color guard says emphatically, "Our flag rests in peace!" The crowd departs then as the military band plays "Stars and Stripes Forever," completing the flag burning service. This flag burning service combines solemnity with the joy and pride of being an American. While participants in the ceremony cannot help but feel a little sad over the demise of a flag, they take comfort in the fact that its message, and the nation that it represents will live on.

Some, outside of the military, have in the last few decades, extended the right to freedom of speech to mean a right to flag burning. This subject has sparked deep seated feelings on both sides, even among those who would never do it themselves. A clear distinction ought to be drawn between this form of flag burning, and the manner that the United States Military uses. Flag burning protestors often insist that they have respect for the principles endowed in the United States Constitution, but choose to burn the American flag to symbolize the ways that they believe that America has strayed from its original path. Opponents of this form of flag burning argue that this is counterproductive, and is really working against America itself.

In many other nations, flag burning in this way is illegal. Some nations, such as Norway, Austria, and Germany impose strict penalties on this form of flag burning, including heavy penalties, or even up to a year in prison. In an attempt to deter protest flag burning as a whole, Norway and Austria have also placed penalties on burning the flags of other nations as well. Other nations known to have a somewhat feistier relationship with the world, such as Egypt and Turkey, have allowed flag burning when it comes to enemy nations flags.

Military flag burning runs with a number of other traditions, designed to prevent the flag from being desecrated. For example, it is also a statute that the flag cannot be flown upside down. Nor should it ever be dropped to the ground, be made to dip, or be cut up and made into a costume. All of these preventions, along with flag burning, are a silent proclamation that the liberties endowed by the United States Constitution live on, safe and secure.

Flag burning is a tradition that dates back to America's British roots, from a time well before 1776. Even today, flag burning is consistently applied by the British military as well, who like Americans do of their country, believe that the United Kingdom is the greatest country in the world, and wish to present a visible symbol of their country's strength around the world as well.

Flag burning is also often applied in the German military as well, a policy implemented by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

It may come as a surprise that the original American flag, knit together by Betsy Ross, never had to be burned. Instead, after 233 years of life, it is still on display at the Smithsonian Institute, in Washington D.C. This well illustrates why many in the United States Military will do anything they can to avoid the prospect of flag burning, in the hopes that flags can be consistently well maintained over the years, and even centuries. Sometimes however, especially after a flag has been flown in a battle, that is not always possible.

There are two kinds of flag burning, one in protest and the other in respect. Protest flag burning is condemned by most countries, and arguably does not fit into freedom of speech. Flag burning done out of respect however is in keeping with the best traditions of the United States Military. This sort of flag burning well deserves a place alongside such other traditions as not letting a flag fall to the ground, flying flags in such a way to where they never dip towards anything, and of course pledging allegiance to the flag. These traditions show that America, after 233 years, is as strong as it ever was, and that the flag still waves in glory.

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Post 3 provides this service Annually. With the help of the Legion Riders and Boy Scouts, we honorably retire over a thousand flags. The ashes are buried at Lincoln Memorial with the Honor Guard preforming honors. You can bring your flags to our office to be disposed of. Our next flag disposal will be held on July 28 2019 at the Walton Boy Scout Camp.. Event starts at 8:00 a.m

Find out more

Additional Information

Learn More

Project Baby Land-Littlest Angles

Operation Restore Grave Marker

Before Restored

After Restored

YELLOW RIBBON REINTEGRATION PROGRAM

Program "Our Flag"

Proper Burial Flag Folding

Proper Burial Flag Folding

Proper Burial Flag Folding

Proper Burial Flag Folding

Proper Burial Flag Folding

Meaning of the 13 Folds

Proper Burial Flag Folding

Meaning of the 13 Folds