(402) 421-6363
(402) 421-6363
Saturday 5/6/23 was a special Evening at the Lincoln #80. State President Larry Bratt and Past State President Larry Schwindt along with over 100 attendees recognized the following individuals for their service to our community. Trooper Benjamin Nguyen from the Nebraska State Patrol, Deputy Amy Lesan, from the Lancaster Sheriff's Office, Investigator Andrew Barksdale, from The Lincoln Police Department. Investigator Jason Love from Lincoln Fire and Rescue. Not Pictured Sargent Terrell Long, Jr. from The University of Nebraska Police Department.
A small group of Elks led by Third Vice-President Jeremy Brandt, State President Jane Berggren, Past State President Larry Schwindt and others recently attended a Proclamation signing at the State Capital in Lincoln.
Governor Jim Pillen stated that All of Nebraska Elk Lodges observe Elks National Youth Week From May 1st to the 7th 2023.
After signing the proclamation, Governor Pillen declared "... that it is our responsibility to guide, inspire and encourage our youth to go forth and serve America and our privilege to manifest a lively interest in all their activities and ambitions and to help prepare them for duties and opportunities for citizenship..."
View the Proclamation document
Susan Brown, Director of WE CAN DO THIS, stopped by the lodge before the meeting on Wednesday, May 18, to talk to us about what is happening at F Street Community Center and what we can do to help.
WE CAN DO THIS operates out of the F Street Community Center, and does many things for the youth in that section of town, many of whom are extremely underprivileged. Susan and her assistants coordinate maintaining a pantry at the facility, and they serve weekend meals to the kids. Susan also endeavors to address clothing needs when she becomes aware of them. She is also helping to form intramural basketball to com-pete in the city leagues. But one thing that is coming up soon is Juneteenth, and Susan needs help! She says this celebration will focus on the kids, and she could sure use some Elk members to volunteer to help with games, directing, all that good stuff. The celebration will be held at the F Street Community Center, 13th and F, on Saturday, June 25 from 11 a.m. to 2p.m. There is also an opportunity to prepare and serve lunch on the third Saturday of each month – maybe that sounds like something you’d like to take on! If you, your spouse, and/or your family is interested in helping, please let Lodge Secretary Laurie know, and she’ll get information for you. And by the way, Susan took a check from our Smith Fund in the amount of $1,000 to help with the Juneteenth activity and the pantry. We have sponsored WE CAN DO THIS since 2017, and Susan has been doing great work!
On May 14th, 2022 our lodge recognized First Responders in the area for their service to the community. They and their guests were treated to a Pork Chop meal, and then were presented Certificates of Service and medals of Valor to recognize what they have given to our community. The dinner was very well attended with over 60 people present. The entire dinner was sponsored by the Norris and Gustin families in memory of Ray Norris. The tables were beautifully decorated by Milt Schmidt, Scott Schrage and Harry Montag. Nebraska State Patrol Lieutenant Jon Beckstead introduced Sergeant Drew Ferguson and spoke about why he was selected to receive this award. Captain AL Crist of the Lincoln Fire and Rescue Department introduced Firefighter Justin Maas and talked about the reasons they had chosen to honor him. Sheriff Terry Wagner from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Department talked about their honoree Sergeant Michael Scriven and talked about why he was selected as their honoree. The Officer of the Year for the Lincoln Police Department John Hudec was unable to attend as his son graduated from UNL that day and they had a family celebration. The program concluded with PDDGER Larry Bratt talking about what every law enforcement Officer and First Responder has to deal with everyday and the effects it has on not only them but their family and spouses. This dinner is an annual event to show our support and appreciation to our First Responders in our community.
On May 8th, 2021 our lodge recognized First Responders in the area for their service to the community. They and their guests were treated to a Steak meal, and then were presented Certificates of Service and medals of Service to recognize what they have given to our community. The dinner was very well attended with over 80 people present. The entire dinner was sponsored by the Norris and Gustin families in memory of Ray Norris. The tables were beautifully decorated by Connie Moore, Phillip Hagan and Joni Hagan. Nebraska State Patrol Lieutenant Kalb Bruggeman introduced Trooper Jamieson Brown and spoke about why he was selected to receive this award. Assistant Chief Jason Stille with the Lincoln Police Department introduced Officer Josh Fullerton and explained why he had been selected. Chief Kendall Warnock of the Lincoln Fire and Rescue Department introduced Robert Poe and talked about the reasons they had chosen to honor him. Captain John Backer of the University of Nebraska Lincoln Police Department introduced Investigator Caleb Gose and spoke about him. Deputy Chief Ben Houchin from the Lancaster Sheriff's Department talked about their honoree Deputy Troy Bailey, who had passed away from a heart attack last fall and his Fiancé Danielle Zabawa and his mother Connie were present to receive his certificate and a shadow box with his picture and medal mounted inside. The program concluded with PDDGER Larry Bratt talked about fallen Lincoln Police Investigator Luis "Mario" Herrera who was killed in the line of duty. Mario's wife Carrie and their children, Carlos, Olivia, Adelina, Celia and Carlos's fiancé Tasha Bredvick were then presented a Certificate of Valor and a Shadow Box with Mario's picture and Medal of Valor mounted inside. This dinner is an annual event to show our support and appreciation to our First Responders in our community.
On May 4th, during First Responder Month, the lodge held a First Responder recognition diner for our local First Responders. There were 84 people that attended and enjoyed a great steak dinner with baked potatoes, green beans, rolls, salad and desert. Officer Andrew Vocasek from the Lincoln Police Department, Deputy Allen Ulman from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department, Trooper Adam Strode from the Nebraska State Patrol, Sgt. Brian Warner from the University of Nebraska Police Department, and Capt. Aaron Pospisil of the Lincoln Fire and Rescue Department were all honored as being their department’s Officer of the Year. A representative from each of their Departments talked about them, and then each was presented a plaque from our lodge. Representative of the departments were Capt. Don Scheinost from Lincoln Police, Sheriff Terry Wagner from Lancaster Sheriff’s, Sgt. Vernon Barton from the Nebraska State Patrol, Capt. John Backer from the University of Nebraska Police Department, and Battalion Chief Timothy Linke with the Lincoln Fire and Rescue Department. All the honorees and their families were very appreciative along with the department representatives. This was the third year our Lodge has recognized these fine Departments and their outstanding Officers.
A special thanks to the Gustin, Norris, and Holt families for sponsoring this dinner in the memory of our departed member Ray Norris. Thanks to all who helped and attended the dinner to show our appreciation to all these First Responders, their families and their Departments.
Larry R. Bratt
PDDGER NE East/PER
In celebrating the Elks' 150th anniversary, the Elks brought together 150 current scholars and alumni to serve and celebrate this milestone. The largest gathering of Elks scholars ever, took place this summer in San Antonio, TX. June 29th through July 2nd in conjunction with the Elks National Convention. See San Antonio video here. One of our very own LEL #80 Most Valuable Student Scholarship winners, William Lavelle from Centennial High School, was in attendance. He was also a Nebraska State Elks Association scholarship winner. William made a special presentation at our lodge meeting on Wednesday, July 18th of his experience representing Lincoln Lodge #80. The following is his recap and experience of this mega-Elks Scholar Service Trip. Their motto was "Celebrate through Service".
"Our first service project with the Elks was to do volunteer work at Haven for Hope. All 150 of us split up into teams to divide and conquer different jobs. There were teams to sort through new donations, wash sleeping mats, paint new lines in the parking lots, and many others. I joined the landscaping team and trimmed the bushes and trees around campus. After lunch, our jobs became more social. We handed out boxes of cookies and popsicles to the residents, and sent individual Elks scholars to hand out food to the residents who weren't in line or were in a different area. The next day, we attended the Elks National Convention with a goal to pack 5000 hygiene kits for homeless veterans. Our job certainly got easier when other Elks at the convention started to join us! I personally was in charge of taking full boxes from the assembly line, labeling them, and pushing them to a storage area. After we finished, we faded into the background and let everyone think that we had left. Imagine their surprise when we made a surprise appearance at the convention's opening session! I had a lot of fun with the 150 for 150 Service Trip, and I'm proud we were able to do so much good work".
William, Lincoln Lodge #80 is very proud of you. Just being in your presence, with all your energy, ambition and enthusiasm excites each and every one of us. BEST of LUCK as you set and pursue higher goals. Never forget to give back to those less fortunate. You are and will remain a part of our Elks Family. Thank you to PER Laurie Montag for organizing the presentation and Trustee Randy King, Video technical assistance. Truly a big family reunion. Priceless!
On Saturday afternoon, June 16th, our lodge had received special dispensation from GER District Deputy Nebraska East Sharon Brown to hold our lodge Flag Day Recognition Ceremony in lieu of the traditional June 14th date. Past DD Larry Bratt organized a sensational team of officers to conduct the tribute to our nation's flag. In addition, boy scouts from Troop #159 assisted in carrying in the nine different flags commemorating the event. Today, the flag consists of 13 horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with six white. The stripes represent the original 13 Colonies and the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well; red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice. Thank-you to all who were in attendance. Photo by Lu Hamilton, Chairman, Veterans Committee.
On May 5th, during First Responder Month, the lodge held a First Responder recognition dinner for our local First Responders. There were 89 people that attended and enjoyed a great steak dinner with baked potatoes, green beans, rolls, salad and red velvet cake for dessert. Officer Joe Villamonte from the Lincoln Police Department, Deputy Barry Barnett from the Lancaster County Sheriff's Department, Trooper Rob Pelster from the Nebraska State Patrol, Officer Russell Johnson from the University of Nebraska Police Department and Firefighter Tod Sehnert of the Lincoln Fire and Rescue Department were all honored as being their departments Officer of the Year. A representative from each of their Departments talked about them, and then each was presented a plaque from our lodge. Representative of the departments were Assistant Chief Brian Jackson from Lincoln Police, Sheriff Terry Wagner from Lancaster Sheriff's, and Sgt. Mike Gummert from the Nebraska State Patrol, Chief Owen Yardley from the University of Nebraska Police Department and Capt. Bob Watton with the Lincoln Fire and Rescue Department. All the honorees and their families were very appreciative along with the department representative's. This was the second year our Lodge has recognized these fine Departments and their outstanding Officers. A special thanks to the Gustin, Norris and Holt families for sponsoring this dinner in the memory of our departed member Ray Norris. Thanks to all who helped and attended the dinner to show our appreciation to all these First Responders, their families and their Departments.
On Monday April 2nd, a group of Elks and friends gathered in the Nebraska State Capitol's Weary Room to witness the Governor signing two special proclamations. In this private ceremony, Governor Pete Rickets proclaimed the week of May 1st - 7th as Elks National Youth Week in tribute to our Junior Citizens, honoring them for their achievements and contributions to the life of the Community, State and Nation. In addition, our Governor proclaimed the weekend of April 27th - 29th, 2018 as Elks 150th Anniversary Celebration Weekend to pay tribute to our parent organization in celebrating the Elks milestone of 150 years of service during the Nebraska Elks Association Annual Convention. Accompanying our Governor, in the Capitol Rotunda, are Elks and friends from Fairbury, Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, Lincoln, Norfolk, North Platte and Omaha. Photos by Public Relations Chairman, Stephen Wirth.
Click to view the Youth Day Proclamation document
Click to view the 150th Anniversary Proclamation document
Instead of the traditional Flay Day recognition on June 14th by the Elks, our lodge room had been rented out that evening in advance. Exalted Ruler Montag requested in writing to our District Deputy to the Grand Exalted Ruler, Nebraska East, Larry Bratt of this conflict and she requested that the ceremony be changed to Saturday, June 17th. DD Bratt granted her request and re-arrangements were put in place. Boy Scout Troop 159, led by Scoutmaster Mark Huenink, was contacted and his troop presented the colors throughout the program.
Protect childhood with tenderness, old age with respect, cherish with reverence
the memory of those who have passed.