VFW members take celebration on the road

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, on a celebratory trek on U.S. Highway 83, the "Veterans Memorial Highway," present a certificate of appreciation, medallion and pin to members of the Bernard Elbert VFW Post No. 1652, Monday evening, offering their thanks for post's hospitality. From left, Don Kemplin, post commander at Big Springs, Bobbi Widick, post commander at Farnam, and Cal Stratton, chairman of the celebratory committee, with Bob Nemechek and Eugene Custer, members of Post No. 1652.

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Six Nebraskans, all members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, celebrated the 110th anniversary of that organization by traveling the entire 1,885 of the highway, twice.

Three members, Cal Stratton of North Platte, Don Kemplin of Big Springs and Bobbi Widick of Farnam first traveled to Brownsville, Texas while three others, Roger Broeker of Maywood, Dan Kramer of Stapelton and Gary Bush of Ogallala, traveled to the northernmost reach of the highway. The groups then embarked on the celebratory return ride to reunite Tuesday, at the 20th Century Veterans' Memorial at U.S. Highway 83 and Interstate-80 in North Platte.

The Brownsville travelers made a stop Monday night in McCook at the Bernard Elbert VFW Post No. 1652 for supper. After spending the night enjoying McCook's hospitality, the group planned one more stop, at the VFW in Maywood, before meeting with the group from the north.

In all, the vets will have stopped at 19 posts along the route. McCook was the fourth post visited Monday, with the trio stopping at Oakley, Garden City and Liberal, Kan., posts en route.

"The hospitality has been overwhelming," said Widick. "Everywhere we've stopped, they've fed us and even joined us on the journey."

The journey was 7 months in the making.

"There is a lot of coordination needed," said Widick, organizing meals and lodging, with both time and finances limited.

The group raised funds for the trip by selling pins, patches and medallions commemorating the anniversary of the VFW.

"It's been quite an experience," said Kemplin.

"But we'll be glad to have it done," added Stratton with a grin.

The celebration at the veterans' memorial in North Platte included a keynote address by the VFW National Commander, Tommy Tradewell and representatives from the offices of Sen. Adrian Smith and Sen. Mike Johanns.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars was formed after the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902), to secure rights and benefits for returning war veterans. The mission? To "honor the dead by helping the living," through veterans' service, community service, national security and a strong national defense.

In its 110-year history, the organization, now with 2.2 million members and 8,100 posts worldwide, helped establish the Veterans Administration, helped create the GI bill for the 20th Century and was instrumental in developing the national cemetery system.

Additionally, the VFW fought for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome.

Most recently, the VFW won another long-fought battle when the GI Bill for the 21st Century gave expanded educational benefits to America's active duty service personnel.

The VFW also has fought for improving VA medical centers services for women veterans.

Besides helping fund the creation of the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and Women in Military Service memorials, the VFW in 2005 became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which is being constructed in Washington, D.C., and is expected to open in 2010.

In 2001, VFW unveiled its tribute to service and country with its dedication of Centennial Plaza.

Annually, VFW members and its Auxiliary contribute more than 13 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation in Make A Difference Day and National Volunteer Week.

From providing $2.5 million in college scholarships to high school students every year to encouraging elevation of the Veterans Administration to the president's cabinet, the VFW is there -- honoring the dead by helping the living.