Their paths crossed many times

Friday, January 29, 2016

EDITOR'S NOTE: Through the years, the paths of Jerda Thompson Vickers and Ben Nelson crossed many times. In the paragraphs to follow, Jerda remembers the many encounters she and Ben had. The first memorable meeting occurred in the 1950s. Listed in chronological order, the many meetings are numbered (1) through (15).

Her remembrances follow:

JERDA (THOMPSON) VICKERS / Former McCook Mayor

(1) Two kids follow their dads around the Red Willow County Fairgrounds prior to the 1950 fair and meet for the first time. My dad was secretary of the county fair board and his dad was hooking up power lines there. Later that week we were given carnival tickets and rode the swings again and again.

Ben Nelson and I were only children. We talked about the responsibility of pleasing our parents and the loneliness of being an only child. He wanted to become an Eagle Scout and I wanted to do well in 4-H. Ben later became an Eagle Scout and I was chosen for National 4-H Conference in Washington D.C.

(2) In 1956, we wait in noon cafeteria line at McCook High School and talk about politics, local and state issues. My father, Don Thompson was a member of the Legislature. Ben was forever asking questions about the Unicameral and he was well aware that Senator George Norris had founded the Unicameral Legislature. Bill Harris, another classmate, joined us in discussions. I was a Republican by heritage, and Bill and Ben later entered the Nebraska Democratic Governor primary race. My dad asked me who would come out on top of the seven-person race. I commented that Ben had become associated with a strong segment of the Lincoln Democratic party and I thought he could win.

Ben became the Governor of Nebraska. Bill later became a state senator and Mayor of Lincoln.

(3) My husband and I attended the Governor's victory party at the McCook city auditorium. It was a great evening for the Democrats in the area. Ben told me,"It takes a party to get elected, but then you need to think independently and vote your conscience." I noticed another Republican couple in the audience: my uncle Dale Thompson and aunt Iris. Later, I learned that Ben and my uncle had late evening conversations almost every night during the campaign to discuss strategies, aiding in his path to Governor.

(4) Governor Nelson stressed rural development. I was Dean of Community Service at McCook Community College and received a call from the college president to meet with a staffer from the Governor's office. The Governor had identified economic development regions in the state and wanted to pilot a Community Builders Leadership Program. He had recommended the college as the place to start. I was enthusiastic and worked with Dr. Bob Manley, a Nebraska historian who had taught in McCook earlier in his career. Two years later, Governor Nelson visited with us and announced that the pilot model would be used in other regions of the state.

(5) During this time he also started the Home Based Business organization and named our daughter, Pam Garey Gaston, to the board. She later served as president of the organization. Another pathway crossed.

(6) Governor Nelson did not forget his hometown during his Governorship. His leadership is recognized in obtaining Valmont Industries and the Work Ethic Camp in McCook. I received a letter from Ben when my father passed and he commented that Don Thompson had been his mentor. I never realized how often Ben had met with my father through the years.

(7) My career path moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and Governor Nelson was a good friend of my employer, Iowa Governor Branstad, a Republican. I'm walking the grounds of the Iowa State Fair and hear my name. Ben Nelson hops out of a slow moving vehicle and says, "Jerda where is the exhibition building for FFA and 4-H? I'm here to help Governor Branstad with a livestock auction."

(8) Part of my responsibilities as Iowa Director of Career and Technical Education was supervision of all of the vocational organizations and FFA was one of the 13 organizations. I gave him directions and said, "I'll see you in the show ring," as I knew it was not an auction. He laughed and said, "No way."

Before Governor Nelson knew what was happening, he was handed a lead strap for a steer and a lovely FFA member told him to hang on. He was competing in a celebrity showmanship contest. Governor Nelson commented during the show,

"This is like trying to lead the Nebraska Legislature. You never know what is happening next." Governor Branstad, a former FFA member, won the whole event, but Ben received a purple ribbon for effort.

(9) Our paths crossed again, when I was a member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club in Des Moines. We sponsored a Legislative Day and often a delegation from eastern Nebraska was invited. I was asked if I would invite Governor Nelson to speak. What an honor to sit between Governors Branstad and Nelson at the head table and introduce Ben at the event. His comments highlighted the positive elements of the organization and operation of the Nebraska Unicameral, Senator George Norris's creation. I was elected to the Kiwanis Board of Directors soon after the event.

(10) Ben is elected U.S. Senator from Nebraska. My secretary sets up an appointment with Senator Nelson while I'm in Washington, D. C. meeting with the Iowa delegation. Senator Nelson welcomes me and we visit. We discuss business and then he just looks at me and says, "Jerda, how did two kids from McCook, Nebraska, get the opportunity to meet in this office?" We discussed politics and issues in high school, and now we are doing it in Washington, D.C." We agreed we were blessed to be from such a wonderful community and families.

(11) A call comes from the Senator. "Jerda, I'm in the airport in Washington, D.C. and am talking to a representative from a software company. He is considering expanding to Omaha and maybe an outstate site. Jerda, as Mayor of McCook would you be interested?" Within minutes I'm on the phone to Jeff Hicks from 21 CSI and invite him to take a look at our community. At the end of the week Jeff is in McCook working out details. Six months later, a McCook delegation is invited to a ribbon cutting in Omaha at the Kiewit Technology Center where 21 CSI is opening a new site. Senator Nelson announces that McCook will be the next location!

(12) Ben files for his second term. At the Red Willow County Republican convention I am nominated for county chair. I announce that I plan to support Ben Nelson and if this is a problem do not elect me as chair.

Following my election, I soon receive a call from the Nebraska Republican chairman advising me it would be in my best interest to resign. I did not resign, nor did I publicly endorse the Senator, but I had made my statement.

When a small town like McCook can have a national Senator, we are honored.

(13) Ben is in McCook to dedicate the sculpture at his childhood home on Norris Avenue. My grandson, Kyle Gaston is in the Boy Scout honor guard and stands at attention holding the American flag. Forty minutes later the Senator is giving his speech. Kyle faints and Ben stops, making sure he is okay, and states, "Kyle was doing a difficult job. He will never remember a word I said today, but he will never forget today." Kyle and his grandmother have not forgotten.

(14) Senator Nelson is in McCook for his retirement party from the U.S. Senate. He

congratulates Tom Vickers and myself on our upcoming marriage. Ben thanks

the community for its support and for the heritage of George Norris. He

expresses his gratitude to those who have mentored him through the years.

(15) Ben Nelson has followed the motto on the doorway of the Gazette building -- Service Is The Rent We Pay For The space We Occupy In This World -- just as have many citizens and leaders from Southwest Nebraska. We may not have agreed on every issue but our paths have focused on service. Only a few have achieved the high plateau.

Thank you Ben Nelson.

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  • #13, Ahh, the sculpture, happy to repeat what our esteemed columnist, Dick Trail had to say many years ago after it was unveiled. It went something like this, It's like a poke in the eye every time I see it. Poke, poke Dickie......

    -- Posted by fit2btied on Sat, Jan 30, 2016, at 11:51 PM
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