New Horizons October 2020 by Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging

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Nebraska history A photographer who worked at Black Entertainment Television, Artes Johnson has spent much of his life telling stories with images. One of the Omahan’s favorite stories is that of his homesteading ancestors and the Black settlement of DeWitty in Cherry County, Nebraska. A proud member of the Descendants of DeWitty, Johnson has shared their story through videos, exhibits, and reenactments throughout the state. Leo Adam Biga profiles Johnson beginning on page 6.

Pearl Harbor memories George Flecky, who turns 99 this month, spent a year as a civilian contractor in Hawaii. He reflects on his experiences at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. See page 12.

Research from the University of East Anglia

British study: Blood pressure meds could improve coronavirus survival rates, reduce infection severity

aking medication for high blood pressure could improve COVID-19 survival rates and reduce the severity of the infection, according to new research from the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. Researchers studied 28,000 patients taking antihypertensives; a class of drugs used to treat high blood pressure. They found the risk of severe COVID-19 illness and death was reduced for patients with high blood pressure who were taking Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEI) or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB). “We know patients with cardiovascular diseases are at particular risk of severe COVID-19 infection,” said lead researcher Dr. Vassilios Vassiliou from UEA’s Norwich Medical School. “At the start of the pandemic, there was concern specific medications for high blood pressure could be linked with worse outcomes for COVID-19 patients. “We wanted to find out what the impact of these medications is for people with COVID-19,” he continued. “We therefore studied the outcomes for patients taking antihypertensives – looking particularly at what we call ‘critical’ outcomes such as being admitted to intensive care, being put on a ventilator, and death.”

he team analyzed data from 19 studies related to COVID-19, ACEI, and ARB medications. This analysis is the largest and most detailed study to date. Researchers compared data from COVID-19 patients who were taking ACEI

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or ARB medications with those who were not – focusing on whether they experienced ‘critical’ events (admission to intensive care and invasive or non-invasive ventilation) and death. “We found a third of COVID-19 patients with high blood pressure and a quarter of patients overall were taking an ACEI/ARB. This is likely due to the increasing risk of infection in patients with comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and diabetes,” Dr. Vassiliou said. “The really important thing we showed was there is no evidence these medications might increase the severity of COVID-19 or risk of death. “On the contrary, we found there was a significantly lower risk of death and critical outcomes, so they might in fact have a protective role - particularly in patients with hypertension. “COVID-19 patients with high blood pressure who were taking ACEI/ARB medications were 0.67 times less likely to have a critical or fatal outcome than those not taking these medications.” Dr. Vassiliou said as the world braces for a potential second wave of the infection, it’s particularly important to understand the impact these medications have in COVID-19 patients. “Our research provides substantial evidence to recommend continued use of these medications if the patients were taking them already. However, we are not able to address whether starting such tablets acutely in patients with COVID-19 might improve their prognosis, as the mechanism of action might be different,” he added. (The University of East Anglia provided this information,)

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October 2020

Choose the wheelchair accessible van that meets your needs, budget By David Kohll, Pharm. D.

heelchair users may want to consider the benefits of wheelchair accessible vans. Whether the user intends to drive the van or ride as a passenger, there are many options available. When comparing wheelchair accessible vans, take a look at pricing, customer service, vehicle features, warranties, and availability. I recommend finding out if you prefer a side-entry or a rear-entry option, whether price discounts are available, and making sure to test drive the van to confirm it’s a good fit for you.

The entry location impacts wheelchair seating positions, parking options, the ability to accommodate other passengers, and storage availability. The advantages of a side-entry configuration – which can seat up to five passengers – include the ability to drive the van while seated in a wheelchair, being able to sit in the front passenger position in a wheelchair, entering and exiting curbside away from traffic, and more storage space. Requiring a handicap parking space and needing extra room for ramp deployment, plus the fact some driveways aren’t wide enough to accommodate these vehicles are disadvantages of side-entry vans. The rear-entry configuration can be used when the wheelchair occupant is riding as a passenger. Rear entry vehicles are simpler, less costly, require virtually no extra maintenance, need no additional room for a ramp except when parallel parking, have more ground clearance, and extra room for long wheelchairs and/or leg rests. Rear-entry vehicles are often converted from traditional vehicles which usually makes them more affordable. Less storage space, the inability to drive from the wheelchair, and/or not having the wheelchair in the front passenger position are disadvantages of rear-entry vehicles which are available in long-cut (two wheelchairs) and short or taxi-cut (one wheelchair) configurations. Ramp-based modifications are most commonly performed on converted minivans. In order to provide access for the wheelchair user, the floor on side-entry vehicles is lowered. In the rear-entry configuration, the floor isn’t lowered but removed, and a composite or steel tub is inserted. In-floor and fold-up ramps come in manual or motorized operating modes and are stored differently in the side-entry and rear-entry styles. Not all models are ADA compliant. A variety of minivans are commonly converted into wheelchair accessible vans including the Dodge Grand Caravan, the Chrysler Pacifica, the Chrysler Voyager, the Toyota Sienna, and the Honda Odyssey. If you plan to drive a wheelchair conversion van, truck, or car, you may need to see a certified driver for an evaluation. A new wheelchair accessible van can cost $40,000 to $100,000. Prices may be broken down into the cost of the van itself and the cost of the additional modifications. This might seem like a lot of money, but these modifications require highly-skilled engineering. Grants to help offset wheelchair accessible van costs may be available from charitable organizations or through Veterans Affairs programs. Medicare won’t pay for a wheelchair accessible van, and Medicaid won’t pay for wheelchair accessible vans in Nebraska. The cost, however, is tax-deductible. It’s important to purchase your wheelchair van from a company that can assist with financing and trade-ins. Choosing the right wheelchair accessible van can provide peace of mind and added independence. (Kohll is with Kohll’s Rx in Omaha.)

Outlook Enrichment’s programs can make life easier for individuals with vision loss

f you or a loved one with vision loss have found challenges in accessing critical services during the pandemic, Outlook Enrichment can help through its adaptive technology training pro-

ers find adaptive techniques, software, or devices to overcome the barriers presented by vision loss. They’ll demonstrate options and give tips on using the devices that work best. gram. Through this program, you or a family For individuals who are blind or have low member with a vision condition can learn vision, assistive technology includes assishow to: tive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for • Visit with family via Zoom, Facebook people with vision loss/disabilities and also messenger, or other videoconferencing includes the process used in the evaluation apps. and selection of adaptive technology. • Order groceries, prescriptions, and Outlook Enrichment offers computer and other items to be delivered to your home smartphone training remotely. This helps through platforms like Instacart and Amaclients learn how to use smartphone apps zon. and other technology tools that are increas• Enjoy home entertainment through ingly important for working remotely, learn- movie streaming and audio books. ing online, shopping, banking, and engaging • Read the mail, the newspaper, or recipe with others. cards with digital magnifiers. Outlook Enrichment also established a As we’re all spending more time at home technology help line for people with visual and adapting to the new normal, technology impairment at 531-365-5334. The organiza- is now more important than ever. Outlook tion’s adaptive technology trainers respond Enrichment’s adaptive technology trainto messages within 24 hours with technolers are ready to help with your technology ogy solutions to help their blind neighbors needs stay connected and conduct business. Call 531-365-5314 to schedule a phone Outlook’s trainers can help consumappointment.

Using containers will allow expanded planting space, improve access to flowers, vegetables By Melinda Myers rowing flowers and vegetables in containers will allow you to expand planting space, grow plants right outside your door, and elevate them for easier access and maintenance. The smaller volume of soil in containers will be exposed to heat and wind, so it will require frequent, often daily watering. Don’t let this watering schedule discourage you from growing in pots. Enlist one or more of these strategies to eliminate the daily burden of watering while still maintaining beautiful and productive gardens. Grow plants in large plastic, glazed, or other less breathable material to extend the time between watering. The larger the pot and the less breathable the container material, the longer the soil stays moist. Small pots made of breathable materials like unglazed terra cotta, dry out more quickly. No matter the size and type of container used, monitor and adjust your watering schedule based on weather, the number of plants in the pot, and the size of the plants. The more plants used and the larger the plants grow the more water is needed. Frequency will increase over time. Use self-watering pots to extend the time between wa-

tering. Fill the reservoir in these containers as needed. The water moves from the reservoir to the soil where it’s needed. This extends the time between watering. As your new plantings grow, you will need to fill the reservoir more frequently. Use a quality potting mix that holds moisture and is well draining to avoid waterlogged soils that can lead to root rot. Most potting mixes contain peat moss, compost, or bark to hold moisture. Vermiculite, perlite, or rice hulls are used to provide drainage. Add a long-lasting sustainable, water saving product like wood pellets (wildvalleyfarms. com) to your potting mix. This organic product is made from belly wool and tags that can’t be used for clothing. The pellets promote healthier growth, increase soil aeration, and reduce watering frequency by as much as 25%.

ulch the soil surface in newly planted container gardens. This common garden practice is often overlooked when growing in containers. Cover the soil surface with shredded leaves, evergreen needles, or other organic material. This helps conserve moisture until plants grow and shade the soil. Automate watering with one of the many commercial or DIY container irrigation systems. These are designed to provide water to each individual pot with the turn of the faucet. Attach the irrigation system to the faucet, attach a timer, and watering becomes a breeze. Regularly check the system to make sure the lines that deliver water to the pot are intact and the watering frequency is adjusted throughout the growing season as needed. Enlist one or more of these strategies to make container gardening a manageable growing system. Once you eliminate the inconvenience of daily watering you may find yourself planting more container gardens each season. (Myers has written more than 20 gardening books.)

October 2020

New Horizons New Horizons is the official publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. The paper is distributed free to people over age 60 in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Washington, and Cass counties. Those living outside the 5-county region may subscribe for $5 annually. Address all correspondence to: Jeff Reinhardt, Editor, 4780 S. 131st Street, Omaha, NE 68137-1822. Phone 402-444-6654. FAX 402-444-3076. E-mail: jeff.reinhardt@enoa.org Advertisements appearing in New Horizons do not imply endorsement of the advertiser by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. However, complaints about advertisers will be reviewed and, if warranted, their advertising discontinued. Display and insert advertising rates available on request. Open rates are commissionable, with discounts for extended runs. Circulation is 9,000 through direct mail .

Editor....................................................Jeff Reinhardt Ad Mgr................Mitch Laudenback, 402-444-4148 Contributing Writers......Nick Schinker & Leo Biga ENOA Board of Governors: Mary Ann Borgeson, Douglas County, chairperson; Janet McCartney, Cass County, vice-chairperson; Lisa Kramer, Washington County, secretary; David Saalfeld, Dodge County, & Angi Burmeister, Sarpy County. The New Horizons and the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging provide services without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, or age.

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Columnist: Seek solutions to your problems, make the world a better place

he past several months have been filled with burdensome events that have weighed upon us heavily. Fires, storms, pandemic, draught, racial violence, and political strife are just some of the burdens we face. Each time the news reports more bad news, we wonder how we can bear yet another thing? Reflecting on my own discouragement, I recalled this story from the Zen Buddhist tradition I heard many years ago. The title is Good News, Bad News, Who Knows? One day in late summer, a farmer was working in his field with his old sick horse. The farmer felt compassion for the horse and desired to lift its burden. So, he let his

horse loose to go the mountains and live out the rest of its life. Soon after, neighbors from the nearby village visited, offering their condo-

Conscious Aging By Nancy Hemesath

dolences and said, “What a shame. Now your only horse is gone. How unfortunate you are. You must be very sad. How will you live, work the land, and prosper?” The farmer replied: “Who could say? We shall see.” Two days later the old horse came back rejuvenated after meandering in the mountainside and eating

Phone appointments offered during Medicare’s open enrollment period Medicare’s annual open enrollment period runs Oct. 15 through December 7. This is the time of year to review your Medicare Part D coverage or your Medicare Advantage coverage. By reviewing your coverage, you may be able to save money on your prescription drug costs in 2021. Volunteers Assisting Seniors (VAS) will be available – even during the COVID-19 pandemic – to help you review your plan. This year, drug and Medicare Advantage plan reviews will be done over the phone, not in person, in an effort to minimize exposure to COVID-19. Phone counseling sessions will be available daily.

the wild grasses. Returning with him were 12 new and healthy horses which followed the old horse into the farmer’s corral. Word got out in the vill-

Limited evening and weekend appointments are also available. Call 402-444-6617 to schedule your appointment.

211 network The 211 network offers information about community and human services. By dialing 211, consumers can access information about food banks, shelters, rent and utility assistance, physical and mental health resources, as well as support for older Americans and persons with a disability. The 211 network is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The information is also available online at ne.211.org

age of the farmer’s good fortune and it wasn’t long before people stopped by to congratulate him on his good luck. “How fortunate you are,” they exclaimed. You must be very happy.” The farmer softly said, “Who could say? We shall see.” At daybreak on the next morning, the farmer’s only son set off to attempt to train the new wild horses, but the farmer’s son was thrown to the ground and broke his leg. One by one the villagers arrived to bemoan the farmer’s latest misfortune. “Oh, what a tragedy you have had. Your son won’t be able to help you farm with a broken leg. You’ll have to do all the work yourself. How will you survive? You must be very sad,” they said. Calmly going about his usual business, the farmer answered, “Who could say? We shall see.” Several days later a war broke out. The Emperor’s men arrived in the village demanding that young men come with them to be conscripted into the Emperor’s army. As it happened the farmer’s son was deemed unfit because of his broken leg. “What very good fortune you have,” the villagers exclaimed as their own young sons were marched away. “You must be very happy.” As he headed off to work his field alone, the farmer replied, “Who could say? We shall see.”

As time went on the broken leg healed but the son was left with a slight limp. Again, the neighbors came to pay their condolences. “Oh, what bad luck you have; too bad for you.” But the farmer replied simply, “Who could say? We shall see.” As it turned out the other young village boys died in the war and the farmer and his son were the only able-bodied men capable of working the village lands. The farmer became wealthy and was very generous to the villagers. They said: “Oh how fortunate we are; you must be very happy.” The farmer softly, calmly said, “Who could say? We shall see.” This story reminds me that the challenges and the victories of our lives are never the final word. There is more to be written in the story of our lives and in our shared history. This stirs in me a spark of optimism. Even in the event of catastrophe, I wonder what good can flow from this pain. Because we have had the good fortune of living many decades, we have lived through peaks and valleys in our personal lives. We may have lost a job only to find another that was better for us. We may have endured cancer, suffering through treatments only to find inner strength and loving support that we never knew we needed. We may have grieved the loss of a love, only to discover love in other people and places. Today as so many people suffer from COVID-19 and simultaneously lose their health insurance, I ask if our country will be motivated to recreate a healthcare system that will benefit everyone? “Who could say? We shall see.” As warming oceans create conditions for ever more intense hurricanes and tornadoes, I wonder if we as a country will take climate change seriously and make the needed changes in our lifestyles, so we reduce carbon emissions and slow global warming? “Who could say? We shall see.” While the story of the farmer is a lovely example of equanimity in the face of difficulties, one missing element that we need is to actively seek solutions to the problems we face and work toward a better world. Perhaps the good news that follows the bad is that people like us are roused to care for those in need, to take responsibility as citizens, and to use our resources for the common good. “Who could say? We shall see.” (Hemesath is the owner of Encore Coaching. She is dedicated to supporting people in the Third Chapter of Life. Contact her at nhemesath@cox.net.)

Bilingual resource information

ilingual information about hospice care, palliative care, helping loved ones with grief and loss, and caregiving is available through the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Part-

nership. The number for the Cuidando con Carino Compassionate Care HelpLine is (toll free) 1-877-658-8896. The service is offered weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rehab safely at home.

Outpatient therapy services in the comfort and safety of your home and community Vitality to YouSM provides outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy services in patients’ homes and communities. We partner with others in the post-acute continuum such as homehealth agencies, skilled nursing facilities, physicians, hospices, and non-skilled home care providers. We can assist with: • Balance Issues or Frequent Falls • Diabetes Management • Arthritis and Joint Pain • Dementia • Back Pain • Medication Management

Contact us today at 844-570-5714 to speak with our Care Coordinators or email us at RehabReferrals@VitalityToYou.com. Vitality to YouSM is a brand of Genesis Rehab Services

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October 2020

Midwest Geriatrics, Inc.

AARP Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential impact on older adults, the AARP Information Center, located at the Center Mall, will remain closed through the end of 2020. AARP and its volunteers continue to be engaged in legislative issues, voter campaigns, educational lessons, community events, nursing home reforms, home healthcare, Medicare, and Social Security. AARP encourages its members to stay well and stay connected.

Metro Women’s Club of Omaha The Metro Women’s Club of Omaha’s motto is “Extending the hand of friendship.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, all Metro Women’s Club of Omaha events are on hold until further notice. For more information, please go online to metrowomensclub.org.

Douglas County Health Department The Douglas County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention want to educate Nebraskans about the COVID-19 outbreak. The DCHD, working with colleagues at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine, has created a COVID-19 information line at 402-4443400. The information line will be open seven days a week (until further notice) from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Callers will be able to have their questions answered in Spanish and English. “Our website and social media platforms will continue to provide the best and most current information,” said Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour. Dr. Pour said the best advice to avoid the COVID-19 is to practice good hygiene like you would with the seasonal flu. Good hygiene includes: • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer is a second option. • Don’t touch your mouth, nose, or eyes, especially with unwashed hands. • Avoid contact with people who are sick. • Stay home while you’re sick. • Wear a mask when around other people. • Don’t cough or sneeze into your hands. • Frequently clean and disinfect your home, car, and workplace A COVID-19 vaccine isn’t available yet. Most people have recovered by drinking lots of fluids, resting, and taking pain and fever medication. If symptoms worsen, medical care might be needed.

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October 2020

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Story of Black homestead family drives Vietnam vet, photographer like tall tales. Besides, who ever heard of Black settlers in Nebraska? They certainly weren’t part of the popular Western narrative in history books, TV, or movies. Before the Internet, there was no way to Google the stories. When a 1969 Nebraskaland magazine article detailed the long gone Black settlement of DeWitty, Neb. complete with names and photos of Johnson’s not so distant relatives and glimpses of their life, Artes realized his elders laid claim to a rich, little-known chapter of Nebraska history that covers a vast canvas of geography and represents an inspiring example of human fortitude. Johnson’s family found a new Start with the fact his people life in the Nebraska Sandhills. escaped bondage in the American By Leo Adam Biga South as refugee slaves. With slave Contributing Writer hunters on their path, these intrepid folks trekked northward by foot rowing up in the Spencer all the way to rural North Buxton, Public Housing Projects in a Canadian town in southwestern North Omaha, Vietnam War Ontario. In this last stop on the Unveteran Artes Johnson recalls Wagderground Railroad they established on Train as a favorite television a community for and by former show his multigenerational family slaves. viewed together. Its depiction of In 2017, Johnson and family settlers traveling by prairie schooner members visited North Buxton, and hunting wild game prompted where they met relatives who reside his grandmother, Doris Williams, there and preserved its history. to say, “We lived like that. We were After finding freedom and forgjust like them.” Wagon, rifle, bucking lives in Canada, some of the skin, chaps, and all. ex-slaves used North Buxton as a As Black children in the early launching point to buy cheap land 1960s urban America, Johnson and in Nebraska. In the late 1880s, 12 his siblings didn’t take the remarks families set off by foot and covseriously. They couldn’t fathom ered wagon to settle in Overton in what to make of their elders’ stoDawson County, before founding ries of building sod houses with DeWitty, south of Valentine, near mud pies and hunting four-foot Brownlee in Cherry County. They high wild turkeys in the Nebraska filed claims for free land under the Sandhills. Little did Johnson, his federal Kinkaid Act. brother, Maurice, and sisters, DeJohnson’s great-great-great grandnise and Avis, know then they came father and family patriarch, William from a remarkably resilient people P. Walker, was among those who who braved long journeys, harsh found this progressive settlement. elements, and unforgiving lands to He started in Tennessee, learned make a new life in Cherry County, the barrel-making trade in Canada, Neb. for themselves and the descen- crewed aboard steamships on Lake dants who followed. Erie, and farmed in Nebraska. Over time, the full story of that Three generations of Walkers history has been revealed and lived in the Sandhills. Johnson is the Johnson has come to understand great-grandson of John and Corina the mettle his people displayed in Walker; whose daughter Doris is persevering through hardships. He Artes’ grandmother. His family and appreciates, too, how generations the other families who migrated to later that same strength carried him Nebraska cultivated farms on their through the Vietnam War and an land, though they discovered the ensuing battle with Post Traumatic sandy soil was better suited to grazStress Disorder (PTSD). But for ing than growing. most of his life he didn’t know the No matter, Johnson says ownerparticulars of his elders’ hardscrabship of land was very important and ble prairie life because they only a true symbol of freedom for these spoke sparingly of those days. former slaves. It marked a tangible “My grandmother told us about inheritance for their descendants. our heritage by the spoonful. We “Owning a piece of the rock – that’s just got tidbits,” Johnson, age 69, what it was all about.” says. “My grandma and aunties Residents built a church and a would say things, but we never regeneral store and maintained a post ally learned much. They didn’t think office and a barber shop. Three it was a big deal or anything to brag one-room schoolhouses in the area about.” educated children. The community Remnants of his elders’ earlier ag fielded a baseball team, the North life appeared when Artes’ grandma Loup Sluggers, that played nearby made poke salads and dandelion town teams. greens for family meals. Residents of DeWitty and BrownBut to children, anecdotes of stor- lee celebrated holidays together ing snow in sawdust over the winter at picnics and rodeos that brought to make summer ice cream sounded Black and White neighbors together.

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The schools served interracial ranks of students. DeWitty wasn’t Nebraska’s only Black settlement, but the largest and longest lasting. In acknowledgement of their own pluck, grit, and ambition, DeWitty’s founders later changed the name of their settlement to Audacious. “It’s a great name for what they did,” notes Johnson. “They were very audacious people thinking they could have their own school and church, sustain themselves by growing and sharing crops, and trying this collective social living experiment. It worked, too.” By all accounts, DeWitty’s Black residents and Brownlee’s White residents lived harmoniously for decades, even as racial tensions erupted nationwide, including in Omaha in the post-World War I era. “In spite of all of that those folks made it work, and that’s phenomenal,” Johnson says. He speaks glowingly of ancestors who risked everything to start over in a new territory and make a go of it in Nebraska. By the time the Great Depression and Dust Bowl hit, families one by one abandoned their farms, unable to weather repeated crop failures, droughts, and blizzards. Plummeting land values didn’t help. Some families retained ownership of the land by leasing it out. Over time the original settlers and their descendants scattered. Johnson’s family eventually moved to Omaha, where his grandma became the city’s first Black meter maid. The last of the family’s Sandhills land was sold off long ago. Its primary owner today, Don Hanna, has roots in Brownlee. He respects the history of the area, and thus protects it for DeWitty descendants who pilgrimage there. Johnson’s making it his mission to share this legacy with the public. He particularly wants Black youth to know from whence they came. “We come from a very proud people. We were always self-reliant. We took care of ourselves. We helped each other. We did what we needed to do to survive. We made a way for ourselves.” He marvels at what they carved out from the prairie. “They had their own little slice of paradise along the North Loup River. They worked what they had. They knew they couldn’t ask anybody for anything. They did without. And when they had to ask for help, they did, and they got it from their neighbors.” The import of this unexpected family history was impressed upon Johnson at a crossroads in his life. When that Nebraskaland magazine bombshell appeared in 1969, Artes was an 18-year-old Omaha North High School graduate with aspirations of being a photographer like two local men he admired: Rudy Smith and Bob Samuels. The former was an Omaha World-Herald staff photographer. The latter operated

October 2020

Artes attended Omaha North High School and Dana College. his own portrait studio on North 24th Street. “They were like big brothers to me. They were my role models and I wanted to be like them. I wanted to follow in their footsteps,” Johnson says. It was a tumultuous time for young Black men in America. Riots erupted nationwide, including in Omaha. A melee Johnson found himself in, incited by police and agitators, was enough to send him packing. Entrenched racism and dim job prospects saw many folks leave Omaha to pursue better conditions and opportunities elsewhere. Johnson went to Dana College in Blair, Neb. to pursue an education degree. He then opted to enlist in the U.S. Army to become a motion picture combat photographer. Harrowing experiences in the field followed in Vietnam. He survived the war but back home suffered from PTSD. It wrecked his marriages. Johnson is a 100% disabled veteran who finished his education degree at Dana. Using the GI Bill, he earned a cinematography degree at the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, Calif. As a Universal Studios intern Artes was mentored by the worldclass director of photography Norman Langley. Johnson hoped to break into Hollywood. He accrued credits on the network series Battlestar Galactica and the mini-series Amerika. He produced a series pilot for the Spanish cable network Telemundo. He also supported himself substitute teaching and photographing weddings. Upon returning home, Johnson cobbled together a career as a freelance photographer with Midwest Video, including stringing for Black Entertainment Television and completing projects for such clients as MAD Dads and the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation. He served as program director for Cox Communications’ public access Channel 22 and today hosts a program on Omaha community TV station KPAO. Wanderlust is in Johnson’s DNA and thus his credits include video projects in Uganda and Kenya and a book of photos he shot in Brazil. --Please turn to page 7.

Johnson, family working to keep DeWitty’s history alive

--Continued from page 6. hrough all his travels and adventures, Artes never forgot his Great Plains heritage. As time allowed, he filled in pieces of the odyssey by speaking to his now deceased elders. It’s only recently the larger story has emerged and come full circle for him. The fact it’s happened amid the Black Lives Matter movement seems like providence because of how it speaks to today. The DeWitty story gained official recognition when family members and others got the State of Nebraska to approve a historical marker off U.S. Highway 83 near where the settlement existed. The marker notes the 1910 census for DeWitty recorded 82 Black residents. The number of occupied African American homesteads peaked in 1914. The last African American resident left the area in 1936. Johnson and his sister, Denise Scales, were so struck by the large turnout of DeWitty and Brownlee descendants at the 2016 marker dedication they co-founded Descendants of DeWitty, a nonprofit dedicated to sharing the community’s history. They met relatives from California, Colorado, and Virginia and learned how warmly Brownlee’s residents held the DeWitty inhabitants. “A gentleman said his family lived one hill away from DeWitty, and at night when everything was quiet, they could hear folks there singing after dinner. That’s one of his fondest memories of being in those Sandhills,” Artes says. Another man repeated what an elder told him – that if invited to dinner in DeWitty he accepted because they were good cooks and he knew he’d get a delicious meal. “People told me stories like that,” Johnson says. “It was just

amazing.” Elders who grew up in the settlement said everyone there, Black or White, lived by the mantra that “people are just people.” The memories further convinced Johnson this is a story that needs to be told. A video he produced about his farflung family celebrating this homestead heritage can be viewed on the website descendantsofdewitty.org. The Friends of DeWitty is a nonprofit charitable organization that accepts tax-deductible donations to support the preservation and education of this history.

ith grants from the Omaha Community Foundation and the African American Unity Fund, Johnson’s helped curate and tour an exhibition of DeWitty photos drawn from the family’s archives. The exhibit, Audacious Nebraska: The Descendants of DeWitty has been shown at museums, libraries, universities, and senior centers across the state. Wherever the display goes, it’s well-received. At many venues, descendants do reenactments of their ancestors’ subsistence lifestyle. Invariably. Johnson says, audiences ask about what life was like there. He tells how they lived off the land, raising stock for meat, milk, and eggs and canning the vegetables they grew. “They believed in the healing properties of herbs, garlic, and apple cider vinegar. They were organic and holistic before those things became fashionable.” Presentations like the ones his family makes, Artes says, are meant to keep the story out there. Researching the history, he adds, is an ongoing process. It just so happens that Johnson’s Omaha neighbor, Bill Hunt, is a retired archeological historian who, when informed of the DeWitty story, volunteered his time and expertise to help flesh it out.

A Nebraska State Historical Society roadside marker commemorating the Black settlement of DeWitty was installed and dedicated near U.S. Highway 83 on April 11, 2016. “Detailed historical research and archaeological studies of the early African American experience in Nebraska have never been undertaken,” says Hunt. “Thus far, we have put together family histories, settlement patterns, and rediscovered the lives and livelihoods of the settlers.

“This information helps us understand why this little Black community out in the middle of nowhere was so important to not only Nebraska history but to the nation’s history.” Hunt can’t get over the “epic scope” of the experience. “It’s an intercontinen-

tal tragedy that somehow culminated with hope and friendship between people of two races,” he says. “It incorporates a broader and painful story about slavery and racial discrimination that has taken place throughout our country’s history. It’s a saga about what it means to be a human being and to search for freedom. It helps us know the lengths people will go to in order to achieve stability and success. This is an American story in all its facets.” Johnson is grateful to have Hunt on board to help him continue researching and finding things. Artes filmed a pilgrimage that he, his sister, Denise, and Hunt made to the Brownlee cemetery. Johnson got emotional upon finding William P. Walker’s gravestone. Speaking to his ancestor, he said, “We found you, we have you. We’re so proud to be a descendant of you.” Other people have documented aspects of the story in books. DeWitty descendant Forrest M. Stith chronicled the many travels of his ancestors in Sunrises and Sunsets for Freedom. Stew Magnuson details the fascinating sojourn in The Last American Highway: A Journey Through Time Down U.S. Route 83. --Please turn to page 8.

Johnson and camera during his time in Vietnam.

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Artes recalls photo assignments in Vietnam, South Korea --Continued from page 7. ohnson might not be around to see this history coming to light if things went differently for him. He was an impressionable teen when he and his buddies fell under the charismatic spell of local Black Power activist David Rice, aka Mondo we Langa. Rice led a group of young people into the Omaha Civic Auditorium to protest Presidential candidate George C. Wallace in 1968. “I was holding a sign just below Wallace in front of the stage. We started chanting. Wallace walked out on stage. Then the police charged us with their Billy clubs,” Johnson says. “I remember Rice was hit, then stepped on over and over, before he crawled under the stage. The rest of us were beaten by police all the way from the stage down the middle aisle. Chairs were thrown on us by the angry crowd. We fell over each other through the doors. I still have a scar on my head,” Artes says. “We never trusted David again.” A couple of years later, Rice and Ed Poindexter were arrested and convicted for the 1970 boobytrap bomb death of Omaha police officer Larry Minard. Rice, who died in prison and Poindexter, who remains incarcerated, maintained their innocence. The melee inside and outside the arena eventually spread to North 24th Street, where a full-scale riot erupted. In those days, the Wesley House was a hub of positive Black community activity that Johnson frequented. Its executive director, Rodney Wead, helped Artes get a scholarship to Dana College. Though among very few Black students there, Johnson says his time at the Blair school was a good experience. “I still have friends from Dana College.”

Artes Johnson’s DeWitty, Neb. ancestors included (from left): Goldie, Baldwin, Fernella, and Beulah Walker, the chidren of William P. and Charlotte Walker.

rea. They liked my work,” Johnson says. “I was young and foolish and wanted to go where the action was, so I requested them to ask my commanders if l could go TDY (temporary duty) in Vietnam. In 1974, I got attached to a DASPO unit in Saigon. The typical assignment was to cover fighting up there. “I was eager to go. It was exciting to hitch a ride on a helicopter and fly in with troops, mortar shells following us down the landing strip.” Johnson would be the first to scramble off the chopper, his Arriflex camera rolling in hand, in order to capture the troops hitting the ground after him and unning toward the action. “When you’re filming, you have to think of a basic sequence of scenes to shoot. You need cutaway shots of people, explosions, etc. It’s all about storytelling. With our cameras you had two minutes and 46 seconds to roll film before you had to stop and reload. You had to be able to do all that under fire. My ith his scholarship money mind became a camera. I visualdepleted and the military ized what I was going to do with the draft looming, Johnson footage back in the studio when I enlisted in the Army and went to cut it together. photo school in Fort Monmouth, “There were days when the heliN. J. His first overseas assignment copter wouldn’t be able to return to was with the 8th Army in Yongsan, take us back and I’d stay overnight South Korea, where he worked at in the bush. Sometimes we were the Armed Forces Korea Network. attacked. A couple times we were “It was a military television staoverrun; the wires breached by Viet tion for Korea. There I was able to Cong. I had to set my camera down practice my trade-craft of being a and take the gun of a dead GI and motion picture photographer,” John- help with the defense. It was crazy.” son says. “Every day, we’d get up, Johnson covered the U.S. Emdo a story, and get back and edit our bassy evacuation in Saigon and got story for the six o’clock news. We out only days before the city fell in were also the crew for the newscast. 1975. He went back to Korea, where “I had the opportunity to work in 1976 his video camera captured with the CBS News crews when North Korean soldiers attacking two they came in. They were who I American Army officers who were wanted to be.” part of a work detail to cut down a He then made the brash decipoplar tree. sion to put himself in harm’s way. “I was inside the Panmunjom As U.S. ground forces pulled out conference room with the North of Vietnam, the Department of the Korean and American generals Army Special Photographic Office shooting (filming) out a window. (DASPO) came under the CIA’s The officers died in the frame of my jurisdiction. camera,” Artes says. “I first met them (CIA) in KoDecompressing back home from

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what he experienced in uniform proved difficult for Johnson. His PTSD went untreated. Triggers such as engines backfiring or dead animals in the road brought him back to the war. The sounds of incoming rounds and the smell of corpses remained vivid. “In ‘Nam there were situations when there were dead bodies in the road, and we rode over those bodies in our jeep or truck. You smell the stench of death. Things like that you just never forget. When you come home from the war you want to drink or smoke those things away, and it doesn’t go away. You have nightmares. Mood swings. It was hard for anyone to live with me.” Denial made it worse. “When I first came home, I slept with a broom and I wore my Army fatigues. I felt like I had something on that was going to rescue me because that ‘saved’ me in the trauma of that stuff. I wouldn’t take it off. It was still my protection. I never gave up that part of my identity.” His marriages ended when his wives told him they couldn’t deal with this. Artes didn’t recognize he was sick and kept his demons inside. “I didn’t talk about it. I’m talking about it now because it’s part of the healing process.” Johnson finally sought help at the encouragement of fellow vet and Midwest Film colleague John Turner. He knows but for the grace of God he could have died in Vietnam or ended up a homeless post-war casualty in the States.

in DeWitty. They held that land together to work and defend. Everybody was connected and close. The social living worked better that way. They cooperated during harvest time, they raised barns, (and) they celebrated holidays.” Then when the community finally failed, they moved again, to greener pastures around the nation. Imbued with his ancestors’ ambition and drive, Johnson dreams of bold new ways to share this story. His sister, Avis Roper, has written a lesson plan the family hopes becomes a statewide curriculum in public schools. Johnson is hopeful of one day getting selections from the family’s collection of photos portraying the DeWitty-Audacious legacy into the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Also in the works today are an interpretive kiosk and virtual tours that share the tale. “We just want people to know,” Artes says. He feels guided and supported by the strength his ancestors passed down to him. Johnson says the traits he’s inherited apply to many African Americans whose histories include slavery. He recites these survivals like a mantra: “Self-sufficiency. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. One people, one God. Believe in yourselves. By any means necessary.” Johnson is proud his ancestors hung on for 40-plus years. In doing so, they proved racial diversity doesn’t need to breed conflict. “People are just people,” he says, echoing his elders. “If we can get beyond these frailties human beings have, we will always be OK. We just have to rise to the occasion and do what we have to do. It’s a story we can learn from. It has helped me to know who I am, why I am, how I am. It’s an absolutely universal story we can all learn from. That’s why I want to keep the memory of this settlement alive. I want others to know this example of people lifting themselves up by their own self-will, drive, (and) determination to make their own way and be OK. That’s the bottom line.”

rtes only needs to look at the endurance of his ancestors to realize the source of his resilience. Just as he admires how his people traversed thousands of miles before settling in Nebraska, he admires how they never stopped yearning and searching for a better life once here. “When they were in Overton they were scattered, but these explorers formed a concentrated community

October 2020

Johnson said his ancestors proved racial diversity doesn’t have to breed conflict.

Retirement offers time to do what makes you happy, productive By Jen Beck

emember when retirement was just a dream? For 20 years or more, thinking about retirement felt long off; someday that will happen. As baby boomers reach the golden age of retirement, more employees are leaving the workforce and trading in their suits and jackets for morning coffee on the deck. When the euphoria of the new freedom wanes, retirees may have a barrage of feelings. Here are some tips to cope with the adjustment to retirement life: • Give yourself time: Take time to feel whatever’s in your heart and mind. Feelings of excitement, relief, boredom, and nervousness are all normal at this juncture of your life. It takes time to develop a new routine for retirement. You deserve to do what makes you happy. • Transition your home or living space: Downsizing and organizing can be a great task now that you have more free time. Clean out that closet. You know, it’s the one you have to slam the door quickly to avoid a spill. Donate what you may not need. Go through your clothing and determine what will be of value in the future and what can go on to live a new life somewhere else.

Have you been thinking about a new paint job for the living room? A clean, updated, or new space will be a place you want to live. • Find something you love: Volunteer, babysit for family or friends, adopt an animal, or find whatever it is that makes your heart skip a beat. Discover purpose outside of a professional working environment. There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities in your community and state, including virtual opportunities if you need something within the home. • Refine your finances: Stay on top of your checkbook. Check in with your financial advisor, your online banker, or do an overview at home. Are you enrolled in Medicare? Make sure you’re watching financial and insurance deadlines to avoid penalties and fees. • Use your network: Reach out to your retired friends and see what’s worked for them. Learn from their words of wisdom or the things they wish they would have done.

They can share the best happy hours for retired friends, help align you with social or support groups, and be a shoulder to lean on in times of need. There is a wealth of information out there for older adults. From annuities to Zoom, you’ll find the best tips and tricks for retirement within reach. You don’t have to do it all today, after all, you’re retired. Enjoy the time, the free time, the time with grandkids, and the quiet time with coffee and a sunrise. Don’t forget to stay active, engaged, and share your wealth of knowledge. (Beck is with Midwest Geriatrics, Inc. of Omaha.)

Moments like these are precious. Don’t let them fade away. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in people age 55+. Early detection is the key to saving your sight. Protect your vision from fading away. Call the Foundation Fighting Blindness for a free information packet about preventing and managing AMD.

A cure is in sight 800-610-4558 • Fightblindness.org

Elder Access Line

egal Aid of Nebraska operates a free telephone access line for Nebraskans age 60 and older. Information is offered to help the state’s older men and women with questions on topics like bankruptcy, homestead exemptions, collections, powers of attorney, Medicare, Medicaid, grandparent rights, and Section 8 housing. The telephone number for the Elder Access Line is 402-827-5656 in Omaha and 1-800-527-7249 statewide. This service is available to Nebraskans age 60 and older regardless of income, race, or ethnicity. Its hours of operation are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday. For more information, please log on the Internet to legalaidofnebraska.com/EAL.

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October 2020

The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging is looking for men and women age 21 and older to join its Long-term Care Ombudsman Program which is co-sponsored by the Nebraska State Ombudsman Program. ENOA’s Long-term Care Ombudsmen volunteer in local long-term care facilities and assisted living communities to protect the residents’ rights, well-being, and quality of life. Long-term Care Ombudsmen must complete 20 hours of initial classroom training and 12 hours of additional training every two years. During the training, the volunteers learn about the residents’ rights, aging issues, Medicare, Medicaid, communication skills, how to investigate the residents’ complaints, the importance of confidentiality, and about the federal and state rules, regulations, and laws regarding Nebraska’s long-term care facilities and assisted living communities. Before being assigned to a long-term care facility or an assisted living community, new volunteers will make four visits to a site with an experienced Ombudsman Advocate to learn more about what the program entails. After a threemonth probationary period, the new volunteers are certified as Ombudsman Advocates. Certified Ombudsman Advocates will be assigned to a long-term care facility or an assisted living community where they’ll visit for two hours a week to meet with administrators, residents, and the residents’ family members to address concerns. For more information about ENOA’s Long-term Care Ombudsman Program, please call Beth Nodes at 402-4446536.

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Intercultural Senior Center (ISC) You’re invited to visit the Intercultural Senior Center (ISC), 5545 Center St., for the following: • Morning exercise classes. Mondays: Tai Chi, Wednesdays: Zumba, and Fridays: Tai Chi. Classes are held from 9 to 9:45. Bring water. Masks, which are available upon request, are encouraged but not required. Weather will determine if classes will be held outdoors or inside. • Monday, Oct. 26: Merrymakers musical show featuring vocalist Joyce Torchia from 10 to 11 a.m. • Friday, Oct. 30: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) event from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Join us for traditional decorations and an altar display. Drive-thru trick or treating offered from 5 to 7 p.m. Pick up your pre-ordered items on Oct. 30. Tamales (6/$10 or 12/$20), Sugar Skulls ($5), and Pan de Muertos ($5). More information is available online at interculturalseniorcenter.org. The ISC is looking for meal delivery volunteers Wednesdays and Friday at 10:30 a.m. More information is available online at interculturalseniorcenter.org The ISC is a site for ENOA’s Grab-n-Go Meals Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Reserve your meal before 10 a.m. the day prior. Must be age 60 or older. A contribution is suggested. For more information, please call 402-444-6529. A monthly food pantry and hot meals are also available at the ISC for adults age 50 or older. Please call 402-4446529 for more information. The center will be closed Oct. 12 for Columbus Day. For more information, please call 402-444-6529.

Call 1-844-268-5627

Legal Aid of Nebraska is offering a free Disaster Relief Hotline during pandemic

ebraskans who have questions or who are experiencing legal problems due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 public health emergency can get legal advice and help through the free COVID-19 Disaster Relief Hotline. Hosted by Legal Aid of Nebraska, working closely with the Nebraska State Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP), this hotline aims to make key legal assistance easy and accessible. If you’re a Nebraskan facing legal issues related to the virus, or the owner of a small, locally-owned business (less than 50 employees, and not a franchise) that’s closed, in risk of permanent closure due to the virus, and where the payment of fees would significantly deplete your resources, the hotline may be reached at 1-844-268-5627. Callers will be connected to the hotline’s voicemail. Callers should leave their name, phone number, brief details of the problem and the assistance needed, and in what county they’re located. Callers will receive a call back from an experienced Legal Aid staff member. Individuals and businesses that don’t qualify for Legal Aid’s free services will be directly referred to the VLP. The VLP will work to place cases with Nebraska volunteer lawyers who will provide free legal assistance. The types of legal issues associated with COVID-19, and focused on by the hotline include: • Tenants with rent issues, including those facing eviction. • Debt problems, including debtors with garnishments or who are ordered to appear at a debtor’s exam. • Mortgage foreclosures, including advising on options for delinquent payments. • Unemployment insurance denials. • Employee rights, including sick leave and wage payments. • Government benefits available to low-income persons such as ADC, SNAP, AABD, and SSI. • Medicaid and medical insurance claims. • Drafting wills, health care power of attorney, and transfer on death deeds. • Domestic abuse and safety issues. • Elder abuse and exploitation. • Access to education. • Helping small, locally-owned businesses with business and employment related matters, including human relations issues, unemployment benefits, and contracts. More information on these legal issues, including a variety of ways you can directly help yourself, are available online at legalaidofnebraska.org.

Outlook Enrichment

utlook Enrichment helps people who cannot see or who cannot see well to develop skills to live independently and engage fully in the community. You can support your neighbors with vision loss by enjoying Dessert in the Dark at home or attending Happy Hour in the Dark at Outlook Enrichment this month. Find all of the details at outlooken.org/vbs.

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Flecky proud of his role on that ‘date which will live in infamy’ By Jeff Reinhardt New Horizons Editor

fter another long week of backbreaking labor building apartments and living quarters for United States naval officers, 20-year-old George Flecky decided to spend his Saturday sampling the Hawaiian nightlife. Late that evening, when the lanky Iowan returned to his home on the top floor of a Honolulu house owned by a Chinese family, he was ready for several hours of well-deserved sleep. Just before 8, however, on that fateful Sunday morning – later described by U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as a “date which will live in infamy” – the 6-foot-3-inch Council Bluffs native was awakened by loud noises coming from the U.S. naval base eight miles away. “I thought it was some of the ships taking target practice,” the now 99-yearold Flecky recalled during a recent interview outside his home at the New Cassel Retirement Center, 900 N. 90th St. In actuality, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service was bombing the United States’ Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. Launched from six aircraft carriers, two waves of more than 350 Japanese fighter planes, level bombers, dive bombers, and torpedo bombers attacked the American naval base which was home to eight U.S. battleships. When the carnage ended that morning, more than 2,400 Americans had been killed. Another 1,200 were injured. Four battleships, three cruisers, three destroyers, a minelayer, and an anti-aircraft training ship were sunk. Nearly 200 U.S. aircraft had been destroyed.

George (right) aboard the USS Charleston during WWII.

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In comparison, Japan’s losses (29 aircraft destroyed, five midget submarines sunk, and 64 servicemen killed) were relatively low. That surprise attack led to the United States’ formal entry into World War II on Dec. 8, 1941.

ooking back at that infamous day almost eight decades ago, the events are still crystal clear for Flecky. Shortly after learning more details about the activities at Pearl Harbor through a radio broadcast, Flecky was contacted by U.S. military personnel. “We were told that all American workers were to get to Pearl Harbor right away to help put out fires in the drydock,” George said. A Navy pickup truck and driver retrieved Flecky and transported him to the base. “I remember seeing these Marines at the gate firing their guns into the air shooting at Japanese planes,” he said. George and his crew were assigned to the USS Pennsylvania, a 608-foot-long battleship that was on fire. Their duties were simple, yet highly labor intensive. Some men used heavy, large hoses to help douse the flames. Others loaded antiaircraft shells onto the USS Pennsylvania, preparing to arm the vessel’s 14-inch guns. “There was black smoke and oil everywhere,” Flecky said. The threat of another Japanese attack was felt by everyone that day as they worked until sunset. “Some of those ships were still blowing up,” George said. Too busy to be scared, Flecky was sickened by the sight of several American sailors jumping from the burning ships into the harbor’s fiery, oily water. “That was the worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” he said. In the ensuing days, George’s carpentry job changed dramatically. After working side by side for months with carpenters, electricians, and plumbers from Japan, the crews were separated to protect the safety of the Japanese laborers from potentially hostile Americans. ive months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Flecky returned to the Omaha-Coun-

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Flecky was the construction manager at Creighton University for 39 years. cil Bluffs area. His one-year work contract had expired, and he was anxious to be reunited with his sweetheart Clare O’Connell. Clare and George were married for nearly 70 years before her death in March 2015. The Flecky family includes 10 children, 17 grandchildren, and several great grandkids. In 1942, George joined the Marines. After basic training in San Diego, he served for three years aboard the USS Charleston near the Aleutian Islands during WWII. Post-war, Flecky spent 42 years in the Omaha-area carpentry business, including 39 years as the construction manager at Creighton University. Today, a year short of becoming a centenarian, Flecky wears his baseballstyle U.S. Marines hat with great honor and dignity as vivid memories of Pearl Harbor remain. “It was something we didn’t expect. You didn’t know what was going to happen next,” he recalled. George takes great selfsatisfaction in his role at Pearl Harbor that day put-

October 2020

ting out fires on the USS Pennsylvania, which after repairs, joined the U.S. Pacific fleet in a series of WWII operations primarily tasked with providing gunfire support. Kevin Flecky, a retired Omaha architect and George’s son, marvels each

time he hears George talk about his experiences on Dec. 7. 1941. Wearing a mask and sitting six feet away from his Dad during the interview for this article, Kevin spoke honestly and from the heart. “I’ve always been very proud of him,” he said.

Flecky (left) and his friend, Harold Herzog, view the USS Pennsylvania on Monday, Dec. 8, 1941.