Burwell Spirit ‘Tanked’ At Loss Of Veteran’s Symbol
By Bev Donner-Williams
It was a very sad day for the Burwell community on Nov. 14, 2024. As citizens drove by the American Legion Club Post 298, that morning, they could not help but notice a very curious sight: A Link-Belt ATC-3275 hydraulic crane was parked near the Burwell community’s M60 Tank from the Vietnam War era.
People could not help but wonder, “Surely they are not going to move the tank that has reminded us all about the veterans that have served and sacrificed their lives for our freedom. It has become an icon to the American Legion Club and the entire area!”
About an hour later, a large crowd of witnesses who had gathered outside the Legion Club found that the roads had been blocked off and the crane was attaching the lines to the tank… a profoundly unwelcome event. Amongst the watchers, Tamzen Jenkins was able to impart some of the history and insight on the symbolic tank.
Jenkins explained that in 1997, her father was the Commander of the Burwell VFW Post 6155. That year, the Commander, along with VFW members, Zeke Lowery and Elton Striker, were able to obtain the tank from the Nebraska Ordinance Plant, a former U.S. Army ammunition plant near Mead, NE. The tank probably served overseas with the Army or Marines during the Vietnam War. The community and veterans were very proud of this acquisition.
Upon arrival, local equipment was used to transfer the tank to its new site. Lee Jeffres of Jeffres Sand and Gravel used their pay loader, as well as Dale Freeman who owned a special tow bar that was required to move the weighty, enormous tank.
If you would have known Cash Gideon, you would laugh as Jeffres remembered that after the tank was positioned in place, Gideon made them move it one inch over, “to make it properly placed.” The Army then removed the motor and transmission, as well as welded the hatch and track shut.
Unfortunately, the VFW membership slowly decreased until they had to surrender their charter. At this time, they donated the tank to the American Legion in Burwell, where it has been a beloved feature of the Burwell community for many years.
Since then, the U.S. Army tank has nestled itself on the grounds of the American Legion Club as a heartfelt symbol of our freedom granted by those who have served and those who are serving today. How could they take that away?
Not long ago, Bill Weber received a phone call from the U.S. Army, stating that the tank had to be brought up to meet their regulations. The beginning of the list of items necessary included on-site sandblasting, repainting, adding a fence, as well as insurance. This is a very expensive ticket for a small town community, especially since there was no time allowed for fundraising or donations before the call came that they were on the way to pick up the tank. One day the tank was comfortably resting on the grounds of the Legion Club, and the next it was gone, just like a “thief in the night."
The day after the tank was removed, and the trek of 198 miles to Papillion, NE was made, the local “First Alert 6” news announced the arrival of the Vietnam era tank to its new home at Legion Post 32, one of the oldest posts in Nebraska. The news claimed that the tank will remain in Papillion permanently and they will “bring it back into full glory in the future,” just as the Burwell community might have done, given enough time to raise the money. Who are they to cast the Burwell American Legion and the community in such a negative light?
Area residents sympathize with the community now that the tank will no longer be stationed on the main street west of the downtown Burwell business square. Even though others have commented that “it will have a good home,” many eyes can’t help but tear up.
The site near the Burwell Legion Club will never be the same. Even though the “powers that be” have removed an iconic American symbol from the community, they cannot remove the patriotism, honor and dedication to our nation’s brave men and women who fought, and continue to fight, for our cherished freedom today. May we never forget our veterans and that “freedom is not free.”