Alumni News Winter 2005 – Volume 44, Issue 4 Alumni Mission: We exist to unite and grow our alumni family, and champion the dream and values of Father Flanagan through leadership. Remembering Christmas Yes, Christmas was a red letter day for each and every one of our boys. It was a different Christmas than heretofore enjoyed by our lads. It was a more home-like Christmas in keeping with Father Flanagan’s efforts to make Boys Town a real home. – Boys Town Times December 27, 1940

Throughout Girls and Boys Town’s history, the best memories of Christmas come from the Home that Father Flanagan built. Inside, some of our alumni from every decade share with us their best Christmas memories. Merry Christmas to all of our alumni!!

Boys Town kids in the 1940s, as in every decade, looked forward to Christmas Day.

www.boystownalumni.org From the Executive Director

Dear Alumni, Hashanah and Yom Kippur with members every adult who lives here is dedicated of the nearby Beth El Synagogue. These to helping kids learn and heal. It’s nice As the Christmas sea- were wonderful celebrations of God’s to know there are lots of folks who agree son approaches, I want to forgiveness and healing. Father Flanagan with us! wish each of you a Merry insisted that every child pray because he Work continues on the process Christmas! I look forward knew the power of prayer could change of canonization for Father Flanagan. to my first Christmas here at Girls and our hearts and open us up to God’s plan Know that I support this work and Boys Town. This will be my first year for our lives. We pray that these special pray every day that Father Flanagan lighting the Christmas tree, watching days of prayer lead you beyond yourself will be honored for the work he did to the “Gift of the Magi” play, and singing and invite you to serve others. change the way America cares for her Christmas carols with the kids. In September, Girls and Boys Town children. For this issue, a lot of you sent us was named one of America's 100 Best May you and your families receive your favorite Christmas memories while Communities For Young People. The God’s richest blessings this Christmas. at Girls and Boys Town, and we thank Today Show and Newsweek featured you for them. Our hope is to continue Girls and Boys Town prominent- Sincerely, giving our children the warmth and ly in their coverage of this national memorable Christmases you all enjoyed announcement. This honor comes while here. Please, keep sending us from America’s Promise, a foundation your favorite Christmas story for future started by General Colin Powell that issues. helps communities share ideas and Blessings also to those of you who have learn from each other how to tackle recently celebrated the feast of Ramadan the challenges that face young people. Father Steve Boes and the Jewish High Holy Days. In We have always said that Boys Town is Executive Director October, I was invited to celebrate Rosh the greatest village in the world because Girls and Boys Town

BTNAA President Editor Bob Goodrich Graphic Designer Dear Brothers and Sisters, During this joyous season of Christmas Mike Buckley we should all say a prayer of thanks for Contributing Writers The Christmas season the thousands of selfless people who gave Katina Gordon Lindsey Hoch always stirs up my memories us those memories, and if we know where Leah Limbach of holiday times at Boys they are, send a word of appreciation to Tom Lynch Chas Davis Town, the fun we had them for making a difference in our lives. Alumni Advisors during the Twelfth Night, tromping across On behalf of the National Board of John Mollison ’64 the big field in the snow and cold to attend Directors, I wish everyone Merry Christmas Stan Struble ’68 Edwin Novotny ’43 Midnight Mass, then the celebrations of and a healthy Happy New Year. George Buckler ’64 Christmas morning and opening of gifts Printer around the tree. What grand memories Girls and Boys Town Print Shop that were created for us by others! h The Alumni News I think, as the years go by, of the people is published by Bob Nelson, '53 that made those memories happen for Girls and Boys Town President 14100 Crawford St. each and every one of us. I am referring Boys Town, NE 68010 to the counselors, Family-Teachers, and www.boystownalumni.org the staff. Their extra efforts often go [email protected] unrecognized, unknown, and sometimes 1-800-345-0458 unappreciated. (402) 498-1150 Fax: (402) 498-1159

2 ALUMNI NEWS www.boystownalumni.org Warner Home Video Celebrates Holiday Season With Boys Town Warner Home Video cel- ebrates the holiday season with a first-time DVD release of the 1938 Academy Award- winning movie Boys Town. “The Boys Town movie not only shared the power- ful story of Father Flanagan’s work with needy children, it inspired a nation to take up his cause,” said Father Steve Boes, National Executive Director. “Today, Girls and Boys Town continues to unlock miracles in the hearts of children on 19 campuses across the coun- try, and this Warner classic with its message of love, hope, and care continues to be just as relevant and important to contemporary audiences as it was when it was first seen.” “I thought the movie would be popular, but not to this magnitude,” said Hank In 2003, Mickey Rooney visited alumni who played extras in the movie. L-R, Ed Novotny, Tom McGuire, Mickey Rooney with wife Jan, Louis Martinez, John Anthony, Hank Avilla (seated), Charles Ling and Harlan Kopack. Avilla, ’40, who played an extra in the movie with stars Mickey Rooney and Spencer Tracy. Boys Town and they’re doing some good. As a result people started “I was amazed. The longevity. I think, indirectly, the movie had sending in a dollar here and a dollar there and that certainly con- a great influence on this place because prior to that time we had tinued on. Now you have a beautiful place here for the kids and to difficulty getting something to eat and maintaining this place and carry on Father Flanagan’s dream.” then all of a sudden people started finding out, ‘well gee, there is a DVD Special Features Boys Town DVD • Bonus Movie Sequel: Spencer Tracy Proceeds to Benefit and Mickey Rooney in 1941’s Men of Boys Town Hurricane Katrina • Vintage Short "The City of Evacuees Little Men" Warner Home Video will donate • Archival Newsreel, “Excerpts From proceeds from the DVDs to benefit the Good News of 1939” children and families evacuated from Girls • Boys Town Theatrical Trailer and Boys Town of Louisiana facilities • Men of Boys Town Theatrical Trailer in New Orleans. Standard Retail Price • Boys Town Organization is $19.97. You can order the DVD Promotional Featurette from the Girls and Boys Town Visitors Rating: Not Rated Center by calling toll-free 1-888-556- B&W 5121 or by ordering your DVD online at English: Mono www.helpachildtoday.org. Run Time: 93 Minutes

www.boystownalumni.org DECEMBER 2005 3 Father Flanagan House Ready for Christmas

Visitors can step back in time this Christmas at Father Flanagan's home. The first floor of the west addition to the home is renovated and ready for Christmas. The three most recently renovated rooms – the din- ing room, his personal office, and the Chapel – received new hardwood floors and paint, both authentic to the time period during which Father Flanagan lived in the home. Family-Teacher Mike Hughes and the boys in his Family Home donated more than 60 hours of work to remove and install the new floors. The boys are proud of their work and look forward to returning to the house during Alumni Conventions to show off their hard work, just as alumni returned to show off the desk they made as a 1939 Christmas gift to Father Flanagan. Tom Lynch, manager of the Hall of History, said future plans call for the renovation of the upstairs to the addition. Rooms will include repre- sentations of a 1920s dormitory room and a current bedroom that youth occupy in today’s homes. Living quarters for nuns who lived in the home during the 1950s, as well as a room decorated for Christmas during that time, also will be future exhibits. The Father Flanagan House with its Christmas decorations will be open to the public beginning the first week of December from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(Above) Christmas was celebtrated with a dinner menu consisting of fried chicken, cake, ice cream, muffins, and pumpkin pie. Many of the entrees were a treat because they were served only at Christmas. Volunteers decorated the table and youth made homemade paper decorations. Christmas Day began with church services, with dinner and presents following. Gifts of oranges, apples, and nuts brightened every boy’s face.

(Left) Father Flanagan’s office is depicted as it looked in 1943. The cabinet is filled with artifacts from his world travels. Photographs of visitors to Boys Town, as well as former boys, adorn the walls, some in their original handmade frames. The Christmas tree is covered with paper decorations and tinsel, as it would have been in 1943.

4 ALUMNI NEWS www.boystownalumni.org (Left) The Father Flanagan Meditation Chapel at Flanagan House was renovated to portray its look in 1923. Original pews and a painting of the Virgin Mary were placed inside the chapel.

(Below) Christmas decorations for the chapel purchased by alumni.

(Upper Right) This window is from the 1930s convent where nuns stayed while serving at Boys Town. The convent was used until the 1970s. The window had been in storage until now.

(Above) Beginning in 1940, this door was originally used as the side entrance to Dowd Chapel. It was removed in 1975 when Father Flanagan’s tomb was added to the chapel. The door now leads to the Father Flanagan Meditation Chapel.

(Left) The old Chapel as it looked during Christmas 1932.

(Right) George Buckler, ’64, custom built the Stations of the Cross that hang on the walls. They were made out of the original oak flooring.

www.boystownalumni.org DECEMBER 2005 5 Christmas at Boys Town Makes Lifetime Memories William Anderson ’39 – “When we lined up in alphabetical order to receive gift packages after the midnight Mass, my twin brother and I would always be first in line while everyone would make fun of Zimmerman because he’d always get stuck at the end. One year, Father Flanagan overheard this and switched the order on us. So Zimmerman was first and my brother and I were stuck at the end.” Bruce Paul ’41 – “Every Christmas, this fellow Adolf would give a gag gift to someone when we opened gifts in the recreation hall after midnight mass. In 1937 or 1938, he took an empty nail keg, cut a couple of four-by-four blocks out of it, and penciled them up like dice. When he gave them to Father Flanagan, everyone had a good laugh while he Father Flanagan helps the boys unwrap packages in 1946. rolled them a couple of times for amusement.” Edward Twohey ’43 – “I remember Christmas The more things change the more they stay the same – Day of 1942, how all of us, Novotny, Rohlinger and especially Christmas memories. Many of our alumni’s warm- Mitchell, gave speeches for the mayoral race to be est memories of Girls and Boys Town come from Christmas. voted on that day. It was all very political, and we For some it was the food; for others the gifts and for many, it really got into it. The results were to be printed in was the warmth of a home and friends. Hopefully, a few of the Boys Town paper the next day, but we all knew these Christmas reflections from some alumni in each decade the results later on Christmas Day. I was elected since the 1930s will jog your memories of Christmastime at mayor. As the outgoing dining hall commissioner, I the Home. told my new commissioner to keep the dining hall neat Michael (Jacobs) Morse ’70 – “When I think of Boys Town and clean and I’d stay off his back.” Christmases, it reminds me of the Twelve Days of Christmas and Robert Quillin ’43 – “The thing I remember about Christmas how we’d decorate and take care of the younger kids. As a foster was the tin of chocolates we’d always get from some company parent, we always kept that tradition alive in my own home, giv- in Chicago. It never lasted very long as we never got too much ing the children more privileges everyday, like a little more TV or chocolate in those days, but we always looked forward to it.” something, just like I got at Boys Town.” Norman J. Blackwell ’30 – “My favorite memory was Christmas dinner in 1929 with the director, Mr. Ryan, and Father Flanagan at the table in the main hall, which I don’t think is even there anymore. Back then we still ate plenty of turkey and all other sorts of good stuff. It was a nice dinner, believe me it was.” Cecil Stoughton ’32 – “I remember Christmas as being a happy time for everyone. We didn’t have much in those times, so it was just good to have each other. That’s what was important to us. Father Flanagan really took care of us, and anything we got for Christmas was a real eye-opener and a big surprise.” Robert Thomas ’90 – “The thing I loved about Christmas at Girls and Boys Town was something that not a lot of kids have these days – a sense of family dur- ing the holidays. We had a sense of true family, complete with Christmas gifts, dinner, and just having each other. The other kids, parents, and teachers all felt like family and I was just thankful we actually had a Christmas.” A new train set was a huge hit to the boys in 1957.

6 ALUMNI NEWS www.boystownalumni.org Ramon “Bug” Esparza ’50 – “Christmas was a beautiful time at Boys Town. The nicest thing was the choir I sang in during midnight Mass; everything was so beautiful that night. We also always used to look for- ward to these gummy candies in little square packages; I think we used to call them slinky dinks.” William Grill ’54 – “The one thing that reminds me of Christmas is how all of us used to look forward to getting a whole box of Baby Ruths or Butterfingers. I really enjoyed my time at Boys Town; I just have too many Christmas memories to fully sum it up." Duane Bennett ’56 – “Having spent four years there, every Christmas was a little different but always very memorable. Probably the thing that sticks out most was all the decorating we did. You know, we decorated the cottages, the Christmas trees, set up manger scenes. Santa Claus' visit in 1990. We always got something from Father Wegner every year during the 12- day Jennifer (French) Miller ’95 –“I received a bunch of clothes celebration.” for my first Christmas and it surprised me and I wondered how they Dennis Alessandrini ’65 – “I remember the could care for me. But it turned out to be just like Christmas at decorating competitions between cottages during home with all the decorating, celebrating, and opening of presents the twelve-days of Christmas celebration. We always on Christmas morning, seeing everyone’s excitement. Just having thought we’d win but never did. We’d also watch a an extended family in day-to-day life and bringing love into that movie every night, and then spend the rest of it playing home made Christmas a special time of year.” cards with the candy bars we were given.” Janelle Anderson 2003 – “My first year at Girls and Boys Town Robert Asa Good Jr. ’84 – “My freshman year I got a I remember having a girl from Louisiana living with me. The first bicycle and my senior year I got a gerbil. I also remember snow of the winter was a couple of weeks before Christmas. Our playing Intellivision video games with my good friend during Family-Teachers woke us up at 2 a.m. as the snow was falling for that time.” a snowball fight. It was the first time she had ever seen snow and Steve Davis ’87 – “Being from Texas, I always remember look- kept rolling around and playing in it.” ing forward to the snow. Since I was one of the biggest, I would usually get the job of shoveling when it piled up around Christmas time. Also, even though I wasn’t Catholic, I loved going to Mass dur- ing Christmas to hear the choir sing. A large group singing in the chapel always sounded very pretty.” Paul Anderson ’93 – “Christmas at Girls and Boys Town was about the only Christmas I can remember feeling like I was a part of a family. We were just one big happy family during Christmas, and Girls and Boys Town made it that way. Through all the ups and downs since that time, Christmas hasn’t ever been the same.” Jennifer Van Asche-Blasé ’93 – “I was lucky enough that Girls and Boys Town always flew me home for the holidays. I do remember driving around with the family teachers in the time leading up to Christmas to see the lights on homes both within Girls and Boys Town and in nearby communities.” Boys create Christmas decorations in 1955.

www.boystownalumni.org DECEMBER 2005 7 I have achieved the status of squad leader. I am working hard Don’t Forget to Write on my training. I have to thank you for all the years Boys Town dedicated to helping me become a stronger, mature and skilled Connecting with our alumni is important for our children’s young man. The discipline you instilled in me is helping me to growth and development. Following are excerpts of letters be successful in accomplishing my goal to become a United States from our children to our alums who are serving our country, Marine. - Stephen Rutherford, ’04, and from alums in military service we share with our children. A recruit in the United States Marine Corps Boys Town helped me with discipline because you won’t believe how many people here get in trouble because they don’t know how to say okay or accept feedback. Tell everybody at Boys Town not to give up. The Army is awesome. I want to thank everybody at Boys Town: the youth, the teachers, the clinical specialists and directors, the Family- Teachers, and especially the former executive director. - Barbara Sanders, ’05 A private first class in the United States Army

Well, I made it. It has been really challenging so far. But to be honest, Boys Town really helped me out more than I thought. The skills learned at Boys Town have been a huge part of my making it this far. Stay motivated and keep up the good work. I miss Boys Town and the environment. - Zac Suing, ‘05 Dear Girls and Boys Town Soldier An airman in the United States Air Force I would like to thank you for serving our country. I know it is a very difficult thing to do. You are risking your life for your A Father Gives Thanks country. You protect us and fight for our freedom. I know that it is difficult being away from your family. We will keep saying prayers for all the soldiers so that the war will end and you can all Army Sgt. Huey Fassbender, D ’97, died January 6, 2005, return home safely. - Alex, 13 in Iraq. He was the first Girls and Boys Town resident to die in combat since Vietnam. His father, Huey, wrote recently I would like to thank you for saving our country, for risking your to say thanks for the important part the Home played in his life so that we can have freedom in the U.S.A. I know it is hard son's life. to be away from your family because in Boys Town, you can only go home once a month. So I know how it feels. God bless you! I thank Boys Town for making my son a very gracious and wonder- - Eric, 12 ful man. He really straightened Thank you for helping us so that we can stop this war. I would his life up and became focused on also like to thank you for risking your life to help others come back family values and even more, world home. I am going to keep you in my prayers at all times. I know values. He believed strongly in fighting it is difficult to be away from your family. - Julia, 13 terrorism for our country’s freedom. He was such an unselfish person Greetings From Our Soldiers that he made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Things are going okay. Tell everyone the finest Navy is wait- ing for them. Believe it or not, I miss my home – Boys Town. My Thanks again, Family-Teachers write to me all the time so they keep me updated. Huey P. Fassbender Boys Town was the step that changed my life. Let them know that Fassbender “God Bless the U.S.A” if they plan to join the military, it would be the best choice. - Samyasen "Sammy" Torres, ’04 A seaman recruit in the United States Navy

8 ALUMNI NEWS www.boystownalumni.org “we don’t know what they had to struggle with before they woke up that morning.” He taught me that if you have, share; if you Just an don’t, be courteous. He lived the Beatitudes, especially “Blessed are the poor.” Ordinary Man When dad got sick five years ago, we moved him to Arizona. He had worked all his life and now lived in Arizona. He lived — Richard Joseph Puchinsky, independently until 2003 when he was diagnosed with dementia. While he was here, he collected cans for the homeless school and Class of 1948 donated money to that school. Thoughts about my father, by Dawn Sadler When dad and I would talk, he would tell me about Boys Town, about Father Flanagan. He knew where he was when Father passed My father, Richard “Dick” Joseph away. He said the hole that Father left had never been filled. We Puchinsky, aka "Punchy", also known talked about football and his love for baseball. When dad got as "Caveman" to some of his friends, sicker, I tried to get more memories out of him, but I couldn’t. He passed away September 21, 2005, at would limit his sharing about his life. He lived with the shame that the Olivia White Hospice Home in he didn’t have parents. He thought that it was his fault. Once, I Flagstaff, Ariz. He was a 1948 gradu- grabbed him by his face and told him how loved he was and how ate of Boys Town, where he was the he has made a difference in people’s lives. president of his class and an All- Daddy died a day after my birthday, surrounded by love. As American athlete. Sister Elizabeth came to pray, I sat with daddy and thanked him When dad came to Boys Town in for all the great things that he has taught me. I have instilled those 1945, he was a “homeless orphan.” things into my children. Father Flanagan was the first man Dad lived the motto, “He ain’t heavy Father, He's my brother,” who hugged my father and the first except dad helped everyone. Just when I thought that he had gone man to be put into my father’s life Puchinsky overboard, there was a person telling me how much my dad helped where my dad felt safe. them. What a joy to know that dad lived his last years with peace After dad left Boys Town, he went on to play for the Brooklyn and joy surrounding him. Dodgers organization until an injury put his sports life to an end. Now he is in the presence of our Lord and Father Flanagan. I Dad never fully regained use of his knee after that. Dad has three children: Richard, George, and myself. I have hope that as he crossed over and held the hand of our Savior, that taken care of him for the past five years. What a joy, what a privi- his mother, who he never knew, was there to greet him and just lege. His grandchildren are Adam, Caleb, Joshua, Sarah, Rachel, hold on to him. and James. I want to tell you about this man who influenced my After reading dad’s story, my hope is that if you need to call that life and what he has taught me. special person in your life and tell them that you love them, you Many things dad did went unnoticed. When I was a child will do just that. If you see a homeless person on the street, give of 4 or 5 years old, my father and I went shopping at the local him a buck, or better yet do what dad did — talk to him. We don’t grocery store where he purchased lots and lots of food. I thought know what had happened in his life for him to be homeless. Feed to myself, we could feed an army, and we did. We fed God’s kids the poor, cheer on the underdog — that was my dad, and I am as that night! He took me to the worst part of town and got out of proud of him as he was proud to be a son of Father Flanagan and a his car, knocked on strangers’ doors, and gave them food. I will graduate of Boys Town, his home! never forget a little girl who was my age, looking at the food com- If you have any stories about my dad, I would love to hear them. ing through her door, smiling. I asked my father if that is what Please feel free to email me at [email protected] the children were going to eat that night. My father said yes, and I May the grace of our Lord always be with you, started to cry. We fed about five families that night. He would play Santa for children who didn’t have anyone. I Alumni office note: can’t tell you how many times he would give whatever he had to children just because. If dad had any money in his pocket, he would During the '50s and through the '70s, Joe would write to give it away or buy goodies and then pass them out. He would show Monsignor Wegner and ask for the names of 15 boys to whom up at my house always with fruit from a roadside market and we he could send Christmas gifts. This was the measure of a man would drive for hours eating fruit and listening to the opera. who cared for others. Perhaps some of us received a gift from Joe Dad was not a saint. He had many faults and, just to be honest, Puchinsky during our time at Boys Town. Let's all remember our didn’t know how to be a “good dad.” However, he taught me more brother Joe in our prayers. than enough to survive in this world. He taught me always be nice to the poor; always treat others, especially those less fortunate John Mollison, ‘64 than yourself, with dignity and kindness. He always told me that Interim Alumni Director

www.boystownalumni.org DECEMBER 2005 9 During her time at Boys Town, Sister Reinholda also worked in Nebraska’s 100 the infirmary and dental office. She says she greatly enjoyed her time in the village. Sister Reinholda left Boys Town in 1940 to serve in other areas. Greatest Athletes Sixty-five years later, she now lives with The Sisters of St. Francis in Savannah, Missouri. Include Jones, ’54, Born in Schwertling, Germany, in 1905, she joined the Sisters of St. Francis in Vöcklabruck, Austria, at age 21, and came to and Geddes, ’64, America when her order asked for volunteers to go overseas to help establish themselves in the United States. This fall, The Omaha World-Herald named Charles “Deacon” Jones, ’54, and Ken Geddes, ’64, two of Alumni Director Nebraska’s 100 Greatest Athletes. Jones was an all-state halfback on Dear Brothers and Sisters, the Cowboy football teams during the 1950s, an all-state guard on the During this Christmas season we some- state championship basketball team, times get caught up or beat down in the and a right fielder on the state cham- frenzied “marketing” of this lovely and pionship baseball team. tender time of year. Jones ultimately excelled in track, Oh, how we long today for the festivi- winning state titles in the mile run Charles "Deacon" Jones, '54 ties of years gone by — the days of Twelfth and mile relay. He broke the national Night, the pizza parties, the girls’ Christmas dinner, and high school record for the mile with the Christmas services that brought us all together. a time of 4 minutes, 17.6 seconds Let us separate ourselves from the material things, in 1954. He won an NCAA cross turn inward to our families, and share with them the country and two-mile track title at values that mean so much to us — those values that we Iowa, and qualified for the Olympics learned as young boys and girls at our home in Boys Town, in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, plac- Nebraska. ing ninth in 1956 in Melbourne, It made no difference whether we were Jews, Muslims, Australia, and seventh in 1960 in Protestants, or Catholics. We all had a common, joyous Rome. He broke the American experience wrapped in the bright ribbon of hope, sharing, record for the steeplechase in 1957. and giving. We all have those special memories. Geddes came from Jacksonville, Ken Geddes, '64 In this newsletter, the story of our late brother Joe Fla., where he made the football Puchinsky, ’48, is certainly one that can inspire us all. field, basketball court, and track his second home. How simple it was to send something home for our “little He helped his teams win two state titles in basketball and one brothers and now sisters” so they could experience what in football. He ran on the state championship mile relay and we experienced. went on to receive All-Big Eight honors in football at Nebraska. Please help make a special Christmas for our Girls and Geddes played eight years at linebacker in the NFL for the Los Boys Town children — the kind of Christmas you have Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks. tucked away so warmly in your hearts and minds. Pray for the young boys and girls, send a Christmas card, or A Sister Turns 100 tell your family about your memories of Boys Town at Christmas. Just like Joe, you don’t have to give much, just Happy birthday to Sister Reinholda a little from the heart to make a young boy or girl smile Eder, who turned 100 years old on October on Christmas day and throughout the season. 28. Sister Reinholda came to Boys Town in I wish you all, my brothers and sisters, a warm and joy- March 1931 and worked at the home for ous Christmas season. nine years. She spent countless hours in the laundry, providing clean clothing for more than 200 boys, and doing Father Flanagan’s house laundry and also that of 13 workmen who lived on the John Mollison, ’64 grounds. She was assisted by the boys and Sister Reinholda Eder Interim Alumni Director earned their love and respect. While working in the unbearably hot laundry room, she used to joke that it was an ongoing reminder of the wages of sin.

10 ALUMNI NEWS www.boystownalumni.org Guess Who? Auxiliary Can you guess the names of Dear Auxiliary Members, these three alumni? First, I want to thank the past auxiliary officers for their Send your guesses to the Alumni Association at terms of office. I appreciate their service and dedication. My term of office came in rather unusually – my hus- the Hall of History, 14057 Flanagan Blvd., Boys band, Mike ’58, had a medical problem at the banquet so Town, NE 68010. The first person submitting the we spent most of the banquet at the hospital and missed correct answers will receive a surprise gift. most of the convention. Thank you all for your prayers and concerns for him. He is doing okay. The new administration has already begun working for the auxiliary. I have had an executive meeting and will be looking into the past updates on the by-laws, etc., and will be making plans for the future. Thanks to all auxiliary members who attended the meet- ing at the convention. Please, please remain in contact and plan to attend the next convention meeting. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. 1) 2) 3) I can be reached at 816-436-1236 or [email protected]. Guess Who from the Last Issue Bless you all. Carol Trevino Auxiliary President

Looking for Youth Donald Cherry Wayne Tahara Alfred Connerly 1947 1958 1979 Who Departed Girls and Boys Town In Loving Memory… in 2000

Floyd A "Frenchie" Brouillard, '50, died Sept. 2005 in The Research Department needs your Eureka, Calif. help! We are looking for youth who departed Kazu Ikebasu, an employee of the Welfare and Student the Home in 2000 to participate in a follow- Accounts Departments from 1957 to 1969, passed away October 5 in Omaha, Neb., at age 88. up survey. Each participant will receive $25. If you have any information about a youth who departed in 2000, please call Jon Visit the Gift Shop Online Huefner at (402) 498-3033 or e-mail him at www.helpachildtoday.com for at [email protected]. all of your favorite Girls and Boys If you have information about a youth Town apparel and gift needs. Any but can’t remember when he or she left, please call or e-mail anyway! money spent returns to our children.

www.boystownalumni.org DECEMBER 2005 11 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home Boys Town, NE Boys Town, NE 68010 PERMIT NO. 1

www.boystownalumni.org 61 The Original Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home 2 0509-

No matter when you graduated, Christmas at Girls and Boys Town always holds special memories. Inside, see how alumni remember Christmas.