Many of our nation’s veterans returned to civilian life at the end of their military service without any fanfare or even much acknowledgment of the sacrifices they had made. In recent years, many organizations and individuals have made an effort to finally give these men and women the honor they so deserve.

One of those groups is the Central Sandhills Chapter of American Legion Riders. Chartered in 2009, the chapter was founded by Rod Sonnichsen of Broken Bow. Gene Hendricks was one of the original members as well, is a former Director, and is still very active in the chapter.

On Sunday, June 8, a handful of chapter members gathered at the Callaway Good Life Center to present certificates of gratitude for their service to six veterans currently residing at the Callaway facility. Brian Waterman is the current Director of the chapter, and as veterans and other residents gathered in the dining room of the Good Life Center, he explained why the riders were there.

“We are here today to hand out certificates of honor to the veterans who are living in this facility. This is what those certificates say, ‘This certificate is presented to (veteran’s name) in recognition and grateful appreciation for serving in the United States Armed Forces in the name of freedom and democracy and for allegiance to God and Country and courageously protecting our liberty and independence. It is present- ed by the Central Sandhills American Legion Riders, Department of Nebraska, on this day, the 8th of June, 2025.”

The six residents of Callaway Good Life Center who received the certificates were: Bill Benjamin, Army; Herbert Gerhard, Navy; Dick Hendricks, Army; Jimmie Kennedy, Army, Claude Rhoads, Army; and Billy Vogel, Army.

Bill Benjamin is 101-years-old, and still recalls the day he watched Pearl Harbor on fire. “I was out on the ocean in a boat,” Benjamin said. Though he does not recall what year he entered the Army, he shared that he served in the 5th Air Force in Japan. “I just did everything,” he said when asked what his duties were.

Though many of the memories of his time in the military have faded over the years, Benjamin was still visibly moved by the recognition he received from the Legion Riders. Kennedy and Rhoads were also present to receive their certificates and were grateful to those who came to honor them.

Legion Riders visited the other four veterans in their rooms, where they were presented with their certificates.

Along with Waterman and Hendricks, other officers of the Central Sandhills Chapter include Nancy Harrold, secretary, and Laura Hendricks, historian. Chapter members also visited Brookstone View and Off Broadway in Broken Bow on Sunday, where more certificates of honor were presented to those who served our nation in the armed forces.

“Thank you all for coming out and joining us as we appreciate and honor the veterans who are here,” said Waterman in closing remarks. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”