Nebraska Capitol staff, judges, elected leaders take creative steps to salute America 250 

LINCOLN — Judges, lawmakers and Nebraskans representing all three branches of government converged on the steps of the State Capitol Thursday to form a human American flag shaped in the likeness of their home state.

It was a photographic moment — a tribute from folks who run the official seat of state government to the 250th anniversary of the United States and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Images of the government peeps donned in red, white and blue — many in ponchos with a bit of drizzle overhead — can be seen front and center on the Nebraska State Capitol website.

“I’m all about red, white and blue. You bet, I made a point of being down there for the picture,” said state Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, one of roughly 200 in the photos.

Participants included Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke of Nebraska City and Justices William Cassel of O’Neill and Stephanie Stacy of Lincoln of the Nebraska Supreme Court; state Sens. Rob Clements of Elmwood and Sanders; and former state Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln, who now works in the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.

Photos will be sent to the Nebraska State Historical Society, which is overseeing semiquincentennial promotions and celebrations, said Roxanne Smith, tourism supervisor for the Office of the Capitol Commission.

“It was just a fun thing to get everybody in the Capitol thinking about the 250th anniversary,” said Smith, who added that more than twice as many people than had responded to an invite showed up by the time cameras caught the moment. Some attendees said a handful of tourists, too, joined in on the moment.

“People are excited, proud of working in the building and just wanted to be part of a Capitol-wide celebration.”

The photo shoot followed a casual conversation between Smith and a co-worker, Sally Schultz, a committee clerk for the Legislature. Smith said the two knew the state’s biggest America 250 tribute will play out Independence Day weekend in Seward — a town 25 miles west of Lincoln known as America’s official Fourth of July City: Small Town USA. 

The duo pondered what Capitol workers could do. Brainstorming led to the human flag formation on the Capitol’s north steps. Electronic invites were sent out to current and former staff and elected officials. Schultz got flag-colored ponchos and cutouts of stars. 

Clements, the chair of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, said he made a “special trip” to Lincoln for the photo. He shook hands with Chief Justice Funke and remarked that he was especially glad all branches could be together. 

Clements said he looked forward to July Fourth and celebrating the freedoms the Founding Fathers gave.

“I think it was a really good idea, real patriotic occasion,” Clements said of the photo. “A way for us to display a tribute to our country.”

Sanders, who chairs the Legislature’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, said she, too, is excited for the Fourth of July and the nation’s birthday. A high school graduate of 1976, Sanders remembers when “everything” was about the bicentennial.

“Everything was red, white and blue. I still have a little welcome mat carpet I got 50 years ago,” she said.

Sanders said it’s great that the country is celebrating its 250 years, but recognizes how young the U.S. is compared to some other countries. She is glad she has lived long enough to see the anniversary. In fact, she is days away from celebrating her own 68th birthday.

“God bless America,” Sanders said. “What a great place to live and a good time to be alive.”

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