Virginia Cattle of Seward and Cattle National Bank and Trust Co. donated $50,000 to the Nebraska National Guard Museum in honor and memory of her husband John W. Cattle, Sr., who served in Africa, Sicily and France during World War II. On July 4, the museum will dedicate the John W. Cattle Sr. Exhibit Area, which will hold temporary exhibits throughout the year. Pictured are, from left: Ken Meyer, Nebraska National Guard Museum Historical Society member; Ryne Seaman, president and CEO of Cattle National Bank; John Cattle, Jr., John Sr. and Virginia Cattle’s son; Becky Vahle, John Sr. and Virginia’s daughter; Virginia Cattle; and Major General Daryl Bohac, adjutant general of Nebraska.
On July 4, 2016, the Nebraska National Guard Museum will dedicate an exhibit area in honor of the late John W. Cattle, Sr. of Seward.
The “John W. Cattle, Sr. Exhibit Area” is a memorial honor from his wife, Virginia, and Cattle National Bank and Trust Co. of Seward. The exhibit area will feature the rotational traveling exhibits and special collections from other museums around the country.
Cattle Bank previously provided support to the Nebraska National Guard Museum as a lead sponsor for the initial development of conceptual and architecture plans from HealyKohler Design in Washington, D.C.
The most recent support of $50,000 is being provided by Virginia Cattle, chairperson emeritus of the Cattle Bank board of directors, as well as the bank, in honor and memory of the late John W. Cattle, Sr., Virginia’s husband and former chairman of the board of the bank.
Cattle proudly served in the United States Army for five years during World War II as an artillery battery commander and staff officer with the 9th Infantry Division, rising to the rank of major.
His service included the invasions of Africa, Sicily and France and he was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, French Croix de Guerre with palm and two Presidential Unit Citations.
Maj. Gen. Malin Craig awarded Cattle with his Bronze Star
“Major Cattle’s aggressive initiative, technical knowledge and devotion to duty were a credit to himself and to the Armed Forces of the United States,” Craig said.
During the presentation of the $50,000 donation to Ken Meyer, Nebraska National Guard Museum Historical Society member, Mrs. Cattle said a few words.
“John did not talk much of his service in World War II and much of what we did learn about his time overseas was from others that served alongside of him,” she said.“It gives me and the bank great pleasure to support such a worthy cause as this state-of-the-art museum, which will be an attraction to residents and visitors of Seward for years to come.”
The Adjutant General of Nebraska, Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, visited with the family and bank employees at the museum recently.
“We are so very grateful to the family of the late John W. Cattle, Sr. and the Cattle National Bank and Trust of Seward for their extremely generous support of the Nebraska National Guard Museum,” Bohac said. “Their support is helping us tell the story of our Nebraska National Guard in a way that will help current and future generations of people better understand what the soldiers and airmen of the Nebraska National Guard did in support of our state and nation during times of international crisis and during times of peace.
“It is also great to know that we are also helping tell the story of Mr. Cattle and all that he did in support to our nation during World War II.”
Ryne Seaman, president and CEO of The Cattle National Bank and Trust Co., was also present.
“John’s life was devoted to service, whether to family, to country, to community or to the banking industry and his legacy lives on in the service that the bank and its employees provide to our outstanding customers,” Seaman said. “The bank is pleased to support the Nebraska National Guard Museum and recognize and memorialize the service of all of the brave men and women that have served the Nebraska National Guard and our Armed Forces, in the past, now and in the future.”
The John W. Cattle, Sr. Exhibit Area features several permanent exhibits. Above the area is the exhibit to 100 Years of Nebraska National Guard Aviation “The Curtiss Pusher.” The reproduction aircraft is in honor of Captain Ralph McMillen, who was a member of the Nebraska Aviation Corps and helped promote aviation around the country in 1915-1916.
Above the exhibit area are shrouds memorializing stories of the Nebraska National Guard: the 1913 State Arsenal, General Miltonberger, the story of the Nebraskans in the Philippines and the “Worlds’ Greatest Aviator – Ralph McMillen.”
The lower part of the exhibit area is set aside to host collections and artifacts for a set period of time that promote the history and legacy of the Nebraska National Guard.
The John W. Cattle, Sr. Exhibit Area is one of three rooms in the front of the museum that are being dedicated on July 4.
“The generous gift provided by Mrs. Cattle and the Cattle Bank takes the Nebraska National Guard Museum a long way towards meeting its goals for our dedication events planned for July 4, 2016. Their continued support is sincerely appreciated,” President of the Nebraska National Guard Museum Darin Krueger said.
The Nebraska National Guard Museum dedication ceremony is set for 9 a.m. on Monday, July 4, 2016, and is open to the public.
