'I’m Getting Goosebumps': Pillen Kicks Off America 250 Celebrations at the Capitol

by Lewis Thune

(Picture credit Governor Jim Pillen’s Office)

Flanked by Nebraska members of the Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution, Governor Jim Pillen welcomed press to the Governor’s Hearing Room on Wednesday to recognize Nebraska’s celebration of America’s 250^th anniversary.

“Four years into doing press conferences, I feel the most secure I ever have,” Pillen joked, acknowledging the two men on either side of him clad in Revolutionary War uniforms. “I’m getting goosebumps just thinking how blessed we are that we get to be here at this time in the history of mankind.”

The governor began the morning by recounting his weekend trip to Washington, D.C., and the Nebraska state pavilion at the Great American State Fair.

“Our pavilion is second to none. We’ve got extraordinary history of our state, from being the only state with public power, to the only transcontinental railroad: Union Pacific, to Valmont center pivot irrigation,” he said. “Suzanne and I will be heading back this weekend. So we’re bragging about Nebraska and really, really having a lot of fun with doing it.”

Lincoln Quilts Headline Capitol Celebration

Featured prominently behind Pillen was a massive multi-patterned quilt of red, white, and blue, courtesy of the Lincoln Quilters Guild. After his introductory remarks, he turned to acknowledge it.

“Gee whiz, that’s the largest quilt I’ve ever seen,” Pillen said to Liane Connelly, the Quilters Guild president, standing behind him.

He then welcomed Connelly to the podium to introduce the piece, which will hang over the fireplace in the Governor’s Suite for the month of July.

“This started from an idea generated by Tammy Hensley,” Connelly said, crediting the Guild’s former president. “She did some research, created this pattern, and received approval from the Lincoln Quilters Guild board in early 2025.”

The quilt, she explained, consists of 250 individual blocks, the collective work of 73 different members of the Lincoln Quilters Guild. Sewn together, the final quilt is fit for king size bed.

“It was quite the sewing bee. This 250^th Star Quilt will be raffled this year, as we do each year, but this year, the proceeds are going to the Purple Heart Auxiliary.”

But Lincoln, home to the International Quilt Museum, has even more quilts to commemorate 250 years of American independence. After Connelly, Pillen welcomed Speaker of the Legislature John Arch and Kay Hoff with Quilts of Valor, which awards veterans custom-sewn quilts in partnership with quilters guilds across the country.

Arch announced that the Legislature would also be displaying commemorative quilts in the chamber throughout the month of July, courtesy of Quilts of Valor.

“With over 440,000 quilts awarded nationally, and I’m told approximately 800 annually here in Nebraska, it’s clear how deeply this simple, powerful gesture resonates with those who have been touched by war. These quilts are more than just fabric and thread, they are symbols of a grateful nation,” Arch said. “Senator Clements mentioned that his father had been given one, and how meaningful it was to him to receive that.”

Hoff thanked veterans profusely.

“As our nation celebrates 250 years, we remember that freedom has never been preserved by words alone, it has been defended by men and women who served, sacrificed, and carried burdens on behalf of all of us. We are grateful. You are honored,” she said.

‘Remembering America’

Pillen also recognized Kaewyn Robinson, an eleventh grader from of York, during the event.

“The United States Semi-Quincentennial Commission this year encouraged students in grades 3 through 12 to enter a contest sharing their perspective of what America means to them,” Pillen explained. “She came in second.”

Robinson presented the poem that won her second place, “Remembering America.”

We remember the ocean vast, but their faith deeper.

We remember the deep trust they had in God, their keeper.

We remember the winter fierce, but their hope stronger.

We remember the ones who helped them survive and conquer.

We remember the battle they fought to make us free.

We remember the ones who died to make it our reality.

We remember the first leaders who strived to be just.

We remember those famous words, “In God We Trust.”

We remember the fight for freedom they once again fought.

We remember the truest freedom is not easily bought.

We remember the Lord who made this land free.

We remember how He has given us prosperity.

We remember the good but also the bad.

We remember the joyful, and we remember the sad.

We remember so that we never forget our country’s past, our history.

Because remembering is what America means to me.

Last to speak was Major General Daryl Bohac, director of the Nebraska State Historical Society, to bring attention to celebrations taking place across the state in the month of July.

“They’re [Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution] going to be doing, on July 8^th at 4 pm here in Lincoln and Omaha, a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Why July 8^th? It was the first public reading in Philadelphia and New York. They’re going to recreate that event.”

This is part of a coordinated effort that began in Hawaii, he explained, to hold simultaneous readings all across the country. He continued on to plug the Nebraska History Museum and the city of Seward’s festivities.

“They are the focal point for the semi-quincentennial celebration events this year. Seward has claimed the sport of being the 4^th of July city for the state of Nebraska and for the United States small town category” he said.

But additional festivities will take place in nearly every county in Nebraska.

“You can find out about those at the website, america250.nebraska.gov,” Bohac said. “It’s got over 224 events on that calendar just here in Nebraska, and over 78 counties right now are represented in the activities.”

As the event came to a close, Pillen took to the podium to unveil a framed replica of the Declaration of Independence and read his gubernatorial “Independence Day Proclamation,” which commemorated the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the subsequent signing of the Declaration of Independence.

He asked all those assembled to reflect on the meaning of freedom.

“If we could take a little time to critically think, what does freedom mean to each one of us? I think it’s important we have those conversations so that we fully have the gift of appreciation for how blessed we are,” he said. “Have an incredible 250^th celebration. Thank you all.”

— Lewis Thune is a writing fellow with The Plains Sentinel.