General Information

Omaha Chapter History

The Omaha Chapter of the American GI Forum is an affiliate member of the State of Nebraska and the National American GI Forum, a Federally Charted, Non-Profit, Family Veterans Organization. The primary focus is to be an advocate for Hispanic Veterans' Rights and for the Hispanic community as well.

The Omaha Chapter was organized in 1957 and duly incorporated by the Secretary of State of the State of Nebraska in 1962. Prior to the incorporation, after conducting meetings in different members' homes and church basements, the present facility was purchased in 1959.

The Omaha Chapter in its infancy was not financially stable therefore three of our founding members, Mr Paul Aranza, Mr. Paul Marquez and Mr. I.C. Plaza mortgaged their personal homes to finance the purchase!

Immediately after the purchase, the City of Omaha condemned the building! Alas, the city only condemned the bottom half of the two story structure consequently our enterprising and energetic young members supported the top half on stilts and jacks while they renovated the lower half using cement and cinder block instead of lumber!

Twelve years later in 1971, we renovated and upgraded the upstairs area to accommodate offices and meeting space.

More than ten years after that, in the very early '80s, we expanded our kitchen and bar area to reflect what you see today.

Now after more than 20 years of dreaming and hoping to expand our entire building (except for the second story) to the West and increased parking to the North, the dreams and hopes will become a reality. We had our historic ground breaking ceremony on April 15^th, 2006.

An interesting bit of history to note is that Mr Joseph J. Juarez, our very first Chairman (now called Commander) went on to become a State Chairman and later on, in the '70s was elected our National Commander!

Currently our main focus in Omaha is Education. Our National Motto is "Education Is Our Freedom And Freedom Should Be Everybody's Business" hence we concentrate on raising scholarship funds to provide for those in need. In the last three years alone we have awarded over $40,000 in Scholarships to area students. We have actually awarded much more over the 48 years we have been in existence but sadly no one kept track. We also do provide help to the destitute regardless of race, creed or color and whether they are a veteran or not! We assist with Mortgage or Rent payments as well as Utility payments and even food vouchers. We also provide, free of charge, an annual Christmas Dinner for Senior Citizens on the first weekend of December.

Omaha Chapter, American GI Forum

6 April 2006

American GI Forum

Omaha Chapter