American Legion Post 263, Legion Auxiliary and Legion Lounge honor C. Wayne and Marlene Schrader

[July 12, 2022]   On Sunday afternoon, C. Wayne and Marlene Schrader were pleasantly stunned and humbled by the surprise party held in their honor at the Lincoln American Legion Post 263 in Lincoln.

The event had been planned to celebrate the couple’s commitment to service with the American Legion through the Legion and the Auxiliary over the years. Collectively the two have served the Legion for more than 125 years.

The party was hosted by the American Legion, the Legion Auxiliary and the Legion Lounge with Gladys Stacy-Farnam and Shirley Winterbauer taking the lead when the couple arrived.

To keep it a surprise, their son Randy had brought them to the Legion at 1 p.m. where the lounge was filled with well-wishers.

Stacy-Farnam greeted the pair as they came in and everyone in the room shouted “surprise!”

Marlene came in first, pausing for a moment to exclaim over the surprise, then C. Wayne entered, all smiles as usual. And, typical to form, he immediately burst into song, singing God Bless American with everyone joining in.

The couple was then seated and guests took advantage of the time before lunch to visit their table and greet the couple personally.

Before the meal was served, Winterbauer spoke about C. Wayne and Marlene.

She said that the Schraders have been married 67 years and have two sons, David and Randy. C. Wayne has been a member of the American Legion longer than he’s been married at 68 years. Winterbauer said that he has been a constant presence at the Legion since he joined, always pitching in and helping at special events and fundraisers doing every job imaginable from busing tables and cleaning to being the one to lead in a song or two including many renditions of God Bless America and from time to time a happy birthday song as well.

Winterbauer said that Marlene has also been a very active member of the Auxiliary for the past 67 years. She added that in those years, Marlene has served as the Auxiliary Chaplain for a total of 51 years.

Winterbauer said she owed a special debt to Marlene who has been very supporting of all the membership including Winterbauer. She noted that Marlene had guided her and led her into the role she now plays with the auxiliary.

C. Wayne was asked to say a few words. He began by saying that he does now and has always loved the American Legion. He said he began knowing nothing and over the years being a part of the organization was a learning process that brought him and Marlene to love it even more. He thanked those who were there and said that he and Marlene consider the American Legion Post 263 to be another home, and a place they come home to.

Marlene was asked to offer the blessing on the meal. Before doing so, she said that she wanted to express her love and appreciation to all. She noted that in all her life, no one has every thrown a party for her, and she was so delighted by the love that had been shown to her and C. Wayne.

Schrader then offered the blessing, and everyone was invited to participate in a meal topped off by a variety of cupcakes and cookies from Missy’s Sweet Shop in Atlanta and some made by Lori Slayton.

[Nila Smith]