Military History Museum, A&M Surplus, Bellevue, NE

[gwb123]

Nebraska has a handful of museums that cover military history, ranging from the early 1800's Fort Atkinson that protected the earliest settlements of the territory, to Fort Kearney that safeguarded westbound wagon trains, to Gen. Crook's house on the former Fort Omaha where the Indian Wars were planned and coordinated. Then we have a decades leap to the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum ranging from World War II, through the Cold War to the present.

 

Noticeably missing currently is a statewide museum showing the role of the American ground combat soldier through time.

 

This omission is made all the more obvious by the presence of nearby Des Moines' Iowa Gold Star museum, which tells that story in wonderful detail. (A long overdue Nebraska National Guard museum is being constructed as this is being written in Seward, west of Lincoln.)

 

However a very fine exhibit on this topic can be found at A&M Surplus in Bellevue, NE, blocks away from the Offutt, AFB.

 

The shop has been in business since 1989. Currently run by Andrew and Mary Kolesik, it is the last remaining true surplus shop in the Omaha area.

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The display fills the back quarter of the store.

 

Early on in my collecting career, I had a goal of collecting an example of every field uniform worn by US troops in the 20th Century.

 

I never achieved that goal, but I imagine it would have looked something like this. And that would be only if I had the space to display it all at once!

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There is a left to right chronological order to the display. All figures are numbered and explained on an available guide.

 

Starting the display is a member of the Continental Army.

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Next are soldiers from the early 1800's. The flag reads "Fort Atkinson Detachment".

 

Many people do not realize that a full third of the US Army was once stationed in Fort Atkinson to protect local settlements as well as to deter the ambitions of Mexico and Canada from moving into the lands that would become the American Midwest.

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Moving forward, we come to the Civil War period.

 

Nebraska had individuals fight for both the Union and the Confederacy.

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Union Artillery officer and a light cannon.

 

I am unsure of the period of the Cavalry NCO. It is possible he also represents the Civil War in the Midwest. Union uniforms in Kansas and Missouri tended to be looser fitting than those in the East.

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Spanish American War and interwar years.

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Punitive Expeditions, Mexico.

 

National Guard troops from Midwestern states were dispatched on a mission that failed to capture the bandit Pancho Villa, but which yielded invaluable lessons for World War One.

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World War One.

 

The female figure has some manner of eagle with upswept wings insignia in her overseas cap that I cannot quite make out.

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World War II.

 

To my eye, this looks like either a pre-war or very early tanker's uniform, as evidenced by the laced up riding breeches and boots. He could have been straight out of the stateside maneuvers.

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Airborne!

 

Seeing this mannequin alone makes the trip worthwhile. The invasion striped C-47 in the background is a nice touch.

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To the Everlasting Glory of the Infantry!

 

Classic GI of WWII, with his opponent standing behind him.

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A representation of flight nurse, with wings included.

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The collection includes a fully decked out Harley, which unfortunately was out for maintenance. However we did have this rarity in its place.

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Korean War.

 

 

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Vietnam.

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Desert Storm represented by the chocolate chip uniform.

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Iran and Afghanistan.

[Third Herd]

I haven't been to A & M Surplus since they put in the museum. I might have to go check it out. I bought stuff from there and their Dad, Val, at Gun Shows for years. The Nebraska National Guard Museum is now open and has a Facebook page, it is in the old National Guard Armory. The University of Nebraska kicked it out of the State Arsenal when it took over the State Fair Grounds kicking that to Grand Island. At least the new museum location has more room, it was a little cramped in the old Arsenal Building. The Airborne Scooter was made by Cushman and last year the University of Nebraska tore down the Cushman Factory, haven't built anything, just turned into an open space.

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Bring backs from Iraq.

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Modern uniforms.

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And last, but not least, what appears to be a presentation of a Navy Seal.

 

This is only a sample of the material that A & M Surplus has gathered over the years and has on display.

 

Hopefully, if you are in the area, you might be able to drop by, talk to Andrew and Mary, and check out the display they have put so much effort into.

 

http://amsurplus.com/

 

More photos on:

 

https://www.facebook.com/amsurplus/photos/ms.c.eJxFktlxwEAIQzvKcArov7F4OZLPNxLIaA2vSgWFCXHYDx6biFEioo51OJczKVw16VjfPDkPO~_j5YcdeYVwVvlz25uXyvHo~;aPfD4rG7~;XH7ZfdBtffRH88~_PT9m~;p~;ROslwSH~_f5c4Hy9uXcjpnM~_P89eZZt4~;wzmO24xi~_ffDerzcPG47hnD5wfSR4WE~;H8PaRObqf~;tXfvPkZ7z3kK~_T0zlO~_vC~_7efMK~;b5y95RSz~_vmVd~;78enW~;XjJMQ1vfjnaz6d3Hx~;zcffpgcvX4dMx~_97~;ACJSfvencC7rey~;L5x~_uZsiytZ~;z~;K7D54d838NOWC5~_bBHH1Ywa~;s4b3nnj16dFrt8Erdvmm3mz6LJn~_20Z3Vd8vf0C1Dy08w~-~-.bps.a.659983490753519.1073741828.116773601741180/659984224086779/?type=3&theater

 

 

710 Fort Crook Road

Bellevue, NE 68005

 

402-731-3355

Retail store hours 10 am - 5 pm M-F, 10 am - 2 pm Sat.

 

[gwb123]

I haven't been to A & M Surplus since they put in the museum. I might have to go check it out. I bought stuff from there and their Dad, Val, at Gun Shows for years. The Nebraska National Guard Museum is now open and has a Facebook page, it is in the old National Guard Armory. The University of Nebraska kicked it out of the State Arsenal when it took over the State Fair Grounds kicking that to Grand Island. At least the new museum location has more room, it was a little cramped in the old Arsenal Building. The Airborne Scooter was made by Cushman and last year the University of Nebraska tore down the Cushman Factory, haven't built anything, just turned into an open space.

 

I am sorry to say that I just do not get down to Bellevue as often as I like. This was a spur of the moment, and I regret to say that I brought my back up point and shoot camera rather than my good one.

 

But hopefully this gives everyone an idea of what is there. It is a bit off of I-80 for those transiting the state, but only by a few minutes. It is just nice to see a true surplus store still in operation.

 

I am looking forward to visiting the new Nebraska National Guard museum. I never did into the one at the state fairgrounds when it was in Lincoln. All I got to see was an M-114 parked outside.

[doyler]

Girl

 

Thanks for the tour.Have always wanted to stop there.

 

I knew Val as well.Meet him back in the mid 70s. He was a corner stone at many a small show here in the upper Midwest and often the only militaria dealer.Met one if the boys at the Topeka vehicle show once.

[respectingthesacrifice]

Thanks for the detailed photos. For those of us who live too far to visit, really good to have the chance to see it

Eric