November 30, 2010 we saw our new home to be, for the first time.  As we entered the Grand Lodge in the Preserve we were waiting for the elevator to take us to the third floor when a resident introduced himself and his wife.  He said “you probably won’t remember my name because you will be meeting a lot of new people but my name is Rudge Vifquain”.  Now that’s an interesting name I thought and I tried to capture it in my memory.

Our apartment was only a few steps away as we got off the elevator.

The main halls in the Lodge are quite long and as I looked down the hall, about forty yards, I could see a rather large American flag standing in the hallway.  Later, while walking the halls for some exercise, we passed by the apartment displaying this flag.  The custom of having your name on the door revealed the occupants to be Rudge and Dottie Vifquain.

Curiosity got the best of me and I decided to get to know Rudge a little better.  In talking with him I discovered some interesting family history.

During the Civil War his Great Grandfather, Victor Vifquain, who was born in Belguim, immigrated to the United States and settled in Saline County, Nebraska in 1858 and later enlisted in the Union army as a private.  A daring soldier, twice he unsuccessfully attempted to capture President Jefferson Davis.   In 1862, Vifquain and three companions infiltrated Confederate lines in an attempt to kidnap President Davis.  A second attempt was made at Selma, Alabama in 1865 when it was suspected that the President would be on board a train.  The train was captured but Davis was not on board.

Although he might be remember more for his two unsuccessful attempts in trying to capture President Davis, Congress and President Abraham Lincoln thought differently.  For capturing the flag in action on April 9, 1865, at Fort Blakely, Alabama, he became the first Nebraskan to be awarded the Medal Of Honor. While Capturing the flag, his standard bearer was planting the Union flag beside the Confederate flag. The two flags fluttered and folded around Vifquain momentarily and probably saved his life as his color bearer was exposed and was shot to death. At that time Vifquain was a Lt Colonel and later rose to the rank of Brigadier General.

And now, almost a century and a half later, because of my new found patriotic, proud neighbor and friend, Rudge Vifquain, as I leave my apartment each day and look to the right, with my own eyes, I too can CAPTURE THE FLAG.