Valentine, Nebraska will be celebrating it’s birthday on Saturday April 28 – 1884 Day. Even though Valentine was founded in 1883, we celebrate 1884 Day because the history passed down says that when the railroad bridge crossing the Niobrara River was completed, and the first train crossed over the bridge, Valentine was incorporated.

The local American Legion Family will be having several activities on Saturday beginning with the annual pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 AM at the Veterans Club basement. This annual breakfast will consist of pancakes and sausage, or biscuits and gravy, or both along with juice and coffee. For those of you who have problems with stairs, our Legion baseball players will gladly bring your food up on the ground floor. A freewill donation is accepted.

We encourage you to check with the local paper and radio station for those 1884 specials being offered at your favorite businesses in Valentine.

The basement of the Valentine Veterans Club will be filled with Poppy Posters which have been made by our area students. The posters going to state competition will be featured. Be sure to come see and enjoy the amazing talent of our youngsters and vote for your choice as best poster. Leo Brinda Unit 90 will be distributing the American Legion Auxiliary Memorial Poppy on this day and asking for a donation to help them do their programs. They will also be crowning Miss Poppy and Little Miss Poppy on Saturday morning, and these young girls will support the many Veteran activities and programs in the coming year.

The American Legion here in Valentine consists of the Leo Brinda Post 90, Leo Brinda Unit 90, and Sons of The American Legion Squadron 90. 1884 Day is the major fundraiser of Post 90 which enables us to do our many programs including: Legion baseball, Boys State, Girls State, Junior Law Cadet Program, Northstar Halloween and Saint Patrick’s Day parties, the annual Easter Egg hunt, and many other programs which help our area Veterans and families.

Valentine as defined by the Lakota language means “station stopping place” or “water and waterfall city”. We would like to thank you in advance and look forward to seeing you on 1884 day. The Valentine American Legion is celebrating its 99 year Anniversary- Post 90 started here in 1919!

American Legion Post 90 has a Facebook page under Leo Brinda Post 90. Everyone is encouraged to look at this site to see what is happening with the Post.