Alumni

Bryan and Sue Burgess

With classmate brothers Dan and Dave Villegas at Reunion 2003

At blessing of statue, Reunion 2003, Father Flanagan's home at Boys Town, Nebraska

from Father Flanagan's Boys

Poems and Thoughts by Bryan Burgess, Class of 1953

Why?

I am searching for the Spirit of Father Flanagan

Is he not the Apostle of the Orphan Boy

The collector of lost souls

The protector of the innocent ones?

Is he not the one who feeds the hungry

Clothes and cares for the young

And gives shelter to the homeless?

I’m searching for the Gentle Soul,

Omaha was his residence

He had a dream

You could see his vision just eleven miles away.

They came from all over

Different shapes, Different colors

And growing like Nebraska corn,

Green fields of Ireland.

He taught us to pray

He prayed for us, with us and over us

Prayer, the spiritual food we need.

Where has this loving, holy man gone?

His dreams to be re-interpreted

Status changed, Pylons changed and name changes

To give another impression

To whom?

Who is walking on this holy ground called Boys Town?

This was farm land only eighty years ago

It is one square mile of sacred land

Purified, prayed over, and dedicated

With a Pylon that says “Boys Town”

Holy and guarded by the holy.

Do not disturb.

Bryan Burgess, 2000

My name is Bryan Burgess. I am a retired aerospace engineer. Back in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, I attended Father Flanagan’s Boys Town, Nebraska. It would be years before I realized the impact this experience would have on the rest of my life. I am truly indebted to Father Flanagan, as well as to my room mates, classmates, teacher, counselors, priests and coaches.

I consider Boys Town a sacred and holy place where many thoughts, views, opinions, were planted and then flourished in time to guide, protect and teach me. When I arrived at Boys Town, I had a sense of not belonging to anyone or anywhere, and life seemed to be very difficult. I now realize I was truly a lost soul. My immaturity and lack of a foundation left me spiritually, emotionally and mentally lost.

At The Home, my life changed forever; a path was unveiled. I have been able to sustain solid lifetime relationships, a relationship with God and a spiritual understanding that continues to grow as the years pass.

As I reflect, I remember Father Flanagan, the priest, the apostle of unwanted boys, who dedicated and devoted himself to a lifetime of counseling, consoling, caring, and understanding of the children on this earth. Father provided one of the greatest services to humankind, and he provided it with simplicity and humility. He gave:

Life to a lost soul

A Breath of Hope to the spirit of a child

Peace to a young mind

Faith to the unbeliever

Dignity to God’s little gifts

Forgiveness that would remove us from the darkness of our condition

Laughter to our lives

We were looked upon as not worthy of investment. This gentle soul led many of us from the pits of doom, raising us to a level of prestige, honor and respect; he was a teacher, coach, protector, hero, friend, and our father.

I personally thank the millions of people who supported Father’s vision with their pennies, dimes and quarters. Their generosity provided me with a home, food, clothing and an education. I love Father Flanagan for his life, his spirit, his holiness and the memories he left me. I am especially grateful to Father Peter Dunne, who began his mission as my spiritual guide at Boys Town and continues that mission to this day.