PLATTSMOUTH, NE (2023 AUGUST 25) In the heart of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, community spirit and a drive to give back thrives. Kermit Reisdorph, a stalwart pillar of this community, exemplifies the essence of service, not just through his time in the Air Force, but also in how he continues to serve the residents of Plattsmouth. The “Stuff the Truck” event, a testament to his dedication, intertwines his military past, the legacy of those before him, and his hope for the future.
“When you get a young person bring up their piggy bank up and give all their money you know that you have touched people in the town,” Kermit fondly recalls. This is the impact of “Stuff the Truck,” an initiative he began with Msgt Mike Pauly Ret. inspired by a similar event in Omaha. “We felt that we could do as good if not better in Plattsmouth. This is how we started it about 10 years and still do it,” Kermit says with evident pride. The heartwarming act of children donating from their savings speaks volumes about the reach and impact of the event.

Family ties run deep for Kermit. Speaking about his daughter’s 20-year service in the Air Force, he expresses, “My kids all seen how we lived when I was in and learned how to share, thus with my Daughter following going 20 years makes you very proud.” Her involvement in “Stuff the Truck” highlights the ripple effect of service, bridging past and present. “She was ready to help by making posters and coming down from Bellevue to bring her kids to help,” Kermit shares. He also mentions Mike’s two daughters, “Mike has 2 daughters that followed him and with the help we get from them makes both very proud of them all.”
Kermit’s deep respect for those who served before him is evident. Recounting the dignified burial he helped organize for a Civil War veteran, he stresses, “As I had said he is a veteran as we are and as the men and women before us he deserved to be placed to rest with honors.” The intermingling of respect for the past with present efforts at “Stuff the Truck” epitomizes the continuum of service.
The sense of camaraderie among veterans is palpable. Kermit highlights, “We have the opportunity to talk to our fellow vets and answer questions and help them get settled and then they come out and help.” He is quick to mention the unity among the various veterans’ organizations, stating, “We have 3 Veterans org. in town that work together very well which are American Legion Post 56, VFW Post 2543, and 40/8 1218.” This unity translates to a broader community outreach and resonance. “We all work hand in hand there is a lot of us belong to more than of these units. Which brings people out to donate,” he adds.
For Kermit, it all circles back to the community. “I hope to show the community that if we all work together we can accomplish anything that we come up against,” he expresses. His overarching message is one of unity and inclusiveness. “The biggest thing that we want the people we see and speak with is that we are family no matter what color, creed, or relation we are; we are doing anything we want to as one.”
And, as Plattsmouth gears up for its local Harvest Festival starting on September 7th, there’s no doubt that Kermit and his team will be at the heart of the community, serving, giving back, and building bridges through events like “Stuff the Truck.” The past, present, and future are interconnected in this narrative of service, and Kermit Reisdorph stands as a beacon of what it means to serve beyond the uniform.
STUFF THE TRUCK – For Local Food Banks
DATE: 2023 AUGUST 26, SATURDAY
TIME: 9AM – 3PM
LOCATION: PLATTSMOUTH HYVEE / DOLLAR GENERAL
Sponsored by Legion Post 56, VFW Post 2543, and 40 & 8 Local 1218