Lt. Col. Jeff Flagg, a respected and beloved educator, has left behind a legacy of leadership, service, and inspiration.

Lieutenant Col. Jeff Flagg spent 25 years in the army and 20 years as an educator. He continued to serve others even after retirement. He passed on Sept. 24, 2025.

“Colonel Jeff Flagg was always someone who cared for the people around him. If there were a way to help someone who needed it, he would do it, no questions asked. He knew the value of people! He treated everyone the same and shared his experiences with others in hopes he could help them find some peace themselves, whether it was veterans, teachers, or students. His willingness to share about the darkest days in his life helped so many people. Understanding the value of people is something I will always remember about him,” Randall Howard said.

Flagg’s expertise on the Vietnam War has made him a sought-after resource among educators. Colleagues at Omaha Burke High School regard him as the greatest Vietnam War primary resource in Omaha. Students are captivated by his presentations because he truly is an engaging storyteller, and he brings a new light to social studies classrooms.

“He was a phenomenal storyteller as well. His stories would hold people’s attention for hours on end. The way he engaged with others while telling his stories was something to admire. I learned so much from him about Vietnam, but also several life lessons. I will always remember his character, integrity, and kindness toward everyone. I will miss him,” Howard said.

Every year, when students at Burke learned about the Vietnam War era, they would get to hear Flagg’s firsthand accounts that served as the pinnacle of their studies. His presentations offered a unique perspective, and he would have photographs, anecdotes, and vivid descriptions of the challenging conditions that the era endured in the war. As a decorated veteran, he knew quite a lot, so he could properly contribute history on a personal level to the students.

“He made an impact because he told his stories, and I think that’s really kind of neat to remember because we always hear about history, but these were his stories, and he just made it come alive,” Barbara Boltinghouse said. “He told the kids exactly what it was like and how he felt. He told good times. He told some bad times, and I think the kids really got- number one, they got a view of what was happening in history, but also left a very good impression of the military and people who give their service for our country.”

Flagg’s connection with Omaha Burke High School began when he took charge of the school’s JROTC program, which experienced significant growth under his leadership. The program’s enrollment doubled, and its achievements multiplied. Flagg’s exceptional work laid the foundation for the program’s success, and eventually, he became the Director of JROTC for all Omaha Public Schools. He served that role for three years before retiring alongside his wife.

“He personally made an impact on me when I met him in my freshman year because he was telling us about his experiences and showing us pictures. It was a yearly thing where I would see him, and we would have conversations because he would come to other JROTC events so that I would see him, and he watched me grow into the program as I got better or as I learned new things,” Samantha Sikes said.

“So honestly, just him being a good instructor, he helped me realize different things about JROTC and about being a good person.”