Omaha's flag features a white field with the municipal seal at the center. Omaha, the largest city in Nebraska, proclaims itself the "Gateway to the West."
This identity comes from the 19th century: Omaha was the eastern terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad. The first transcontinental railroad departed from here in 1865, heading west to meet the Central Pacific coming from California. The Pioneer Courage monument downtown honors this history.
Omaha also means Warren Buffett. The "Oracle of Omaha" still lives in the modest house he bought in 1958 for $31,500. Berkshire Hathaway, his $800-billion conglomerate, is headquartered in Omaha. The annual shareholders' meeting draws 40,000 people – a capitalist pilgrimage.
The Omaha Union Stockyards were once the largest in the world. Millions of head of cattle passed through Omaha to be turned into meat. The smell was legendary. The industry declined, but ConAgra and Omaha Steaks keep the heritage alive.
Boys Town, west of Omaha, was founded in 1917 by Father Edward Flanagan to take in homeless boys. "He ain't heavy, Father... he's my brother" – the iconic statue and the 1938 film with Spencer Tracy made Boys Town an American symbol.
Omaha has produced surprising cultural talents: Malcolm X was born here. Gerald Ford grew up here. The indie folk musicians Bright Eyes and Conor Oberst are from Omaha.
The white flag with its seal shows nothing of this diversity – just municipal bureaucracy.