Gov. Dave Heineman may have escaped walking the plank on Sunday, but if Nebraska’s admirals have their way, he won’t get away with it.

“I’ll do it when it comes to my office,” Heineman joked as members of the Nebraska Admirals Association presented him with a four-piece wooden plank as a memento for their 20-year anniversary.

The association capped two decades of state fellowship with an afternoon ceremony at the Capitol during which Heineman praised members for their service and deemed June 4 Nebraska Admirals Day.

“I really think of you as the ambassadors of our state,” he told attendees. “You put Nebraska’s interests first.”

Admirals, who are appointed by the governor’s office, are chosen for their exemplary service to the state. That may be through politics, volunteering or entertainment: Notable Nebraska admirals include President Bush, Dick Cavett, Jack Nicklaus, Ann Landers and many others.

Once admiralship is awarded, members work to boost Nebraska’s quality of life. They promote tourism opportunities, participate in recycling programs and keep tabs on the state’s ports.

And each fall, the group chooses two University of Nebraska at Kearney students to receive $1,000 scholarships.

Since the association came to Nebraska, more than 100,000 admirals have been appointed, according to the group’s Web site.

“Even though we’re only 20 years old, we have a lot of history,” board member Gloria LeDroit said.

The wooden plank, fully assembled on Sunday, has traveled in pieces across Nebraska for the past two months. Members have carried pieces through North Platte, Kimball, Alliance, Broken Bow, Kearney and other towns, hoping to promote statewide unity.

At the Capitol, an engineer nailed the pieces together while “Song of the Nebraska Admirals” played in the background.

Board members then presented the plank to Heineman and sang “Beautiful Nebraska.” The plank will soon be hung in the governor’s office.

But not, of course, before he follows tradition and walks its length.

“On the way into my office, I promise,” he said.

Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.