for American Legion Post #142; Hominy, Oklahoma.
>>>by Gary Lanham

Last week, I said I would share a story Charlie O’Leary told us a few weeks ago, that everyone got a kick out of.  Of course, Dick Pope was out sick with the flu, and as usual if you are not in attendance, you are normally volunteered for something or have stories told on you, since you cannot defend yourself!

If I have my facts straight, a shuttle service that brings folks to the local Clinic, where Charlie O’Leary works in the medical profession, delivered a frustrated Dick Pope in for an appointment.  As the story, goes Dick related his ordeal of being exposed to a New Yorker coughing and a few other local ladies who were also coughing and hacking.  While he was trying to stay calm Charlie told Dick that it is the Flu season and that would be normal…to which Dick replied “We were coming in for eye checkups” (loosely translated). Of course, after that voyage, Dick caught that nasty bug, and we missed him that week.  The good news is, he bounced back and was at last week’s breakfast, to help provide me with inspiration for my weekly ramblings.

At this morning’s gathering, I realized in my sixties, it’s nice to be called “young man” and “youngster”. Where else could a guy like me get comments like that? Now if only my hair would grow back (not holding my breath).  It was a pleasant surprise to see our new flag had arrived, and I think this Thursday meeting (7 Feb 2013, 7 pm) there may be a ceremony as we hoist Old Glory once again. Everyone is welcome to see our defenders of freedom participate in a memorable event.

By the way, for you retired veterans who count on TRICARE for medical support, it is interesting to note higher co-payments for prescription drugs covered by TRICARE went effect recently.  The health provider said they reminded participants, but we wanted to make sure you heard.  The fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act requires TRICARE to increase co-pays on brand name and nonformulary medications, that are not filled at military clinics or hospitals. There is no increase to co-pays for generic medications.  Increases will be effective sometime in February, depending on when system changes can be made.

Just a reminder our regular meetings are the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays of each month at 1900 hours (7:00 PM) and our Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings over biscuits and gravy (or waffles) where we keep up on each other’s mischievous doings run generally from 7 am to 9 am . We will be anticipating updates on the Mid-Winter Conference from our Post Commander.