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

We had a good showing at the Koffee Klatch this morning.  Being on
vacation I got to hang around a little longer than usual, which led to a
special treat.  One of our locals, Randy Powell, introduced us to Mr.
Eduardo Abril Fontcuberta.  Hailing from Madrid Spain, with a home in
Nevada, “Ed” shared his two passions, Ham Radio operator and
Sniper/sharpshooter expert (the later passion is shared with Randy).  He
also spoke of his father’s exploits during WWII, and I was told he
trains sharpshooters and has authored several books.  He and Randy are
traveling this week to New Mexico for a competition of 50 caliber
rounds at 1,000 yard distance targets.  I will share the results when he
emails me later. Of course, our Chaplin Rex Mantooth was on
hand for biscuits and gravy.

Our Post Commander Jim Frazier was also on hand, who also shares a love
for the Ham Radio world.  You never know what you will learn at these
get togethers.  Babo Carter and I reminisced about Roy Arian, the author
preceding my contributions to the Hominy News – Progress.  I knew Roy
hailed from Southern California as I did, but did not know he was from
Huntington Beach, a place where I surfed in my youth.  Roy served in the
US Army performing three tours in Vietnam as a Physician’s Assistant
seeing much action.  He retired after 22 years of Honorable Service.  He
is still missed.

John Field shared a few stories of his adventures in the Navy during
WWII as a radar operator, and all the places Uncle Sam would ship him
off to.  His daughter is signing him up for the Honor Flight to DC.  I
will journal that process with you as it progresses.  Dick Pope showed
me a poem written by a Skiatook resident.  I wanted to share it with you,
but being short of memory as well as follicles sure enough I left it
behind.  I’ll try to recover it next week and share it with you.  I think
you will get a kick out of it.  As always, it is fun catching up with
Jerry Sebert who helped Mr. Prater set up breakfast and Jerry Jackson
who I discovered shared the same military specialty as I did in the
USAF (AC&W Radar repair).

After you celebrate your 4th of July be sure to save up enough energy
to continue the fun at Hominy Lake July 6th as the Hominy Chamber hosts
an independence celebration.  Call 918-261-0956 for more information.
I’ll see you there.

Post Commander Jim Frazier reminds us that the State Convention is
coming up July 5th-7th in OKC at the Biltmore Hotel.  He will be
attending representing our Post, as well as our Vice Commander District
1B.

Our regular meetings are the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month, at
1900 hours except this Thursday due to the 4th of July being a federal
holiday (7:00 PM).  Our Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings have
started back up thanks the Post Adjutant Eli Prater.  Over biscuits and
gravy (or waffles) we will keep up on each other’s mischievous doings.
It run generally from 7 am to 9 am. I know I am going to be there! If
you are a veteran come join us. You will have a good time.  And if you
have a good story it may end up in print.