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

We enjoyed a special surprise this third week Thursday evening’s
American Legion meeting. Jerry Sebert had informed the Post Commander
Charles O’Leary that after our last feast at the Officer Installation
ceremony he still had plenty of ribs. Realizing that when the troops
are well fed morale goes up and things get done, he put out the word
for side dishes and Ta-Da! We had a second feast. The troops brought
homemade potato salad, BBQ beans, home fried Okra, cookies, and an
assortment of other salads from the local store (loved the coleslaw).
Delicious! Great work Jerry.

Business moved quickly and efficiently through Treasurer Jack Cross’s
budget update. This was followed by a tip of the hat to Dick Pope who,
without being asked, cut the grass last week before the Installation
Ceremony. I was always taught in the military, never volunteer for
anything, but in this case no volunteer was asked for. Dick saw what
needed to be done and took care of it. I learned that’s what they
called in my service time “initiative” and “pride of the unit”. Way to
go Brother Pope. Nice job!

Our Commander brought up an idea that caught on quickly for future
meetings. We meet regularly, as most know, the first and third Thursday
evening at 1900 hours (that’s 7:00 PM for the civilians and for Jerry
and me, being former flyboys, big hand on the twelve small hand on the
seven). Commander’s idea is to have the first meeting to be formal
business and the third Thursday conduct a cookout and some form of
information/entertainment. Well with Jerry’s rib’s so soon consumed the
vote was yes.

We then moved to a video presentation that Charles O’Leary had prepared
that I found fascinating. You may or may not know that he served a few
tours in Afghanistan and over the course of those tours had assembled
an impressive slide presentation of the various parts of the country he
travelled. He shared many stories of local flavor, customs, and
culture. We have a blend of OSU and OU fans in the group (we Sooners
are sadly outnumbered). When he shared a story of how the locals had a
game where they would take a goat and “transform” it into a basic sewed
up container of sand and that two teams would play against each other
to get it down the field to score a point with few rules of behavior it
struck a chord. I said “Sounds like a Bedlam Game!”

On the sad side of that he shared what I knew, the impact of the Soviet
intrusion in the 1980s. Foliage and forests destroyed, still who knows
how many landmines are undiscovered. Thousands still alive, amputees
from the horrible tactics of a brutal regime. I have many of my friends
and soldiers who continue to serve over there though I am long retired
and I know the stories of courage and compassion that reflects the
values our country. O’Leary himself served leading medical mercy
services to the locals. A far cry from the Russians of the Soviet Union.

Our regular meetings are the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at
1900 hours (7:00 PM). Our Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings are run
by Post Adjutant Eli Prater and Jerry Sebert. Over biscuits and gravy
(or waffles) we will keep up on each other’s mischievous doings. It
runs 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 might get a
BBQ rib in the bargain. And if you have a good story it may end up in
print.