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

We had an enjoyable meeting last Thursday night at the Hut. Despite the
first major game of the season between Cleveland and our Hominy Bucks
at Cleveland we had a good showing of ten. Vice Commander Steve
Swinford led the formal opening, Treasurer Jack Cross provided our
budgetary update, and then it was cake (thanks Babe!) and cookies (a
nod to Rex). A good part of our time was trading “war stories” amongst
ourselves. All were humorous and usually based around food eaten around
the world while in the service.

Everyone is excited about John Field’s pending Honor Flight Trip 18
September. He and his daughter will embark on that momentous adventure
early in the morning returning late in the evening. The events that
take place in between will be exhausting but most rewarding. Babe Long
and Dick Pope offered advice and details from their recent Honor Flight
experience. For those who are not familiar with the Honor Flight; it
was put together to honor our Greatest Generation of WWII, heroes all.
Regardless if you had the Walk in the Sun in Italy as my dogface Army
Dad did, or worked in supply everyone did their duty for the cause of
freedom (see last week’s Rosie the Riveter piece).

Another icing on the cake, as it were, was to celebrate John’s 90th
birthday. After a quick consultation with the local fire codes candles
were ruled out (all in fun John!). A round of applause was mustered to
congratulate a great member of the Post.
You may recall in past musings I mentioned the two memorial boxes
(shadow boxes) containing the State and National flags our House
Representative Sean Roberts formally presented at our Installation
Ceremony. Well Post Adjunct Eli Prater did a fantastic job mounting
them for us. Signed declarations from our Governor reside with the
flags in beautiful framing done by Patty Plummer. You should really
come by and enjoy them. I pray they be on that wall long after we have
walked to our Heavenly tour of duty.

The Commander has established our plan for future meetings. We meet
regularly the first and third Thursday evening at 1900 hours. That’s
7:00 PM for Babo, and for myself and fellow fly boy Jerry Sebert big
hand on the twelve, little hand on the seven. It is the Commander’s
idea is to have the first meeting of the month to be formal business
and the third Thursday conduct a cookout and some form of
information/entertainment. This coming September 19th we will have BBQ
chicken, potato salad, baked beans, and maybe if we are lucky, Babe
Long’s bunt cake. A special thanks to Jerry Sebert for doing the
grilling. I also heard a rumor while we feast there will be a
documentary movie discussing matters of the Vietnam War on the tube. So
we encourage all veterans, members or not, to come out and attend and
get aquainted.

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. If you are a veteran come join us.
And if you have a good story it may end up in print.