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

I always enjoy seeing Dick Pope on Monday morning Koffee Klatches. He
always has a ready smile and now and then gives me fodder for an
article or two. Now September 11th has passed, with terrorist
interruptions. It was a somber day of remembrance. Flags were flow at
half-mast until sundown all across the USA.

Well, this is the week for 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. We look forward to
the exciting stories on his return. He will be joining Babe Long and
Dick Pope in our illustrious Band of Brothers from the Hut to
participate in this great occasion. Next week I will capture the
highlights of his trip and share them with you the readers. Bon Voyage.

Did you know this past Tuesday was Constitution Day? Constitution Day
(or Citizenship Day) is an American federal observance that recognizes
the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have
become U.S. citizens. It is observed on September 17, the day the U.S.
Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787.

The law establishing the present holiday was created in 2004 with the
passage of an amendment by Senator Robert Byrd to the Omnibus spending
bill of 2004. Before this law was enacted, the holiday was known as
“Citizenship Day”. In addition to renaming the holiday “Constitution
Day and Citizenship Day,” the act mandates that all publicly funded
educational institutions provide educational programming on the history
of the American Constitution on that day. In May 2005, the United
States Department of Education announced the enactment of this law and
that it would apply to any school receiving federal funds of any kind.
This holiday is not observed by granting time off work for federal
employees. (thanks to Wikipedia)

I think it is important that our kids get to understand not just the
memorization of facts to understand the process that the Document had
to go through to agree on. The arguing was as divided and intense as
any current political debate. In the end a guiding and foundational
document was created which has an inspiration to other forming
countries. If you ever get a chance to go to our Nation’s Capital a
visit to the Hall of Archives is a must. The Constitution resides there
for viewing as do many other documents like the Magna Carta, and
Lincoln’s Gettysburg address.

Also, this Friday is POW/Mia Day. The United States’ National POW/MIA
Recognition Day is observed across the nation on the third Friday of
September each year. Many Americans take the time to remember those who
were prisoners of war (POW) and those who are missing in action (MIA),
as well as their families. Next week I will expand on this topic.

This Thursday evening at 1900 hours 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. Commander
Charlie O’Leary is bringing some videos of the Vietnam experience to
watch while we dine. 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.