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

What a great pleasure it was to walk in the Christmas Parade Sunday. The crowd was pretty large considering it was rescheduled for Sunday the 15th at 2:00 pm. It’s always a pleasure to meet up with the gang from the HUT and represent our Season’s Greetings to the community from the American Legion. Our gang met up with the Ladies with the Auxiliary (the wind beneath our wings). Post Commander Charles “Doc” O’Leary took command and put the plan in action. My special Holiday treat was not being the “new guy” this year as I was last year. This year my grandson was added to the rolls with our Post as a serving E-3 (enlisted) in the Tulsa Air National Guard. Serving now for eighteen months he gets to be our youngest and be the “new guy”. Not that I am extremely proud of him (wink). Christopher Grayson, welcome to the Post. You represent a tradition within our ranks now from WWII to the present, the War on Terror.

Of course the greatest participants of the parade were those that came out. If our flag had been carried in a Tulsa parade you would have seen a few hats come off heads, right hands over hearts. Not in Hominy Oklahoma. All hats were removed. That says a lot about this wonderful community. It was warming to hear call outs from the crowd and our entourage by first name with greetings and friendly ribbing. Most of all we enjoyed looking into the eyes of the youngest and shouting “Merry Christmas!” hearing their resounding “Merry Christmas” back with waving hands. Finally, hats off to the planners, through thick and thin they made our parade one for the books. Job well done and thanks!

Charles “Doc” O’Leary, Steve Swinson, Chris Grayson, Dennis Kidder and your humble correspondent were front and center. The riders were: Nancy O’Leary [driver], Gary Anderson, Rex Mantooth, Dick Pope, Jerry Sebert, Jack Cross, District 1 Auxiliary Jim Frazier [driver], Polly Frazier President, Linda Cross, and Carla McKenzie.
As a special note to members, when you re-up with the Legion make sure you coordinate that with our Treasurer Jack Cross. It seems thing go much smoother going through him rather than responding to a mail out. Trust me, it works better and you will.

A reminder, the annual Toys for Tots drive headed by Babo and Doc O’Leary December 21st will at the Hut 9-1100 am. Last year it was an amazing success. Also note we will be hosting a Chicken Noodle Feast Fund Raiser January 18th. More details will follow but start marking your calendars now. Bring your young ones and give them an opportunity to meet Hominy’s heroes, learn some history, and make a mark on their young lives.
Our regular meeting this Thursday is cancelled due to the holidays. Our Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings for December 23rd and 30th are cancelled due to the holidays as well. Stay tuned for the new year plans and the continuation of our schedule! Drive safe, watch the weather and always plan ahead during this busy holiday season!