“News from the Hut”
for American Legion Post #142; Hominy, Oklahoma.
>>> by Gary Lanham
In our battle against the harsh winter attack, we have wounded. Super troop Jack Cross is down, and we pray for his speedy recovery. Jerry Jackson has bounced back. I was down two weeks ago and though much better have a few lingering issues. The good news is we had a robust attendance last Thursday night with sixteen attendees. The first thing I heard was I got it wrong last week in the article. Our raffle is a $1 coupon for $100 in beef from Wild Country (Thanks Chris!), not 100#s. If you see donation jars around town please note that as I updated the one in the NAPA Auto Store. Someone must have picked up what I thought I heard or got it from my humble submission last week. Note that the drawing will take place the Monday after Easter Sunday 21 Apr 2014. More details on that next week. Now with foot removed from mouth I will continue on some of the interesting things that come up when a room full of patriotic characters get together after delays of meetings.
With all the news about the “must needed” physical improvements to our facility one of note is the lighting upgrade taking place. Currently it is in progress but the results are even now remarkable. Babe Long commented coming up the sidewalk he hesitated in case there was a fire going on. No fire, just great lighting. The other good news is the completion of the concrete pad out back for the HVAC installation that is pending. Materials are being purchased and work will take place hopefully in a couple weeks on two weekends; voluntarily by John and his apprentice, all donated time (a tip of the hat brother!).
On that note I think by spring we will have a top notch offering for those parties interested in renting our place. We now have audio visual capabilities and information/rules can be obtained by contacting this humble correspondent at garyanvil@aol.com or 918-510-0032.
We received a humorous briefing by our fearless leader “Doc” O’Leary on the recent trip he and his wife took to New Mexico for the Ira Hayes Memorial I reported on a couple weeks ago. It was his first opportunity to add color to the details of his visit and it was fascinating. He explained that the Pima tribe Ira came from are a physically small people. They also maintain their native tongue but speak English in a way that is polite and as accurate as possible. They enjoy the fact that one of their own is so honored in particular by the Marine Corps every year. Doc and the bunch tower over these proud people. He mentioned that the Pima consider them with curiosity. One gentleman asked “What tribe are you from?” Well everyone knows if you are from Oklahoma you say “Cherokee” if you are of no tribe.
He also mentioned seeing at the Navajo Reservation a Medical Professional who I believed served with him overseas that was a LT. Col. now working and living with the Navajo. Of course, like me, being a lifer he had to comment on his friend overgrown hair being out of regulation. This gent was a former enlisted Marine. On that comment our resident GI-reen Gary Andersen popped his cap to proudly display his high and tight haircut!
Our regular meetings are the first and third Thursdays at 7:00 PM (March 20th) if weather does not present a challenge. Our next meeting for members and guests will include a Chili and Stew feed starting at 6:00 PM with the meeting as noted above 7:00 PM (that’s 1900 Doc). Doc will have a slide presentation from his aforementioned travels. Our Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings for March is up and running again as normal starting around 0700 till about 0900 if weather is above freezing and hospitable. Eli and Jerry usually have things set up where we can catch up on each others mischief and story telling. If you are a veteran come on by. If you have a good story, it may end up in print!
Blackwell-Frazier American Legion Post #142 Hominy, Oklahoma 
The article submitted March12,2014 in the Hominy News Progress along with this blog containing the comment about the Cherokee tribe is not humorous but
an error in judgement of Oklahoma indians and the Cherokee tribe.
This Post Commander has been asked previously to stop making this comment by a First District officer.
He still continues making this offensive comment and now it is in print along with this blog for the world to read as a negative comment toward indians and the state of Oklahoma.
Not everyone in Oklahoma says they are Cherokee if they are not of the tribe.
What kind of person would claim to be something or someone they are not ?
As a Cherokee tribal member I find his comment to be offensive to the entire Cherokee Nation tribal members as being the butt of his humor.
An apology is in order
and requested as of this date.
Signed by a Proud Member of the Cherokee Nation
Reference to the comment made in the Hominy News Progress 3-12-14, “Well everyone knows if you are from Oklahoma you say ‘Cherokee’ if you are of no Tribe.”
This in so wrong in so many ways. The Implication is the Cherokee Nation is not a Tribe of Native Americans. Every one does not know that if you are from Oklahoma you say you are Cherokee, but they soon will if this lie keeps spreading. This is not humorous or funny and we of the Cherokee Nation do not take it lightly. You folks may view the Cherokee Nation as a joke to be laughed at among yourselves. If so, do it privately, do not broadcast it for the world to see and hear. The Cherokee Nation can assure you we are a Sovereign Nation, with our Government and borders. There has been much lack of respect for all Native Americans for way to many years. We respectfully request you do not use us as the punch line of a joke, and ask you do not pretend to be who you are not. We also request a written apology to the Cherokee Nation.
Reference comment in Hominy News Progress 3-12-14, If not Native American just say Cherokee. I am also a Cherokee Nation Citizen and I do believe the comment is out of order. It does In my opinion indicate disrespect for the Cherokee Nation by the implication that The Cherokee Tribe is not a Sovereign Nation but a scattering of people with Cherokee Heritage. The comment, “Well everyone knows if you are from Oklahoma you say ‘Cherokee’ if you are of no tribe.” This is not funny, it is not a joke. In the first place “everyone” does not know, Second and more importantly, is the implication that The Cherokee Nation is not a Native American Tribe. ” If you are of no Tribe just say Cherokee” ,. Is a Lie and a blatant one at that. Why even claim to belong to a culture or people or Nation when you know you are not? I request a written apology to the Cherokee Nation.