“News from the Hut”
for American Legion Post #142; Hominy, Oklahoma.
>>> by Gary Lanham

After a great couple weeks of patriotism and fellowship, we have recognized our best and greatest put to rest on Memorial Day. We had the posting of colors at the Hut, and last week, I wrote about the contribution of women in uniform (WASP), flying missions in support of D-Day. Reflecting on that, I thought I would follow up on the impact of that D-Day support, and two other events on this day.

After D-Day, 1944, a third wave of Allied forces landed. There were now 326,000 troops, 104,000 tons of supplies and 54,000 vehicles deployed in Normandy, France. Elements of the US 7th Corps advanced across the Cotentin Peninsula and southwest. Also, the 4th Division had engaged at Montebourg, Crisbecq and near Azeville to the northward drive on Cherbourg. The 5th Corps had assisted 7th Corps had advanced toward and captured St Lo. Caumont, and Foret de Cerisy and the Bayeux road were reached. If you were never in the military or paid much attention to history, what all this eventually meant was this article is in English,…and not German.

On this day, in 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed a Presidential Proclamation calling for the American flag to be flown at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, “at all times during the day and night.” Discussions between the Attorney General’s office and Marine Corps officials earlier, in 1961, on improving the visibility and appearance of the monument led to the proposal to fly the Flag continuously, which by law could only be done by Congressional legislation or by Presidential proclamation.

Finally, in 1987, with one of his most famous Cold War speeches, President Ronald Reagan challenged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. Two years later, deliriously happy East and West Germans did break down the infamous barrier between East and West Berlin. Reagan’s challenge came during a visit to West Berlin. With the Berlin Wall as a backdrop, Reagan declared, “There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.” He then called upon his Soviet counterpart: “Secretary General Gorbachev, if you seek peace–if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe–if you seek liberalization: come here, to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” (Thanks to worldpress).

This season holds so much more, as the 4th of July is just around the corner. I look forward to sharing our “goings on” at the Hut, the community as that holiday approaches.

Our regular meetings are the first and third Thursday (next is19th June) meeting at 1900 hrs. An added plus is that quarterly the meeting will be a shared event with the Auxiliary (more details to follow). Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings for June are still up and running starting around 0700 till about 0900. Dan, 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!