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

Commander “Doc” O’Leary is still on tap to present an update on his recent trips with his bride to Arizona for the Ira Hayes/Iwo Jima Memorial Parade and Ceremony at Sacaton, AZ on the Pima Indian Reservation. The slide presentation and narrative will be at the Thursday evening 7:00 PM meeting (16 April) so mark your calendar.

A reminder to not make lunch plans other than our Post fundraiser coming up next month. Chef Jerry will be whipping up a Chicken and Noodle feed for the public and we need your support. At our FUNDRASIER Saturday, May 9th 1100 till 1300 hours. Next week I will continue to try and fill you in on the details on price and side goodies included.

This week. I had the pleasure of sharing with you information I gathered talking to one of our Post columns of strength and our Post Adjutant, Carl Eli Prather. I have always known him as “Eli”, and I have enjoyed several conversations with him concerning local and national topics. He also contributed in the past in an articles “The Breakfast Club News” for our wonderful newspaper the Hominy News-Progress. He was born in January 1931 and has been a Hominy citizen forever, except for when serving his country overseas.

Eli entered the Army National Guard’s famous 45th Infantry Division as an enlisted troop in 1951, and was activated to Japan after his time at one of my previous places in Cajun Land, Ft Polk LA. His primary responsibilities were Recon Artillery, Forward Observer stationed at Camp Crawford Japan (mostly in the field), as well as Camp Shima Japan. He discharged during that stint as an enlisted E-5. This was his period of service during the Korean War 1951-1952. He returned to service with the 45th in with the Army National Guard 1957 to 1962, a 1st Lieutenant as Battery Executive Officer in Artillery.

I did a little research on Camp Crawford and found some interesting history. In 1946, after the end of World War II the American army took over farms in Makomanai area and built a military facility called Camp Crawford. The restoration of the Camp Crawford began in 1955 and camps of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force were being built. It was roughly a Japanese version of West Point. Our local hero was stationed there as well as Camp Shima Matsu. Because of his service he was awarded among the other medals associated with deployment overseas during a conflict, the Japan Occupation Medal.

Our regular meetings continue the first and third Thursdays of the month at 7:00 PM. For April, that would be the 16th. Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings in April are still planned (if weather permits) and running starting around 0700 till about 0900. As usual, much thanks to the crew for providing biscuits and gravy and maybe a waffle or two and always a cup of Joe (coffee to the civilians). If you are a veteran come on by. If you have a good story it may end up in print. Also keep up with us at website “americanlegion142.org” which by the way just broke 15,000+ hits a few weeks ago!