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

After the big stretch and yawn and noting the few pounds that will need to go soon; we turn the page into 2016! It was a cold and white holiday that thawed quick enough but surely we have not seen the end. Things at the Hut slowed down after the Christmas Dinner due to the nasty weather but activity will soon start ramping up again.

A good friend in Hominy introduced me to an amazing book recently that I have been quite caught up in. “Unbroken” is a true story following the amazing journey of a remarkable young man during WWII in the Army Air Corp fighting in the Pacific. His story was made into a movie that was released last year in theaters. Since I haven’t seen it yet the book is that much more interesting.

So far I have followed the main character, Louie Zamperini, through a mischievous youth becoming an Olympic world class runner, to bombardier against the Japanese forces in the Pacific flying the Liberator B-24. Through rough combat missions he has thus far survived flights in the “Superman” eventually grounded due to combat damage, and now the dubious “Green Hornet”. He has lost crewmates and seen the horrors of aerial combat. And that is just up to page 115! I will keep you updated without giving away any secrets so you can enjoy the book or movie later. No spoilers here!

One thing that reading this book reminds me of is the gratitude we should have for those among us that served during a time many of us that were not even around. The magnitude of a world at war in its impact on the daily lives was enormous for those in harm’s way as well as those back home. No one was left unaffected. Everyone was impacted in some way. We are truly blessed to have John, Babe, Dick, and Rex among us as well as the women in our community that served in their own way during the struggle against the Axis. Because of them we still speak English.

This weekend our fearless Commander, Charles O’Leary, will venture forth to represent our humble post at the 98^th Mid-Winter Oklahoma American Legion Conference in Midwest City OK. There are many training opportunities as well as national updates. I look forward to catching and reporting his take on things when he returns. While I wanted to go I had a personal schedule conflict on that weekend so maybe next time!

Don’t forget our regular meetings continue the first and third Thursdays of the month at (6:00 PM January 7^th featuring Chef Sebert’s creations) 7:00 PM on the 21st). Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings in January are still scheduled for biscuits and gravy and maybe a waffle or two and always a cup of Joe (coffee to the civilians). Keep your eye on the weather in case things have to be postponed. 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”.