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

We are still in the midst of the ups and downs of winter. One day we have the cold weather knocking on our door just to turn around and break out the t-shirts! Well that’s Oklahoma for you! I am looking forward to this evening. Thursday night is our 1^st meeting of February and having missed the last due to the weather call, overdue. I checked in with the Chef and it appears beans and cornbread are on the menu tonight. Outstanding! After another great Monday breakfast this week I feel like things are getting back to normal. If you didn’t catch the full story last week we are approaching Valentine’s Day February. Rumor has it that our gang of veterans and our lovely (and smarter) better halves will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special dinner. Friday evening the 12^th of February at 6:00 PM the Legion and Auxiliary will light the candles, put on the Dean Martin tunes, and enjoy whatever magic Chef Sebert can put together.  I’m sure the Chef will fill me in on the menu soon and I will report back!

With all the hub-bub of political races and presidential hopefuls here is a tidbit of history you may not know of regardless of your leaning. On this day in 1789 George Washington, the commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, was unanimously elected the first president of the United States. John Adams of Massachusetts was elected vice president. The president after the announcement Washington retired indoors to read Congress his inaugural address, a quiet speech in which he spoke of “the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.” It stands as the shortest inaugural speech in American history. Something today’s candidates might aspire to (wink).

The evening celebration was opened and closed by 13 skyrockets and 13 cannons. As president, Washington sought to unite the nation and protect the interests of the new republic at home and abroad. Of his presidency, he said, “I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn in precedent.” He successfully implemented executive authority, making good use of brilliant politicians such as Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson in his Cabinet, and quieted fears of presidential tyranny. In 1792, he was unanimously reelected but four years later refused a third term. In 1797, he finally began his long-awaited retirement at Mount Vernon.

Don’t forget our regular meetings continue the first and third Thursdays of the month at 6 PM on the 4^th (for dinner) and 7:00 PM on the 18th. Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings in February 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. That will be most likely if the temperatures hit freezing. 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”.