Post 142 had another great meeting last Thursday. Fourteen of us gathered to look over the plans for the coming season, check our “flag” status (repairs, replacements, etc.) and catch up on things in general. Commander O’Leary mentioned that he and Service Officer Carl Blue would be attending Service Officer training with the American Legion in Yukon, OK (they should be back by now). This training is integral to the mission of the American Legion in that the Service Officer looks to the needs of veterans of the area as those needs arise. Thanks Carl for stepping up. And thanks to Babo Carter for the years of service he provided before.

Our upcoming October 6^th meeting will be highlighted my Chef Sebert’s offering of Beans and Cornbread (1800 hrs). Hey veteran! Never visited us before? This is the time to do it. Free Chow Air Force style! We will have a District 1A/1B meeting at Post 1 in Tulsa on October 1^st. We will get the latest from the national and state leadership to update our folks. Plans are also underway for our leadership to attend the state convention January 6-7 in Norman OK.

In keeping with the Historian role I am privileged to fill I always enjoy reporting about those before us in Oklahoma the displayed the Oklahoma brand of courage and tenacity on this date in the past. As usual the 45^th Infantry stands out with its rich heritage. On this day in 1945 U.S. Army Second Lieutenant Ernest Childers from Broken Arrow (45th Infantry Division) performed with such gallantry he was awarded the most prestigious Medal of Honor. It happened in Oliveto Italy. Although 2d Lt. Childers previously had just suffered a fractured instep he, with 8 enlisted men, advanced up a hill toward enemy machinegun nests.  

The group advanced to a rock wall overlooking a cornfield and 2d Lt. Childers ordered a base of fire laid across the field so that he could advance. When he was fired upon by 2 enemy snipers from a nearby house he killed both of them. He moved behind the machinegun nests and killed all occupants of the nearer one. He continued toward the second one and threw rocks into it. When the 2 occupants of the nest raised up, he shot 1. The other was killed by 1 of the 8 enlisted men. 2d Lt. Childers continued his advance toward a house farther up the hill, and single-handed, captured an enemy mortar observer. The exceptional leadership, initiative, calmness under fire, and conspicuous gallantry displayed by 2d Lt. Childers were an inspiration to his men.

Our regular meetings are the 1^st and 3rd Thursday of the month (6 PM 6 October 7 PM the 20th). The Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings for September Monday’s are still scheduled for biscuits and gravy 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”.