Well the storms came, wiped out my internet access for four days which locked me out of my weekly offerings last week. Apologies to Eli (grin). But we enjoyed fantastic ribs, coleslaw, beans, and dessert that I believe could be credited to Mrs. Jackson last Thursday night. Many updates were provided, here are few I captured.

The American Legion State Convention will be held 14-16 July at the Embassy Suites in Norman OK. If you have an interest in attending you will find it amazing. Contact the Post to make arrangements. You can send inquires to me at garyanvil@aol.com. Also, it’s Flag time. Time to post these colors we all love. Babo continues to be “The Man” in so many ways keeping counts and efforts. Chris King has spent much efforts constructing poles for events. So here are the scheduled times, there were many I hope I captured it right.

For Armed Forces Day the 20^th of May flags will go up May 19th on Main Street, retrieving on May 22^nd. Normally meet up time at the Hut is 0900. The next event will be Memorial Day going up Friday the 26^th of May, posting colors at the Cemetery, Hwy 99, Hwy 20, and Main Street. There will be a Flag Ceremony at 0900 on the 29th in front of the Hut. The public is encouraged to bring out the kids so they can begin to understand the sacrifices those among us have given for our freedoms. Flags will be flying.

Fly, Fight, Win (USAF). On this day in 1972 we witnessed the first flight of the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (a.k.a. “Warthog”). The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American twin-engine, straight wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. It is the only United States Air Force production aircraft designed solely for close air support, including attacking tanks, armored vehicles, and other ground targets with limited air defenses.

I have been up close and personal with the “Warthog” in my USAF career. It was devastating to Saddam Hussein during the Desert Storm conflict. Also, known as the “Tank Killer” it destroyed his armored forces, from which they never completely recovered from. I watched them flying in joint operations at Ft Polk. Cruising low, with a titanium under sheath, it would take small arms fire and with twin engine capability, turn on a dime, and eliminate the offender.

The A-10 was designed around the 30mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon that is its primary armament. The A-10’s airframe was designed for durability, with measures such as 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of titanium aircraft armor to protect the cockpit and aircraft systems, enabling it to absorb a significant amount of damage and continue flying.

The A-10’s official name comes from the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt of World War II, a fighter that was particularly effective at close air support. The A-10 is more commonly known by its nicknames “Warthog” or “Tank Killer”. Its secondary mission is to provide airborne forward air control, directing other aircraft in attacks on ground targets. With a variety of upgrades and wing replacements, the A-10’s service life will be extended to 2028, though there were proposals to retire it sooner. Those attempts recently failed as the front-line rank and file fighters made an outcry. My opinion is they were right. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

Don’t forget our regular meetings continue the first and third Thursdays of the month at 7:00 PM. Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings in May 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 storms bring strong winds and lightning. 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”.