NEWS FROM THE HUT by John Hamilton

I guess the cat is out of the bag, our Post 142 has finally resumed our Monday morning breakfast at the Hut. We normally serve biscuits and gravy with a side of bacon when it is Jimmy Himes turn in the kitchen which is on the first, second, and fourth Mondays of each month. The third Monday is Dennis Kidder’s turn to deliver with donuts and pigs in a blanket. When there happens to be a fifth Monday in the month, like this month, then Don Rainwater gets his opportunity to surprise everyone with his epicurean delights.

Monday before last, March 8^th, at the Hut during breakfast, the members present: John Hamilton, Jack Cross, and Jerry Jackson, were surprised by a visitor, Natasja Kemp, who was from “The Cleveland American” newspaper in Cleveland, Oklahoma. Natasja interviewed the group while we enjoyed the donuts and pigs in a blanket that Dennis Kidder had brought. We showed Natasja all the flags draped from the various walls and all the pictures of the previous Post Commanders. We also showed her the first yearbook the post put together that won first place in the Department yearbook contest held at the Department summer convention. I look forward to reading Natasja’s article in the “The Cleveland American.” I was surprised to find her article in the Hominy News-Progress last Wednesday.

On Wednesday morning, March 10, most of the “Shootout” gang showed up at Bucks Eats and Treats. Among the attendees were Dennis Kidder, Don Rainwater, Jerry Jackson and John Hamilton. Unfortunately Bucks Eats and Treats will be closed this Wednesday so there will be no “Shootout”. Some of the normal attendees at the “Shootout”, Jimmy Himes, and Jack Cross, were absent and were greatly missed.

This last Thursday, March 11, Charlie O’Leary, and I attended a Department Senior Leadership meeting in Oklahoma City at Post 13 where several issues were discussed including changes to an American Legion online program, a guest speaker, General Robertson, at the Mid-Winter Conference, the ten-gun raffle, the National Commander’s visit May 24-27, Boys State May 29-June 5, Summer Convention July 16-18, and the National Convention August 27-September 2 in Phoenix, Arizona.

This is information that I wish I did not have to mention. Gary Lanham, a member of the American Legion for the past nine years at Post 142 in Hominy, passed away on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 12:45 AM. Gary was also a former Hominy city manager. During Gary’s time with Post 142, he participated as the Post 142 1^st Vice Commander and the Post Historian. As the Post Historian, Gary contributed to the creation of the very first Post 142 History Book that won first place at the 2018 Department of Oklahoma Summer Convention. Gary also transferred from Squadron 131 Sons of the American Legion in Skiatook, OK to Squadron 142 in Hominy in 2019. Gary has been an especially important member of Squadron 142 involving himself strongly in the organization and planning of multiple outings to various military bases and memorials. Gary has also been a very longtime writer of this article, News from the Hut. Gary will be deeply missed by all his Veteran buddies at The Hut. Rest in peace, Gary.

Until further notice, our regular Legion meeting will be the third Thursday of each month. Due to current weather issues, our next meeting will be on Thursday, March 18th. at 7:00 PM. The Sons of the American Legion meetings have been suspended until further notice, depending on the future COVID-19 situation. All dinners have been cancelled until further notice. The Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings have been resumed at 8:00 AM. If you are a veteran, come by for our monthly meeting, and/or the Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings. Several of the Post 142 members meet on Wednesday’s at Bucks Eats and Treats for coffee and breakfast around 8:00 AM. If you have a good story, it may end up in print. Also keep up with us at the Post 142 website “americanlegion142.org” and Hominy Legion on Facebook.