NEWS FROM THE HUT by John Hamilton

Last Thursday was our meeting for April and the meeting that we elected the officers for the coming year.

All the Officers agreed to continue in their current position except for four positions: 2^nd Vice Commander, Historian, Service Officer and Sgt-at-Arms. Gary Lanham, who recently passed away, held the 2^nd Vice Commander and Historian offices. Jim Hale Sgt-at-Arms, and Carl Blue Service Officer, who both have personal obligations that have prevented them from participating. Charlie O’Leary nominated Louis Hale as 2^nd Vice Commander, Jim Becket second the motion and it passed by the members. Charlie O’Leary nominated John Hamilton as Historian with Russel Hanoch as assistant Historian, Jim Becket second the motion and it passed by the members. Charlie O’Leary nominated Jimmy Himes as the permanent Sgt-at-Arms, Jerry Jackson second the motion and the members voted yes. Charlie O’Leary nominated John Hamilton as Service Officer since he is the only accredited service officer in the area, Jim Becket second the motion and it passed by the members. In addition, Charlie announced that a third Vice Commander is required and nominated Jimmy Himes with Don Rainwater as Jimmy’s assistant, Jerry Jackson second the motion and the members voted unanimously in the affirmative. A post office that has been left vacant for over five years’’ is the Judge Advocate. Commander Steve Swinford appointed Charlie O’Leary as Judge Advocate after the fact based on Charlies Legion experience and knowledge of Legion rules and regulations. The members will have the opportunity to vote on this appointment at our next meeting. The following was the results of the memberships voting: Commander Steve Swinford, 1^st Vice Commander Charlie O’Leary, 2^nd Vice Commander Louis M Hale Jr., 3^rd Vice Commander Jimmy Himes assisted by Don Rainwater, Adjutant John Hamilton, Finance Officer Jack Cross, Sgt-at-Arms Jimmy Himes, Service officer John Hamilton, Historian John Hamilton with Russel Hanoch assisting, Chaplain Chris King, Judge Advocate Charlie O’Leary.

Our newest post member, Russel Hanoch, was presented with his Legion Cap by Commander Steve Swinford and the Senior USAF NCO in our Post Retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Don Rainwater.

Last Thursdays meeting marked the first time the members at Post 142 were able to enjoy a wonderful chicken noodle meal prepared by our resident Army expert Jimmy Himes with cornbread baked by our senior USAF NCO, Don Rainwater, and a fantastic chocolate cake provided by Babo Carter, our notorious Flag Man of Hominy, OK was held at 6:00 PM and enjoyed by all. This will now become a monthly tradition carried out by these individuals who are Great Americans before every monthly meeting until the end of time.

The weekly “Shootout” meeting at Bucks Eats and Treats was put on hold because Bucks Eats and Treats closed their doors. The weekly “Shootout” members are now meeting for the “Shootout” on Wednesday mornings around 8:00 AM for coffee and breakfast and some interesting conversation at Daylight Donuts on OK-99 in Hominy, OK.

Last week I forgot to add Bill White, Judy White’s husband passed to the Post 142 Everlasting list in the Post minutes. I corrected that error in this month’s minutes and delivered Judy a corrected copy. Judy White is a sweet lady and a wealth of knowledge about the Hominy area. If you ever get the opportunity to speak with Judy, please do, you will not be disappointed.

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, May 20^th at 7:00 PM. The Sons of the American Legion meetings have been suspended until further notice, depending on the future COVID-19 situation. We have resumed the tradition of the dinner at the meetings now on the third Wednesday of each month. 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 Daylight Donuts for coffee and breakfast treat 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.