Blackwell-Frazier American Legion Post #142 Hominy, Oklahoma

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

This week in 1962 a U.S. Air Force U-2 reconnaissance plane and its pilot flew over the island of Cuba and took photographs of Soviet missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads being installed and erected in Cuba. Major Richard Heyser took 928 pictures on a path selected by CIA analysts, capturing images of what turned out to be an SS-4 construction site at San Cristobel, Pinar del Río Province (now in Artemisa Province), in western Cuba.
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“News from the Hut”
for American Legion Post #142; Hominy, Oklahoma.
by Gary Lanham

Many times I recognize the dedication of an individual who, as our Service Officer, never fails to lead the charge to get the flags out for our community. He and I had a good weekend last Saturday when his Pokes and my Sooners prevailed (sorry TU). He is the one person I have not had the opportunity to sit down with and document his military service as I have with the majority of the rest of the Band of Brothers. So as a tip of the hat I want to recognize Babo Carter’s branch of service, the Coast Guard. Today in history there were many significant Coast Guard events.

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

On this day in 1990 Air Force General and VP candidate Curtis E. LeMay died at March Air Force Base, California, at age 83. General Curtis Emerson LeMay was the “Father of the Strategic Air Command.” (SAC). This was significant to me as I was stationed at March AFB California in 1974 with SAC serving as a weapons loader on B-52 Bombers.

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

Post 142 was proud to support our fellow veterans at the Labor Day Ralston Parade. We brought the Vietnam Era US Army Jeep for their commander to drive and it was quite the hit of the parade. The Post 333 poured out the hospitality and it was like a family gathering. That Jeep will also be on display in Hominy during the Main Street Halloween event as well as the Christmas Parade so keep an eye out.

On this day in 1862 Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia and Union General George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac fight to a standstill along a Maryland creek on the bloodiest day in American history. Although the battle was a tactical draw, it forced Lee to end his invasion of the North and retreat back to Virginia. After Lee’s decisive victory at the Second Battle of Bull Run on August 30 1862, the Confederate general had steered his army north into Maryland. Lee and Confederate President Jefferson Davis believed that another Rebel victory might bring recognition and aid from Great Britain and France.
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“News from the Hut”
for American Legion Post #142; Hominy, Oklahoma.
by Gary Lanham

As the Post Historian, I try to capture information in my weekly offerings that reflect our member’s lives and service as well as bits of history. Sometime ago, I mentioned the Berlin Airlift and details of what happened after WWII. I was pleasantly surprised when my friend Dick Pope gave me a book to read right after that called “Daring Young Men the Heroism and Triumph of the Berlin Airlift June 1948-May 1949” by Richard Reeves a few weeks ago. What a great read! I am learning things I did not know. Continue reading →