Blackwell-Frazier American Legion Post #142 Hominy, Oklahoma

NEWS FROM THE HUT by John Hamilton

If you have served federal active duty in the United States Armed Forces since December 7, 1941 and have been honorably discharged or are still serving – you are eligible for membership in The American Legion!

Because eligibility dates remain open, all active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to join The American Legion.

The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation, and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.

The American Legion’s mission statement, as adopted by the National Executive Committee in October 2020, is:

To enhance the well-being of America’s veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness. The American Legion’s vision statement is “The American Legion: Veterans Strengthening America.” The American Legion’s value principles are as follows:

NEWS FROM THE HUT by John Hamilton

This past weekend a first for Hominy and for the State of Oklahoma happened in Shawnee, Oklahoma at the 2020-2021 Summer Convention at the Grand Casino and Hotel. The very first Department of Oklahoma Commander from Hominy was elected by the Oklahoma American Legion Membership. This was accomplished without opposition and by acclimation. Not only is this a first for the Department Commander but this is the first time that there is two Legionnaires from Hominy Post 142 to hold an office in the Department of Oklahoma. The new Department Commander is Hominy’s own Charlie O’Leary. The second Department Office is held by the writer of these articles. The following pictures were taken during and after the election. If you do not remember, Charlies wife, Nancy O’Leary, was the Department of Oklahoma Department Auxiliary President. Nancy was the second Department Auxiliary President from Hominy. In 1951-1952 a lady from hominy, a Mrs. Bertie Wilson Drake, was elected as the first Department Auxiliary President from Hominy. During that period of time Charlie jokingly referred to himself as “The First Husband.” Based on that comparison I guess Nancy is now “The First Wife”, but more appropriately said, “The First Lady.”

NEWS FROM THE HUT by John Hamilton

Welcome Aboard,

Naval history is full of significant and interesting events. This brief history of what has transpired in the past and relate them to how these events have shaped the U.S. Navy today.

USS Furse (DD/DDR 882), a Gearing-class destroyer was commissioned on 10 July 1945, with Commander D. A. Harris in command. She was built by the Consolidated Steel Corporation at Orange, Texas and served her country for 27 years, 1 months and 21 days of active duty, until decommissioned on 31 August 1972.

This is the destroyer the writer of these articles was stationed aboard during the early 1960’s.

Happy 76th Birthday, USS Furse!

NEWS FROM THE HUT by John Hamilton

This is going to be a “Flashback” series about veterans who have been part of the history of the HUT, Post 142 in Hominy, Oklahoma, and part of the history of the Hominy community. All veterans are special patriots and deserve to be honored, but the veterans who are no longer with us also deserve to be honored, and that is the purpose of this “Flashback” series for veterans that have passed into the Hominy Post 142 Post Everlasting Memorial in our hearts

Cecil Owens

Cecil was born April 1, 1923, in Lawrence, Missouri. He was the son of William L. and Martha E. (Lassley) Owens. At a young age, Cecil moved with his parents to Cleveland, Oklahoma. The family moved in the early 1930’s to Arizona. In 1937, they returned to Oklahoma. Cecil joined the United States Army on October 11, 1945. Cecil remained in the U.S. Army during World War II and was honorably discharged on November 7, 1946. Cecil returned to Cleveland and was united in marriage on June 27, 1944, to the love of his life, M. Louise Killingsworth. The couple caught the midnight train to Bartlesville for their honeymoon. The couple established their home in Cleveland where they raised their four daughters. Cecil gained employment with Johnson Refinery which was later purchased by Kerr-McGee. In the early 1970’s, Cecil was transferred to Wynnewood, Oklahoma. They remained in Wynnewood until 1986 when Cecil retired. The two returned to Cleveland where he has continued to reside.