Blackwell-Frazier American Legion Post #142 Hominy, Oklahoma

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.

NEWS FROM THE HUT by John Hamilton

This past weekend was the annual Mid-Winter Conference held at the Grand Casino and Hotel in Shawnee. Oklahoma. From our Post 142, there were three members who attended the conference: The Post Commander Steve Swinford, the Vice-Commander Charlie O’Leary, and the Adjutant John Hamilton. The conference was held for two days from April 9 to April 10. On April 9, all the educational classes were held consisting of Post Adjutant Training, Computer/IT Training, Post Service Officer Training, Post Historian Training, Post Historian Training, and Post Honor Guard Training.

NEWS FROM THE HUT by John Hamilton

About a month ago, I wrote an article titled, “Shootout at Bucks Eats and Treats”, where I tried to draw a parallel between “The Gunfight at the OK Corral” and a group of veterans who met Wednesday mornings at Bucks Eats and Treats for coffee and breakfast. This small group of veterans tried desperately to solve the problems of the world while enjoying a hot cup of coffee and a little breakfast. This Wednesday morning Shootout started out with Jimmy Himes (Army) and Don Rainwater (Air Force) after putting out or picking up the flags on Main Street for one of the 14 yearly flag days. Then they decided to meet at Bucks Eats and Treats on Wednesday since the flag deployment only happened once or maybe twice a month if at all. Slowly, other Post 142 members joined the “shootout” for breakfast. Other Hominy citizens started joining the group or were already enjoying Bucks Eats and Treats every morning. Everyone had many stories to share about their military and life experiences. They all had something to share and learn from each other.

NEWS FROM THE HUT by John Hamilton

I would like to send out an open invitation to all veterans, in and around Hominy, Cleveland, and the surrounding vicinities to join the Legionnaires at Post 142 for our monthly meeting on the third Thursday of the month or our Monday morning Koffee Klatch at the Hut at 118 S Wood Street in Hominy, OK. If you would like to meet some of the veterans from Post142 in a more informal setting, you can stop by Bucks Eats and Treats on Main Street in Hominy for some coffee and several wonderful breakfast items.

NEWS FROM THE HUT by John Hamilton

This is information that I wish I did not have to report. Gary Lanham, a member of the American Legion Hominy Post 142 for the past nine years, passed away on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 12:45 AM. Gary was also a former Hominy city manager just prior to our current city manager, Jimmie Ratliff. During Gary’s time with Post 142, he participated as the 2^nd 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. Last week Gary’s funeral services were held on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Powell Funeral Home located on Wood Avenue. A graveside service was held on Monday, March 22, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the National Cemetery in Ft. Gibson.