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“ We now give scholarships at the high school, the Air Force and Army ROTC and the Student Veteran Success Center...
John Paine, Stillwater VFW Post 2027, places a wreath on a veteran’ s grave during Wreaths Across America.
The American Legion Post 129 celebrated its centennial in 2019. VFW Post 2027 will do the same in 2031. Post 129 is officially named Hanner- Sharp American Legion Post 129 for men who died in World War I and World War II, respectively. At its founding, Post 129 was named for Capt. Carter Cary Hanner, who died in World War I at the age of 40. Hanner was deployed to France on the Fourth of July in 1918. He was killed in action Oct. 8, 1918. France posthumously awarded him the Croix de Guerre for gallantry.
Mamon G. Sharp, the other namesake for Post 129 was killed in action April 19, 1942. He was the first person from Stillwater to die in WWII. According to the American Legion,“ Sharp, a few fellow Americans, and natives fought a bitter battle against overwhelming odds” against the Japanese while stationed in the Philippines.
VFW Post 2027 has been named for Ollie O. Dykes since its founding in 1931. Dykes was an 18-year-old from Stillwater, who according to the VFW was killed while coming out of a trench during a shelling attack by the Germans on the first day of the Battle of St. Mihiel in France.
This past year, Post 129 honored three men who have been American Legion members for decades, including Owen Thomas( 70 years), John Holkum( 60 years) and Floyd Branson( 50 years).
Former Commander Jim Rutledge recently told Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine about some of the recent efforts the American Legion has made to expand influence in the community.
“ Just a few years ago we were pretty focused on ourselves and just taking care of the downtown building which was approaching 100 years old,” he said.“ Over the past few years we have made many improvements to the building as you are aware. But more significantly we have increased our community service and scholarship programs.
“ We now give scholarships at the high school, the Air Force and Army ROTC and the Student Veteran Success Center. These total $ 7,000, which may not sound like much, but all of this is new to us and we are getting positive feedback from everyone. We also recognize outstanding students at all 10 of the Stillwater Public Schools with the American Legion Americanism Award. Last year we gave out 42 awards.
“ Of course we view the ceremonies for Memorial Day and Veterans Day at Fairlawn as important for the community. Putting up the flags, working with Scouts and 4-H to put out 1,400 flags, conducting the ceremonies, etc. is all about helping the community remember our veterans and the important part they have played in our history.”
The VFW also continues to be community oriented, running the local Voice of Democracy program, funding scholarships, joining community service efforts, helping out with memorial services and donating to local nonprofits.
The VFW has a weekly Free Breakfast for Veterans, 8-10 a. m. Wednesday at the 5505 W. 6th Ave. location. The group also has an ongoing building fund to aid in the construction of a new building at the current location.
Each group is recruiting new members.
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Both have active pages on Facebook.
STORY BY Beau Simmons Editor Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 43