Stillwater, Oklahoma – American Legion Hanner-Sharp Post 129

Stillwater, Oklahoma’s American Legion Post 129 is currently (2017) named the Carter C. Hanner - Mamon G. Sharp American Legion Post No. 129. It has a 2017 membership of 328 war-era veterans, a Legion Auxiliary, and a Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron. In addition, a total of 80 current veterans have gained the Paid-Up-For-Life (PUFL) membership status. A group of Stillwater veterans, met in early September 1919 and organized the Stillwater American Legion Post. Dr. C.E. Sexton, a prominent physician who served in the Army Medical Department during WWI, was elected the first Commander. A Temporary Charter was received on January 27, 1920 and Post Number 129 was assigned. An application for a Permanent Charter was signed by Post Commander Sexton and forwarded on December 31, 1920, listing 16 (Charter) members, and a total of 301 members enrolled since the formation of the Post. Carter Cary Hanner was born on June 4, 1878, and was killed in action on October 8, 1918, during World War I. U.S. Army Captain Hanner paid the supreme sacrifice in the Meuse-Argonne drive which cracked the German Hindenburg line. He is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, east of the village of Romagne, in the Meuse Department in northeast France. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre by France for gallantry in action. In its Application for an amended Permanent Charter, the Post members adopted the name of one of their departed comrades and the American Legion Post 129 Charter was amended on April 27, 1921. The Post was named in his honor in recognition of his sacrifice to the nation: Carter C. Hanner American Legion Post No. 129. Mamon Grey Sharp was born on October 12, 1905, and was killed in action on April 19, 1942, during WWII. U.S. Army Captain Sharp was Stillwater's first soldier to make the supreme sacrifice for his country, during World War II. It was at Cebu in the Philippine Islands, that he, a few fellow Americans, and natives fought a bitter battle, in the face of overwhelming odds, against Japanese forces. He now rests in Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Fort Bonifacio in the Philippines. American Legion Carter C. Hanner Post 129 members paid tribute to his heroism and sacrifice by adding his name to the Post. The Post’s Charter was amended on January 31, 1951, and the Post Permanent Charter Name changed to: Carter C. Hanner - Mamon G. Sharp American Legion Post No. 129. The Stillwater American Legion Auxiliary Unit was organized on February 3, 1921, and the first President elected was Mrs. Earl Moyer. Under the leadership of Mrs. Elnore Clifford, an updated Charter was approved by the National American Legion Auxiliary on March 28, 1957, while under the leadership of Maude Vogler Whipple, to add the name of Mamon G. Sharp to the Auxiliary’s designation. The name, Carter C. Hanner - Mamon G. Sharp American Legion Post No. 129 remains as the American Legion Auxiliary Unit designation today (2017). An Application for a Charter for The Sons of the American Legion Squadron of Carter C. Hanner Post 129 was signed by 23 members on March 11, 1939, and Lawrence Crable was elected Captain and Commanding Officer of the Squadron. The current Charter (as of 2017) was approved on November 22, 1965, by the American Legion, and the Squadron attached as part of the Carter C. Hanner - Mamon G. Sharp Post No. 129, in Stillwater. Stillwater is a city in north-central Oklahoma at the intersection of Highway US-177 and State Highway OK-51. It is the county seat of Payne County, with a population of 49,504 in 2016, and is home to the main campus of Oklahoma State University (OSU). Stillwater was part of the first Land Run held April 22, 1889, when Oklahoma Territory's Unassigned Lands were opened for settlement. The city charter was adopted on August 24, 1889. The Post Family includes, Legionnaires, Auxiliary, SAL and Legion Riders. The Post is a strong advocate for veterans in the community. Members have been active in a variety of veteran-related activities, promoted Americanism, and provided and supported youth and civic programs over the years, including: During World War II, beginning in 1942, increasingly larger numbers of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Navy Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (SPARS), and Army Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC and later WAC) arrived in Stillwater for training at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College (OAMC). The Post 129 American Legion Auxiliary recognized the need for a recreational center to provide aid and entertainment for members of the armed forces. As there was no United Service Organizations (USO) facility available in Stillwater, the ladies opened the Auxiliary and Legion facilities on March 14, 1942 to provide a "home away from home" for service men and women. Reading and writing rooms, a Hostess Club for refreshments, relaxing and visiting, listening and dancing to music, and a "snooker" parlor were made available. As the entertainment program grew, the Legion partnered with the Auxiliary to organize local volunteers to serve refreshments, serve as dance partners, and entertain. It was not unusual to host in excess of 3,000 on a weekend, with as many as 400 on the ballroom dance floor at one time. Often, 50-60 service members were in the 'snooker' parlor on the 9 tables, and the reading and writing rooms were filled. The refreshment tables were also very popular. The first two women to join Post 129 were both members of the Women's Army Corps (WAC). They joined on September 14, 1943. Eloise Norris was a serving WAC stationed in Stillwater at OAMC. She had completed training and was awaiting assignment to Air Transport Command (formerly Ferrying Command). Virginia Smith was a local Payne County veteran who had been honorably discharged from the WAC. The Hanner-Sharp Post has a strong record of leadership in the community, state and nation. Members have assumed important private, business, civic, and governmental positions in the community, and otherwise have been strong advocates in the areas of Americanism, citizenship, patriotism, courtesies to the National Flag and National Anthem, veteran affairs, honoring and remembering veterans and the fallen, mentoring youth and recognizing their achievements, and politics. Post 129 was also responsible for the establishment of American Legion Posts in Cushing in Payne County, Pawnee in Pawnee County, and Morrison in Noble County. The Post 129 Auxiliary helped organize the 5th District, and the Pawnee and Glencoe Auxiliaries. Some of our most distinguished Legionnaires and Auxiliary members include: James E. Berry, one of the charter members of Post 129, served initially with the Oklahoma National Guard on the Mexican border and later overseas in France in the Army during World War I. He continued in National Guard service after the war and commanded a Company in Stillwater. He became President of Stillwater Bank in 1929, and later became Lieutenant Governor of the State of Oklahoma. He served as Lieutenant Governor from 1935-1955 (20 years), under 5 different Governors. Preston Moore, our 41st Post 129 Commander in 1954-1955, served as the Oklahoma Department American Legion State Commander in 1948-1949, and went on to ascend to the position of National Commander of the American Legion in 1958-1959. He also served as the Oklahoma Department Representative to the National Executive Committee from 1955-1958. In his youth, he was a Sons of the American Legion member and competed in the Oklahoma American Legion State Oratorical contest. He served in the Army Air Forces in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II. Lawrence Roy, a 65-year active member of the American Legion, served 3-terms as Post 129 Commander in 1973-1974, 1990-1991, 1993-1994; served as the Oklahoma Department American Legion State Commander in 1986-1987; and as a National Vice-Commander of the American Legion in 1991–1992, and assumed an area of responsibility of 14 southern states. In addition, he served as the Oklahoma Department National Executive Committeeman (NEC) for 8 years (1993-2001), and on the Oklahoma War Veterans Commission for 8 years, including as Chairman. He also served on the State Americanism Committee, and as chairman of the Post’s Baseball Committee from 1995-2014 (19 years), and currently serves as the Post Adjutant, a position he has held since 1995 (22 years). He was a combat infantryman with the 45th Infantry Division during the Korean war. Arthur Bernard (Red) Alcott was a founding and charter member of Stillwater American Legion Post 129; served as the Post Commander from 1924-1925, Post Adjutant from 1919-1974 (55 years), and was the Mayor of Stillwater from 1949–1961 (12 years). He also served as Alternate National Executive committeeman, and as a member of the Department of Oklahoma Executive Committee. In 1948, he headed up a committee to raise funds to pay off the American Legion Home School in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He was a 57-year active member of the American Legion. He served in the Army during World War I. Genio Colasacco, a 56-year active member of the American Legion, served as the 47th Post 129 Commander in 1960-1961, and then as Department of Oklahoma American Legion Commander in 1974-1975. He later served at the national level on the American Legion Internal Affairs Commission. He also served as Post 129 Adjutant from 1974-1995 (21 years). In addition, he was Commissioner of Oklahoma American Legion Baseball from 1977-1997 (20 years). In 1975, he was appointed as 1 of 7 National Commissioners of American Legion Baseball and served until his death in 1997 (22 years). He served in the Army during World War II. Mabel Ruth “Mike” Stephanic was the first female veteran to serve as Post 129 Commander in 1976-1977, as our 64th Commander. She then served as Oklahoma District 5-A Commander from 1979-1980, where her efforts in the national American Legion “Jobs For Veterans” initiative resulted in the Oklahoma Department being recognized as the best in the nation. She was also recognized for her contributions in the development and success of the National American Legion Leadership College. She served the Post in many capacities during her 60-year Legion membership, including with the Oratorical Program, Poppy Drive Committee, American Legion Children’s Home Committee, as Chairperson of the Bingo Committee, and announcer and gatekeeper for the Baseball Program. She served as a surgical and triage nurse with the Army Nurse Corps overseas in Europe during WWII. Gloria Hesser served two terms as President of the Post 129 Auxiliary from 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, and as 1st Vice-President of the Auxiliary’s Executive Board from 2003-2004. She also served Payne County from 1976-2012 (36 years), including as a Deputy County Clerk and then as the County Commissioner for District 2, from 1996-2012 (16 years). Among her many accomplishments was her leadership in the planning and construction of a new County Administration Building, and the renovation of the Payne County Courthouse and Jail. Other Post 129 Legionnaires have held or currently hold a variety of American Legion leadership positions at the Post, District, and Department of Oklahoma levels, and currently (2017) hold two positions as Department of Oklahoma Finance Officer (Dewey Clapp), and Department of Oklahoma Historian (Gerald McClain). Additional Post 129 Legionnaires have served the State of Oklahoma with distinction, including: James E. Halligan, a 23-year active Post member, as a former State Senator (2008-2016), and former President and CEO of Oklahoma State University system (1994-2003); Tom Dugger, who is currently serving as an Oklahoma State Senator; and Chris Reding, who is currently serving his second term as the Payne County, District 2 Commissioner. Post 129 Auxiliary members have held leadership positions at the District level, including as President, Vice President, Secretary, and Chaplain, and served in a variety of city and county leadership capacities and on local and state governing boards. From 1928, when the American Legion Home School in Ponca City, Oklahoma opened, until 2011, when the Legion relinquished responsibility, Post 129 was committed to its support. It has also been known as the American Legion Children’s Home. In addition to financial aid, Legionnaires, members of the Auxiliary, and their families, hosted visiting children in their homes as “adoptive” parents and provided them clothing, gifts, and a caring, nurturing, and safe environment. When the State of Oklahoma assumed responsibility for the Home, and it was renamed the Marland Children’s Home, the Post continued its financial assistance. Youth baseball was a major summer program of the Post for many years and provided a fun, healthy and wholesome activity for boys in the city and county. Up until the fairly-recent past, it was the primary opportunity available to play teen baseball during the summer. It was literally, “the only game in town.” It was also a training ground for individual character development, sportsmanship, Americanism, and baseball skill improvement. A number of local Legion players went on to play baseball at the college level, a few made “All American” and a select few went on to play in the Major Leagues. Current Post 129 programs include: Boys and Girls State – the Post has been continuously active in sending local young men to Boys State, and young women to Girls State. Over the last 15 years Post 129 has sent an average of six to eight boys each year to Boys State. During that time, two have been elected Governor of Boys State and three have been selected to attend Boys Nation. The Post 129 Auxiliary has been an active participant in Oklahoma Girls State for many years. The Auxiliary sends 5 delegates to Girls State each year from Stillwater and most recently have considered girls from other Payne County high schools as well. Several girls throughout the years have been chosen to attend Girls Nation in Washington, DC. Many of the girls sponsored by this Post have returned with a new sense of patriotism and love of political science, in addition to becoming a member of a National prestigious group of young women fortunate enough to attend Girls State; Oratorical Contest – in which the Post 129 representative, Aubrey Snider, was the 2015 Oklahoma Department of the American Legion Champion, and went on to become 1 of 9 semi-finalists at the 2015 national American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Contest in Indianapolis. She represented the Post again in 2016 and 2017, and finished second and third respectively at the Oklahoma Department competitions; Legion Stillwater Public School Awards Program – which annually recognizes Stillwater public school students for their citizenship, character, and academic achievement; and Legion Poppy Program – to raise funds to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans, their families, and for the welfare of veterans. In addition, the Post supports the OSU Army and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Programs with annual Legion National Leader-Development Awards; provides support to local Oklahoma Army National Guard units during deployments, by mailing “comfort” boxes to those deployed, and participating at send-off and homecoming ceremonies; provides financial aid, stamps for mailings, and gifts (e.g. TVs) to the Oklahoma State Veterans Homes; provides refreshments at the local Veterans Affairs (VA) Outpatient Clinic; supports the OSU Student Veterans Organization; and hosts veteran-related ceremonies, including Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities at a local cemetery. Ceremonies feature an “Avenue of Flags” comprised of some 50 flags atop 19-foot flagpoles, lining the central roadway in the cemetery, and small individual American Flags at the gravesite of each veteran. The Auxiliary presents a Legion ceremonial wreath at the Memorial Day ceremony. The Post actively integrates a local Boy Scouts of America Troop in these ceremonies, and enlists the participation of other local fraternal organizations as well. Hanner-Sharp Post is also a repository for worn and unserviceable U.S. Flags and periodically assures their proper disposal. A well-supported civic event and a major fundraiser for the Post is the Annual Pancake Breakfast, held in the Legion Hall. An initiative to recognize and honor all Post 129 Legionnaires (living and deceased) who served in World War II was completed recently by enrolling them in the National WWII Memorial Registry of Remembrances. Under the leadership of the Post 129 Historian, the National American Legion initiatives to document Legion history for the Centennial Celebration, and to identify and document veteran monuments and memorials (Veteran Memorial Identification Project) across the United States and abroad, are proceeding nicely. A new initiative which the Post and Auxiliary is supporting is the “Wreaths Across America” Program which will place a live evergreen wreath on the grave of each veteran in the local cemetery during the Christmas season. The Legion building was built in 1925 and financed by selling bonds. It is a 2-story brick structure featuring a large multi-purpose meeting hall/ballroom used for meetings, “Pancake Day” fund-raising festivities, social and civic gatherings, and as a rental unit for clubs and organizations at Oklahoma State University. The hall is located on the second floor with an adjacent full-service commercial kitchen, and a lounge area. The first floor has a Legion Headquarters office space, and a meeting room with adjacent kitchen, and separate food preparation room. In addition, there are two independent business spaces that serve as rental units for private businesses, and provide revenue for the Post. (Note: The Sons of the American Legion is a patriotic service organization formed in 1932. It is a subsidiary organization within the American Legion family. The S.A.L. is made up of male descendants of service personnel who served in the United States Armed Forces during eligible war era periods recognized by the American Legion.) (Note: Boys State has been a program of the American Legion since 1935. Girls State has been a program of the American Legion Auxiliary since 1937. They are summer leadership and citizenship programs which provide experiential learning in the democratic process, and how our republic form of government works at the state level. Students in their junior year of high school apply and are nominated by their high school, and selected by the Legion/Auxiliary to participate at the State level. At the conclusion of the State Programs, two students from the Boys and two from the Girls Programs are selected as State representatives to attend their respective Boys and Girls Nation Programs in Washington, D.C. There, they learn how the governing process works at the national level, where they campaign for office, craft and debate legislation, and have the opportunity to meet their elected State congressional counterparts on Capital Hill.)