January 9, 2025 meeting of the Washita Chapter NSDAR was opened by the Regent Kay Hagerman assisted by the Chaplin, Robetha Farris . The meeting was held in Clinton at Lucile’s Roadhouse . The group participated in The Pledge of Allegiance, The American’s Creed, The United States Constitution, and the Oklahoma Flag Salute.
A memorial service , led by the Chaplin, was held for Phillys Stevenson. Phillys had been a member of the Washita Chapter for many years.
The National Defense Report given by Farris. The 80th anniversary of the Battle for Iwo Jima will be held in March of 2025. The following story has been taken from the National Defender and written by Barb Bechtol Cross a member of the Cumberland County Chapter, Mechanicsburg, PA. “ The volcanic island of Iwo Jima sits approximately 3/400 nautical miles off the coast of Hawaii and 760 miles south-southeast of Tokyo. On Iwo Jima, or “Sulphur Island” in English, volcanic seams vent sulfurous smoke that make parts of the island smell like rotten eggs, and the sand is soft, black volcanic ash into which the men sank up to a foot or more and immobilized almost all the armored mortar and rocket-firing vehicles.”
Plans to use the island’s airfields to prevent interception of U.S. bombers returning from Far East raids and stop air attacks on the Mariana Is-lands…….. to secure these airfields would mean defeating the Japanese force of 22,000 soldiers entrenched in extensive fortifications that the island and engaging in one of the fiercest and most iconic battles of the Pacific Theater “ “ US Navy landing craft were sent ashore at 7:25 on the 19th of February 1945. Marine D-Day casualties for both dead and wounded totaled 2.420. The first Marine planes landed on 24 February, and on 4 March, the first B-29 Super-fortress “Dinah Might” made an emergency landing. It would not be until 26 March that the island was deemed secure, but fighting continued through April”.
LtCol Barb Cross attended the ceremony of the 50th year anniversary with her father, who was there at this time. She made a remark at the end saying how thankful she was that she had been able to, as a Marine and while her Dad was still alive, “------to follow in his footsteps in even a small way, to walk these beaches, scoop up a handful of sand, and fully appreciate why he never wanted to return”.
The meeting was devoted to the completion of reports that are due this month.
Members attending were: Roberta Diggs, Luanne Eisler, Robetha Farris, Marci Grant, Regent Kay Hagerman, Kathryn Harrison, April Miller, Virginia Reid, Linda Stewart, Judy Tracy and Marilyn Wilson.