Olanta American Legion seeks photos for display

OLANTA — Olanta American Legion Post 85 is ready to begin a new season after major renovations and the addition of a pictorial history that will be complete with the addition of 10 more photographs.

The display includes 82 pictures of fallen Legionnaires from World War I through Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as a centerpiece designed by Floyd Funeral Home, said Post Commander Dickie Kirby and project coordinator Jamie Coker.

“We had to do some digging to get the World War I (photos),” said Coker, a member of the Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary. Her husband, Warren Coker, is a Legionnaire.

She spent months working on the project, Kirby said.

“The Legion raised money, and Jamie turned it into magic,” he said.

The Legion copied and returned the original photos as quickly as possible, because some of the older photos are family heirlooms, Kirby said.

The pictorial history was unveiled in May, when more than 60 people attended a cookout at Olanta’s Legion Hut, he said.

“We are very proud that for this little town that we have a nice turnout” when meetings take place, Kirby said.

The Olanta American Legion’s membership has remained level despite the deaths of World War II veterans, he said, because many Vietnam War veterans have been joining.

The Legion is seeking the public’s help in finding family members or others who have pictures of the 10 Legionnaires whose photos are needed to complete the display.

The Legionnaires are George F. Cole, Willie Floyd, Thomas B. Joye, J.J. (Rowe) McElveen, W.H. Osborne, E.I. (Gene) Tomlinson, S.A. Truluck, S.R. (Sam) Truluck, J.T. Wates, Johnny Williamson.

Anyone who has photos of these Legionnaires or knows someone who might is asked to call Coker at (843) 396-4796.

Meanwhile, the Olanta American Legion is set to open its new season Sept. 15 in the renovated American Legion Hut, on Park Avenue.

The renovations began in spring 2008 and included new heaters, ceiling fans and furniture, Coker said. The building also got new coats of paint on the interior and exterior while old carpeting was removed from the lobby and replaced with a new rug, she said.

“I filled in every crack in this place with caulking,” Coker said with a laugh.

She said her “next venture” will be making renovations to the restrooms and replacing tables and chairs.

Kirby said he thought the Legion Hut looked fine before renovations. During a Ladies” Night two years ago, however, “Jamie told me she wouldn’t come back if it looked like this,” he said, laughing.

The Olanta American Legion will open its 2009-10 season with Veterans Night, an event where all area veterans and guest Legionnaires are invited, Kirby said. Supper will begin at 7 p.m. Sept. 15. For more information, call Kirby at (843) 598-8160 or Charles Wallace Moore at (843) 396-4393.