Recently, the National Commander of the American Legion, Mr. Dan Wiley, visited Guthrie’s American Legion Post #58 in their new facility. Lebron Post #58 has been a fixture in the Guthrie community since 1919, and recently relocated from downtown to their new complex on Rush Road.
The focus of Commander Wiley’s visit was Bunker 58, but he was treated to so much more. Bunker 58 is an E-sports program created in response to the American Legion’s national Be The One campaign, which focuses on reducing the number of veterans and service members lost to suicide. Under the leadership of Legionnaire George Shafer, Post 58 collaborated with Regiment Gaming and developed the E-sports complex with four complete online gaming systems. Veterans of current conflicts have used video gaming to decompress after completing missions overseas, ease the troubles of separation from family and friends and build a sense of community. Bunker 58 was the first of its kind in Oklahoma and one of the first veteran E-sports programs nationally.
Veteran E-sports creates a community of veterans and camaraderie, which is missed by veterans after they leave military service. The success of Bunker 58, and other similar systems, drew the attention of Commander Wiley.
Post 58 is active in seeking Korean War veterans, ensuring they receive the Ambassador for Peace Medal from the South Korean government. Over the past few years, Post 58 has hosted several Korean War veteran recognition ceremonies. During the visit, Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs representative Jaeho (Bruce) Yi, along with Commander Wiley, presented the Ambassador for Peace Medal to Walter Roggow from Enid, and the family of Le Otis Arterberry, for their selfless service in the Korean War. Post #58 Commander, Ms. Kim Vincent, presented Commander Wiley with a personalize brick paver, commemorating his visit and military service which was placed at Honor Park in Guthrie. Additionally, a team from Quilts of Honor Oklahoma presented Commander Wiley with a handmade quilt in recognition of his service to America’s Freedom and to our Veterans.
Legionnaire Steve Gentling provided an overview of Guthrie’s Honor Park. Created in 2002 and maintained by the American Legion, Honor Park is the host location for Guthrie’s annual Veterans Day ceremony along with other significant service ceremonies. LTC (Ret) Kyle Brede with the Guthrie JROTC program shared information about Post #58 involvement in the community and in particular with youth. Lastly, Commander Wiley presented Post 58 Commander, Ms. Kim Vincent with the American Legion’s Meritorious Service Medal for her demonstrated outstanding leadership and in recognition of Lebron Post #58’s active involvement in veteran affairs and within the Guthrie community.
Veterans wishing to become involved are invited to attend Post 58’s weekly veteran coffee and doughnuts gathering each Thursday at 9:30 am at their new facility at 125 Rush Road in Guthrie or contact them at lebronpost58@att.net.
National American Legion Commander Dan Wiley, left, accepts a personalized commemorative brick from Lebron American Legion Post 58 Commander Kim Vincent. The brick was placed in Guthrie’s Honor Park to commemorate Wiley’s service and visit.
National American Legion Commander Dan Wiley, center, receives a handmade Quilt of Honor from members of Quilts of Honor Oklahoma during his visit to Lebron American Legion Post 58 in Guthrie. The quilt was presented in recognition of Wiley’s military service and dedication to America’s veterans. Submitted photo