American Legion Past Commander restores history, reviews changes, recalls memories

  • American Legion Post 16 Past Commander Keith DiPatri shows one of the many historic newspapers which have been donated to the post's collection. Several documents, photographs and military items have been preserved and displayed since the April 2023 tornado. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
    American Legion Post 16 Past Commander Keith DiPatri shows one of the many historic newspapers which have been donated to the post's collection. Several documents, photographs and military items have been preserved and displayed since the April 2023 tornado. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
  • The charter and membership roll from 1920 and a second charter from a later date have been professionally framed and are on display at the Shawnee American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16. The post has made great progress in preserving its historical collection since much of it was damaged during the April 2023 tornado.
    The charter and membership roll from 1920 and a second charter from a later date have been professionally framed and are on display at the Shawnee American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16. The post has made great progress in preserving its historical collection since much of it was damaged during the April 2023 tornado.
  • A new display case at the Shawnee American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16 features military hats from different branches and eras.
    A new display case at the Shawnee American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16 features military hats from different branches and eras.
  • A letter from England's King George thanking US soldiers for fighting alongside their troops in WWI and dated April 1918 is among the recently restored items on display at Shawnee's American Legion Post 16.
    A letter from England's King George thanking US soldiers for fighting alongside their troops in WWI and dated April 1918 is among the recently restored items on display at Shawnee's American Legion Post 16.
  • An American Legion lamp, which can be seen in a photo from the 1960s or 1970s, is among the historic collection of items which survived the April 2023 tornado at Shawnee American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16.
    An American Legion lamp, which can be seen in a photo from the 1960s or 1970s, is among the historic collection of items which survived the April 2023 tornado at Shawnee American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16.
  • A new display case features a variety of historic military items which have been donated to the Shawnee American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16. The post has made great progress in preserving its collection since much of it was damaged during the April 2023 tornado.
    A new display case features a variety of historic military items which have been donated to the Shawnee American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16. The post has made great progress in preserving its collection since much of it was damaged during the April 2023 tornado.
  • Pictures of Shawnee parades, including the largest picture from the Nov. 11, 1948 Veterans Day Parade, are displayed in a new case at the Shawnee American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16. Shawnee will have an Independence Day Parade this year, beginning at the Santa Fe Depot at 7:30 am, in honor of the 250th Anniversary of the USA.
    Pictures of Shawnee parades, including the largest picture from the Nov. 11, 1948 Veterans Day Parade, are displayed in a new case at the Shawnee American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16. Shawnee will have an Independence Day Parade this year, beginning at the Santa Fe Depot at 7:30 am, in honor of the 250th Anniversary of the USA.
  • Several historic group photographs and a document from WWI are among those which were professionally framed and are now on display at the Shawnee American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16.
    Several historic group photographs and a document from WWI are among those which were professionally framed and are now on display at the Shawnee American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16.
  • A copy of "The Daily Oklahoman" from Aug. 15, 1945, announces the end of WWII. This is one of several historic newspapers which have been donated to the Shawnee American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16.
    A copy of "The Daily Oklahoman" from Aug. 15, 1945, announces the end of WWII. This is one of several historic newspapers which have been donated to the Shawnee American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16.
  • Keith DiPatri - Photo provided
    Keith DiPatri - Photo provided
  • Thomas DiPatri, Jr. - Photo provided
    Thomas DiPatri, Jr. - Photo provided

    With the 250th anniversary of the USA, Shawnee American Legion Post 16 Past Commander Keith DiPatri has been thinking a lot about history.

    History restored at the Shawnee American Legion 

    Since the April 2023 tornado blew the front windows out of the Gill-Mattox Post and left a path of destruction, he and other members have been working to restore their historical collection of photographs, doc…