87R14466 JGH-D
By: Hughes S.C.R. No. 35
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, American Legion Luckett Cochran Post 296 in Mineola
is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding with a special
monthly meeting on March 25, 2021; and
WHEREAS, The post is named for Luckett Cochran, a Mineola
native and U.S. Army veteran of World War I; born in 1895, he
graduated from Mineola High School in 1913 and subsequently
enrolled at The University of Texas; on the eve of his graduation in
1917, he left school to answer his nation's call to duty and
enlisted in the army, receiving his commission as a first
lieutenant of field artillery in August 1917; and
WHEREAS, In France, Lieutenant Cochran was given command of
Battery D, 6th Field Artillery, and he saw a great deal of action in
the Tour and Cantigny sectors of the battlefront before returning
to the United States in June 1918 to serve as an artillery
instructor in South Carolina and Oklahoma; promoted to captain in
September 1918, he married Johnnie Link on the 23rd of that month;
while honeymooning in El Paso, he fell ill from the Spanish
influenza, and, his lungs weakened by exposure to poison gas during
the war, he died on October 2, 1918, at the age of 23; and
WHEREAS, American Legion Post 296 was established on March
25, 1921, with Oscar P. McCary as post commander and Charles B. Hart
as adjutant; on the centennial of this event, the post's new
officers will be sworn in, including Commander Ben Strange, 1st
Vice Commander Larry Southard, 2nd Vice Commander Larry Pruitt,
Adjutant John Ring, Chaplain Loy Frazier, and Sergeant at Arms Ed
Shadbolt; and
WHEREAS, Luckett Cochran wore his country's uniform with
courage and distinction, and for 100 years, the members of Post 296
have upheld his proud legacy through their faithful service to
their nation and their community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of American Legion Luckett
Cochran Post 296 and that all those associated with the post be
extended sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for American Legion Luckett Cochran Post 296 as an
expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and
Senate.