New Muskogee County American Legion post to be named for fallen Porter soldier
BY JERRY WOFFORD World Staff Writer
Saturday, December 29, 2012
12/29/12 at 6:04 AM
A new American Legion post in Muskogee County will be named after a Porter soldier who died in Afghanistan in 2011.
American Legion Post 403 will honor Spc. Joshua Seals, a member of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, who died Aug. 16, 2011, in Paktia province.
The deployment was the first for Seals, who joined the Guard three years earlier to become a truck driver. At the time of his death, he was assigned as a machine gunner, the Oklahoma National Guard said then.
A ceremony slated for 3 p.m. Jan. 12 in Oktaha Town Hall, 202 S. Main St., will mark the official dedication of the new post.
Lanny Cartwright, the post's commander, said he knew Seals growing up and that the dedication is special for him and Seals' family.
"He was kind of an adopted grandson of mine. I knew Josh real well and know his parents real well," Cartwright said. "I was really pleased when they chose that name for the post."
He said the new post has about 15 charter members and is growing, with a Ladies Auxiliary also set to form soon. The goal of the post is to serve the aging veteran population in the rural area.
"There are a lot of them out here who are elderly and can't drive, especially at night," Cartwright said.
"We have a small facility, but we hope to grow and open a completely new post."
Original Print Headline: Post to be named for fallen soldier
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Seals
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