2023-2024 Odessa City Guide Page 39 408 N. Fourth St. OPEN: Mon-Fri 9am to 6pm • Sat 9am to 1pm (816) 633-8000 Christine Gibson Owner/Pharmacist, Thomas Gibson Pharmacist Your hometown, locally owned pharmacy FREE prescription delivery and mailing! Convenient drive-thru. We accept all government insurance and nearly all commercial insurance Organizations Veteran organizations American Legion Post 286 was founded in 1919 and named for Pvt. William “Roy” Douthit who died November 13, 1918, in France. Douthit, who served in Company A, of the 101st Infantry, was awarded the Purple Heart and the WWI Victory Medal. After World War II, the name was changed to the Douthit-Specker American Legion Post 286, also to honor Sgt. Joe Carl Specker, who served in the 48th Combat Engineer Battalion and was killed January 6, 1944, at Mt. Porchia, Italy. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Europe-African-Middle Eastern Medal, Good Conduct Medal and a Presidential Unit Citation. A ship was named for him in 1945. Both men are buried in Odessa Cemetery. The Legion hosts annual events which include sponsoring Boys State, Bingo at the Veterans Home in Warrensburg, placing flags on graves for Memorial Day, military funeral honors team and assistance in obtaining military benefits from Bob Woodruff, service officer, 816-230-3286 The Legion meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the VFW post. Commander is Dave Russell. Those interested in joining may contact Russell at 816-888-0570 or Jim Harvey at 816-588-7834. American Legion Auxiliary was formed in 1919. Karen Shipp is president of the local organization which meets on the first Wednesday every other month at the VFW post home on Old 40 Highway. The Auxiliary sponsors annual events including Girls State, a 50/50 raffle which benefits the Odessa Community Center, Odessa Senior Center and BackSnack Program; a garage sale fundraiser to support Girls State; Poppy Day, placing flags on graves for Memorial Day, clothing donations to elementary schools, school supplies donations to Odessa R-7 Schools and donations to the Veterans Home in Warrensburg.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTU2Njc4