Page 80 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2021- Online Magazine

Homer Mahan What Everyone
omer Eugene Mahan
was born the youngest
Hof three brothers on
February 6, 1932. Both of his
older brothers served and
survived World War II. After his
older siblings left to start their
own families, Homer stayed to
help support his parents after
a work injury left his father
partially disabled. He was happy
to take on extra work to help
the father he admired, but, as a
result, he was unable to further
his education.
In 1952, at the age of twenty,
Homer received his draft
notification. Homer and his
father were working together on
an experimental farm through
Louisiana State University. At
that time, the United States had
80 Lubbock Senior Link
Should Know
by Kristi Townsen
been backing South to Okinawa on the naval ship,
Korea during the U.S.S. Gen. W.M. Mitchell for
Korean War for training maneuvers. He and the
almost two years. other men in Company L were
required to keep their barracks
As Homer joined in tip top shape. He humorously
the Army Infantry, recalled that, once, after being
his parents moved out training for two weeks, they
to Artesia, New returned to the gift of a goat to
Mexico, to be help trim the grass. The goat
near one of their was presented to the residents of
other sons. Homer the worst-kept barracks, so they
was sworn in worked hard to move that gift
at Shreveport, to another company. Homer still
Louisiana, where has a picture of that goat.
he received
his physical Homer excelled as a Mortar
examination. From Gunner. They would radio
there, he was sent coordinates to him, and he
to Fort Sill for a would set the dials to shoot at
brief time to get the designated location. They
his required shots would then wait for the spotter
and uniforms. to radio back if adjustments were
Basic training was needed to achieve the target on
his next stop at the following rounds. Homer's
Camp Roberts in commanding officer told him that
California. Before being shipped he was one of the best he had
out, Homer received furlough, ever seen. Company L would
and with very little money, made also be sent via ship to practice
his way to visit his parents who beach invasions. Homer always
were visiting Homer's older found it ironic that another
brother who lived in California. family member joined the Navy
He took a bus, hitchhiked and and was never on a ship, but
was grateful to a stranger who Homer crossed the ocean both
was kind enough to buy him ways on a ship as part of his
a meal. Patriotism ran high training.
back then,
and grateful
civilians were
quick to offer
assistance to a
young man in
uniform.
When Homer
returned
to the base,
he was sent