A closed VFW Post 382 near a World War II plane in El Reno, Oklahoma, is being renovated into Sonny’s Kitchen and Bar and will pay tribute to local war hero Col. Charles Clark “Sonny” Kegelman.
Kegelman was born in El Reno and graduated from the local high school in 1932. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps four years later.
Kegelman led the Independence Day Raid in 1942, the first U.S. bombing mission against Nazi Germany-occupied Europe.
He completed his mission and brought his crew back safely despite his aircraft sustaining much damage during the raid.
Kegelman received the Distinguished Service Cross and became internationally famous.
He returned to combat and died during a mission in 1945 over the Philippines. He is buried at El Reno Cemetery. A nearby Air Force Auxiliary Field is named after him.
The VFW in 1957 placed the Douglas B-26 Invader plane, nicknamed “Sonny,” along Route 66 as a tribute to Kegelman.
According to News9, James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Black is renovating the closed VFW and turning it into a restaurant.
“It’s special,” Black told the station. “When you get the opportunity to be on Route 66 with such an iconic landmark – the plane sitting outside – what more can you ask for?”
Black also wants to restore the warplane and build improvements around it, including handicapped-accessible sidewalks, lighting, plaques and a statue of Kegelman. He’s applied for a Route 66 grant to accomplish those.
Chef Black said seeing it up close made him think about what Kegelman and his crew faced in World War II.
“I had to stop and think what it must have felt like taking that plane into a war zone – not knowing if you’re going to make it back,” he said.
For the people working to restore the site, the goal is simple:
Make sure travelers don’t just see the plane.
They understand the story behind it.
(Hat tip to Scott Ellis; excerpted image from Google Street View of the World War II warplane in El Reno, Oklahoma)
It is good to see a piece of history preserved. I would like a notice on its opening. That will be on my list to visit.