Commanders' Message

Fellow Legionnaires – On August 1^st, your Post supported our Franklinton Law Enforcement with their National Night Out program. From the crowd size it appears that our community is becoming apathetic toward showing support, or perhaps the word is not getting out. Either way, I can only speak for myself and what I have observed over the past three years as your commander. The crowd has steadily dwindled.

We as legionnaires must support our communities. As it says in the preamble to our constitution, “To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation”. Post 52 membership covers many local communities in Franklin County and beyond, So please take part in activities that support your community and be proud to let people know you are a legionnaire.

Please join us at our next meeting on August 29, as we celebrate the formation of our Unit 52 of The American Legion Auxiliary. Judy Stancel, a representative of the Department Auxiliary, will be there to install the newly elected officers. Remember your wife, daughters and granddaughters are eligible to join the Auxiliary. So lets make this a family affair; come out and join us.

Speaking of family, you know that your sons and grandsons are eligible to join the Sons of the American Legion. While we currently do not have a Squadron attached to our Post, if there was enough interest, we could get one started. Something to think about going forward.

Between now and the installation of Auxiliary Officers, we will be having a BBQ Chicken and Pork fundraiser on Saturday, August 19^th, from11am until 7pm. Please come out and support this great event. As with all fundraiser, we will be meeting the day before at 2pm to make final preparation for Saturday.

National has called on all members to contact their National Representatives in support the issuance of an American Legion Coin in 2019 to coincide with our 100^th year anniversary. Since the mint only issues 2 commemorative coins per year and one has already been approved for 2019, we need to work to get approval. Therefore, please make contact as soon as possible. For those of you with internet access, you can use the following URL to contact your representatives: http://www.capwiz.com/legion/issues/alert/?alertid=78053626. If you have problems let me known.

With the retirement of our Chaplain, we are in need of a replacement. We will have an open nomination for this vital position at our next meeting on 29 August. If multiple candidates are nominated, election will be at the September meeting.

Duty, Honor, and Country - George G. Tracy

Auxiliary Notes

Adrienne is on vacation but she is encouraged that membership in the Auxiliary is growing for the newly formed Unit 52. Auxiliary members will be on hand on the 19^th to help with the BBQ fund raiser.

Vice-Commander's Report

Still serving: It’s who we are.

In 1919, The American Legion was founded on four pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. Each of these pillars encompasses a variety of programs that benefit our nation’s veterans, its service members, their families, the youth of America and ordinary citizens. These programs make a difference in hundreds of thousands of lives each year. As I have said before and will say it again, there are many in Washington with their hands out, but at the end of the day our Veterans have earned and deserve to be in the front of this line. “Earned and Deserved not Entitled to”, WHOA.

Our organization’s position and programs are guided by resolutions passed by American Legion National Convention delegates, and by committee and commission members who represent 2.3 million wartime veterans and their families. These programs, and the men and women who take the time to perform them allow The American Legion to make a difference on the local, state and national levels. It’s who we are and what we do. As we explore our four pillars.

As I put out last month, Our Post needs our attention. We are planning a Post Cleanup and Maintenance day on Saturday, September 23, beginning with breakfast at 8:00 am. Lunch will also be provided. So mark your calendars and sign up at our next meeting to help.

Our new membership year has started and every member of the American Legion should understand that Membership is the life and power of our organization. I ask that you please consider getting your membership dues paid on or before November 1^st and seek out new members. Membership is every member’s responsibility.

FYI, the NC Department of Motor Vehicles offers the opportunity for veterans to request a veteran designation to be placed on their driver licenses and identification card. This service can be obtained at any driver license office throughout the state. You need to present your proof of honorable service such a DD214.

We still have a number of soldiers serving on foreign soil, so please remember our Armed Forces and their Families in your prayers.

For God and Country, Harvey Satterwhite

Chaplain's Corner

I could not have imagined that after Chaplin Kenneth (Kimbo) Peterson asked me if I would be the chaplain for The American Legion Post 52, that I would see 12 years pass by so quickly. But now, due to my health problems and personal reasons, my time has come to give up this blessed office. I have always felt that by being chaplain was my way of serving my God, by serving The American Legion Post 52 of Franklinton, and all the great Veterans that make up its membership.

Benediction

Now, the God of peace, who brought again from the dead, our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his site, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Bill Kimbrough