Commanders' Message

Fellow Legionnaires; first things first, there is no meeting this month. So to each of you I wish a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa, and a Happy and Blessed New Year.

At our November meeting the budget for next year was presented and approved. If you would like a copy, send me an email request at: ggtracy41@aol.com. We kept the budget the same as last year.

For the first time in many years we appear to not have a candidate for the Oratorical Contest. The Post contest is currently scheduled for Saturday, January 6^th, at 1:00 pm. I will cancel the contest if we have no one interested. The division contest is scheduled for Saturday, January 20^th and will be held at our Post.

If you receive a yellow post card in the mail requesting you to call 1-877-810-2602 and confirm the accuracy of your membership information, please do so. This is not a scam. The Department of North Carolina is working with Publishing Concepts to create a membership directory for our 100^th birthday in 2019. You are not, and I repeat, you are NOT obligated to purchase this directory. Your information will only be included in the publication if you approve. For more information goto the following web page: NCLegion Mailing.

At our November Executive meeting we talked about doing a new Post Directory for our 100^th anniversary. It has been a number of years since we did one. We will be releasing additional information as plans come together. We are looking at September/October time frame to have pictures taken.

Our next fund raiser is scheduled for January 13^th. We will be doing Brunswick Stew again. Some great price at $8.00 a quart. Be sure to place your orders in advance. We sold everything we had by 1 o'clock at the last sale. Call Steve at 919 494-2851 or text at 919 727-0087 or email stephen.ijames@gmail.com to reserve your quarts.

Duty, Honor, and Country - George G. Tracy

Auxiliary Notes

We have had a successful first six months of our Auxiliary. We are now 21 members strong and hoping to add more. The upcoming year’s calendar looks full with new ways to serve those who served. Look for more news on these in 2018. Our Christmas Party is Saturday, December 9, at Post 52, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Bring a dish to pass and someone who may be interested in joining! Our next general meeting will be at 5:30 pm on January 30, 2018, at the Franklinton Senior Center. We hope to see you there! God Bless and have a Merry Christmas!

See you at our next meeting. - Adrienne O’Neill

Vice-Commander's Report

As we come to end of another year I want to thank all those Legionnaires and their families for your service to our Country and your support of the American Legion and the programs we choose to support. I firmly believe that Post 52 contributes to making the lives of Veterans and their families better and our home town a better place to live. None of this would be possible without the support from our Legionnaires, their families, our friends and the community. As I look back over the past year a number of events stand out in my mind and make me very proud to be a part of this organization. I hope you can share the enthusiasm with me. Just to list a few,

1. Sharing with our community during our Fish/Oyster fry.

2. Awards Banquet for Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, Community Service and Legionnaire of the Year

3. Memorial Day Service, (800+ flags on veterans graves), Veterans Day Service

4. Meals and Gifts to our Home Bound Veterans and in Rest Homes

5. Our Rifle Team for Providing Military Funerals for Veterans

We are not at 100% on membership and since membership is key to our success we still need all not paid members to renew and yes we need new members. “Give a gift of a Paid Membership to a Veteran” as a way of saying Thank You. Thanks again for your continued support and if you have not considered your continued membership in the American Legion I hope you will do so.

With the Holidays upon us I wanted to share a few safety tips that will help ensure the safety of you and your family.

Cooking - Be Alert, Do not leave home with food cooking on stove top, Keep anything that can catch fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packages, towels, etc. off the stove top.

Candles - Blow out all candles when you leave the room, keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, use candle holders that won't tip over easily, Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.

Heating - Did you know Heating equipment is one of the Leading causes of home fire deaths.

If you burn gas or wood ensure your chimney is clean and inspected every year by a qualified professional, Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed, Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.

Electrical - Check electrical cords to ensure ends are in good condition and wire insulation is not broken or missing, unplug the Christmas tree lights and other decoration lighting when not in the room or leaving your home.

Escape Planning - Make an escape plan and review it with your family. KNOW at least two ways out of each room if possible, HAVE an outside meeting place a safe distance from the home where everyone will meet like a Tree light pole or mailbox, PRACTICE your home fire drill at night and during the day, TEACH children how to escape on their own, Close all doors as you leave.

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector - If not installed in your home have them installed, Test the alarms monthly to ensure they operate, Replace if it does not operate, Replace batteries at a minimum of yearly. These tips and many more can be found at www.nfpa.org.

Before we meet again we will have celebrated Christmas and entered into a New Year. A time when families and friends will come together, eat, exchange gifts, fellowship, make resolutions for the New Year and give thanks. Let us not forget that there will be empty chairs at many tables of our Service Men and Women who are away from home serving our nation, so I ask that you say a special prayer for them and their families this Christmas Season. John 3:16.

For God and Country - Harvey Satterwhite