Commanders' Message

Fellow Legionnaires – Thanks to all of you for your vote of confidence in the officers of Post 52. We will be having the installation of officers ceremony at our next meeting, May 30^th. Since our 2^nd Vice Commander is also our District Commander, I have have asked the State Adjutant, Randy Cash, to join us and do the honor of swearing in the officers. Hope to see you there. (Check out the meeting menu on the schedule.)

We are heading into the summer months, when everyone gets super busy. I know that my calendar is filling up fast, starting with Memorial Day events we have scheduled for this month, Convention in June, Stand-Up-For-America in July, and that is just the Legion part of my calendar. I hope that each of you have a safe and enjoyable summer, and if you haven't signed up for your free accidental death benefits, please do so today.

Our next District 5 meeting will be held at our Post and will include the election of district officers. Michael Donnelly and Ansel Greenwood have agreed to run for office again. Also for your information, Michael has put his name forward for the office of Division 1 Commander. That election will take place at the June Convention during the Division 1 Caucus. So Post delegates, be there and show your support.

A special thanks goes out to Harvey Satterwhite for his outstanding job as Division 1 Membership representative and Post 52 Vice Commander and Post Membership chairman. He has been instrumental in getting us to our goal 216 members and beyond. Thanks to all of you for renewing your membership. Thanks also to all the new and transferring members who helped to push us past the magical number of 226 members. That now gives us one more delegate (6 instead of 5) for this year’s Convention. Keep up the good work Harvey, thanks to you Division 1 is no longer in last place in the State.

One final item: we have work to do to keep our Post beautiful and we will be looking for help from any of you who can spare some time to this effort. This includes painting and repairs. Also, see Ansel Greenwood, if you can help with the grounds maintenance.

Duty, Honor, and Country - George G. Tracy

Vice-Commander's Report

The month of May is significant to All Veterans as well as All Americans. It is when we observe Memorial Day. Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our great nation. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868.

It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all. A time to reflect on our freedoms as Americans by remembering those who gave their life in defense of our freedom, those families that were left without a father, mother, son, or daughter and to thank God for their unselfishness and the many blessings He has bestowed on us as a nation.

An extract from our Preamble sums the meaning of Memorial Day up. “It means the bond that binds all ex-servicemen and women together in mutual affection, respect and gratitude. It also means keeping green forever the memories of the supreme sacrifices of gallant American patriots, sacrifices necessary to the winnings of wars. It means faithful annual observance of Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.

By the time you receive this news letter Mother's Day will have past. I hope all of our mothers have a very special Mother’s Day. For those who are no longer with us we will cherish those memories of our Mother's Love.

The summer is upon us and that means vacation a little R&R, travel so take time to plan and be careful in your travels and enjoy the ones you Love.

Membership is the life and power of the American Legion. I know we have a number of members out there that have not paid their dues. I want to thank you for your support in the past and ask that you please consider renewing your membership and invite a veteran to our meetings.

For God and Country, Harvey Satterwhite

Chaplain's Corner

Workers

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Before the invasion of France, June 5, 1944, each soldier was asked to write a letter home. This one private from the US 101^st airborne division wrote: Dear momma, the army wants me to be safe, the same as you. They gave me my personal equipment: one suit of ODs worn under my jumpsuit, helmet, boots, gloves, a main chute, a reserve chute, may west, rifle, 45 caliber automatic pistol, trench knife, jump knife, hunting knife, a machete, one cartridge belt, two bandoleers, two cans of machine gun ammo, 676 rounds of 30 caliber ammo, 66 rounds of 45 caliber ammo, one Hawkins mine capable of blowing the track off of a tank, four blocks of TNT, one entrenching tool with two blasting caps taped on the outside of the steel part, three first aid kits, two morphine needles, one gas mask, a canteen of water, three days of K rations, two days supply of D-rations (hard tropical chocolate bars), six fragment grenades, one Gammon grenade, one orange smoke and one red smoke grenade, one orange panel, one blanket, one raincoat, one change of socks and underwear, two cartons of cigarettes, a few more odds and ends. Also the Bible you gave me when I left home. Unsurprisingly, I could hardly walk and had to be helped into the airplane by the Air Corp personnel. It helps to kneel on the floor and rest the weight of the gear and parachutes on the seat behind me. The army said I was trained good and they have spent a lot of money on me. Tell everyone I said hello and I'll be just fine. Love you always, your son Donald.

On this memorial day remember those who did not make it home. Donald was killed in action on D-day +3.

Now may God with love and peace be with you and your family. In Jesus name, Amen. Bill Kimbrough

Post Officers for the 2017-2018 Year

• Commander – George Tracy
• Vice Commander – Harvey Satterwhite
• 2nd Vice Commander – Michael Donnelly
• Adjutant – Ed Wilson
• Finance Officer – Anthony Kerensky
• Chaplain – William Kimbrough
• Judge Advocate – Robert Hobgood
• Veterans Service Officer – Steve Ijames
• Sergeant-At-Arms – Ricky Nowell
• 1st Sergeant-At-Arms – Ernie Dimeler
• 2nd Sergeant-At-Arms – Joseph Dillehay
• Historian – William Hagwood
• Executive Committee 3 year term – Renchor Wright
• Executive Committee 2 year term – Ansel Greenwood
• Executive Committee 1 year term – Adrienne O'Neill

Memorial Day Activities

May 10 – Presentation to Cedar Middle School

May 22 – Presentation to Franklinton Middle

May 27 – Place flags on veterans’ graves in our local community, 9:00am at Fairview Cemetery

May 28 – Memorial Day program at Fairview Cemetery at 2:00pm

June 17 – Retrieve Flags from veterans’ graves