Commanders' Message

As I was preparing to write this message and as I looked at the road ahead, I sometimes have to remind myself of Who we are, The American Legion and What we stand for. In a world where many are afraid to speak their conviction with fear of being politically correct or standing on the principals that have sustained us as a nation, I realized that in many cases the answers to these questions have already been pondered by our forefathers. Then it dawned on me where I had seen these answers. We recite it at every meeting, Our Preamble. I want to share with you just one of it clauses.

To foster and perpetuate a 100 percent Americanism”…Americanism is the gist of the American ideals of freedom, justice, individual rights and unfenced-in opportunities. It embraces all the freedoms we cherish and all the rights that are guaranteed to us. It is the very opposite of hatred, bigotry and intolerance. Americanism is the creed that has blazed the worldwide trail for justice, fair play, decency, belief in God, private enterprise, universal education, and progress in all human endeavors. It puts a premium on the virtues of loyalty, patriotism, hard work and thrift.

This is one of eleven clauses that define the American Legion. This is one more reason why we should be proud to be Legionnaires!

I want to thank those who came out and supported our efforts in support of the Franklinton Police Department, National Night Out. Thank you for showing our Law Enforcement as well as our Community that we appreciate what they do and thank them for what they do to keep our community safe. It begins with you, me, and the citizens of our community.

We still need members to help in some area of our Post operations for 2018 – 2019. These include Food Service, Americanism, Firing Squad, Fund Raising, Public Relations, and Facilities & Grounds.

I am constantly asked what the American Legion can do for me. I would like to respond with one aspect of what the American Legion has done and is still does each and every day. The original GI Bill afforded to veterans the opportunity to get higher education. Many before us and many of us have used this benefit. When I tried to get a dollar value, my calculator ran out of spaces. To the point, since its beginning, tens of thousands of veterans have used this benefit and there will be thousands after us that will benefit from just this one benefit that the American Legion was responsible for getting passed through Congress.

Thanks to those who attended Legion College. The courses I attended were very helpful and I look forward to getting feedback from those who attended.

100% Membership by Veterans Day 2018!

Best wishes to Sean and Adrienne O’Neill as they leave our post due to re-locating to another part of the US. Thank you for your work and leadership in making Post 52 successful. There will a legion post elsewhere lucky to get you.

For God and Country - Harvey Satterwhite

Auxiliary Notes

Our lap quilt deliveries in July were greatly appreciated by those that received one. We were able to visit four local shut-ins and gift the Fayetteville VA hospice unit with six others. Even though we could not meet all of the recipients, we understand that these tangible gifts will speak volumes to the veterans and their families.

This month there will be NO executive or regular auxiliary meetings. We will continue our regular schedule in September.

I am sad to say that I will be stepping down from my position due to our move to Iowa. Please consider stepping into this position. I will provide any training needed and no special skills are required.

My time with the Legion and Auxiliary has blessed me in so many ways, and will look forward to becoming a part of another Legion “family” in our new home!

Blessings to you all, Adrienne O’Neill, Secretary

Vice-Commander's Report

My fellow legionnaires, we have just completed the 2018 Legion College with a record attendance. The class for first time attendees was standing room only! This is an indication of the interest in this program and its value to all legionnaires. Now is the time for us all to get involved in the membership drive at our post. We have an obligation to help recruit new members for our post as membership is everyone’s responsibility so jump in and let’s make this a special year for membership!

We have a Division 1 meeting scheduled at Post 52 on September 29 and there is much preparation to accomplish prior to this meeting, so please make yourself available for the upcoming workday program taking place during August. There is already work underway on the exterior of our post.

I will be attending the national convention at the end of August and will provide a full report at our September meeting.

For God & Country, Mike Donnelly

Post 52 welcomes the following members:

• Jerome Weber is a transferring membership to Post 52 who is a Korean War army veteran.
• James Monteleone is transferring to Post 52 and is a Korean War Army veteran.
• David Servos is a transferring member who is a Vietnam War Army veteran.
• Michael Montgomery is a transferring member who is a Vietnam war Air Force veteran.
• Keneth Ferrell is a transferring member who is a Vietnam war Navy veteran.
• William Wallace is a transferring member who is an Army veteran of the Vietnam War,
• Ricky Morton is new member and is a Gulf War veteran.
• Carl Greenwood is a new member and a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War.

Auxiliary Unit 52
Installs 2018-19 Officers