Commanders' Message

Season’s Greetings to all. As we come to the end of another year, I would like to reflect on 2018 just briefly. I want to thank your executive committee and all members for their support of our Post. In my travels and representation of our Post, I am very proud to represent a Post and Organization whose focus is on Veterans, their families, and our youth.

When we look back over the year, several areas stand out in my mind. Our awards Banquet where we recognize, Fireman, EMS, Law Enforcement, Community Service and Legionnaire of the Year; Memorial Day Service and our Veterans Day Service; to the many of our nation’s problems we solved while working through our fundraisers. As a Post, we are first in the District in our contributions to the Veterans Service Fund (VSF), and National Emergency Fund (NEF). This speaks volumes about our Post.

In 2019, I ask each member to consider getting involved in our Post activities. Upcoming activities include Nominations for All Officer positions, Brunswick stew fundraiser, Food Service, Building and Grounds, Rifle Team, and Americanism. I think you will find any of these programs very rewarding.

Very Important Person (VIP); Individual who has served in the military, is a member of the American Legion in good standing.

All Legionaries are VIP’s so if you have not paid your membership dues, I encourage you to do so and bring a Veteran to our next meeting. “Each One Recruit One”

In works are Fireman, EMS, and Community Service nominees. If you know of a young man who you feel would like to attend Boys State let us know.

We will be preparing gift bags for our homebound veterans as well as those in hospitals and rest homes and will deliver these in the next couple of weeks. I invite you to come and share in the giving of these gifts and share a smile and say hello to the folks. You will not be disappointed. Before we meet, again we will have celebrated Christmas and entered 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. May we all remember the greatest gift of all from a God who loved us so much that He gave His only begotten son Jesus Christ. From my family to yours, we wish all of you a Merry Christmas and may the New Year bring to all Health, Prosperity, and Peace.

As we come to the close of 2018, I want to remind everyone to remember our service men and women who are away from their families during this Christmas Season. Pray for them and their families.

For God and Country - Harvey Satterwhite

Vice-Commander's Report

My fellow legionnaires, as we enter this Christmas season, we have time to reflect on the many blessings this year has brought us and the opportunity to look forward to the many tasks that lie ahead in 2019. Now is the time to start planning for next year at our post. It will not be long before we begin the process of electing new officers at our post. In years past we have struggled to achieve widespread participation in our elections. This year I want to encourage all of you to consider what you may be able to contribute to Post 52 and step forward to fill some of the available vacancies. If you find that you have a desire to serve your post membership at a higher level please make your interest known to George Tracy, Robert Junk or myself as we are the members of the nominating committee for 2019. Remember the words of the last line of our preamble “To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness” I want to wish all legionnaires a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

For God & Country, Mike Donnelly

Auxiliary Notes

Ladies, I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I know this a very busy time of year but don’t forget about our veterans especially those who are homebound and maybe visit them.

The 2 n1 Quilt Raffle was a great success. The winners are Terry Southard of Franklinton and he chose the Eagle quilt and the Valor quilt went to Jane Hoppenworth, our ALA Division 2 President.

Thank you, ladies, for renewing your membership. We are within one more member of reaching our goal for the membership year.

We will not have our regular membership meeting this month, but we will have our Christmas party on Saturday, December 8, 2018, being held at Post 52 beginning @ 11 a.m. Contact Linda Kerensky for more information on what to bring. Please bring a friend to join us.

The Executive Committee will meet on December 10, 2018, at 10:00 am at Post 52. No Sew Day but will resume on January 14, 2019.

If anyone is interested in the ALA Mission training being held in Charlotte, NC on January 12, 2019, please contact Carolyn Donnelly for more information.

In the Spirit of Service, not Self, Carolyn Donnelly, District 6 President/ Unit 52 President

Historian Comments

We as legionnaires have been and still are volunteers. Our great organization would not have grown to its important place in society if not for those among us who give of their time and effort for the betterment of our community. I know that you have heard that membership is the lifeblood of our organization. Your officers are measured on membership and we talk about it ad infinitum. But now I am going to speak heresy. While membership is important, we can't get things done without volunteers willing to participate and lead the efforts to make things better and run smoothly.

Volunteers are the heart of any organization. They keep the blood moving in the right direction. Without volunteers, the organization will die of apathy.

My questions for you to ponder are these: Why are you not helping to make the Post grow and accomplish the greatness that I know we can achieve? Do you know the programs of your Post/Legion? Are there things that you think we should be doing but aren't? All of us have talents. Let me know what yours are and how we can best use them.

You can send your answers to ggtracy41@aol.com or call me at 919-818-9705 and leave a message. I will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Serving you and the community – George G. Tracy