Commanders' Message

Wow what an exciting year! As we start a New Year I want to ask that all members consider helping our Post in some way. The more people that do a little will contribute greatly to our success. I ask that you get involved, meet and know your fellow Legionnaires, and let’s have fun along the way. Having said this, your executive committee and I have laid out the calendar for the up coming year.

I want to thank all those who helped in cleaning and painting the inside of our building. Great Job and it looks good. Over the next several months we will be working on several projects at the Post so if you can lend a hand it would be greatly appreciated.

Your membership team has challenged the Post to be at 100% membership by Veterans Day. Our membership goal this year is 235 members for 2019. Lets all focus on this for a couple of months and get that gorilla off our back early on. I know we can do this.

We still have opening on several of our committees, Food Service, Americanism, Firing Squad. I know there are people out there that are very capably of filling these positions. There will be a sign up sheet at our next meeting.

Several key events coming up are:

• American Legion Department of North Carolina Annual Convention June 27-30 at the North Raleigh Hilton.
• Legion College, July 27-28, Village Inn, Clemmons, NC

Summer Safety Tips

Sun block, is a great tool to protect yourself from getting harmful burns that can be painful and really stop you from doing more great summer activities.

Play it Safe, make sure children’s equipment is safe, properly secured, nothing that could cut or hurt someone.

Bugs and Plants, when out and about with your family in any wooded areas make sure you know what certain dangerous plants look like. Become familiar with what poison ivy looks like, any types of thorn bushes, or the seven-minute itch which can be extremely hard to pick out in grassy areas. Spray yourselves down with bug spray to help protect you from mosquitoes and ticks and try to stay away from areas that mosquitoes tend to gather, like stagnant puddles or swamps.

Let people know where you are going, going on outdoor adventures can be a really great experience for families. There are many lessons kids can learn from a hiking or overnight camping trip. It is always good to let someone know where you are headed so if you lose communication at any point, they can let the proper authorities know where you were headed. You should also be prepared with food, water, first aid kits, and flashlights with extra batteries.

Food and Fire, Grilling is always a good time for good food and fellowship with friends and family. Don’t lose track of time or temperature and be sure to locate your grill in a safe place away from flammable items as well as walls and furniture and overhead roofing to prevent fires.

R&R, be sure to plan some vacation time away from it all for just some time of Rest and Relaxation. You are not on a schedule so don’t make vacation a work schedule. Take it easy and relax.

For God and Country - Harvey Satterwhite

Auxiliary Notes

Our first Poppy Day distribution was Saturday, May 26^th. Due to the generosity of Franklinton residents we collected over $400! We also included a copy of the poem, “In Flanders Fields”, with our poppies. If you have never read it, take the time to do so.

The next Executive Meeting will be at 9:00 am on Monday June 11, 2018 at Post 52, followed by a Sew Day until 3:00 pm. We will continue to work on quilts for local veterans, and also begin making wheelchairs and walker bags for the home bound and in nursing homes.

Our next fund raiser will be in conjunction with the Pork/Chicken BBQ on Saturday, June 9 from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. Please pack your cookies, brownies, or cupcakes in zip-lock bags and come out to join the fellowship!

All of these projects cannot be accomplished without you. We continue to be blessed with members who are dedicated to serving our veterans. All of you are an important part of our membership body…we can use and appreciate your help!

Adrienne O’Neill

Vice-Commander's Report

My fellow legionnaires, we are about to enter a very busy and important part of our year. Now that we have elected and installed new post officers, next up is the chicken and pork BBQ fund raiser which will require the help of many hands. The Department convention takes place June 28 through June 30, 2018. I would encourage anyone who is interested to attend this event to see how your American Legion conducts its business and to witness the election process for the new Department officers. Our Past Post Commander George Tracy will be sworn in as the new District 5 Commander for the 2018 – 2019 year.

I want you to reflect for a moment on the last line of the preamble to our constitution which reads “Consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness” Our forefathers made this the last line in the preamble for a reason as it spells out who we are as legionnaires. Please consider this as you make your decisions on whether or not to participate in any Post 52 events.

For God & Country, Mike Donnelly

Editor's Note

And in line with that thought, your post is conducting its annual cash raffle fund raiser on June 23^rd. We moved it to June thinking that by being away from the Christmas time in December, we might get more legionnaires to participate. Use the form on back side for participating in the raffle.

Why does the post need to raise money through fund raisers? Well, our annual budget is $40,000. We keep $7.50 of your $35 dues at the post (the rest goes to state and national). With 235 members, we raise $8,225 from dues. The remaining $31,775 needed for our budget comes from rental fees and fund raisers.

Post Historian

Next year the Legion will celebrate its' 100 Birthday on March 15^th. This coincides with the date of the Paris Caucus in 1919. Also that year on May 8^th our founders held a second caucus in St. Louis. Our Post Charter was ratified in November of 1919.