Commanders' Message

November is filled with several very important days. The first being 2018 Election Day, be sure to get out and vote and be sure you understand what you are voting for and know the candidates you are voting for. As for me, I do not vote for a party but for a person who I feel will serve the citizens well. It is our civic duty.

The second being Veteran's Day in which we remember ALL veterans and thank and honor those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime. For many veterans, our nation was important enough to endure long separations from their families, miss the births of their children, freeze in sub-zero temperatures, bake in hot temperatures, lose limbs and far too often, lose their lives. Military spouses have had to endure career interruptions, frequent changes of address, and a disproportionate share of parental responsibilities. The children often had to endure changes in schools, separation from friends and hardest of all, the uncertainty of whether or not Mom or Dad will return home. I thank each of you for your Service to our nation and to the American Legion.

In 1789 George Washington said, "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country." If you get this letter before Veterans Day, I hope you and your family will join us for our Veterans Day Service and Family Day, with food fellowship, fun and door prizes. Service Starts at 11:00 am, Saturday Nov10th. Hope to see you there.

The next special day and one of my favorites is Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving is a holiday to express our thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation to God, family and friends for all we have been so blessed with, Life, Liberty, and Family. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. Let us stop and give thanks to God, for His many blessings and share our appreciation for His blessing on us. /P>

We were able to donate 8 cases of items that will be used to prepare packages for troops serving overseas for Christmas.

For God and Country - Harvey Satterwhite

Vice-Commander's Report

My fellow legionnaires, we just finished up the Department of North Carolina Fall Conference where a lot of work was accomplished. Over 12 thousand dollars were raised for Bill Oxford’s campaign for National Commander! This is an important appointment for the department and we all should be supporting this effort. We were informed that at the Fall meetings in Indianapolis that a resolution was approved by the NEC (National Executive Committee) and is being sent on to the Congress which would grant anyone who served in the military on active duty from WWII until now eligibility to join the American Legion. This will not become final until a vote is taken in Congress. Therefore, it is important that when we receive word that this resolution has been presented to Congress that all legionnaires contact their elected officials and push for support for this measure. This will ultimately aid our organization in the drive for membership. I have also just learned that I have been appointed to the National Americanism Council by National Commander Brett Reistad with a term ending 10/17/2019. This is a great honor and a true testament to the incredible job we are doing at Post 52. I want to thank all the members of Post 52 for all of their support and encouragement as we travel this path together. It is voting season now so get out and vote!

For God & Country, Mike Donnelly

Auxiliary Notes

Here are a few reminders: First: Remember to Vote: Early voting is going on now till November 3, 2018. Election Day is Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voting is our Civic duty.

Second: ALA District 6 Leadership Training will be held on November 3, 2018 hosted by Unit 52 held at Post 52. Lunch will be at 12 noon and Training starts at 1:00 pm.

Contact Linda Kerensky (607-624-2995) as she is organizing the Lunch. She will let you know what she needs. Hoping for a good turnout from our Unit!

Third: Post 52 will be honoring our Veterans with a Veterans Day Service at Post 52 on November 10, 2018, at 11:00 am followed by Family Day activities. Also, we will be having our 2n1 Quilt Raffle drawing following Veterans Day Service.

Please keep selling the Quilt raffle tickets!

Myrtle Satterwhite says, the Franklinton Elementary School will be more than happy to take the Box Tops for Education from us. So, keep collecting!

The Unit made 6 Buddy Baskets which I took to the Fall Conference. They are going to the Salisbury VA as they are completely out. It was reported the Salisbury VA uses about 10 Buddy Baskets per month. They were so appreciative of the baskets.

Executive Meeting followed by Sew Day, Monday, November 12, 2018 beginning at 10:00 am, held at Post 52. Everyone is invited to our Sew Day.

Membership Meeting, Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 5:30 pm, held at Franklinton Senior Center. Invite a friend!

Unit 52 Christmas Party will be on Saturday, December 8, 2018 beginning at 11:00 am, being held at Post 52.

In the Spirit of Service not Set
Carolyn Donnelly, Unit 52 President

Historian Comments

Here we are coming up on another Veterans Day. But least we forget, this day was called Armistice Day when I was growing up. It was originally set aside to remember the cessation of fighting after World War I. The war to end all wars. We all know how well that worked.

But one thing to come out of that conflict, that has lasted for almost 100 years, was the formation of The American Legion. And next year, we will be celebrating 100 years as a veteran’s organization. Founded in Paris, March 1919, while our troops were still deployed in Europe. We in Post 52 owe our formation to a group of these dough boys, who as soon as they got home, wanted to help their follow veterans and give back to their community.

We received our charter in November 1919. Our founding members were as follows: J. R. Mitchiner Jr., George L. Cooke, J. H. Harris Jr., H. S. Daniels, R. J. Rose, E. W. McGhee, Robert R. Speed, D. B. Kearney, Earl R. Sykes, G. D. Williams, C. L. McGhee, Henry C. Kearney, J. S. Joyner, A. E. Henderson, and Hugh A. McGhee.

I know we still have some of their descendants in our midst (like Wyatt McGhee) and I would like to get more information on our founders. So, if you know someone or are a descendant, please let me know. Your assistance would be appreciated.

Historian – George G. Tracy