Commanders' Message

Make Plans Now to celebrate with us the 100^th Birthday of the American Legion as well as our annual awards night, Saturday, March 9^th, starting at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

March 15, the designated birthday of The American Legion, is the day in 1919 when the first American Legion caucus, held by members of the American Expeditionary Force, convened in Paris. As much as the birthday of the United States is celebrated on July 4^th, for the day in 1776 when revolting patriots declared our independence of the British and the spirit of America was born, March 15 is the date on which the American Legion came to life. Our Post 52 was formed and chartered as the 52^nd North Carolina Legion Post on November 1919. Over these past 100 years, Post 52 has been a vital part of this community and remains so today.

Here are just a few of the achievements of YOUR American Legion Post for 2018.

- Interacting with and supporting community veterans and their families

- Monetary Contribution to (VSF) Veterans Service Fund for VA administration

- Monetary Contribution to (NEF) National Emergency Fund

- Sponsor young men and women to Student Trooper & Boys State Program

- Sponsor young men and women in the Oratorical Contest

- Pull Tabs for the Ronald McDonald House

- Place American flags on veterans’ graves & conduct Memorial Day Service

- Post flags in the Town of Franklinton during Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4^th, and Veterans Day

- Veteran Day Services and Family Day 

- Provide Military Honors at the funerals of veterans

- Prepared and deliver meals to our Home Bound Veterans

- Prepare and deliver Christmas gifts to our homebound and veterans in rest homes

- Over $8K in facility renovations and many hours of legionnaire time donated to maintenance and repair.

- Providing and maintaining a facility for community use that can host participation of up to 90 persons.

Please remember, our Nominating Committee is seeking individuals to serve in all Leadership positions of our Post for the 2019-20 year. I know there are many of you are more than capable in serving in some capacity. Therefore, if you are asked by the nominating committee to serve, I hope you will consider and step up and if you are not asked Step Up Anyway.

SOS goes out to those members who have not renewed their membership. You are important to Post 52 and the American Legion. Please consider renewing your membership today. Thank You!

State Convention, Friday, Saturday, February 15 & 16. See you there!

Harvey Satterwhite, For God and Country

Vice-Commander's Report

February is upon us, and there is much activity at the post. We are preparing for our 100^th post anniversary as well as the Legion’s 100^th birthday. We continue to make many improvements to our post facilities where help is always needed. The post remains in need of more candidates to fill post offices and committees, so if you are interested in holding a post office in the coming year, please contact Robert Junk, George Tracy or myself and let us know. The Mid-Winter Conference will take place on 15 & 16 February at the North Raleigh Hilton Hotel, and this is an excellent opportunity for all legionnaires to see your North Carolina Department in action. There will be committee and commission meetings, a Department Executive Committee meeting as well as a Division 1 Caucus. Please plan to visit the conference and see how the legion conducts its business. National Commander Brett Reistad will be our special guest at the conference so come out and meet him!

For God & Country, Mike Donnelly

Auxiliary Notes

At the meeting last month, we had the Girl State speakers who gave us some great information on Girl State. Girl State will be held at Catawba College during the week of June 9 – 15, 2019. Applications must be turned in by March 10, 2019. So, if you know of any girl who is interested in government, an uprising senior and are in the top third of their class academically, please let Carolyn Donnelly or member of the Auxiliary know so we can get the information to the girl who is interested.

The Executive Committee/Sew day, February 11, 2019, at10 am. Post 52 and instead of doing a sew day we will be working on the Unit’s Scrapbook. Please join us as this is a way to tell our story of our Unit for the next generations to come. Our membership meeting, February 26, 2019, at 5:30 pm., Franklinton Senior Center. Please bring a friend to join us.

A reminder, the American Legion/Auxiliary Mid-Winter Conference is February 15 & 16^th, 2019 being held at the North Raleigh Hilton, Raleigh, NC. Our unit will be giving the Salisbury VA hospital 12 Buddy Baskets as the homeless veteran transition into a new home. The Durham VA hospital has a wish list consisting of baby food, diapers, and wipes (all sizes), baby clothes unisex, towel sets, shower curtain and rod, and bathmats. If you would like to donate any of these items, please let Carolyn Donnelly know so she can take them to the Conference.

Post 52 is having a Chili Cook-Off Contest at the February 26, 2019 meeting which is also Ladies Night. So, if you have a chili recipe you would like to enter the contest please bring it to the Post that evening. The more, the merrier!

In March, the Post is holding their Awards and Birthday Banquet on March 9, 2019. Commander Harvey Satterwhite has asked if the Auxiliary ladies would make desserts like pies, brownies, or cookies. There will be a cake already made for their celebration. I am also asking if you can attend this great event as the Auxiliary will be presenting a gift to the Post for their 100^th birthday celebration. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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