Commanders' Message

With October upon us, we must get serious about membership at Post 52. Our original goal was to be at 100% membership by Veterans Day. With the current pace of membership renewals this accomplishment is in jeopardy. I am asking that all members who have not yet paid their 2020 dues, to please do so during October, this will enable us to reach the target we have set.

Renovation of the Post bathrooms has begun, and the work is scheduled to finish around October 15, 2019. This work will include changes to make them more accessible for disabled members and guests; fresh paint and flooring, as well as wider doors, will be installed.

Our Brunswick stew goes on sale on Saturday, October 12, 2019, with preparations done on Friday, 11 October.

We just finished a successful fish, and oyster fry fundraiser and thanks go out to all who volunteered their time to help in this effort.

These events require the support of all members of our Post. If you can come out and work for any length of time, your help will be most appreciated.

Our Fall Department Conference will be held at the North Raleigh Hilton Hotel on October 17 through October 19, 2019, and this is a perfect time to come and see how we conduct the business of the American Legion. I encourage all members of our post to attend this conference.

During this month we will be putting the final touches on our 100^th-anniversary program, so if you have any ideas for this celebration please make them known to any member of the Executive Committee as soon as possible. Help us make this celebration the best event ever held at Post 52

For God & Country, Mike Donnelly

Vice-Commander's Report

Fellow Legionnaires, here we are moving into fall. I missed seeing a lot of you at the Post Fish/Oyster Fry, held on Friday, September 27. Thanks to all of you that helped make this fundraiser a success.

The 100^th Anniversary of our post is this year we are looking for any old photos, programs or even pictures from past post gatherings.

Our guest speaker at this month's meeting was Franklin County Veterans Service Officer, Mrs. Brenda Wilkins. She discussed the new MISSION ACT; these changes may affect you. The Legionnaire Act signed by President Donald Trump redefines the American Legion membership eligibility dates. The eligibility now spans from Dec7, 1941 until a time when the US is no longer at war as determined by congress.  So, many of our comrades that were not eligible to join the American Legion are now eligible.

So, make sure all veterans are aware of these changes and invite them to become a member of the biggest non-profit veterans’ organization in the world. I hope that this will be information that will be helpful in the future. We are always looking for new members, and so is the auxiliary.

Big thanks to the Auxiliary for the hard work and Bake Sale goodies.

I would leave you with a thought. Do you remember the Golden rule? Do your children know it? Do your grandchildren know it? What happened to the simple things we were taught?  Pass it on.

Please submit your 2020 dues as soon as possible.

Doug Wilbourne

Auxiliary Notes

Welcome to Fall! Even though the weather still feels like summer. I don’t know about you I’m ready for the crisp, cool weather of Fall.

I want to say “Thank You” to all of the members who baked for the Bake Sale as it was a great success! And “Thank You” to all who came out to help serve the dinners to the community.

Everyone is doing an “AWESOME” job on membership. We have nearly met our goal. Keep up the good work! Thank you for supporting our Unit!

We have finished all the Division meetings for this year, and during the last Division II meeting, I put in my nomination for Division II President for 2020. The election will be during the June 2020 Convention.

The Fall Conference is October 18 & 19, 2019, at the North Raleigh Hilton. Anyone interested or for more information please contact Carolyn Donnelly.

We are canceling the Executive Committee meeting scheduled for October 14, 2019 due to renovations to the Post bathrooms.  A future date is to be determined. Also, the November Executive Committee meeting/Sew day will be on November 18, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Post 52 instead of November 11, 2019 as this is Veteran’s Day.

Post 52 will be having a Veteran’s Day/ 100^th Birthday Celebration/Family Day on November 9, 2019, at 11 a.m. Please come with your family and friends to honor our Veterans and Celebrate.

The Membership meeting is October 29, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. at the Franklinton Senior Center.

We are making plans for the Christmas Tea Party which will be on Sunday, December 1, 2019, from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. More details coming later.

For God and Country! In the Spirit of Service, not Self,
Carolyn Donnelly District 6 & Unit 52 President

Franklin County Veterans Service Officer

Brenda Wilkins, Franklin County’s Veterans Service Officer, is our resource to help all veterans with Veterans Administration issues they may have. Her office is in Louisburg in the new courthouse building. Her number is 919 496-1939.