Commanders' Message

I am sure that by now, everyone has heard that Governor Cooper has proclaimed that effective Monday, March 30, 2020, at 5 pm a statewide Stay Home Law will go into effect. At this time, all Legion meetings, gatherings, and activities have been canceled or postponed until a later date to be determined dependent upon when the Government, State, and local officials decide it is once again safe to do so.

Since we are all hunkered down at home, now is a great time to pick up the phone and call your veteran friends and ask how they are getting along. Do they need any help, do they have the groceries and supplies that they need? This call may be a God sent to someone; as legionnaires, we have the responsibility to check on our comrades and help them any way that we can during this troubled period.

Whether you are reading an epic novel, working on a 5000 piece puzzle, or cleaning out closets, I know that it is hard to keep your mind sharp and clear when you can't go out and see and talk to other people. But remember this, we are only given what we can handle, no more, no less, and we will come out of this in a much better state of mind about our friends, families, and neighbors.

I will continue to pass along all the information that I receive from all sources. The Department office has moved to 2940 Flagstaff Road in Raleigh (located up behind the Wake Med Hospital Complex) phone (919) 832-7506. At this time, due to the lack of post meetings, the election of new officers is on hold until further guidance is received from the Department. National has canceled the Oratorical Contest, Junior Shooters, Boys Nation, and the National May Spring Conference. We will know more about all other programs as time moves forward.

Should you or your family have any questions, you can reach out to me at (919) 270-1479 or email to mcdonnelly51@gmail.com. Please remain as safe and healthy as you can, and may God Bless you.

For God & Country, Mike Donnelly

Chaplain's Corner

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock." — Matthew 7:24-25

That day will eventually come to all of us, the day that the rain falls, the day the floods come, and the day the wind blows. Each of us will go through days of testing and difficult days; some of us are going through these times as you read this devotion. The question is, will we be ready when that day comes? Here, Jesus tells us how to build our life on a sure foundation, the foundation that will stand till the very end. The person who puts their faith in Jesus follows Him, and acts on His words, their life will be on a sure foundation.

Jesus is that Rock that will not be shaken. God did not promise we would go through this life without troubles, pain, or difficulty, but He did promise to be there with us through those times of testing. Trust in the one true God, and He will give you the strength to endure till the end. – Be blessed

May the Lord bless you and keep you, Thomas Reid

Auxiliary Notes

As I am writing this newsletter, I hope everyone is well and safe. With the shelter-in-place mandate in effect, it is an excellent time to make those phone calls to the members of our Unit and to your family, friends, and neighbors to say hello and check with them to see if there is anything they may need and how they are doing.

I want to say thank you to the ladies who are making the cloth hospital face masks. Currently, the VA hospitals are not accepting them, but some of the local hospitals are taking them.

All Auxiliary and Post events/meetings are canceled for April.

As for Girls State, which the Unit is hoping to sponsor three to four girls to attend, the plans are at this time for the girls to attend, but the applications and the non-refundable date has changed to May 1, 2020. I did get a notification that if the session is canceled, the Unit will get the money back. The orientation for Girls State has been canceled.

As for the election of unit officers, the American Legion is working on this, and the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) will follow their suggestions on how to proceed in this unprecedented time, according to the Department President, Julie Smith.

Also, President Julie sent out an update on the new office for the Department. The move from the old office into the new office is complete, but with the mandatory stay at home in effect, don't know when the new office will officially open. The office's new phone number is (984)206-4404.

April is the Month of the Military Child

April birthdays: Caleigh Katz on the 10^th & Amy Marshall on the 15^th.

Please stay safe and healthy, and may God Bless each one of you and have a Happy Easter!

A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families,
Carolyn Donnelly District 6 & Unit 52 President

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Fellow Legionnaires beware of scams related to the Covid-19 Virus directed at veterans. For example, the Department of Colorado shared the following that was sent to veterans in Colorado as if it came from the Department Commander:

"The American Legion Department of Colorado needs some gift cards for donation to Veterans at Hospice and Palliative care units for preventive items for Corona Disease (COVID 19). I have decided to make it a personal duty. I will be responsible for the reimbursement."

Colorado Department Commander Dean did not send this out. It is a scam originating from Denmark.