Commanders' Message

There has been a lot of discussions lately about the protests and unrest happening all around this country; however, the stance of the American Legion has not changed. We at Post 52 are committed to the respect of all legionnaires regardless of their race, creed, or sexual preference. All legionnaires will be treated equally. We have a responsibility as legionnaires to set the example for all in our community. We must daily demonstrate that we care for and support all people, making for a better life for everyone.

Our annual trailer raffle will be on August 11, 2020. To be included in the raffle drawing, I strongly encourage you to send in your tickets before the deadline. I encourage all our members to take part in this event.

Post 52 needs your help! We are looking for volunteers to step up and serve our Post as candidates for post offices as well as committee members for Americanism, Membership, and others. If you have an interest in serving, please let me know as soon as you can so that we can plan and provide the necessary training for these positions. Remember the last line of the preamble to our Constitution "To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness." As members of our Post, we have a responsibility to support the Post when called upon.

Phase II is still in force currently until August 7, 2020. On that day, Governor Cooper will announce his plan for moving forward. Should we move into phase III, we will hold a regular membership meeting on the last Tuesday in August. If not, we will stay the current course just as we have throughout this pandemic.

I want to thank all the legionnaires and auxiliary members that came out to help make the chicken/pork BBQ a great success. We could not have done this without your support! We sold all our food by 4:30 pm.

For all those legionnaires that have renewed their 2021 memberships, I want to thank you and ask the members of this Post to keep it going. "Retention and Recruit" is the motto for this year. We must endeavor to retain all our membership from last year and to recruit new members as well.

My wish is that you all stay safe and well and continue to check on one another so that we all stay safe and well.

Should you need to contact me, you can reach me at 919-270-1479 or mcdonnelly51@gmail.com.

For God & Country, Mike Donnelly, Commander Post 52

Chaplain's Corner

Exodus 15:2: "The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. –

Have you ever sung to the Lord? Have you ever been reading the Bible and began singing a passage? I often sing songs, but my wife says, "leave the singing to the singer," but usually I respond, "you do not have to be a good singer to sing, just have a song in your heart."

Exodus 15:1-18 is the song Moses and the Israelites sang after they crossed the Red Sea. The song contains four stanzas, the first three describe God's victory over the Egyptians, and the fourth celebrates God's leadership and power over the Egyptian. The closing line brings an interesting closure to mind, "our Lord Reigns."

The central part of our worship should be God alone. When we worship God, dependence upon Him is evident, Satan flees, troubles vanish, struggles cease, and hearts are mended. May we never forget His mighty power and love; let us sing a song of praise to the Lord. During this season of change, I am praying for each of you, those who are serving, who have served, and for the families they represent.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, Thomas Reid

Auxiliary Notes

I hope everyone is well.

Our August meeting for the Executive Committee will be on August 10, 2020, at 10:00 am at Post 52; we will continue to exercise social distancing to keep everyone safe. There will not be a sew day. The Membership meeting in August is currently unsure.

I would like to say Thank you to all the ladies that came out to help the Legions Chicken/Pork BBQ. We had a good time and fellowship.

Membership is due; please contact Grace Hendrix to make your payment, or if you do it online, please let her know.

We would like to have a group of ladies to help Velinda with the crocheted mats; if anyone is interested, please let me know. We are thinking about a nighttime gathering but will let you know for sure.

Birthdays for August: Velinda Moore (August 8), Velinda Basallo (August 13), Sue Haynes (August 14).

Please stay safe and take care! Hopefully, we will be together soon!

Karen Nowell, Franklinton Unit 52 President