Commanders' Message

I hope that all members of Post 52 have enjoyed a wonderful and restful holiday season with your family and friends. Now it is time to rededicate ourselves to the four pillars of the American Legion and the activities of your post. As legionnaires, we have a sacred obligation to help all veterans through difficult times and issues.

If you are reading this column and have not renewed your membership dues, your membership in the American Legion is now delinquent. To continue being a part of the largest and strongest veterans' advocacy organization in the country, you must renew now! Our organization's voice must remain strong and clear on all veterans’ issues coming before the United States Congress, and to do this requires the loudest voice that we can provide.

Throughout the year, we hold several fund-raising activities at Post 52, and in January, we hold our Brunswick Stew Sale. The preparation for this event will be on Friday, January 17, 2020, and the stew sale will be on Saturday, January 18, 2020. We will accept stew pre-orders for the stew starting now, so let us know how many quarts you and your neighbors need as soon as you can. The stew is available for $8.00 per quart.

Members of Post 52 took part in the Franklinton Christmas parade with several post officers riding in a World War II Army Jeep.

We will be holding a Post 52 dance at our Post on Friday, January 31, 2020. There is no charge for the dance, so we hope all will come out and support this event. Let’s get together and have some fun!

The Department of North Carolina will hold its Mid-Winter Conference on February 14 and 15, 2020, at the North Raleigh Hilton Hotel. I encourage all legionnaires to attend this conference and experience how your American legion conducts business. There will be many committees and commission meetings to attend as well as the meeting of the Department Executive Meeting. As of this writing, the Southern Block National Vice-Commander will be in attendance at this conference. So come on out and network with your fellow legionnaires.

For God & Country, Mike Donnelly

Post Service Officer’s Update

The VA has implemented several initiatives in 2019 that may have slipped past your radar. Here is a recap of some of the most noteworthy:

VA extends benefits to offshore Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans January 1st  - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) begins deciding Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 claims, Jan. 1, 2020, extending the presumption of herbicide exposure that include toxins such as Agent Orange, to Veterans who served in the offshore waters of the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

VA announces proposal to increase access to dental care  - Today the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it has submitted to Congress a waiver request and pilot program under Section 152 of the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (MISSION Act) to improve access to dental care for Veterans.

VA, Walmart open telehealth locations to serve Veterans in rural areas - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Walmart cut the ribbon in Asheboro, North Carolina, Dec. 10, for a new VA-led Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS) services pilot location.

- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board), and Office of Information and Technology (OIT) are working towards nationwide availability of virtual hearings for Veterans next year, allowing access using their mobile phone or laptop via the VA Video Connect app.

VA’s Patient Statement portal now available online  - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced Dec. 18 that Veterans now have digital access to patient statements through AccessVA using their secure information for DS Logon, ID.me or MyHealtheVet Premium.

VA introduces new direct deposit options for Veterans, beneficiaries - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in partnership with the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA), launched the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP), available starting Dec. 20, 2019.

For God & Country, Steve Ijames

Auxiliary Notes

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Commander Mike Donnelly and I went to Nashville, TN, for Christmas to visit my brother and family. We had a wonderful time, especially with my niece’s little ones.

I want to remind everyone of the Leadership Training workshop which is on January 18, 2020. Durham Unit 7 will be hosting at Durham Post 7, Durham, NC, at 10 a.m. I encourage you to attend this training as this is a great learning tool to help you understand the American Legion Auxiliary programs and for questions that you may have about them. If interested, please let Carolyn Donnelly know.

The January Executive meeting/Sew & Craft Day is January 13, 2020, at 10 a.m. held at Post 52. If you have any school supplies which you are collecting, please bring them to the Executive meeting or to the January Membership meeting so we can give them to Myrtle Satterwhite so she can give them to the schools in our community.

The January Membership meeting is January 28, 2020, at 5:30 pm held at the Franklinton Senior Center.

The Mid-Winter Conference is February, Friday and Saturday, 14-15, 2020, at the Hilton North Raleigh. The National President, Nicole Clapp, will be visiting during this conference.

January Birthdays: Anita DiCostanzo, Robin Junk, and Carolyn Donnelly!

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

Legionnaire Steve Ijames won the raffle for this 5’x10’ utility trailer. Steve is a 41-year member of Post 52 and has participated in every trailer raffle but never won until now. He said, “It pays to keep trying.” Many thanks to all who participated in the raffle and better luck next year.

Brunswick Stew Sale
Saturday, January 18^th,
11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
(or until all sold out)

Get your pre-order in before January 17^th to insure your quarts of our famous Brunswick Stew are available. Quarts are $8. Call/text Steve @ 919 727-0087 or email Stephen.ijames@gmail.com, giving your name, phone number, and the number of quarts to reserve.