Commanders' Message

We have now entered Phase II of Governor Cooper's plan to reopen North Carolina, and as with Phase I, certain restrictions apply. Most importantly, some businesses can open at reduced capacity; however, American Legion Posts are still not able to reopen. We can have meetings of 10 or fewer folks inside the Post and not more than 25 outside. Therefore, we will hold our Executive Committee meeting as scheduled in June. Our monthly membership meetings will remain suspended until the Governor lifts the restriction.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our post calendar of events had to be reviewed and updated to reflect the required changes. On June 9, 2020, we will be mailing out tickets for our annual trailer raffle. All members will receive a letter containing a description of the trailer and associated information. I want to urge all our members to take part in this raffle as it represents a significant revenue activity for Post 52. The Department of North Carolina will hold its Annual Budget Meeting on June 5, 2020, via Virtual Meeting. I will be attending this meeting as the chairman of the Americanism Commission.

I am sure that many of you are aware that our Post has completed an awesome job on membership this year and has surpassed the National Commanders' goal of 103% and still rising. I want to thank every member for their participation, especially Harvey Satterwhite, Steve Ijames, Bruce Lobach, Tony Kerensky, George Tracy, Doug Wilbourne, and Robert Junk. We could not have reached the unparalleled heights we attained without the superior effort of these members. We now must start planning for the new year that begins on July 1, 2020. A considerable part of that plan will be the retention of all our current members as well as recruiting additional new members. I ask all members of our Post to make every effort to get involved in the membership process, as it is not just the job of a few but the responsibility of all. I encourage all members of Post 52 to carry membership applications with them anytime they are out and about to aid in this effort.

Every member of Post 52 should be incredibly proud of the results our Post has achieved this year. Our Post has met every criterion required to be eligible for the Post Excellence Award. I have passed along our post information to the District Commander for District 5, and he has forwarded our submission to Department. The Department will review and send it to National Headquarters. All I can say is a tremendous big Bravo Zulu!! Post 52!

Please continue to stay safe and should you need any help you can reach me at (919) 270-1479 or at mcdonnelly51@gmail.com

For God & Country, Mike Donnelly

Chaplain's Corner

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

One of the many names given of the Holy Spirit is "the Comforter," and it refers to the one who comes alongside, consoles, and encourages. When we have struggles, the Holy Spirit helps us, but not only helps us but shows us how we are to treat others. The Holy Spirit is a person, not a thing. The Holy Spirit is within a person who puts his or her faith in Jesus Christ and trusts in God to save them. God's comfort of peace can only come from Him. We often try to find other ways to comfort ourselves, but true peace can only come from an intimate relationship with the Father. For those who have experienced God's comfort, we can share it with others who are going through the grieving of a loved one who has passed, a health problem, a crisis, or any other trouble.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, Thomas Reid

Auxiliary Notes

I hope all is well with everyone.

As for Memorial Day and other services that happened this year, they were vastly different. First being we did not have our Poppy Day, May 23, 2020; this is when we give out poppies in remembrance of our servicemen and women who served our country but did not come home so we can have our freedom. National Poppy Day was on May 22, 2020, which National did a virtual service online. It was very moving.

As for meetings in June, we will hold the Executive Committee meeting on June 8, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at Post 52; we will be exercising social distancing to keep everyone safe. For the Membership meeting on June 30, 2020, that is currently uncertain.

At the Executive Committee meeting held on May 18, 2020, I submitted my resignation as Franklinton Unit 52 President, which will be effective June 1, 2020. Karen Nowell was appointed and voted in to be Franklinton Unit 52 President. As for the other Unit officers, they will remain the same as they were in 2019-2020 for 2020-2021.

I will continue serving as the District 6 President for 2020 – 2021 for the ALA Department of North Carolina.

Girls State will have its virtual session on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, from 9 a.m. – noon. Franklinton Unit 52 is sponsoring three girls from Franklinton High School.

Congratulations to Pat and Patty McCrary on the birth of their new grandson, Ian Michael. Now with heavy heart, I must inform you that we have lost one of our long-time members, Miriam Honeycutt; please keep her family in your prayers. Also, please keep Commander Mike Donnelly in prayer as he will be having cataract eye surgery on June 9, 2020.

Birthdays for June: Janet Tracy and Patty McCrary (June 6).

Please stay safe and take care! I miss everyone!

For God and Country, ALA Proud, Carolyn Donnelly
District 6 President/Franklinton Unit 52 President