Commanders' Message

The month of March begins a season of changes, and we start with the transition to daylight savings time on Sunday, March 8, 2020. Time to check and ensure that your fire detector alarms are in good working order.

On March 7, 2020, at 6 p.m., we will conduct our Post 52 Annual Awards and Birthday Banquet. This banquet will be an opportunity to recognize people in the community as well as our post who have exceeded all expectations and gone the extra mile in the following categories; Soldier of the Year, Fireman of the Year, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Community Service and Legionnaire of the Year. I encourage all members of Post 52 to come out and support this event. We will be welcoming our guest Speaker Lou Cook, who is a retired CMSGT USAF as well as a Past Department Commander of the American Legion Department of North Carolina. So please come out and enjoy this banquet.

There are several great events taking place in March that should you have an interest; On March 7, 2020, at 11 a.m., the State oratorical Contest will be held. On March 14, 2020, the State Junior Shooting Sports Championship will be held at Post 48 Hickory at 10 a.m. I highly recommend that you attend and support the youth programs of the American Legion.

At our Post meeting in March, we will be nominating new officers for the 2020-2021 year. It is a struggle every year for us to put together a complete slate of potential candidates for these positions. Therefore, I am asking any member of Post 52 who may be interested in serving as an officer of the post in any capacity to please contact Ed Wilson or myself and make us aware of your wishes. As members of the American Legion, we are obligated to serve and help when we are able, this is known as mutual helpfulness.

For those members who may not be aware, Post 52 has reached 104% of our membership goal for 2020; however, we still have work to do. There are 40 members still not renewed for 2020, and we continue to reach out to them. I want to thank all the members of Post 52 for their continued support of our membership efforts as we have surpassed the National Commanders’ goal and continue to rise further.

For God & Country, Mike Donnelly

Chaplain's Corner

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34

What is it that worries you? When you ask the question, “what if,” it sparks anxiety and fear, which start to plague us. The solution to worrying is putting your faith in God. At the moment you start to worry, have you stopped and discovered that worrying controls everything that we cannot control? Worrying has never solved a single problem. How do we conquer worry?

Jesus gives us two methods to replace our worries with peace; first, instead of worrying, seek God’s kingdom. When God’s kingdom is first, all other areas of life will fall into place because He is in control. Second, trust God in the tomorrows. If we worried about tomorrow, it only changes our attitude today, and not tomorrow.

God promises to provide everything that we need, even in our tomorrows. If we see our whole life before us, we would be overwhelmed, but if we seek God’s kingdom first and trust Him in our tomorrows, He is faithful to provide the grace and strength we need to continue running the race.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, Thomas Reid

Auxiliary Notes

I can’t believe Spring is just around the corner, even though our winter hasn’t been too bad this year. Also, remember the clocks move forward one hour on March 8, 2020.

Thank you to the members who came to the Mid-Winter Conference. It was wonderful to meet The American Legion Auxiliary National President, Nicole Clapp at the Conference. I also want to say “Thank You” to Janet Tracy, who made the cake and 166 cupcakes for the Meet ‘n Greet for the Conference. They were enjoyed by all.

Next, I want to remind everyone about the District 6 Meeting, which will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Franklinton Post 52 hosted by Franklinton Unit 52. Registration begins at 12:30, and the meeting starts at 1 p.m. As our Unit is hosting this event, please try to attend.

Nominations have begun for the Unit’s new officers for the year 2020 – 2021. All positions are open. So, if you are interested or know of someone who is also, please contact Linda Kerensky (Nominating Committee Chair) or Carolyn Donnelly. I am aiming to have the elections at the April meeting.

If you have Facebook, please check out our page, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 52 NC. Velinda Moore has done an awesome job of keeping it up and active. Thank you, Velinda!

Please keep some of our members in prayer.

The March Executive Meeting is March 9, 2020, held at Post 52 beginning at 10:00 a.m. We will be working on preparations for the District meeting, so I invite anyone who would like to come and help.

The March Membership meeting is March 31, 2020, held at the Franklinton Senior Center at 5:30 p.m.

On Good Friday, April 10, 2020, is the Fish Fry at Post 52, and we will have our Bake Sale.

The March Birthdays are Miriam Honeycutt and Donna Greenwood.

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