Commander's Message

Greetings to all. As we come to the end of another year, I would like to reflect on 2021 just briefly. With the Covid virus, it has been a challenging year for All of us and our families. I want to thank your executive committee and all members for their support of our Post activities. While isolated to some degree, we have followed Safety protocol and continue to support our organization. In my travels and representation of our Post, I am very proud to represent a Post and Organization whose focus is on Veterans, their families, youth, and our community.

When we look back over the year, several areas stand out in my mind; Our awards, where we recognized, Fireman, EMS, Law Enforcement, Community Service, Legionnaire of the Year, Memorial Day Service, and our Veterans Day Service. Our camaraderie as we solved many of our nation's problems while working under the shelter during our fundraisers. We supported the Veterans Service Fund (VSF) and National Emergency Fund (NEF). – I Thank You! ALL of this speaks volumes about your commitment to the American Legion and our Post.

In 2021, I asked each member to consider getting involved in our Post activities. I hope you will consider participating in upcoming activities, including Nominations for All Officer positions, Brunswick Stew or other fundraisers, Food Service, Building and Grounds, Rifle Team, and Americanism. I think you will find any of these programs very rewarding.

Very Important Person (VIP); An Individual who has served in the military and is a member in good standing of the American Legion is considered a VIP. So, therefore, if you have not paid your membership dues, I encourage you to do so and bring a Veteran to our next meeting. "Going Above and Beyond"

In the works are Fireman, EMS, Law Enforcement, and Community Service nominees for 2022. If you know of a young man you feel would like to attend Boys State, please let us know so we can reach out and contact them.

We are preparing gift bags for our homebound veterans and those in hospitals and rest homes and will deliver these in the next couple of weeks.

Before we meet again, we will have celebrated Christmas and entered a New Year. A time when families and friends will come together, eat, exchange gifts, fellowship, make resolutions for the New Year and give thanks. May we all remember the greatest gift of all from a God who loved us so much that He gave His only begotten son Jesus Christ. From my family to yours, we wish all of you a Merry Christmas, and may the New Year bring to all Health, Happiness, and Peace.

As we approach the end of 2021, remember our servicemen and women, many of whom will be away from their families during this Christmas Season. Pray for them and their families.

For God & Country, Harvey Satterwhite, Commander Post 52

Chaplain's Corner

"For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being," — Ephesians 3:14-16 (NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph 1:3). Paul writes a prayer to God's holy people in Ephesus (Eph 1:1), a humble prayer about the greatest gift. It is a humble prayer because of the posture of Paul's heartfelt prayer; he is kneeling. What is the greatest gift you have ever received? Almost all who follow Jesus would say, "salvation," and I would agree; However, why is it the greatest gift? One amazing benefit of salvation is out of God's glorious riches, the indwelling Spirit of God. Jesus told his disciples; the Helper would guide them in all truth (John 16:13) and to wait on the Holy Spirit, and they would be witnesses throughout all the world (Acts 1:8). God is not asking us to follow Him in our feeble strength, but with His power through His Spirit working in our inner being. The same Spirit that indwelled the disciples is the same Spirit who indwells every follower of Christ today! The heart battles we face daily should not be fought in our own strength but with total dependence on the greatest gift ever given.

Praying for all, those who are serving, who have served, and for the families represented.

The Lord bless you and keep you all, Thomas Reid

Auxiliary Notes

Hello, everyone. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We will have an executive meeting in December and no unit meeting until the end of January. If I don't see you at the unit meeting, have a great Christmas.

Karen Nowell, President Auxiliary Unit 52

Division 2 News

First, thank you to all the units in Division II for what you are doing for our Veterans in 2021-2022.

As for Membership in the Division, we are still in second place with 69.37%. The National Southern Division had a Turkey Challenge, which ended on November 25, 2021. North Carolina won this challenge with the most memberships turned in. There is a new challenge from National. The challenge is, the first Department that makes 75% by December 7, 2021, will collect $250.00. North Carolina is in a great place as the Department is at 71.41%. So, my plea to anyone currently not paid, please do so as soon as possible. If your membership is not paid by December 31, 2021, you will be considered delinquent.

Congratulations to District 6 President Linda Kerensky for getting a new unit started in Henderson, N.C.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please remember our Veterans and Military families during the Holiday Season!

God Bless Our Country!

ALA Proud, Carolyn Donnelly, Division II President