Commanders' Message

May is here, and we have elected our new leadership team. Congratulations to all who stepped up as our new Post officers. All Post 52 members must now provide support for these leaders to ensure that the Post continues to grow and prosper.

This month we celebrate Memorial Day on May 31, 2021. It is a day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their all defending this country. This debt of life so freely given can never be repaid. Celebrations will be held all over the country to remember them. Post 52 will place flags at the graves of all veterans in our local cemeteries on Saturday, May 29, 2021, and we will conduct our Memorial Day service on Sunday, May 30, 2021, at Fairview Cemetery at 2 pm. We will need volunteers for the firing squad, bugle, and set up crew.

The Department of North Carolina Convention will take place 10-12 June at the North Raleigh Hilton hotel. I encourage all legionnaires to attend this event to witness how your American Legion conducts its business and how your department leadership is elected. After this convention, I will become the leading candidate for Department Commander for 2022-2023.

There will be many different activities that legionnaires can look forward to this summer. They include but are not limited to the following: Legion Baseball and Softball, Legion College, and the National Convention to be held in Phoenix, AZ, in late August.

Governor Cooper has announced that if the numbers continue to stay low, he will lift all covid restrictions except for mask-wearing on June 1, 2021. This announcement will allow the Post more latitude in scheduling events and holding meetings.

As I begin my departure as your post commander and begin my campaign for Department Commander, I sincerely thank all of you for all you have accomplished for veterans and their families. Post 52 can be proud of its legacy and look forward with pride to its future.

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

For God & Country, Mike Donnelly, Commander Post 52

Chaplain's Corner

"My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:20-23 NIV

This wise counsel in Proverbs speaks about the utmost importance of God's wisdom. God's wisdom comes to us in His Holy Word by the power of the Holy Spirit. We should be a people who seek the wisdom of God in all things, keeping them within our hearts. Although we will never know all mysteries, God's Word gives us His point of view. When we are attentive to what God says, we receive a fresh and revitalizing life and the daily healing we need. The very wisdom of God leads to life. Moments with God are like springtime in a rough winter season. The Psalmist writes, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Who restores our lives? The very source of Life; Himself, in His Word, who brings healing because our futures come from what God commands. 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

Thank you to everyone who made baked goods or helped with the fish fry. The Post greatly appreciated our help. We need as many as possible to attend the meeting we will have a lot to discuss concerning the new year. If you have any ideas or questions, please feel free to call me. We still need a secretary for our Unit. Anyone can step up and take this position; please help.

Karen Nowell, President Auxiliary Unit 52

Auxiliary District 6 News

The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) has been celebrating its 100^th Anniversary since November 10, 2019. To continue this celebration, the ALA 100^th Anniversary Committee has asked that we provide 100 gift bags for the "100^th ALA Anniversary Wheelchair Roll for Durham" to go to the Durham VA hospital. This event will take place on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at Clayton Post 71, where the bags will be filled. Please call me for more information about what items are needed to fill these bags or to donate or want to help fill the gift bags.

As my year ends as District President, please help your Units nominate and elect your Unit officers for the next year (2021 -2022). I hate to see a Unit fold due to not having members stepping up to serve as one of the officers of their Unit.

April was the Month of the Military Child; as May approaches, we will remember those who served our country and the sacrifices they made for our country for our freedom.

Carolyn Donnelly, District 6 President

Important Contacts

The VA @ 1-800MyVA411 (1-800-698-24110)

Local Veteran's Service Officer @919 496-1939