Commanders' Message

Greetings to all. As we come to the end of another year, I would like to reflect on 2022 just briefly. With the Covid virus, it has been a challenging year for All of us and our families. Thank your executive committee and all members for supporting our Post activities. While isolated to some degree, we have still been able to follow Safety protocols and continue to support our organization. In my travels and representation of our Post, I am very proud to represent a Post and Organization that focuses on Veterans, their families, youth, and our committee.

Several areas stand out in my mind when I look back over the year. Our awards banquet, where we recognize Fireman, E.M.S., Law Enforcement, Community Service, and Legionnaire of the Year. Our Memorial Day and Veterans Day Service, to the many of our nation's problems we solved while working under the shelter during our fundraisers. For our support of the Veterans Service Fund (V.S.F.) and National Emergency Fund (NEF). ALL this speaks volumes about your commitment to the American Legion and our Post. Thank You!

I asked each member to consider getting involved in our Post activities. I hope you will consider getting involved in upcoming activities, including Nominations for All Officer positions, Brunswick stew fundraiser, Fish/Oyster Fry, Food Service, Building and Grounds, Rifle Team, and Americanism. I think you will find any of these programs very rewarding, and if you can only help for a couple of hours during our fundraisers, that would be great.

Who is a Very Important Person (V.I.P.); Any individual who has served in the military and is a member of the American Legion in good standing. All Legionaries are V.I.P.s, so if you have not paid your membership dues, I encourage you to do so and bring a Veteran to our next meeting. "NC TEAM ONE"

In works are Fireman, E.M.S., Law Enforcement, and Community Service nominees for 2023. 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 will be 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. Say a special prayer for our Service Men and Women away from home serving our nation during this season.

May we all remember the greatest gift from a God who loved us so much that He gave His only begotten son Jesus Christ. From my family and me to yours, we wish all of you a Merry Christmas, and may the New Year bring you all Health, Happiness, and Peace.

For God & Country, Harvey Satterwhite, Commander

Vice Commander's Message

I hope all read the November newsletter, especially my message on rededicating efforts to be an "active" Legionnaire at Post 52. As we end the year and look forward to 2023, please consider helping your Post by renewing your membership and volunteering your time and talents during fundraisers and events. Make a New Year's resolution where your Post is the beneficiary of your sacrifice.

As we close 2022, I want to extend a very special "Thank You" to all of the Legionnaires and Auxiliary Unit 52 members that went the extra mile to make Post 52 successful in 2022. I thank the Post Officers and Executive Committee who volunteer their time and experience to ensure the Post continues its mission to serve Veterans and the Franklinton community. Lastly, I thank the N.C. Department Commander and Post 52 Executive Committeeman - Michael Donnelly, Post 52 Commander and Membership Coordinator NC Department - Harvey Satterwhite, and District 5 Vice Commander and Post 52 Adjutant - Bruce Lobach for all doing double-duty extending their volunteerism to Post 52 and beyond to keep the American Legion on task for Veterans, youth, and communities.

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes of Good Health and Prosperity in the New Year! Thanks be to the glory of God.

Chris Smith, 1^stVice-commander

Chaplains' Corner

American Legion members and everybody else are struggling to survive life and rest from life. COVID-19 has hurt mentally as well as physically. Voters in this most recent election were much more anxious than I have seen in six years. Anxiety and Fear have heightened. Uncertainty is prevalent and can cripple and can hold us back. These pressures accumulate and encourage the "Voice-of-Christmas Now. That voice says, "Listen, Lamb Chop, a little more wouldn't hurt - just to be safe." The mind begins embroidering and expanding "the little more." Proper demands as pledges are also prevalent. The crescendo builds.

Mercifully the birth of Christ is with us. Christ is sufficient! For the American Legion, it has always been God and Country. Remembering and practicing it is not easy. This month let us carve out 10 minutes at the beginning and end of each day to ask what we must do this month and next year to do the Lord's work. Always remember the Lord is with us.

Keep the Faith, Harry Barrick, Chaplain

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

Our new VA&R Chair Patti Elliott has kept us very busy in a significant way: Durham VA Thanksgiving Food Bag Program: For the Thanksgiving Food Bag Program, C.D.C.E. asked for our support by donating nonperishable food bags that contain canned ham, vegetables, yams, instant mashed potatoes, boxed stuffing, and ready-made gravy. Our Unit came through! We donated eight meal bags.

Veteran Holiday Tree Program: The VA Social Workers, Case Managers, and Recreation therapists have submitted a Veteran wish list on behalf of the Veteran to include (specific) gift suggestions requested by the Veteran Patient. Through our Poppy Fund and two generous donations, we have $250 to use to purchase these gifts. Gifts are due back to the VA by 12/15. Please let us know if you would like to help with shopping, wrapping, or delivery.

We are also donating many personal items and toiletries to the USO-RDU. Thank you, Patti, for all of your efforts!

Finally, our Holiday Party will occur during our regular Unit meeting on 12/15. Please bring heavy hors d'oeuvres or a dessert to share. Invite your Spouses or Significant Others to celebrate with us.

Velinda Moore – Unit 52 President

Division 2 News

I will begin my column with a bit of history. On December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor was a day that has remained in infamy. Very few servicemembers who personally remember that day are still among us. The American Legion Auxiliary encourages everyone to do what they can to keep Pearl Harbor a part of our national consciousness.

Since my last column, the blue butterflies in Division 2 have been spreading their wings. The units that have made their membership goal are Durham 175, Henderson 176, Albemarle 76, Unionville 535, Mount Airy 123, and Eden 534. Congratulations to all! If you have not paid your 2023 membership dues, please do so today; December 31 is just around the corner. If you do not pay your membership dues by December 31, you will be considered delinquent after that date.

Post 52 and Unit 52, please bring nonperishable items to the Post. Drop your items into the box in the Post foyer. Please help the Franklinton community! I appreciate your support.

Merry Christmas! Thank you. Carolyn Donnelly, Division II President