Commanders' Message

By the time you receive this Newsletter, we as a Nation will have celebrated July 4^th, Independence Day. Just a quick recap of Independence Day. On July 4^th, 1776, the United States of America proclaimed its independence from England by signing the Declaration of Independence. While the signing of the Declaration itself was not completed until August, the Fourth of July holiday is seen as the official anniversary of U.S. independence. I think this is 246 years as a Nation. Please take time to reflect on the many blessings we have as a Nation and Thank God for his blessings.

Flash from the Past, On July 4^th, 2014, Post 52 hosted the Stand Up for America celebration with over 2000 folks in attendance.

Thanks to each member for supporting our Community, State, Nation, and the American Legion. The American Legion still leads the way in helping our Veterans and their Families. I explained last month how the membership renewal works; you may have already received your first Renewal Notice by the time you get this Newsletter. Let's all do our part to reduce cost and waste to our organization by renewing our membership when we get our first notice. NOTICE, effective 1 Jan 2023, there will be a $5.00 INCREASE in American Legion dues. Our last state dues increase was 20 years ago. You probably are asking why. 1) Decrease in Membership, 2) Cost of mailings to those who put it off. I AM ASKING ALL MEMBERS TO CONSIDER RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP when you receive your FIRST NOTICE.

Well, June and July have started off busy with our State Convention on June 9 & 10, the election of new Department Officers, including our New Department Commander Michael (Mike) Donnelly from Post 52! Next is our BBQ Pork & Chicken Fundraiser on July 15 & 16. Please get the word out and plan to come by and enjoy some good food. Then it's off to Legion College July 22^nd – 23^rd, where there will be training on several topics. I know a lot of good information will be provided at Legion College. Get registered and make plans to attend. Hope to see some of you there.

I want to encourage any Legionnaire to consider taking the American Legion Extension Course online. The American Legion Extension Institute has been rewritten, updated, streamlined, and enhanced with videos, digital photos, clickable links, a historical timeline, and additional features. To register and take the course, visit www.legion.org/alei. The program should take less than two hours to complete. It's divided into six sections, with a quiz at the end of each one, followed by a final exam. The sections closely follow the Legion's Four Pillars of service. They include History & Organization Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation National Security Americanism Children & Youth. Upon completion, a participant must pass a final online exam to receive a digital certificate of recognition; a lapel/cap pin will also be delivered to those who successfully complete the course. The online course is FREE for members of The American Legion.

OK, I have said it, and I have heard it said, when are we going to have a little fun around the Post. Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 12, 11:00 am until 2:00 pm, Veterans Day/Family Day. Yes, November, that's over four months / 120 days out, and it should give you enough time to mark your calendar and plan to attend. The day will start with a Tribute to our Veterans, and then the fun begins. Who is Invited? Members, their spouses and siblings, and any Veteran who is or is not a member of the American Legion. There will be Food, Games, Door Prizes, Drawings, Music, and much more. So, make plans now to attend. The drawing will be for ALL PAID MEMBERS WHO ATTEND, their names will go in the pot, and three lucky members will win their dues back. So, you know what that means; 1) Good Odds of Winning, and 2) You Must have paid your dues to be entered. We will have a signup sheet going around to get numbers of those who plan to attend as well as you can call me @ 919-339-8044, so we can prepare food accordingly.

For God & Country, Harvey Satterwhite, Commander

Chaplains' Corner

The fourteenth of June is Flag Day. Like Flag Retirement Day at Post 52, it occurs regularly, without fanfare. The little news watched never mentions Flag Day. Recently the American Legion remembered on Memorial Day those who gave their all. Two weeks later I am again reminded that only veterans’ funerals that have the flag.

We read about the flag bearers leading charges across open fields. If the bearer falls, another picks up our flag and continues. I like to think that I would pick the flag up and go, but I'm not so sure. The United States has given me a lot to lose. The flag is our symbol of our best. While the cloth can be burned, the symbol endures. Next time we Pledge our Allegiance to the flag, savor life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that the flag symbolizes.

Keep the Faith, Harry Barrick, Chaplain

Division 2 News

WOW

For God and Country and In the Spirit of Service, not Self,
Carolyn Donnelly, Division II President

Auxiliary Notes

We have had a lot of activities and updates since last month. First, the Unit has changed our meeting days and times; several members still working had difficulty getting to our meetings at our previous times. Therefore, the Executive Board will meet on the 1^st Thursday of each month at 6:30 (all are welcome to attend). The Unit Meeting will be on the 3^rd Thursday of each month at 6:30. While the Executive Board will continue to meet over the summer, there will be no Unit Meeting in July or August.

We have several open positions within the Unit. Do you know that the Auxiliary now accepts all Military/Veteran spouses as members, not just wives? Also, if you and your spouse are both Military/Veterans, you are eligible for dual membership in both the Post and the Auxiliary? There is a lot of work to be done supporting our Active-Duty Military, the Veterans in our community, the men and women at the Durham VA, and instructing the children in our community in Americanism, among other things. If you are eligible for membership, I encourage you to join. Whether you are a current member or a new or prospective member, we need your help. The following positions need filling: 3 Member-at-Large Positions for the Executive Board, VA&R Chair, Americanism Chair, Junior Member Coordinator, and Post 52 Activities Liaison.

The Post Executive Board has asked us to assist in serving at the Post BBQ Plate Fundraiser on Saturday, July 16, 2022, from 11:00 – 7:00. We need volunteers to serve food and bake for the Bake Sale and manage the sales table during the event.

If you would like to get more information on joining or you would like to volunteer, please email us at alaunit52franklintonnc@gmail.com. You can also contact us through our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NCALA52.

Velinda Moore, Unit 52 President

Annual Trailer Raffle

The drawing for this 5'x10' utility trailer will be on August 16th, 2022. So get your tickets in ASAP.

Chicken/Pork BBQ Plates

Post 52 will serve BBQ plate meals on:
Saturday, July 16^th, 11 am to 7 pm
The plates are $8.
Come for a great meal!