Commanders' Message

I hope everyone is having a great summer! Post 52 has been busy. The Franklinton Veterans Memorial Park Dedication Ceremony was outstanding. I am super proud of the many Legionnaires and Auxiliary Unit 52 members who attended and participated. I am pleasantly surprised and humbled to see an increase in Legionnaire participation at our events. Thank you to all who have done your part and more to keep Post 52 strong and vibrant. Your efforts and participation make me dig deeper, and push through the challenges of my work and home life, and still have the time to serve you. You make me better.

Some of our eldest Legionnaires were honored to be a part of Bedford Speaks on July 3rd. The Independence Day program is in its 10^th year and is put on by the Bedford Toastmasters in the Raleigh community near Falls Lake. Korean War-era Veterans Brodie Green, Kermit Hoyle, and Charles Etheridge spoke briefly about their time in military service and entertained the audience. Seargent At Arms James Bracknell was also in attendance. It is great to see community groups, such as the Bedford Toastmasters, creating a legacy of patriotism and Americanism in their neighborhood.

PDC Mike Donnelly, Chaplain Harvey Satterwhite, and I were honored to attend the Student Trooper graduation on July 19th. Our Student Trooper, Michael "Bryson" Dunston, graduated among 18 other trainees. This program is just one Department of N.C. youth program Post 52 supports yearly. Bryson and his family will be our guests at the August 27th membership meeting. Please come out to hear about Bryson's experience at Student Trooper.

I want to thank the officers of the Post Executive Committee for their hard work. We had a very successful Officer Training session that gave us all a better perspective on our duties and responsibilities as officers. The 1^st Vice Commander, Scott Vickers, and his membership team are working hard to recruit and retain members. Bricks for the Veterans Park are being sold briskly, and we should see our first orders shipped back and installed later this month. Legion College is Aug 2-3, and I can't wait to attend and learn how to do a better job for you.

Lastly, as our Country goes through historical, political, and social times, I want to remind you and me that The American Legion is a non-political organization. Membership of the organization should never be compromised by the political ideals of an individual. Just as our Country, our actions are governed by our Constitution and By-laws. The same applies to race, religion, gender, handicap, and socioeconomic class. Veterans who have given their lives to protect our freedoms bleed red, no matter the political affiliation or color of their skin. We all are different in many ways, but we all share a minimum of two things in common, which surpasses all else: (1) We all wrote that blank check to Uncle Sam that was not cashed, and (2) We are members of this great American Legion.

Chris Smith, Commander Post 52 csmithforest@gmail.com

Chaplains' Corner

I share with you the following scriptures.

Hebrews 11 NIV: " ¹ Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ² This is what the ancients were commended for. ³ By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. ⁴⁰ since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

May we continue to look to God for his guidance and direction in our lives and trust him even when we think we know a better way. Please continue to pray for those who have served and those still serving our nation in the Armed forces, as well as First responders, Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, and their families, and Thank God daily for the blessing He gives us all. May God continue to bless our Nation, Each of You, and Your Families.

Harvey Satterwhite, Chaplain

Vice-Commander's Report

As I write this entry for our monthly August newsletter, I am reminded of the courageous and selfless service each of you gave to honor and serve your country when called or led. Once again, Post 52 and our Nation are calling on you to stand and be counted during our annual membership renewal campaign, which is now in full swing.  As of this writing, 70 of our Post 52 Legionnaires have renewed their 2025 membership, which means 35% of our members renewed within 25 days of the beginning of the new membership enrollment period.  Our goal is to achieve 50% during the month of August.  Won't you please renew your membership today?  Why wait until November or December; renewing now will not disrupt your current membership and will only help our cause in achieving our goal of 100% before Veterans Day November 11th.

Three Ways to renew:
1. Send your check for $45.00 to American Legion POST 52, P.O. Box 61, Franklinton, NC 27525
2. Pay in person during our monthly membership meeting
3. Pay online (membership number required) https://mylegion.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Membership/Renew

Please bring a prospective member with you to our next meeting on July 30th.

"To the Colors" Joe "Scott" Vickers, 1^st Vice-Commander

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

First, I want to say "Thank You" to all the members who helped with the Bake Sale and served the meals for the Post 52 fundraiser. We did very well with the Bake Sale, in which the funds raised go to help with our veterans and Auxiliary programs.

August will be busy. August 1st, UEC (Executive) meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Post 52, August 2nd-3rd is the American Legion/Auxiliary College, held at the North Raleigh Hilton, August 5th, Flag Raising Ceremony for Howell Lee Jones, at the Wake Forest Town Hall Plaza at 11 a.m., The Unit Members meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Post 52. Some of us will be attending these events, and if you can attend, please try; it will be well worth it. The American Legion World Series, August 15-20, will be held in Shelby, NC, then onto New Orleans, La. for the National American Legion/Auxiliary Convention, August 23-29, 2024. There will be no Sew Day in August. The next one is planned for September 8th, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., and will be held at Post 52. I will be having shoulder surgery on September 13th.

Carolyn Donnelly, Unit 52 President

Tar Heel Boy's State/Student Trooper

Our Boy's State and Student Trooper candidates have graduated from their respective programs (see below.)

Tar Heel Boy's State. Xander Holmes and Sam Smith

Student Trooper Bryson Dunston

The annual raffle for this 5'x10' utility trailer will be on August 13, 2024. A packet of 15 tickets was mailed to each legionnaire. Please sell your tickets or, better yet, buy the packet for $20.

Fish Plate Fundraiser

Post 52 will sell fish plates ($10) on Saturday, September 14th, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Legionnaires will prepare for the fundraiser on Friday, September 13th, at 1 p.m.; all help is welcome with the cooking/serving on the 14th. All who can help are needed, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m

Need assistance dealing with the Veterans' Administration? Contact our Franklin County Veterans' Service Officer, Brenda Wilkins, at 919 496-1939.