Commanders' Message

I hope you survived Thanksgiving and were able to spend quality time with your family and share in the thankfulness of good food and for all we have as Americans. The Christmas season is now upon us. If you are like me, stress is building because there is a lot of "stuff" asked of us at Christmas. There is tremendous pressure to find the right gift, have a cheery disposition, and attend all kinds of events, from parties to live nativities. The struggle is real, even for retired folks like many of you who now may have the job of grandkids, great-grandkids, or being a caregiver of a parent on them. Oh yeah, there are Legion activities as well, even though we do not have a membership meeting in December. We participate in the Franklinton Christmas parade (12/5), hosting the District 5 Meeting (12/7 at 11:00 am), Wreaths Across American event at Franklinton Veterans Memorial Park (12/14 at 12:30 pm), Post Executive Committee & Auxiliary Christmas Party (12/17 at 6:00 pm) and delivering Christmas gift bags to Veterans in Franklin County nursing facilities (date TBD).

I say all this to remind you and myself of two very important things: 1) remember the "reason for the season" and focus on what is the miracle of Jesus' birth, and 2) find purposeful time during this hectic month to be with your loved one, spouse, or family to show them your love with your actions not just a remark in passing as you go to one Christmas event and your spouse to another because you can't be in the same place at once! When we divest ourselves from what the commercial Christmas is and come back to Jesus, stressful burdens may be lifted, and he will make a "path" for us.

Finally, pray for and thank those members of our military and first responder communities who may not be with their families at Christmas because - "duty calls." Unfortunately, there are homeless Veterans, Veterans with health issues, those with substance abuse problems, and some who are just lonely due to whatever circumstances of life. As a Legionnaire, you must Be The One who acknowledges and blesses them in a dignified and loving manner. Post 52 and Auxiliary Unit 52 will do just that by distributing Christmas gift bags to Veterans in nursing homes. So, I say to you, love your brother, and know that the most valuable and affordable Christmas present to anyone is your kind words and a prayer for their wellbeing.

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year 2025, and thank you for continuing the strong tradition of service to Veterans in our community by being a member of The American Legion. I am proud of your service exhibited in 2024, and I am humbled to be part of the Post 52 team charting our future in 2025.

Chris Smith, Commander Post 52 csmithforest@gmail.com

Chaplains' Corner

A message from the past (December 2021)

"Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the LORD in splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth." Psalm 96:7-9 (NIV)

A little boy shared his excitement about receiving candy in his Operation Christmas Child Box. He was so excited that he offered the candy to the person who gave him the shoebox. At first, the person refused; however, after coming under conviction of the Holy Spirit saying, "This child has never had anything to give. Don't you steal this child's joy of giving." God is a giving God; in fact, he is so into giving that he gives the gift of giving. What can we give to God?

First, as people of God, we can make his name famous. God is worthy of praise from the entire earth, from all peoples' families.

Second, we can give God our wealth; this word, offering in the Old Testament's original language, indicates a bloodless offering, a thank-offering.

Third, we can give God our worship. True worship can be identified by sacrifice in some way. Is God honored in our giving?

During this season of change, I pray for all who have served, who are currently serving, and the families they represent.

Merry Christmas & God's blessings, Thomas Reid (Past Post Chaplain)

Vice-Commander's Report

Seventy-One. Some would say, "Everything is in the details," I tend to agree. Beginning in July this year, we embarked upon our annual membership renewal campaign. I am happy to report that each month since we started, the Post 52 members answered the call by renewing their membership, allowing us to reach our target goals.

By now, you are likely wondering why I started this article in the first line with "Seventy-One;" well, this is a substantial number that indicates our Post is in immediate need of renewing 71 members to achieve 100%, doing so will allow us to earn the prestigious American Legion Dogwood Award.

We all know how important it is to set milestones in our lives; doing so helps ensure we stay on track with meeting our goals. Our next milestone is December 11, and we need 19 unrenewed Legionnaires to renew their membership by this date, which will put us at 75%. We can achieve this next milestone; our track record has proven itself over the last five months. Please let me or any member of the Post Executive Council know if you require assistance in paying your dues.

This is an extract from the American Legion Constitution and By-Laws, article IV, section 5, which reads: A member whose dues for the current year have not been paid on by January 1 shall be classified as delinquent. If dues are paid on or before February 1, reinstatement shall be automatic. If still delinquent after February 1, all privileges shall be suspended.

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 at https://mylegion.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Membership/Renew; your Membership number is required.

Joe "Scott" Vickers - 1^st Vice Commander - joseph.vickers.gm@gmail.com

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

Hopefully, everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and didn't overeat. Unit 52 will contact the Durham VA Hospital to help with their Christmas Tree program. Also, the Unit will assist the Post with the Nursing Home Christmas bags, which will be delivered to the local nursing homes before Christmas.

The Unit will serve hot beverages and cookies at Post 52 after the Franklinton Christmas Parade on December 5, 2024. Everyone is welcome to stop by.

The Unit will join with the PEC on December 17, 2024, at the Post beginning at 6:00 pm for its Christmas Party. Members, please bring an appetizer or a dessert to share. Spouses, family, or friends are welcome to attend the party. Also, please have all tickets and money turned in for the 2-for-1 Quilt raffle. The drawing will take place at this time.

Unit 52 and Post 52 are still collecting non-perishable items for the Franklinton United Methodist Church food pantry. There is a box in the Post foyer for item drop-off. This time of year, the need is more significant for the families of the Franklinton Community.

As for the Unit membership, if you have not paid your 2025 dues, please do so as soon as possible. After December 31, 2024, if you have not paid your membership dues, your membership will be considered delinquent and not in good standing. If you have questions about your membership, please get in touch with Vice President Velinda Moore.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

In the Spirit of Service Not Self, Carolyn Donnelly, Unit 52 President

Brunswick Stew Sale

Brunswick Stew sale on Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm.

All Quarts are $10 each.

To pre-order your quart(s) of our famous stew

Call Tony at 919 624-1671 or email anthonykerensky@gmail.com, giving your name, phone number, and number of quarts to reserve.

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