Commanders' Message

Happy New Year! I hope this message finds you well after Christmas and the New Year's Holiday. I hope you found some time to relax and enjoy the blessings of family and friends. I ask you to partner with me in resolving to do more for Post 52 in 2024 than you did in 2023. That can look different for each of us. As your Commander, it may look like building more comradeship with each of you so that our programs are well-planned and well-attended and more of us share the labor of love. It is energizing the membership to be a part of something bigger. For you, it may look like being nominated for office, volunteering for a committee, and/or attending our events and fundraisers to help shoulder the load. I challenge myself, and I challenge you to up our game. Reflect on 2023 and look forward to 2024 as to how you can help your Post grow.

Membership Meeting Dates Change in 2024

The Post Executive Committee (PEC) voted to adopt a "hybrid" membership meeting schedule for 2024 that looks like this:

Last SATURDAY of the month @ 9:00 a.m.
Standard Time Months
January 27, February 24, March 30, and November 30

Last TUESDAY of the month @ 7:00 p.m.
Daylight Savings Time Months
April 30, May 28, June 25, July 30, August 27, September 24, October 29.

The idea is to take advantage of the longer days (daylight) during the spring and summer when we can have an evening meeting and be adjourned before it gets dark. Likewise, we shift to Saturday daytime meetings in the winter. The thought is that family activities generally occurring on weekends in the summer will not conflict with our daytime Saturday meetings in the winter as outdoor activities lessen. The PEC felt this would be a good, compromised schedule to try for a year and re-evaluate for the 2025 calendar. The PEC will continue to meet on the 2^nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. and all Legionnaires are invited to attend. Every legionnaire is essential to the strength of Post 52.

Thank you to Historian George Tracy and Auxiliary Unit 52 President Velinda Moore for fostering an Oratorical candidate. The Post contest will be held Saturday, January 6 at 10:00 a.m. We will need some helpers to train the candidate and give them an idea of what the District contest will look like.

Finally, please remember those serving our country who are forward deployed to protect our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, who will not be able to be with family and friends for the holidays. I wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Chris Smith, Commander Post 52
csmithforest@gmail.com

Vice-Commander's Report

Members of Post 52: as we head into 2024, the membership drive continues. Now is also the time to refresh our recruiting of new members for our Post. We must remember that finding new members is every legionnaire's job. When you are shopping or in town, look for someone wearing a military hat or clothing and start a conversation by telling them about the American Legion and Post 52. Doing this is just one example of what you can do to promote Post 52. We are all obligated to help our Post in any way we can. Remember, if we all recruited one new member, we would double the population of our Post. Remember that to be successful, you only need to Ask!

Mike Donnelly, 1^st Vice Commander

Chaplains' Corner

I hope all had a Safe and Merry Christmas. I hope your time with Family and Friends during Christmas and New Years was a good time to share, reflect on the year past, what we can do better in the New Year, and count our many blessings. The year is now 2024, and I wanted to share several scriptures to reflect on as we embark on a New Year.

Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Always pray for those who have served and those still serving our nation in the Armed Forces, first responders, law enforcement, firefighters, and their families.

I pray that the New Year brings you Health, Happiness, and Peace.

Harvey Satterwhite, Chaplain

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's Day! Welcome to 2024!!

Due to inclement weather, our Christmas Tea party was postponed until Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Post. Please bring finger sandwiches to share. The Unit will be supplying the tea. I hope to see everyone there.

We have a candidate for the American Legion Oratorical Contest. Her name is Victoria Sema. After helping her practice, I assure you she is quite good. The Post 52 contest will be on Saturday 01/06. Please come out and support this important Youth Activity. I will share the District Contest date, time, and location as soon as it is confirmed.

At our next meeting, on Thursday, January 18^th, at 6:30 p.m., we will begin planning the breakfast we will serve to the Post on Saturday, February 24, 2024. We hope to see all of you there!

In the Spirit of Service, not Self,
Velinda Moore, Unit 52 President

Brunswick Stew Sale

Saturday, Jan 13^th, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At $10 a quart, it is best to reserve your quarts as we usually sell out quickly.

Call/Text Steve at 919 727-0087 or email him at stephen.ijames@gmail.com to reserve your quarts, giving your name, phone number, and the number of quarts. Of course, you can take your chances and come by the legion post on the 13^th to buy your Brunswick Stew.

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