Commanders' Message

We are about to celebrate America's 248^th birthday! I am proud to say that because of your military service and continued service to citizens in The American Legion, all of you have helped make this birthday possible. I am grateful for the American Patriots who founded this great Nation and thankful for the men and women who have stood up and continue to stand up to protect her. I hope you and your family can have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day celebration.

With the Convention over, we have a new Department Commander, Tom Cerniglia. Tom is from Southport Post 551. Commander Cerniglia is excited and ready to work hard for you. Dept Commander is a tremendous job, but Tom has committed himself to The American Legion for many years and is very deserving and capable of leading us. I want to thank the Post 52 delegates for attending the Convention and casting our votes for Tom. It was great that 1^st Vice Commander Scott Vickers, Executive Committeeman Pat McCrary, and Sergeant-at-Arms Todd McPhetridge experienced their first Department Convention. There is a lot to be seen and learned about our organization.

Speaking of learning, I want you to consider attending Legion College on August 2-3 (Friday-Saturday). No more travel to Clemmons, NC. It is close to home at the North Raleigh Hilton. Call me at (919) 698-0295 or email me at csmithforest@gmail.com to get a registration form. Do it fast because the deadline is July 18. I would love to see 10+ Legionnaires from Post 52. Trust me, you will be a better Legionnaire after attending.

As we begin our new membership year (2025) on July 1, I ask you to take stock of this past year as a Legionnaire. Ask yourself an honest question, "Have I become a better Legionnaire?" If your answer is "no," then try to change that. Start by registering for Legion College. Start by volunteering for the Membership Committee, the Americanism Committee, the Firing Squad, work a fundraiser, etc., or at a minimum, commit to attending meetings regularly so you can learn where your time and talents are needed. If your answer was "yes," I would say, "Thank you and congratulations." I encourage you to exceed your own expectations in 2025. Continue to learn what it means to carry on the 104 years of service at Post 52 and tell other Veterans what they are missing. Make them jealous and make them want what you have. Sign them up as a Legionnaire. I hope we all have a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, as well as love and care for each other as Legionnaires and Americans. I do for you.

Chris Smith, Commander Post 52 csmithforest@gmail.com

Chaplains' Corner

I want to start by saying it is my honor and privilege to serve as your Chaplain again for 2024-25. I want to thank those who have served as Chaplain before me.

Galatians 5:13(ESV) tells us about our freedom. "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another".

I ask that you keep me informed on any needs that You or Your Family may have as well as any Veterans in our community or their family. God has been good to us all, and we should return His Help and Kindness to our family, friends, and neighbors. I can assure you that we cannot outdo God. May you look to God for the peace that only He can give when it seems like things are not going well. He can and will help if you ask Him and open your ears to His response.

May God continue to bless our Nation, Each of You, and Your Families.

Harvey Satterwhite, Chaplain

Vice-Commander's Report

Did you know North Carolina was the first colony to declare independence during the Revolutionary War?

This resulted from one small skirmish on February 27, 1776, at Moore's Creek Bridge (near Wilmington, NC).  Nearly a thousand North Carolina Patriots waited quietly on the other side of Moore's Creek Bridge with swivel cannons and muskets poised to fire upon 1,600 British Loyalists (mostly Scottish Highlanders) as they marched from Cross Creek (modern-day Fayetteville) to fulfill the British strategy of capturing Charlestown (modern-day Charleston, SC).  The battle lasted about 30 minutes, and the Patriots sent the British to retreat.  This heroic effort ultimately led to the creation and adoption of a resolution calling for independence from Great Britain by the North Carolina Provincial Congress in Halifax, North Carolina.  The adoption of the resolution known as the Halifax Resolves was presented to the Continental Congress, which became the first official action in the American Colonies calling for independence from Great Britain.  Less than three months later, on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress declared American independence from Great Britain.

North Carolina is rich with history and patriotism; we, as American Legionnaires, recognize the sacrifice and selfless service made to provide the freedoms Americans enjoy today.

As we enter the Independence Day period, let us be mindful of what this great Nation represents: freedom from tyranny, freedom from oppression, freedom to exercise our constitutional rights, and freedom to worship.

Post 52 Membership drive starts July 1^st. Do not wait; renew your membership online today at https://mylegion.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Membership/Renew#legion-org or by calling (800) 433-3318.

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

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

Last week at the Convention for the American Legion Auxiliary Department of North Carolina, the delegates elected a new ALA Department President. The new ALA Department President is Toni Reale from Unit 321, Huntersville, and District 6 elected Jennifer Weidman from Unit 416, Lowes Grove, as their new District President. Also, last week in Colorado, the National Gold Star Mothers elected Patti Elliott, Unit 52, Franklinton, as their new National Gold Star Mothers President. Congratulations to all of the new electees.

Thank you, Victoria Sema, for being the Unit's representative at Girls State and for the report you gave during the June Post 52 meeting.

The UEC (Unit Executive Committee) meeting will be on July 11, 2024, as the first Thursday, July 4^th, is a holiday, and the following Members meeting will be on July 18, 2024. Both meetings will be held at the Post beginning at 6:30 pm. Post 52 will have its Chicken/Pork BBQ fundraiser on July 13, 2024, so Unit 52 will be doing its Bake Sale. So please try participating in this event!

Legion College will be held on August 2-3, 2024, at the North Raleigh Hilton, Raleigh, NC.

Carolyn Donnelly, Unit 52 President

Attention: Up Coming Event in Wake Forest

One of our own, the late Howell Lee Jones, will be honored posthumously with a flag-raising ceremony in front of the town hall in Wake Forest. Hal was a Korean War veteran, received the Purple Heart, and was a 70-year member of our Post. Please join me in honoring Hal on Monday, August 5^th at 11 am.

George G Tracy, Historian

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.

BBQ Chicken & Pork Plates Fundraiser
Saturday, July 13, 2024, from 11 to 7
hungry, $10.00 per plate.

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