Commanders' Message

My October message to you focuses on the future of Post 52. However, historical research shows the Post had about 240 members in 2009. Today, we have 201 members. Like those of you who joined after 2009, we are needed to bring hope to the Post's future. The reality is that we all age and eventually join Post Everlasting. Post Everlasting contributes to our attrition but is not the only factor. Another reality is that we must always be in recruiting mode. The American Legion Act of 2019 expanded TAL's potential membership by over 6 million eligible Veterans. The Post needs your ideas on how to recruit new members.

Post 52 has a "core" group of loyal, dedicated volunteers that do most of the work. Most are officers in the Post. They have the passion and desire to serve above just paying their yearly dues. Generally, the Post Executive Committee (PEC) and about 2-3 other rank-in-file Legionnaires can be counted on continuously.

The reality is that 16 Legionnaires out of 201 are pulling the load. For a Post, active in Veterans programs, youth programs, and serving the community, the 16 Legionnaires who carry the load have become tired, have aged, and developed health issues that have caused a need to rededicate their time to themselves and their families. It is natural attrition. The call is - Next man/woman up! So, when the Post has a fundraiser event like a fish fry that is labor intensive, the loyal and dedicated 16 are stressed and maxed out but get the job done. Now, throw in the fact that out of those 16, life is always throwing curve balls, and maybe 2-3 of these Legionnaires can't make the event due to health, travel, or conflicting schedules. The minimum group of 16 to pull off an event is now 12-13!

We are working to fill our committees and need your help. The committees are Membership, Americanism, Finance, Fundraising, Building & Grounds, Nomination, Food Service, Honor Guard (formerly Firing Squad), and Cemetery & Graves. Again, most PEC members have volunteered to serve on at least one committee. But your Post needs you. The PEC, by name, is its own committee and is not intended to "be" the committees listed above. We need rank & file Legionnaires to volunteer and fill these committees.

The future of TAL is a numbers game—that core group of 16 needs to quickly double and become 35-40 minimum. With 35-40 dedicated legionnaires, the Commander will always have complete confidence that the Post is healthy, our events will be done well, and the folks who give their time and talents will not be overworked and stressed out. With an additional 20-25 dedicated Legionnaires, every committee can be filled, and every fundraiser can be supported by 20-25+ Legionnaires. I ask you to step up and help with the Post's burden. More participation will make the Post better. We have the numbers to make this happen, but will the members heed the request?

I have asked Post Parliamentarian and Past Dept Commander Mike Donnelly to chair a "Shaping The Future." The committee will focus not on day-to-day or yearly Post activities but on developing a strategic plan for growth, development, and stability into the next 10+ years. It is your job and my job to give and do our best to ensure Post 52 doesn't die out but remains a fixture in the community for Veterans beyond us. Thank you for being a member of Post 52.

Chris Smith, Commander Post 52 csmithforest@gmail.com

Chaplains' Corner

Deuteronomy 11: 13-15(NIV) ¹³"So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul ¹⁴then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. ¹⁵I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied."

We are now enjoying the Fall of the year when God continues to show us his majesty with the changing of the weather and the introduction of the beautiful change to the color around us with the changing of color of the leaves on the trees to Red, Yellow, Brown, with some that stay green. Enjoy and reflect on what God does for us every day. May we never take what the Lord has or continues to provide for us for granted?

Please continue to pray for our members who are sick in health, those who have served, and those still serving our nation in the Armed forces as well as First responders, Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, and all their families, and Thank God daily for the blessing He gives us all. I also pray for the leadership of our community, state, and nation that God may guide and direct them, and I ask you to also pray for them.

Harvey Satterwhite, Chaplain

Vice-Commander's Report

YOU DID IT!!!  Post 52 earned the NC Department American Legion Cardinal Award by achieving more than 50% membership renewals before the September 11^th deadline. Our next milestone is to achieve 100% membership by Veterans Day, November 11th, 2024.  This equals about two membership renewals per day; with 93 members remaining, I am confident we can achieve this goal.  Please do not wait until the New Year to renew your membership, as there is no benefit in doing so. Your membership will start on the date you renew and continue through 2025.  FYI, the NC Department of American Legion implemented a 3-year membership renewal option; 3-year renewals cost $135, or an annual membership renewal for $45.  Another alternative is a Paid Up for Life membership; the cost is based on age and can be paid through a 12-month installment payment plan or at once.

We welcome our newest Post 52 members, Kate Tomlinson, Mike Bruschi, Vinny Dimino, Gene Schempp, Ernest Youngblood, Stephanie Ferrell, and Joe Ferrell.  Legionnaire George Miller, Stephanie Ferrell, and Joe Ferrell are our newest Paid Up for Life (PUFL) members, and we welcome the transfer of PULF Legionnaire Ernest Youngblood from Post 1, Raleigh.

Post 52 is alive, involved, and accomplishing tremendous outreach within our community.  Please step up; get involved, support our community outreach efforts, renew your membership, recruit a new member, and volunteer to assist with our many fundraising campaigns.

Post-9/11 Veterans, The Durham VA Health Care System is hosting its First Annual Welcome Home Block Party event on Saturday, October 19th, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Durham VA Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC 27705. Questions, contact Candace Parker at Candace.Parker@va.gov or by phone at 919-286-0411 extension 17-5952 or Shakira.Nelson@va.gov 919-286-0411 extension 17-5635.

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

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

Unit 52 is having a 2-for-1 Quilt Raffle. Tickets are on sale now: 1 ticket for $5.00 or 3 tickets for $10.00. The drawing will be on December 19th, 2024; you don't have to be present to win. A quilt would make a great Christmas gift!

There will be no Executive meeting on October 3rd, 2024

Carolyn Donnelly, Unit 52 President

BRUNSWICK STEW SALE

October 5th, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

By the quart, $10
Reserve your quarts.
Call/text Steve at 919 727-0087.

VETERAN'S DAY PROGRAM

Saturday, November 9th, 2024, 11:00 a.m.

Franklinton Veterans'
Memorial Park.

South Main Street, Franklinton.

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