Commanders' Message

It's goodbye winter, hello spring! Like the seasons, Post 52 will soon transition leadership as new officers are voted in at the April 29th (Tuesday) membership meeting at 7:00 p.m. I want to thank those willing to be nominated and agree to serve you. Without these leaders stepping up to give more of their time and talent; we would not be strong in our mission.

Our Good Friday Fish Fry Fundraiser is right around the corner. Please come out to help prepare the food and the facility for the fundraiser on Thursday, April 17th @ 1:00 p.m. The plate sale will be on April 18th from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., or we sell out. They remain $10/each, and you can eat in or take out. The Auxiliary Unit 52 will assist us and conduct their popular bake sale. The fish fry is a labor-intensive fundraiser, so all hands are needed on deck! I ask you to volunteer for a few hours of your time to help if an all-day commitment is not possible. Each one of you should work to sell at least one plate. Make sure your family, friends, and co-workers know to come out and support us.

We have our first of two Tar Heel Boy's State delegates. We still need one more. This year's program will be held the week of June 15-21 at Catawba College (Salisbury). I just learned that the program is limited to only 150 participants this year, and registration is rising. Let's find our final delegate before the program fills up. Applicants must be current high school juniors. If you know of a candidate, please let the First Vice Commander or me know his parents' contact information.

Be thinking about our Memorial Day weekend activities of flags-in at Fairview Cemetery on Saturday, May 24th, at 9:00 a.m. and our Memorial Day Service to be held at the Franklinton Veterans Memorial Park on SUNDAY, May 25th, at 2:00 p.m. Our guest speaker for the Memorial Day Service will be Post 52 Legionnaire / LTC (Ret) Craig Korcz, USA, and his service dog Abe (the official mascot of Post 52). Please invite all Veterans and citizens you know. We must carry on the traditions of The American Legion and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

We are stronger as a Legion!

Chris Smith, Commander Post 52 csmithforest@gmail.com

60 Years of Service

Shown above are Past Post 52 Finance Officer - Brodie Green,
receiving his certificate of service from 1^st Vice Commander
Scott Vickers. Brodie is a Korean War Veteran still serving
his Post, Franklinton, and the greater community.

Vice-Commander's Report

Why do we serve?" is an interesting question that I believe is deeply rooted in customs, beliefs, traditions, and the desire to give back to others. So many of our Post 52 members provide volunteer services to others within the community in many ways, such as church committees, veteran outreach organizations, food pantries, Meals on Wheels, and local government, to mention a few. During this past year, I witnessed first-hand the willingness and desire of our Post 52 Executive Committee and its members to continually volunteer their time and energy to support numerous community events. Events such as honoring our deceased comrades during Memorial Day and the placement of U.S. Flags on veterans' graves, the Veterans Day ceremony, Wreaths Across America and the placement of wreaths on Veterans graves before Christmas, Christmas gift delivery to our Veterans in Nursing Homes, and the fundraising events such as the famous Brunswick Stew, Good Friday Fish Fry, and Chicken and BBQ sales. Did I mention the incredible camaraderie and fellowship associated with the food preparation! The Post 52 leadership is heavily involved in supporting the American Legion Four Pillars, particularly in Americanism and Youth Programs. One of the more popular Youth Programs is the American Legion Oratorical Contest. Recruitment for eligible high school youth begins during the Fall of each year; selected candidates devote themselves to developing their knowledge and understanding of the American Constitution and its Amendments. Levels of competition intensify as the candidate progresses from the local Post, District, Division, and Department of North Carolina. Another youth initiative is the Tarheel Boys State Program. Each summer, selected rising high school senior candidates attend a one-week on-campus introduction to the principles of American government. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors the Tarheel Girls State Program, which operates similarly. Both programs have been in operation for over 80 years. The American Legion Student Trooper Program aims to create an association between our young people and the men and women responsible for enforcing our State's laws. I could go on and on, but I wanted to share a small glimpse of the incredible stewardship Post 52 provides to our community.

"BE THE ONE."

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

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

April is the Month of the Military Child! By wearing purple on April 15^th, which is known as "Purple Up Day," a special day in support of military children. Purple is the combined colors of the branches of the military.

Unit 52 welcomes two new members, Eileen Davidson and Judy Blackley! Judy is also a member of Post 52, which makes her a dual member. Welcome aboard to Unit 52, ladies!

As of April 1st, 2025, the Unit will discontinue having an executive committee meeting on the first Thursday of the month.

The Unit will donate baby quilts for the female veterans' baby shower held at the Greenville VA on April 30th, 2025.

We are still collecting nonperishable items for the Franklinton United Methodist Church food pantry. There is a box in the foyer at the Post to put items into.

Our next Unit membership meeting will be on April 17th, 2025, held at Post 52 at 6:30 p.m.

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

American Legion 106^th Birthday and Awards Banquet

You can view the award winners on the post web page at: https://www.americanlegionpost52.org/ALBirthAwards2025.html

Good Friday Fish Fry - April 18th, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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