Commanders' Message

June starts summer and the whirlwind of a hectic "season" in The American Legion. I want to acknowledge and thank our new officers, who will lead us into 2026. See the back page for a list of new officers. We still have a Sergeant-at-Arms position available for nomination/election. I need your help to fill this position and empower the Post Executive Committee with a whole team.

The whirlwind starts quickly with The Department of NC Convention (June 19-21), Boys State, Girls State, Student Trooper Program, Legion College (July 11-12), and the capstone being the National Convention in Tampa Bay, FL., from August 22 to August 28, 2025.

I encourage you to support the Department and Post 52 by attending the Department Convention and Legion College. You will learn how to become a better Legionnaire by interacting with fellow Legionnaires who share the same mission of improving their Posts and service to other Veterans and their community. Go to the Department website at www.nclegion.org.

Our Boys State Delegate, Mr. Ben Blanchard of Wake Forest HS, will attend the program June 15-21 at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC. It is customary for a small contingent of Post 52 members to attend his graduation on Saturday, June 21. Unfortunately, as a Delegate, I must be at the Department Convention on that date, so I cannot organize such a trip to support Ben. I ask for a volunteer(s) to take my place and attend Ben's graduation on behalf of Post 52. The graduation is something to see, and you will be proud that you went, knowing that Boys State is an excellent program for our future young men. Let me know if I can count on you. Ideally, 2-3 Legionnaires would convoy together for the day trip. I am happy to use some discretionary budget funds to refund gas and food expenditures of up to three Legionnaires when receipts are provided to the Finance Officer, since I cannot attend and provide transportation.

Finally, I close with a well-deserved pat on the back to all of you who renewed your membership and have gotten us to a strength of 187 members. The 2026 membership campaign kicks off in July. If you are not an active participant, I ask you to set a new membership year resolution to attend and support your Post's events and programs. Set a goal to do more and stick to it. You will feel enriched and honored to support Veterans and our community. I know I do.

Veterans are stronger as a Legion.

Chris Smtih – Commander Post 52 - csmithforest@gmail.com

Greetings to all veterans, their families, and others. May the grace and peace of Jesus Christ be with you. 

To start, I'm talking to the man in the mirror. I've been chewing on the 1st four words of the preamble. What does that mean? For God and country. The Bible says to seek 1st the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you. Are we asking, listening, and doing what He asks? We can do good things, but without God, it's useless. We need to be bringing God's kingdom to the earth. I pray that the Holy Spirit will interpret these words to you. I pray that Jehovah opens our eyes to see His provisions everywhere. In closing. All honor, glory, and power to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

Todd McPhetridge – Chaplain Post 52

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

NO Unit 52 members will meet on June 19, 2025, due to the Department of NC Convention in Raleigh. The next meeting will be on July 17, 2025, at which the newly elected officers will be installed.

On June 14, it is Flag Day! So, to help our Americanism Chairman, Toni Miller, if you see an American flag flying at a business or a residence, please give her the address so she can send them a "Thank you for Flying Your Flag" card.

Girls State Week is June 21-27, 2025, and Unit 52 will send one citizen to attend.

Unit 52 is planning a social on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in which they will play a domino game, "Mexican Train," held at Post 52 from 1:30 – 4:30 pm. A light lunch will be served, and prizes will be given out. All the veterans are invited.

Thank you to everyone who donated to the Gold Star Mothers organization to support their Convention, which will be held in Raleigh, NC, this year. This year's National Gold Star Mothers' President is Patti Elliot. Patti is a member of Unit 52.

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

Historian
(This article was sourced from Facebook - War History)

On this day, 58 years ago, on June 8, 1967, Commander William Loren McGonagle, age 41, was in command of the USS Liberty (AGTR-5), a United States Navy technical research ship operating in international waters in the Eastern Mediterranean during the Six-Day War.

At approximately 2:00 pm local time, the ship came under sudden attack by Israeli fighter jets. The aircraft strafed the ship with rockets, napalm, and 30mm cannon fire. The bridge, the communications room, and the deck were hit repeatedly. Fire and shrapnel tore through the crew. Explosions shook the hull. Dozens of men were wounded or killed in the opening minutes.

During the first wave of the attack, McGonagle was hit. Shrapnel and gunfire tore into his right thigh and arm. He was bleeding and barely able to stand. He stayed at his position on the bridge. He refused evacuation or treatment. He continued to give orders through the blood and smoke. He organized return fire with the ship's limited weapons. He gave orders to maneuver the ship in an attempt to evade further hits.

After the airstrike ended, three Israeli motor torpedo boats closed in. The boats launched torpedoes. Five were fired. One struck Liberty on the starboard side near the research spaces. The blast tore a hole nearly 40 feet wide. Twenty-five men were killed instantly. Water flooded compartments. The ship began listing hard to starboard.

McGonagle stayed on the bridge. He coordinated damage control. He gave orders for watertight integrity. He instructed medical teams to prioritize the wounded. He refused help. He remained in command, wounded and barely mobile, for over 17 hours. He kept the ship afloat. He kept it from sinking in hostile waters.

Communications had been disabled by the air attack. McGonagle ordered emergency repairs. He directed the use of backup gear to get a distress signal out. Help eventually arrived. A U.S. destroyer made contact and rendered assistance. Only then did McGonagle step down and allow himself to be treated.

For his actions on June 8, 1967, Commander William Loren McGonagle was awarded the Medal of Honor.

George Tracy – Historian Post 52

Mark your calendar for the upcoming -
Chicken and Pork BBQ - July 19

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