Commanders' Message

May starts a very busy “season” for The American Legion that will include Memorial Day activities, The Department of NC Convention, Boy’s State, Girl’s State, Student Trooper Program, Legion College, and the capstone being the National Convention in Miami, FL, culminating August 22. This is the “season” of Americanism, encompassing all four Pillars of our Mission. It is a busy, but worthwhile effort to make our communities better and to make us better Legionnaires.

It is good to know that we will have a new officer team in place for all of this heavy lifting. Your 2025-2026 officers were elected at the April Membership Meeting. They will start their service after being installed by the District 5 Commander (Post 52 Legionnaire Bruce Lobach) at the May 27 Membership Meeting. Please congratulate and thank each of these Legionnaires who have volunteered to serve as the backbone of Post 52: Commander – Chris Smith, First Vice Commander – Craig Korcz, Second Vice Commander – Greg May, Chaplain – Todd McPhetridge, Finance Officer – George Miller, Historian – George Tracy, Parliamentarian – Mike Donnelly, Sergeant At Arms – Ed Ortiz, Sergeant At Arms – Joe Dillehay, Sergeant At Arms – Doug Senter, Committeeman - Jimmy Payne, Committeeman – Pat McCrary, and Committeeman – Mike Bruschi.

This will be a strong team of experienced as well as new officers who will learn the ways of the Legion as well as bring new ideas to the table to ensure our programs continue to serve Veterans and our Community. This makes your 2025-2026 Post Executive Committee (PEC). If your name is not on this list, you are needed to serve on the many committees that delegate the yearly workload and responsibility of what we do. Being a Chair of a committee or just being a committee member will help the PEC’s workload throughout the year.

The new Officer Training Workshop is set for Saturday, June 7 at the Post from 9:00 – 3:00. It is critical that ALL new officers attend the training. I will hold a planning session in the afternoon so a vision for the year ahead is created, ready for committees to form and work to meet our goals. There will be a free catered lunch meal for those attending. I also open this training/planning to any Post 52 Legionnaire who may want to learn more about The American Legion and how we operate and who may have an interest in serving as an officer in the future.

I want to close by thanking the officers who will not be returning to the leadership team but have served our post with honor and distinction. They are: First Vice Commander – Scott Vickers, Adjutant – David Field, Executive Committeeman – Tony Kerensky, Sergeant At Arms – James “Jim” Bracknell, Finance Officer – Steve Ijames*

*medical resignation

Our post has been made better by your sacrifice and dedication. We still need you to participate, mentor, and help Post 52 continue its mission. I know I can count on each of you to “give” in other ways.

Memorial Day Activities will begin with Flags-in at Fairview Cemetery on Saturday, May 24 at 9:00 a.m. Simultaneously, Auxiliary Unit 52 will be handing out poppies at the Food Lion shopping center and Hometown Café. Our Memorial Day Service will be Sunday, May 25 at 2:00 p.m. at Franklinton Veterans Memorial Park on Main Street. The Post 52 Honor Guard will participate and Post 52 Legionnaire LTC (Ret) Craig Korcz and the Post 52 Mascot Abe will deliver the keynote address. Please invite your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to join the Community and pay respect to those Veterans who gave the full measure for our Nation.

Veterans are stronger as a Legion.

Chris Smith, Commander Post 52 csmithforest@gmail.com

Vice-Commander's Report

As we prepare to honor our Fallen this Memorial Day, I wanted to share an incredible message from a father to his son.

They Tell Me of You

Good morning, my son, it’s been a year, and Memorial Days come by so fast. I wanted to tell you that each year at this time, your brothers call and speak of your past. They remind me of how close you became. during each workup before you deployed, and of all the dumb things you did to each other. Your company was always a joy. Many have told me how smart you were, citing history and books you have read.

Claiming they would have done things differently if they listened to what you have said — That the sacrifices in preparing for battle were difficult for all families concerned, but knowing that you would be with them aided in their hopes to return. They let me know how brave you were. That in battle you led the way, Calmly assessing the plan for the fighting — Giving directions that would save the day. That you carried a wounded soldier down a mountain far and high Getting him fast to a Navy corpsman, assuring that he would survive. Fearless describes you in battle, surrounded, with many wounded on the ground. That you came from over the next valley, Providing cover for those all around. I want to assure you, my son, your brothers have made it real clear: They thank you every day for your Courage, when they thought their own deaths were near. I always knew you would stand out, that you took seriously the job you’re assigned, but for those that became your brothers, you could never leave any behind. Your brothers will always remember you for the friendship and care you provided. Telling me stories of what you meant to them, knowing I wasn’t there when you died. Memorial Days will come and go.

Families will gather, remember, and cry, but those stories that are told by your brothers changed my sorrow and tears to Pride. This Day, we pause to remember All those Heroes we have lost in our wars.

To you and your brothers and sisters, Thank you for protecting our shores.

Thomas Dolphin is the Surviving Father of Staff Sergeant Patrick R. Dolphin, U.S. Marine Corps. Photos: TAPS Archives, Pixabay

"BE THE ONE."

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

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

WOW! Unit 52 you are AWESOME as you did over 1500 volunteer hours for 2024-2025, May-April! Thank you for your support for our men and women veterans, our military, and their families, the community, and the USO!

The Month of May has several military-related recognition days. For example, Military Spouse Appreciation Day will be held on the Friday before Mother’s Day, May 9 this year. This day honors the commitment and sacrifices our spouses of servicemembers make day in and day out while their loved ones are away. The day was first observed in 1984.

Held annually on the third Saturday in May is Armed Forces Day which will be celebrated on May 17, 2025. The Importance of Armed Forces Day is to honor our military and acknowledge everything they do to protect our country.

Poppy Day is celebrated in countries around the world. The American Legion Family asked Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day which will be on May 23, 2025. The red poppy has been recognized nationally as a symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars.

Franklinton Auxiliary Unit 52 will be distributing poppies in the Food Lion shopping center on Friday, May 23, 2025, and Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 9 am – 2 pm.

The last example is Memorial Day which honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

Thank you to all who have served and your sacrifices for this great country.

God Bless!

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

Memorial Day Activities

Flag placement on local veterans' graves.
9:00 am, Saturday, May 24, 2025
Meet at 9 am at Fairview Cemetery,
Chavis St, Franklinton

Memorial Day Program
2:00 pm, Sunday, May 25, 2025, at
Franklinton Veteran's Memorial Park,
South Main Street, Franklinton, NC

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