Commanders' Message

November is your month! Veterans Day, observed on November 11, is a federal holiday that honors past and current Veterans. Know that you are special. Your service transcends race, gender, religion, socioeconomic boundaries, and political ideology. We all wore green and we all bleed red. That is what matters. During November, we also remember and thank the family members who supported us during our service.

The Post 52 Veterans Day Ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 8, at 1100 hours at Franklinton Veterans Memorial Park. I can tell you right now, you won't want to miss this one. We are privileged to have two of the oldest Legionnaires in Franklin County as our guests of honor and to hear them share some of their wisdom on service and longevity. It is also my first attempt at what I hope will be more collaboration with Post 105 (Louisburg) and Post 228 (Louisburg). Since Franklin County has three American Legion Posts, I believe we need to be working together more to ensure that all Veterans in Franklin and surrounding counties know that The American Legion needs them.

Post 105's oldest member, at 104, is Joe Balogh, a World War II Army Air Corps pilot who flew 106 missions during the war. Post 52's very own Brodie Green will speak about what it was like growing up in Franklinton, serving in the USAF during the Korean War era, and what it takes to be a 60-year, continuous member of Post 52. Unfortunately, Post 228 did not respond to my invitation to participate in the Ceremony, so I still have some work to do regarding Legion unity. If that wasn't enough to make this a great event, I have more! Franklinton Mayor Art Wright is going to make a special presentation during the Ceremony (the first of its kind ever in the Town's 183-year history). My lips are sealed until then. You will have to attend to find out!

Once the Ceremony is over, all Veterans, their families, and the public are invited to the Post for our annual Family Fun Day. A FREE lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, all the sides, desserts, and drinks will be provided. Families and children can play games, get their faces painted, and play on inflatables. It is a time when Legionnaires, Auxiliary members, Veterans, our families, and community members can come together for fellowship and thankfulness. The Family Fun Day lasts till 1500 hrs. Please invite your church, co-workers, friends, neighbors, and family. I didn't realize what a chore it is to support 3-4 inflatables, so I ask you to invite kids and grandkids so my extra efforts are worth it. I would love to see 15+ kids at the event, not just a bunch of older men getting bruised up in the bouncy house and 2-story slide! I want to thank Hope Lutheran Church in Wake Forest and Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville in advance for donating the use of their inflatables for the event.

Finally, I want each of you to know that your Post Executive Committee (PEC) is working diligently on your behalf. Your 14 elected officers are taking good care of you and Post 52 both financially and in completing the American Legion's mission that lies within the four pillars of our foundation, being (1) Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, (2) National Security, (3) Americanism, and (4) Children & Youth. Throughout the year, this team has worked diligently to enhance Post 52 in numerous ways. The fruits of this labor are paying off with the best-ever fundraisers, leading the District (for two years in a row) with new members, being blessed with donations from the community and Legionnaires, and contributing money to worthy causes that support Veterans and/or their families. I am grateful to God for empowering these leaders. Without this team, I could not do the easy job of being your Commander. Thank you, PEC!

Veterans are stronger as a Legion.

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

Vice-Commander's Report

Members who pay dues are essential to our organization, as they fund the programs that make The American Legion great. However, we have found a way to reward members who have submitted their dues for the 2026 membership year. A group of private donors has raised $1,000 to fund a drawing for a Paid Up For Life (PUFL) membership. Members who have paid their 2026 dues by midnight on Veterans Day (November 11, 2025) will automatically be entered at no additional cost to the member. At the Department Mid-Winter Conference (February 12-14, 2026), we will use a randomizer to select one winner from the entries. The winner will receive a PUFL membership, paid for by the Department. If you are already a PUFL, you will receive a $1,000 cash equivalent. You do not need to be present to win. So, pay your 2026 dues before Veterans Day.. It may be the last time that you have to!!

As of October 20, our 2025-2026 Membership stands at 138. Post 52 is at 73% overall. Our next goal is 75% membership (140) by Pearl Harbor Day. We have welcomed seven new members this year. We need to continue to strive to reach 100%. Please renew, bring a prospective member to the Post, and participate in our Legion recruiting events.

With the approval of Honorary Life Membership for our Post 52 American Legion members who have served for over 40 years of continuous service, we will be honoring eight Post members during our November 29^th Membership meeting. They represent 416 total Membership years! This Membership meeting will be held on Saturday at 9:00 am. Please come out and congratulate these Folks, as they are well-deserving of this honor.

We appreciate everyone who assisted during our October "Famous Brunswick Stew" Fundraiser!! Our Post team volunteers cooked at home, filled and stirred the pot, and, most of all, enjoyed each other's company and had Fun!! Others donated boxes to help carry out quarts, assisted with counting and carrying out stew, and Handled Shirt and hat sales, as well as donations. Thanks to everyone in our community who purchased our Veteran family-made quarts! We will be doing a stew fundraiser in January – please don't hesitate to join us by cooking a Turkey, helping during prep day, or pot-filling/stir day, or even just sitting and socializing. We have opportunities for everyone. Please reach out to the command team, Chris, Greg, or me to volunteer if you're interested.

"Be selfless and serve"

George Miller - 1^st Vice Commander Post 52 - gmiller20189@gmail.com

Chaplain's Corner

Greetings to all. May the grace of God and peace be with you. 

Times are getting tougher. To the saints, do not fear. Many times in the Bible, God says, "Fear not, I am with you." With the government shut down, the enemy would love to sow fear and confusion. As legionnaires, our preamble begins with 'For God and Country.' Let us cry out to God. Then let us listen and act. Active-duty personnel are not receiving their pay. We need to be looking and searching for those we can help. Let's not leave our brothers and sisters on the battlefield to face it alone. Let us share what we have with them. Encourage them and back it up with help. God is calling us to step up and fill the gap. Pray continually for veterans. When we pray, it shows people God's love. As Post 52, let us seek God so that we will become a beacon of light for God.

A truth from the Bible, What you sow you will reap. Sow love and compassion today for the glory of God. I pray now that the Holy Spirit interprets these words to you, in Jesus' name, amen.

May God's face shine upon you. May God give you a bigger perspective.

Todd McPhetridge – Chaplain Post 52

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

As we enter November, it's a month to remember our veterans who served this great country. On November 8, 2025, Franklinton Post 52 will have its Veterans Day Ceremony to recognize and honor our veterans.

After this Ceremony, Post 52 will have a family fun day at the Post home. I am reaching out for your assistance today with some of the planned activities for this event. Thank you in advance to those who have volunteered to help with the food.

At the last members' meeting, we revisited the unit meeting day and time, as discussed during the September meeting. The meeting day will be the third Thursday of each month, beginning at 6 pm instead of 6:30 pm.

Sowing Seeds is hosting its Second Annual Toy Give-away on Sunday, November 23, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, and is seeking volunteers to help wrap the gifts that are received. This event will be at Post 52 Franklinton.

There will be no Sew Day for November and December; it will resume in the New Year.

Please welcome our newest member, Andrea Schempp, to Unit 52! Andrea is a dual member, which means she is also a member of Post 52.

Regarding membership dues, if you have not yet paid your 2026 dues, please do so as soon as possible. If you are unsure whether you have paid, please get in touch with Carolyn Donnelly.

Remember our veterans and our military families!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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

VETERAN'S DAY PROGRAM

Saturday, November 8, 2025, 11:00 am.
Franklinton Veterans' Memorial Park.
South Main Street, Franklinton.

Join us for Family Day at the Post.
FREE, Children's face painting, Inflatables, Games, Hamburgers & Hotdogs, Open invitation to the Franklinton Community)

COMMUNITY NEED/OUT-REACH

Please donate new, adult male clothing items (i.e., T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, underwear, socks) to the Post. We will donate the collected items to the Addiction Recovery Center in Henderson, a residential substance abuse treatment program. Items can be left in the foyer of the Post facility.

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