Commanders' Message

WANTED: Americanism Committee Chairperson

The American Legion Post 52 seeks a Legionnaire volunteer to lead the Americanism Committee. The Committee is 3-4 Legionnaires, charged to go out into our communities, schools, and connect to home schools to recruit candidates for the Department's Americanism Programs of (1) Oratorial Contest, (2) Boys State, (3) Student Trooper, and (4) School Scholastic Awards. Americanism programs involving children and youth are one of the four pillars of The American Legion's mission.

Required Skills: You believe that Americanism is a vital part of The American Legion's mission. You enjoy working with youth and serving as a mentor. You believe that the traditions and history our parents and school teachers taught us are still crucial for today's youth. You want to see children and youth succeed. Complete background check and child abuse awareness training (2 hours online) to be reimbursed by the Post.

Time Commitment: You can dedicate 3-5 hours per month to leading the Committee and reporting back to the Commander/PEC.

What are the Committee's Tasks:

• Communicate with local school counselors, teachers, and administrators to promote Americanism Programs
• Know the Department's / National Americanism programs and be able to speak about them to the public and Legionnaires
• Go out into the community to find candidates for our programs; make connections
• Develop youth programs, such as US Flag Code awareness, Veterans in classrooms, and other initiatives that provide youth with purpose, education, and civic awareness.
• Tell the story of a Veteran / Legionnaire to our youth; promote civic/military service.

What you should expect: Help and guidance from the PEC Command Team, consisting of the Post Commander and Vice Commanders. We are in it together, but as Officers, we can't do it all.

Salary: Firm handshakes, smiles, and hugs from youth who appreciate your extra efforts. Satisfaction that your team has recruited youth who have improved themselves through Legion programs. Opportunity to have a lasting effect in our community. Honor Post 52 Americanism volunteers who have gone before us.

How To Apply: Contact Commander Smith at (919) 698-0295 or csmithforest@gmail.com

I ask that all of you pray about this need. Post 52 cannot fulfil its mission to the community if we do not have a strong Americanism Committee. Currently, we have individuals who have volunteered as members of the Committee, but no one has stepped forward to lead it.

As your Commander, I ask you to look at yourself and challenge yourself to say "YES". The Command Team can train you to do anything, but you have to be bold and fearless to say "YES" to children and youth. You have to have passion in your heart to see Legion programs enhance our community.

We have 186 members. I realize some are not physically able to serve in such a capacity. But every one of you has stepped up in the past to do something only 1% of Americans dare to do, so please don't tell me you can't do it one more time. Your Post needs you. Without Americanism, we are not The American Legion.

Veterans are stronger as a Legion.

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

Vice-Commander's Report

August is a busy month for the American Legion, with the Legion Baseball World Series taking place in Shelby, NC, and Legion Riders en route to the National Convention in Tampa, FL. NC. Asheville Post 70 is sponsoring a team that will compete in the American Legion World Series. Our Post Parliamentarian, Mike Donnelly, was a speaker at the Official start of the series and will be attending the National Convention. One of the Post membership committee members, Bruce Lobach, rode with the Legion Riders from South Hill, VA, to Tampa, bringing donations made by Post 52, Auxiliary Unit 52, and individual members of Post 52. The Legacy Run raises funds for "The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation (VCF)". I am sure both will share their adventures during our Membership meeting or at our fundraising events at the Post. Kudos to both for sharing the heart of our Post with fellow Legionnaires around the country.

As of August 19, our 2025-2026 Membership is at 118. Post 52 is still in First Place in District 5, and we stand at 62% overall. Our next goal is to achieve a 65% membership renewal rate (125) by Veterans Day. This renewal rate is a great start – but we need to continue our objective to reach 100%. Please renew early, bring in a new member to the Post, and participate in our Legion recruiting events. The next event is "National Night Out" on September 5 (rescheduled due to weather) from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Faith Baptist Church, 249 Holden Road. Youngsville. Food is free, and we will have the honor of meeting local Police, Fire, and EMS Heroes. Please come out, visit our tent, and show Post 52's appreciation to these Heroes.

If you haven't visited the Post recently for a meeting or helped at a fundraising event, please consider doing so. We are "Better as a Post" when more veterans participate and share their stories. Stop by one of our tent events, pint nights, or visit "Our Town" Veterans Park to give honor to the names on the bricks.

If you can assist during our Fish Fry event, please don't hesitate to join us and enjoy the fun! If your time is limited, come out and purchase a sit-down or takeaway meal – it not only supports Veterans, but also the work we are doing in the community.

Please renew your membership. If you're not a member, please consider joining our Veteran family. Post 52 appreciates everyone's generosity and support!!

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

Chaplain's Corner

Greetings in the mighty name of Jesus. All glory, honor, and power to King Jesus. Over the past month, we have seen answers to our prayers. Jesus is listening and moving on our behalf. Not only to help us but also to bring glory to Himself. My faith continues to get stronger as I see these miracles. 

I want to discuss God's love. 1^st Corinthians 13:3. I'm putting the Post into this verse. The Post does a lot of good things, but if we don't love, it is all for nothing. We help take care of physical needs. What we really need to focus on is the spiritual aspect. God's love draws people, heals people, and changes people. Veterans are crying out for. Jesus is the answer, and we can be the channel through which He works.

My challenge for this month. Find a promise in the Bible that pertains to you and hold on to it like a pit bull. Trust Jesus to keep His word.

May Jesus' face shine on you and give you peace.

Todd McPhetridge – Chaplain Post 52

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

As I'm writing this column, I'm on my way to Tampa, Florida, for the American Legion National Convention with another couple. Each year, the convention is scheduled in different cities across the United States. Next year, the National Convention will be held in Louisville, Kentucky.

Just a few reminders for September. First, the bake sale, scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2025, will be held in conjunction with the Post 52 fish fry fundraiser. If you are available to help at this event, we would greatly appreciate your assistance. Please come and join us. The next reminder is the membership meeting, scheduled for Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 6:30 pm, held at Post 52. Please try to attend this meeting, as some items need to be addressed.

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, during the Post 52 meeting, our Girls State representative will be present to share her experience at Girls State. Please try to attend to show her our support.

Regarding membership, please renew it by October 1, 2025. >

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

BRUNSWICK STEW SALE

October 18, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
All quarts $12.00 Cash or $12.60 Credit/Debit.
To reserve your quarts, call/text
Steve at 919 727-0087.

To ensure the receipt of your stew, please reserve as directed above, leaving your name, phone number, and the number of quarts you would like to reserve.

Fish Plates Fundraiser

Post 52 will sell fish plates on Saturday, September 13th, from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm. All plates $12 (Cash) or $12.60 (Credit/Debit).

We will prepare for the fundraiser on Friday, September 12th, starting at 1 p.m.; help will be needed for cooking/serving on the 13th. All who can help are needed between 9 am to 7 pm.

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