Commanders' Message

Spring is upon us. We are now officially camouflaged in lime green pollen. This pollen is a perfect reminder telling me that we are in the busiest "season" of Legion activities. I am proud that Post 52 has a history of being very active with Legion programs and serving our community. We are not idle. It's GO TIME!

I want to welcome Legionnaire Kate Tomlinson to the Post Executive Committee (PEC) as our new Post Resource Officer. Kate will provide you with information on Veterans' benefits, resources, and local opportunities for Veterans to connect. She is the Post's liaison to Brenda and Frizzy at the Franklin County Veterans Service Office in Louisburg. That office is your point of contact with the VA for benefits. Kate is a Sergeant First Class (SFC) and a full-time Army National Guard soldier. Thank you, Kate, for stepping up to serve Post 52.

We are running out of time to find our two Tarheel Boy's State delegates. The program is expected to reach capacity soon. We need two High School Juniors from a public, private, or accredited homeschool program. Have you exhausted all efforts to identify a family member, a youth at church, or a boy in your neighborhood who would be a good candidate? The ideal boy appreciates civics and wants to learn more about how State and local government are supposed to work. Colleges and scholarships look favorably upon graduation from Tarheel Boy's State.

When you receive this newsletter, if the Lord is willing, we will have had an excellent Good Friday Fish Fry Fundraiser. We will now look forward to honoring Veterans by placing US Flags in the Town's cemeteries on Saturday, May 23 @ 9:00 am at Fairview Cemetery, and to our Memorial Day Service. Post 52's service is on Sunday, May 24 @ 2:00 pm. Please bring children and youth to both events, as they are the ones who need to know why the American Legion has upheld these time-honored traditions for 107 years. We remember the service and sacrifice of those veterans who have gone before us.

A Dinner with Mark Twain; A Dinner Theater in honor of America's 250th Birthday (1776-2026) has been set for Saturday, July 25 @ 4:00 pm at the Carolina Manor House in Franklinton. Legionnaire Don McNeill, a professional Mark Twain performer and historian, has volunteered his services to headline the event. More information will be forthcoming rapidly.

The April 28 Membership Meeting returns to the last Tuesday night of the month (6:00 pm) for spring, summer, and early fall, when dinner will be served. Thank you all for supporting the Saturday breakfast meetings over the winter. This flexible schedule gives all our members a chance to participate safely throughout the year. Come to the meeting and vote for the 2026-2027 Officers. Thank them for stepping up and serving the Post.

"Veterans are stronger as a Legion".

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

Chaplain's Corner

Greetings in the mighty name of Jesus.

What a wonderful time of the year. I'm writing somethings I'm learning. I may not have every detail correct, but I'm praying the Holy Spirit interprets.

"God is in the details ".

Moses' brother, Aaron, was the first high priest in Israel. The high priest had to examine the sacrifice before it was offered. Then he had to put his open hands on the animal's head to transfer all the sins of Israel. Go ahead in time. Both John the Baptist's parents were in the direct bloodline of Aaron. So he was a high priest. When Jesus came to be baptized, John proclaimed, "Behold the Lamb that will take away the sins of the world." He acknowledged the sacrifice was acceptable. Go ahead to the day of the crucifixion. The high priest open-handedly slapped Jesus on the face. Putting all the sins of the world on Jesus. I will end with that and let the Holy Spirit take over.

May the love of Jesus embrace, engulf, and change you from the inside out.

Todd McPhetridge – Chaplain Post 52

Vice-Commander's Report

Post 52 has 197 members and is at 104% of our overall goal. But we need 3 new members to reach our goal of 200 members to allow the Post to have an extra delegate for the Department Convention. If you know a fellow veteran who might consider joining our Post, please reach out and share what we are doing to support our community.

The Post Officers for 2026-2027 will be voted on at the April 28th Membership meeting. We are appreciative of Post members and current officers who stepped up to serve. Please volunteer for our Post Committees – we need help!! Speak to a Command team member about where you would like to serve and any area of interest. Consider signing up to cut the grass or possibly getting together with a couple of friends to make a monthly membership meal. Signup sheets are on the Post bulletin board.

Our Good Friday Fish Fry is coming up on April 3, and Thursday is a busy prep day, and Friday is a long day of cooking. Please consider giving 2 to 3 hours of your time to help us have a successful fundraising event. If that's not possible, stop by the Post and purchase a meal and the great desserts Unit 52 will be selling. The Auxiliary not only sells the desserts they prepare but also serves the meals. Our Post is blessed to have such strong support from our team members.

We are all Post 52 family – please assist however/whenever you can!

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

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

Congratulations to Judy Blackley for being our Unit's 2025 Member of the Year! Thank you, Judy, for what you do for Unit 52, for Post 52, and for your service. Judy is a dual member of Post 52 and Unit 52.

Unit 52 will be giving 15 baby quilts to the Greenville VA for the upcoming female veterans' baby shower in April. These quilts are handmade by the members of Unit 52.

For upcoming events in April, Friday, April 3, 2026, Unit Bake Sale in correlation with Post 52 Good Friday, Fish Fry, 11 am – 6 pm, Sunday, April 12, 2026, Unit 52 Sew Day, 1:30-4:30 pm. Please note this is a change from the first Sunday of the month due to Easter. Thursday, April 16, 2026, Unit 52 members meeting, 6 pm. Members, please attend this meeting as the unit will be electing officers for 2026-2027!

Beginning on April 3, 2026, Unit 52 will begin selling raffle tickets for the Eagle Quilt. The raffle tickets will be $10.00 each. The drawing for the Eagle Quilt will be held on July 16, 2026, during the Unit members' meeting.

Happy Easter!

For God and Country, Carolyn Donnelly, Unit 52 President & Department of NC National Security Chair 2025-2026

Good Friday Fish Fry
April 3, 11 am to 6 pm.
All plates are $12 Cash or $12.60 Card.

Legionnaires will prepare for the fundraiser on Thursday, April 2, from 1 to 3 pm.

All help is welcome on the 3rd.

Help is needed from 8 am to 7 pm

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