Commanders' Message

July was a very busy month for our Post with our country’s 250^th birthday celebration, successful BBQ fundraiser, and the Inaugural Mark Twain dinner and theatre experience. Legion College 2026 was held between these fundraisers. The support from our Post Family members was incredible.

I salute everyone who gave their time to help, attend, and support these events.

Post 52 took part in Bedford Speaks on 3 July – an event that post member Don McNeill (aka Mark Twain performer) organizes with other toastmaster members to honor our nation and veterans.

Steve Soliday, Bruce Lobach, Chris Smith, and yours truly shared our Military experiences during the 1980’s and Desert Shield/Storm. We were well received by these attendees and joined them in patriotic songs about our flag and nation. It was a true honor for us to be participants.

We recently had two new members join Post 52: Bret Forrest Dietz, a Navy veteran, and Robert Hendrickson, an Army veteran. Our Chaplain, Todd McPhetridge, and Rental Manager, Ed Ortiz, recruited these members. Be like Todd & Ed: share what our Post family does and invite a veteran to join Post 52.

Auxiliary Unit 52 blessed Post 52 by providing the flower arrangements that were raffled off during our Mark Twain event – a $400 cost. These beautiful arrangements were designed by Linda Kerensky, who is now traveling from Raleigh to support our Post Family. Unit 52 further blessed us by covering the cost of 10 meals during our BBQ fundraiser for homebound veterans. Our Command team salutes this selfless action by our Post family team partner.

National Night Out is planned for Thursday, August 6, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville. We will need 4-6 members to assist in our recruiting effort. Please contact the First Vice-Commander for details. It is a family-fun event with free food, bouncy houses for children, and many of our local heroes with tables set up. It is a great event to “Thank Them” for what they do for our community.

The 17^th Purple Heart banquet is on Saturday, August 15, starting at 4:00 pm. Post 52 members Joe Dillehay, Ed Wilson, and Danny Burger are honored at this event. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at wakeforestpurpleheartfoundation.org. This event sells out early, so if you aren’t able to attend, please consider going in 2027.

Our Post Executive Committee Representative, Mike Bruschi, and the Social Activities (Pint Nite) Committee Chairman are sharing Veteran Fishing opportunities and golfing events. If anyone has interest in these or Honor Flights (They are planning to have flights from RDU soon), please reach out to Mike.

We are all part of the Post 52 family. Your willingness to contribute your time and talents strengthens our mission and our community. Thank you for your continued support and dedication.

"Be selfless and serve."

George Miller, Commander, Post 52, gmiller20189@gmail.com

Vice-Commander's Report

The 2027 Membership Campaign officially started on July 1. As of writing this column, Post 52 had 53 members renewed, which is 26% of our presumed goal of 202 members. Thank you to those who renewed at the BBQ fundraiser. Thank you, PUFLs (Paid Up For Life), who made the commitment to always be first to renew for life! Also, there is still the option of a 3-year membership, so you don’t have to remind yourself to renew as often. Our MyLegion.com committeeman, Second Vice Commander Bruce Lobach, will be processing renewals and new members weekly. You will see Bruce at our meetings and events, so bring your $45 membership renewal fee (cash, check, or Visa). You can renew your membership online at www.legion.org/renew using your membership number.

Our first Membership Goal deadline we will meet is September 10th, with 50% renewed, to earn the Cardinal Award from the Department. Will you make the effort and renew your membership early, starting NOW? Of course, you have until December 31, 2026, to renew before your membership becomes delinquent, but waiting till that date only makes life more difficult for Commander Miller and me. It was such a nice feeling to be 100% by January 1 and not have the Dept leaders micromanaging our house.

Thank you to those who volunteered and participated in the Franklin County Veterans’ Health & Resource Fair on June 18. There was an awesome turnout of Veterans. We let Veterans know that American Legion Post 52 is active and serving the community. If you see Brenda Wilkins, let her know that the event was appreciated and much needed. It’s been a while since Franklin County had such an event. Also, Brenda’s new Veterans Services Technician is Quedilla Hargrove. Frizzy Yarborough moved to the Wake County Veterans Service Office.

Our next recruiting event is National Night Out in Youngsville at Faith Baptist Church on Thursday, August 6, from 6:00-8:00 pm. This event honors and displays all first responders, and the UNC Life Flight helicopter will fly in, weather permitting. I need 5-8 volunteers to help me at this event. Let me know your availability to help.

Veterans are Stronger as a Legion

Chris Smith, Vice Commander

Chaplain's Corner

Greetings in the mighty name of Jesus. 

I try to talk about things I am learning or have learned. This month, I'm targeting people who think they have done all they can and have nothing else to share. Don't give in to the lie. God is always teaching us something. What He's teaching you, someone needs to hear. God is also preparing you for the next phase of your life. I have learned that when I share my knowledge, God sends people to me to share their knowledge. A suggestion: ask God to show you someone to help or share with. We need the wisdom of the elders. I hope this encourages you to find someone to help. 

May God's face shine on you and may God make your path straight to Him. 

Todd McPhetridge – Chaplain Post 52

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

As the month of July comes to an end, a few housekeeping items need to be addressed.

First, at the last Unit meeting, the winning raffle ticket for the Eagle Quilt was drawn. The winner was Jane DeGuzeman from Raleigh. Congratulations Jane! Thank you to everyone who purchased a raffle ticket, as the proceeds support the Auxiliary programs and veterans, military members, and their families.

Next, thank you to the unit members who helped with the bake sale and served Chicken and Pork BBQ at the Post 52 fundraiser.

Thank you to the unit members who have paid your 2027 membership dues. I would like the unit officers to renew their 2027 membership dues by September 17, 2026, and the unit members to renew theirs by November 11, 2026.

As for August events: the Unit Sew Day, Sunday, August 2, 2026, held at Post 52 from 1:30 - 4:30 pm., and the Unit Members meeting, Thursday, August 20, 2026, @6pm, held at Post

Wishing Everyone a Wonderful Summer!

For God and Country,

Carolyn Donnelly, Unit 52 President

Fish Plates Fundraiser

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

Legionnaires will prepare for the fundraiser on Friday, September 11, at 1 pm; all help with cooking/serving on the 12th is welcome. All who can help are needed, 9 am to 7 pm.

Brunswick Stew Sale

October 17, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

All quarts $12.00 (Cash) or $12.60 (Credit/Debit Card).

Reserve your quarts.

Call/text Steve at 919 727-0087.

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