Commanders' Message

Can you believe it is already February! Only eleven more months to go to 2027! You may say it is too soon for me to be looking that far ahead, but I tell you that it really isn't. To be a better Post, we must always be looking forward. Your Post Executive Committee (PEC) is always looking two months ahead and sometimes three. But your Commander team is generally looking 4-6 ahead with strategic purpose.

We started 2026 off just like NASCAR, with the Daytona 500 - fast and the most important event of the year very early. Of course, I am talking about the visit from National Commander Dan Wilely and our Department Commander Devell "Bo" Durham. What a success! I thank all of you who came out in support of the Department and Post 52. I especially thank Legionnaires Joe and Stephanie Farrell for donating the Upper Deck area at Bleachers Sports Bar and subsidizing the incredible food.

Again, I emphasize the start of our year has been like harvesting a trophy buck on the first day of the hunting season – Can it get any better? Can we sustain such early momentum, built on 100% membership renewal, the installation of the beautiful bronze Battlefield Cross sculpture at Franklinton Veterans Memorial Park, and recognition within the District and Department for hosting such an excellent visit for Commanders Wiley and Durham? Our answer must be – Yes! Just as God speaks of sowing, reaping, and multiplying in the parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), today's Post 52 will always choose to grow, impact the community, and bring new life to our programs and events. Sacred traditions and present-day change working hand in hand is how Post 52 has grown strong and stayed relevant with today's Veterans after 106 years.

One new event we are now committed to, exploring the date (likely July-August), marketing for, and being the future of our fundraising needs, is A Dinner with Mark Twain; A Dinner Theater in honor of America's 250^th Birthday (1776-2026). Legionnaires Joe and Stephanie Farrell have generously donated the use of their Carolina Manor House as the venue. Legionnaire Don McNeill, a professional Mark Twain impersonator and historian, has volunteered his services to headline the event. We have already received word of a professional bluegrass band willing to donate their talents to round out the necessary element of a Southern event. There is much, much more planning, marketing, and finalization to do, but it has already started because this is a big project. This project is the type of event that can again put Franklinton Post 52 at the top of the Department of NC map of events, like the Legion World Series and our very own famous Chitlin Strut, which used to be the hallmark of the Post, bringing in Legionnaires, politicians, and good folks from around the entire state. In the 80's and 90's, everyone knew Post 52 for the Chitlin Strut thanks to Post Everlasting Legionnaires and visionaries Royal Jones and Howell Lee. We will take this level of fame and leverage it to make A Dinner with Mark Twain an event that all of the Dept of NC and the greater Franklin County area will come to know and support for the years to come.

Sounds exciting, right? Such an endeavor will require even more participation from members than all of the regular fundraisers of Brunswick stew, fish fry, and BBQ chicken combined. I want you to think about what your "part" will be in making this successful. Will you purchase tickets? Will you sell tickets? Will you help with marketing? Will you help with set-up and clean-up? Will you help with activities during the event? Some of you will be a part of it all. Some of you will assist in one or two areas of focus. Some of you will not be able to do any physical activity or not feel comfortable participating in something new – how can you help? – Pray. It's that simple. Prayer is the most valuable source of motivation and effectiveness that every member can do for the collective good.

2026 will test my motto (see below) in more ways than ever before. I am testing it on purpose, because I know Post 52 is capable of more. Are you up for the challenge? God says we are, because he continues to bless us in abundance. Stay tuned and be ready to invest your time, talents, and financial gifts in Post 52's future success. Together, we will build a new legacy.

"Veterans are stronger as a Legion."

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

Chaplain's Corner

Greetings in the name of King Jesus.

As I was reading the Bible today, these verses caught my attention. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. Paul was going through some rough times. The Word of God says, God's grace is sufficient.  God's power is made perfect in weakness. Paul delighted in weakness, hardship, insults, persecution, and difficult times. When I'm weak, then I'm strong. This concept is foreign to us. Seek God and ask Him to show you His ways. I've been learning that the ways I've been taught are upside-down.

A short story, in this cold spell, my family's well froze. My family decided to thank God for supplying all our needs. We thanked Him for what we have and had faith He would supply our needs and walk us through. Jesus gave my wife a thought, and she acted on it. About a half hour later, we had water. I encourage you to give your situation to God. Thank Him in advance for the answer. Rejoice knowing God is working. If God asks you to do something that doesn't make sense, remember that God chooses the simple to confound the wise.

May the Love, Grace, Hope, and Peace of God engulf you, in the name of Jesus, amen.

Todd McPhetridge – Chaplain Post 52

Vice-Commander's Report

As of January 23, our 2026 Membership stands at 194. Post 52 is at 102% overall. We are striving for 195 members by January 31. Our goal is to reach 200 by March 31 to ensure the Post has an extra delegate for the Department Convention. By achieving 100% by December 31, Post 52 is eligible to win the Dogwood Award. This prestigious award is parallel to being an active post and engaging in our community. We appreciate all members who renewed early, updated their information, and brought fellow veterans to our events.

THANKS to everyone who assisted during our January "Famous Brunswick Stew" Fundraiser!! Our Post team volunteers cooked Turkeys at home – three members cooked two! We filled and stirred the pot, and most of all enjoyed each other's company and had Fun!! Two new members, Philip Meador and Louis Mailloux, experienced our veteran camaraderie by stirring the pot. Our team filled, counted, and carried out the 292 quarts of stew. Thanks to everyone in our community who purchased our Veteran family-made quarts!!

Please consider a new goal for 2026 to step up your assistance at our Post when and where you can. Our nominating committee is finalizing a list of nominations for new Post Officers for our March 28 Membership meeting. Please consider volunteering for an Office or for a Post Committee. If you have any questions or are interested in holding an office, please seek out a Command team member and share your interests. The nominating committee will be contacting members interested in serving the Post in 2026-2027.

The best way to bring about change or see something done differently is to take on a position and share your ideas!!

Thank you all for being part of the Post 52 family!!

"Be selfless and serve."

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

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

The Unit had two members pass in the last two months. As a tradition to honor our members, the Unit's Charter was draped in Helen Barbour's honor at the Unit's January meeting, following her passing in December. The charter will be undraped at the Unit's February meeting. The charter will be draped again for PDP Doris Ray, the Unit's oldest member at 102. Doris served as the Department President of the NC American Legion Auxiliary in 1972-1973. The Unit was so honored to have had these ladies as members.

For upcoming events: Sunday, February 1, 2026, Unit 52 Sew Day from 1:30 – 4:30 pm, American Legion/Auxiliary Mid-Winter Conference, February 13-14, 2026, Thursday, February 19, 2026, Unit 52 Meeting @ 6 pm.

On February 7, I will be in Atlanta, Georgia, attending an ALA Mission training event.

At the most recent Unit 52 meeting, we established a Unit Member of the Year committee to select the recipient. If you have a member of the Unit, or yourself, whom you would like to nominate as a candidate, contact Sue Gooch, Toni Miller, or Patty McCrary to submit your nomination. We need these nominations by March 1, 2026, so the winner can be honored at the Awards Banquet on March 14, 2026.

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

Special presentation at the February 28 Membership Meeting

WWII Army Rangers Honored with Congressional Gold Medal

Please come out to support our special guest, Beverly Kegley.
Beverly is a community volunteer and will be talking to us about her father, who earned this recognition during WWII.

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