Commanders' Message

I am humbled, grateful, and honored to have received your votes and confirmation as your next Commander. As you may notice from my gray and white hair, I am likely one of the oldest Post 52 Commanders in recent years. I pledge to give my very best to our Post family—but I will need the support and involvement of every member whenever possible.

Please feel free to reach out to me at any time. If you contact me and I don't respond, please follow up. Due to significant hearing limitations, I may not always hear or catch everything the first time.

Our newly elected officers and dedicated member volunteers will be leading our Post committees. They will be asking for help from members and families, and I encourage everyone to step forward and get involved. We are launching new initiatives, including the Mark Twain Dinner Theatre, and exploring ideas such as improving the identification and care of veteran graves and expanding outreach to local schools through youth programs. Fresh ideas and follow-through happen by being on a committee!

The "Shaping the Future" committee, led by Scott Vickers, will focus on strengthening our Post through improved communication, enhanced use of media and technology, stronger engagement with members' families, and facility improvements. These efforts will help ensure that Post 52 remains a strong and lasting presence in our community.

There are many opportunities to support the four pillars of the American Legion: Nationalism, Americanism, Veterans, and Youth. Whether it's volunteering to maintain the grounds or organizing a monthly membership meal, every contribution makes a difference.

If you lead a membership meal, your role will include shopping for and preparing any items that are not already available. Fellow members will assist with final preparation, serving, and cleanup—it's truly a team effort. The Finance Officer will reimburse all approved expenses. Leading a membership meal is also a great opportunity to try new recipes and provide a meaningful service to our Post family.

Signup sheets are available on the Post bulletin board.

We are all part of the Post 52 family—please lend a hand whenever and however you can.

"Be selfless and serve."

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

Vice-Commander's Report

Congratulations to our new Post Commander, George Miller. I appreciate what George did for me last year as my First Vice and Membership Committee Chairman. Ending 2026 with 198 members and 104% of the goal means I have big shoes to fill. Post 52 was first to 100% in District 5.

If there is one thing I have learned as a Post Officer, it is that you can never be too early on anything, i.e., renewing membership, recruiting, planning events, etc. When you think you are early, you are likely going to be late or just right on time. That is what life does to us. So, we are starting the 2027 Membership Campaign as early as it has ever started at Post 52 – NOW!

It is safe to assume that the Dept of NC will raise our 2027 membership goal by 4 members, to 202. Factoring in the 5 Post Everlastings from the 2026 campaign, we will need 100% of our current members (194) to renew, and we will need to recruit a minimum of 8 new members to reach

100% for 2027. That is attainable, but it will not come without effort. Will you make the effort and renew your membership early, starting in July? 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, without the department leaders in our business.

We will kick off the 2027 Membership Campaign with a tent/booth at the First Friday in Franklinton Festival on June 5 from 5:00 – 9:00 pm. You can help in two ways: (1) join us to talk with and meet other Veterans, and (2) renew your membership for 2027 at the event. The festival will have craft vendors, food trucks, and a band. Second Vice Commander Bruce Lobach and MyLegion.com Membership Committee specialists will be at most of our meetings and events starting in June to begin renewing members. Our first big goal is to exceed 50% renewal by September 10 for the Cardinal Award.

Veterans are Stronger as a Legion

Chris Smith, First Vice Commander

Chaplain's Corner

Greetings to everyone in the mighty name of Jesus.

Last month, we remembered family members who gave the ultimate sacrifice. We need to remember those who are still hurting. The ones that are paying physically and mentally. The biggest thing we can do is pray for them, then listen. Then ask God how you can help them, and then be obedient. What God tells you may not make sense, but God knows what they need. Jesus is the only answer. Jesus paid the price for our health and peace. Without Jesus, there is no hope, peace, or healing. To those seeking peace, hope, and healing, turn to Jesus. When you look around, God is already putting people in your life to show you, Jesus.

I ask God to open your ears and eyes to see Him, in Jesus' name, amen.

Todd McPhetridge –Chaplain Post 52

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

As we end the month of May, we honored our fallen heroes with a memorial service and distributed poppies to the community in their honor. Thank you to all who donated and for your support so that we can help our veterans and their families in the community during our poppy distribution.

Thanks to all the unit members who helped with the Post 52 dinner/meeting on May 26, 2026, which was a great success.

The Unit is still selling tickets for the Eagle Quilt Raffle. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket, contact any Auxiliary Unit 52 member to get one. The drawing will be held on July 16, 2026, during the Unit's membership meeting.

For June activities/events for Unit 52: Sunday, June 7, 2026, Sew Day, from 1:30-4:30 pm, held at Post 52, NC Department Convention held at the Raleigh Hilton, June 11-13, 2026. Thank you to the five delegates who plan to attend the convention. On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, there will be a Post 52 Flag Retirement ceremony at 5:30 pm, and on Thursday, June 18, 2026, there will be a Unit 52 members meeting at 6 pm. A special guest speaker will be attending. Please try to attend one or all the activities/events that will be happening.

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

Mark your calendar for these Upcoming Events:

Chicken and Pork BBQ - July 11

and the

Mark Twain Dinner Theater – July 25
Only 200 tickets available. (Click here for more information.)

Post 52 Officers for 2026-27

Shown above, seated l to r: Historian - George Tracy, Finance Officer - Gene Schempp, Commander - George Miller, District 5 Commander - Karen McFaddin, Adjutant - Greg May, 3rd Sergeant-At-Arms - Joe Dillehay, standing l to r: 2nd Sergeant-At-Arms - Douglas Senter, Chaplain - Todd McPhetridge, Parliamentarian - Mike Donnelly, Executive Committee Rep - Jimmy Payne, Executive Committee Rep - Pat McCrary, 2nd Vice Commander - Bruce Lobach, 1st Sergeant-At-Arms - John Laney, 1st Vice Commander – Chris Smith. Missing from the photo are Executive Committee Rep - Mike Bruschi, and Resource Officer - Kate Tomlinson.

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