Commanders' Message

Congratulations to our new slate of Officers recently elected for the 2026-2027 service year. Your Commander Elect is Legionnaire George Miller. I am 100% confident that George and this experienced group of officers will continue to lead Post 52 with energy, integrity, and growth. This column will be my last newsletter message to you as your Commander. Thank you for the opportunity to have grown as a Legionnaire over the last three years. I have learned valuable lessons and information that will benefit us all, as it remains my passion to continue serving Post 52 for years to come. It was my honor to serve you.

Now is the time to fill our standing and ad hoc committees with Legionnaires who are willing to serve and do the heavy lifting required to maintain an active and committed Post. Your help is needed with Americanism, Fundraising, Food Service, Facilities & Grounds, Cemetery & Graves, Honor Guard, Shaping the Future, Memorial Brick, and other committees stood up by the Commander. We are still weak at Post 52 in terms of committee chairmanship and membership. While it is okay and sometimes necessary to have Post Executive Committee officers on these committees, the Post would be much better served by having rank-in-file Legionnaires participate in and run committees. These committees should meet at least quarterly, develop budget requests based on their missions/needs, and regularly report their work and progress to the PEC. The Legion is structured to work this way – not placing all the burden of success on 15 elected officers. I ask each of you to consider serving on a committee or two this year, and let's have 50-60 Legionnaires constantly working to make Post 52 better.

This month, we continue our tradition of honoring the veterans who have gone before us in sacrifice to our Nation. Flags-In will be Saturday, May 23, at Fairview Cemetery @ 0900 hrs. Our Memorial Day Ceremony will be on Sunday, May 24, at Franklinton Veterans Memorial Park @ 1400 hrs. I am pleased and grateful to announce that a soldier I served with in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004), Colonel Benjimen Wynn, will deliver the keynote address. Col Wynn commands the 30^th Mobile Brigade Combat Team of the North Carolina Army National Guard. Please mark your calendars to participate in these events. We do this because we vowed to honor and remember. We promise to ensure future generations understand that freedom is not free.

Dinner with Mark Twain: A Dinner Theater in honor of America 250 has been set for Saturday, July 25 @ 4:00 pm at the Carolina Manor House in Franklinton. Tickets are on sale now for $65.76 each, payable by check to American Legion Post 52 or in cash. See George Miller or Finance Officer Gene Schempp to pay for your ticket(s. You will hear more about marketing and online ticket purchase options very soon.

"Veterans are stronger as a Legion".

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

Chaplain's Corner

Greetings in the mighty name of Jesus.

I try to share what's going on in my life right now. I hope to encourage you and to point you to God. Don't take my word for it, but seek God. Ask Him what He thinks. 

I didn't know what to talk about, so I asked God to show me something. I ran across this scripture in 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV): "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Our Nation has turned from God and sought our own ways. Let's repent and humble ourselves before God. God said if we repent and turn from our evil ways, He will forgive and heal our land.

God in heaven, please forgive America for turning away from you. Please bring us back to You. In Jesus name, amen.

Todd McPhetridge – Chaplain Post 52

Vice-Commander's Report

Post 52 has 198 members and an overall 104%. We need 3 new members to reach our goal of 201 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.

Installation of Post Officers for 2026-2027 will be at the May 26 Membership meeting. The Auxiliary will be preparing this meal. Try to come out to meet our newly elected Officers. Please volunteer for any of our Post Committees – we need help!! Speak to a Command team member about where you would like to serve and any area of interest. Opportunities are available to support our four American Legion Pillars: Nationalism, Americanism, Veterans, and Youth. 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.

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

"Be selfless and serve."

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

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

May is Military Appreciation Month!

As Auxiliary Unit 52 is ending the year 2025-2026, their impact numbers for the year, as reported, are: 1473 volunteer hours, $3,193.00 spent, and 1490 served. Thank you, Unit 52, for all you do for our veterans, their families, and the community in which they live.

The 2026-2027 newly elected officers were elected at the April meeting. At the May 21 meeting, the officers will be installed in their elected positions. Please try to attend this meeting to celebrate with them. Congratulations!

The unit is having an Eagle Quilt Raffle, which began on April 3, 2026. The tickets are $10.00 each. The scheduled date for the drawing is July 16, 2026, during the unit's members' meeting. Contact any Auxiliary Unit 52 members for information or to purchase a ticket.

As for Girls State, Auxiliary Unit 52 has one citizen who has applied to attend Girls State, June 20-25, 2026, on the campus of Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC.

Auxiliary Unit 52 will be distributing Poppies on Friday, May 22, and Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the HomeTown Café and Food Lion from 9 am-3 pm. Unit members, please consider volunteering to help with this event.

Auxiliary Unit 52 will be hosting the Post 52 dinner on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 6 pm. Unit members, if possible, please try to attend to help serve and congratulate Post 52's newly elected officers for 2026-2027.

Happy Mother's Day!

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

Memorial Day Activities

Flag placement on local veterans' graves.
9:00 am, Saturday, May 23, 2026
Meet at 9 am at Fairview Cemetery,
Chavis St, Franklinton, NC

Memorial Day Program
2:00 pm, Sunday, May 24, 2026, at
Franklinton Veterans Memorial Park
South Main Street, Franklinton, NC

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