Commanders' Message

As we enter the fall season, we start the month with our first of two Brunswick Stew fundraisers. This one will be a little different: during the stew sale and pickup, we will have the "Tables of Honor" set up, where post members will display their military memorabilia and share their stories. Please come and learn what Americanism is about and what these veterans did during their service to our country. I know it will inspire our youth, younger veterans, and community—these are stories worth telling and hearing.

If possible, please join us at our Brunswick Stew event on October 17. Come out to "stir" the pot and enjoy the fellowship. Prep day is on October 16. Please don't hesitate to come out and enjoy the fun! If you have limited time, consider purchasing a quart or two; it's a nice, easy meal to share with friends. This event supports not only veterans but also the vital work we do in the community.

The Fall Conference is Friday and Saturday, October 23–24, at the North Raleigh Hilton. Please consider attending to learn more about what the American Legion does above the Post level. Post 52 is well represented, and our Post 52 Department Executive Committee officers, commission members, and committee members will be available to answer questions during the event.

Frankenfest is on October 31 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Our Post will have a tent set up to recruit and share information with our community. Please volunteer to help if you can or stop by our table. This is a really great event for children, as well as our fun-loving post veterans and families. Feel free to dress up in costume!

Thank you for attending meetings, renewing your membership, helping with meal preparation and cleanup (for both meetings and fundraising), purchasing fundraising meals, and providing generous donations and support. Our aim is to have a great Post Family, support our organization's four pillars, and have fun doing it!

"Be selfless and serve."

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

Vice-Commander's Report

As of September 16, 2026, 62% of membership has renewed. Our 2027 goal is 203 members. That means we are 78 members short of our goal. We need 76 renewals paid between now and December 31, plus at least 2 more new members, to reach our 100% goal. We have 2 new members so far. I am thankful for those new members and the Legionnaire(s) who recruited them, but Post Everlasting is putting a strain on us. We generally attract 10+ new members each year. We are way behind that mark.

To those of you who have renewed your membership and recruited members, THANK YOU! Post 52 has again won the Department’s Cardinal Award for a 50% membership renewal rate. Congratulations to those of you who have renewed and helped achieve the goal. You have taken personal accountability to ensure that Post 52 remains strong and grows. We all must do our part to do the minimum. Then we must dig deep into our hearts and exceed the minimum with the gift of our time, talents, and monetary donations to continue strengthening our Post, so we ensure it exists for another 107 years. I THANK YOU again, but will continue to ask for more, because I know it is in your heart.

For those of you who have not yet renewed your membership or recruited a new member, I ask you to ask yourselves, “Why not?” Is it as simple as, “I haven’t had the chance to get to the Post?” Is it as personal as, “I have had medical hardship this year, and I just don’t have the discretionary funds to afford a membership any longer?” Is it as sad and unfortunate as, “I just don’t receive a return on my $45 membership, and I could use that money for something else”? Is it some other reason?

I want to know your reason. If you're waiting for the right moment to renew, I will give you several easy ways to do so below. Please renew by Veterans Day. Renew your membership in honor of all Veterans who came before you and all military personnel standing watch over our freedom today. Now that is purposeful! If a hardship or financial issue is delaying your dues payment, please reach out to me, the Commander, or any member of the Post Executive Committee (PEC). Your conversation will be confidential. Our community feeds the “Tip/donation” Jar at every fundraiser, giving $200+/- on average. The PEC allocates funding to ensure members of our Post can renew their membership during hardship. Please don’t let pride get in the way of you continuing your membership and serving the community as a Legionnaire. Post 52 will never let hardship stand in the way of a Veteran’s desire to be a member. We got your 6.

If you feel your membership doesn't deliver what you expect, please see the Commander or me. We need to know your grievances, or nothing can change. The Officers of Post 52 genuinely want to improve the “benefits” of being a Legionnaire anytime it is possible. Bring me your complaint with purpose, not just whining. Come with recommendations and a pathway to a solution. Come saying YOU are willing to help make changes for the better. Please remember that “benefits” of Legion membership are rarely monetary gain. The gain is in your heart knowing that your membership delivers the most important and most basic mission of The American Legion – Support and advocacy of Veterans, their families, and their communities. I am proud to say we do this so well at Post 52; sometimes I may miss that we can improve many things to make us all better. But improvement, like sustained success, takes work and commitment from all of us.

You can renew your membership online at www.legion.org (you'll need your membership #) and pay with a credit or debit card. You can mail in your dues notice with a check or credit card info. You can write a check payable to The American Legion Post 52 for $45 and mail it to PO Box 61, Franklinton, NC 27525 (no cash by mail). You can come to our next meeting or event and bring a check, cash, or a credit/debit card. If none of these options work for you, or you would like to talk to me personally about renewing, please call me at (919) 698-0295 or email me at csmithforest@gmail.com.

Veterans are Stronger as a Legion

Chris Smith, Vice Commander

Chaplain's Corner

Greetings in the mighty name of Jesus. May the peace that passes all understanding rule your life today. 

First, I pray that the Holy Spirit guides my words. 

To start with, Jehovah is our provider. Stop for a moment and think about that. It may not be what you want. Jehovah knows what is best for you. Jehovah is not surprised! He knows what is happening. He has made provisions; we have to keep walking. Give thanks for what you have. Don't focus on what you don't have. 

Times are very troubling. A lot is happening that could cause fear. I recently learned "fear not " is in the Bible 365 times. That is something to take note of. Jesus said, "Peace I give you; the world can't take it away. Trust in Jesus; He never fails. Jesus also said, “Don't worry about what you will eat or what you will wear. Your heavenly Father knows what you need. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. "

The days of evil are getting worse, but take courage; Jesus has already overcome. Seek Jesus while there is still time. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except through Jesus. 

May the Holy Spirit open your eyes and ears. In Jesus name, amen. 

Todd McPhetridge – Chaplain Post 52

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

Happy Fall! This is my favorite time of year!

First, thank you to everyone who helped with the recent Bake Sale. It was very successful! We donated the baked goods that weren’t sold during the bake sale to the Franklinton Fire Department.

Next, the Auxiliary elected a new National President during the National Convention held in Louisville, Kentucky, from the end of August into the first three days of September. ALA National President Coral May Grout is from Massachusetts, and she will serve in 2027. Madam President Coral will visit North Carolina during the Fall Conference in October, held at the North Raleigh Hilton in Raleigh, NC. Congratulations, Madam President Coral!

Thank you to all the members who have paid their 2027 membership dues. Please have all members pay their 2027 membership dues by November 10, 2026 (American Legion Auxiliary’s Birthday). Please welcome our newest member, Cindy Morningstar, to Unit 52!

Upcoming events for October: Sunday, October 4, 2026, Unit Sew Day, 1:30-4:30 pm held at Franklinton Post 52; Thursday, October 15, 2026, Unit Members Meeting, 6 pm held at Franklinton Post 52; The American Legion/Auxiliary Fall Conference, Friday, October 23 & Saturday, October 24, 2026, held at the North Raleigh Hilton, Raleigh, NC.

For God and Country,

Carolyn Donnelly, Unit 52 President

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.