Commanders' Message

National Night Out was our first event in August, held at Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville. We appreciate all our Post members who attended, volunteered at our table, and shared their stories with the community. To be able to extend a handshake and a "Thank you" to our local heroes for all they do for our families is always an honor.

We had one new member recently join Post 52: Horace Blackley, an Army veteran. Our members Billy and Judy Blackley recruited their son, who resides in Mississippi, to join our Post 52 family. Horace attended our Mark Twain event and our July membership meeting. Welcome aboard, Horace!

Post 52 members Joe Dillehay, Ed Wilson, and Danny Burger were honored at the 17th Purple Heart Banquet on Saturday, August 15. The support from our community to honor these veterans was truly heartwarming! We are proud to call these men our brothers.

Our Post Parliamentarian, Mike Donnelly, represented Post 52 at the Legion Baseball World Series in Shelby, NC, and is attending the National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. Our Second Vice Commander, Bruce Lobach, is participating in the 2026 American Legion Legacy Run—a 1,000-mile motorcycle ride from Lincoln, Nebraska, through five states, finishing at the General George Patton Museum of Leadership in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Bruce presented donations made to The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation (VCF) by Post 52, Auxiliary Unit 52, and individual Post 52 members. I am sure both will tell of their adventures during our September membership meeting or during one of our fundraising events at the post. Thanks to these fellow officers for sharing the heart of Post 52 with fellow Legionnaires across our nation.

Our Fish Fry is Saturday, September 12, from 11 am to 6 pm. Prep day is Friday, September 11, from 1 pm to 3 pm. Please consider giving 2 to 3 hours of your time to help us host a successful fundraising event. If that’s not possible, stop by the post to purchase a meal and enjoy the great desserts Unit 52 will be selling. The Auxiliary not only sells desserts they prepare, but they also serve the meals. Our Post is blessed to have such strong support from our team family members.

September 19th will be our first district meeting at Post 60 in Henderson. Our First Vice Commander, Chris Smith, will take the stage as our District V Vice Commander. Please try to attend this meeting to support Chris and our District V team. District V Commander Karen McFadden will be attending our September membership meeting, and I suspect she may mention the work Chris is achieving in membership, along with his membership team, as Post 52 qualifies for the 2026 Cardinal Award.

We want to thank each of you for coming to meetings, renewing your membership, assisting with meal preparations (both for 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

Well folks, we are knee-deep in membership renewals. I know your mailboxes have been receiving renewal notices from National HQ since July. If you paid your renewal, be patient, and National will eventually stop sending notices. That part is out of our hands. I wish the process could be more efficient and cost-effective, but it is typical of an organization comprised of 55 Departments and over 1.6 million members.

I am happy to report that over 53% of you have acted and renewed already. That means we have secured the September 10^thCardinal Award 50% goal in early August! That’s a win! Thank you. Remember, the always self-imposed challenge is 100% by Veterans Day. But I’m a realist and I have done this job a time or two before, so 100% by the end of the year would be outstanding.

National HQ has set our membership goal for 203 members this year. That number means several “things” to me, (1) when we achieve 201+ members we will obtain another Delegate at Department Convention and Conferences for the 2027 membership year, and (2) We have our work cut out for us, because the rough math of Post Everlasting, historic 10-12 non-renewals that occur each year because of various circumstances, and the few transfer outs we have yearly, means we always start the membership campaign at a deficit and must recover by not only getting 100% renewals from last year, but bringing in 15+ new members. New members are the hardest to achieve. They require effort. They require you to convince them that being a member of Post 52 is rewarding and worth their investment of $45 and their time. Potential new members require us to be welcoming and invite them to our meetings and events. We have led District 5 in these efforts for the last three years, so we know how to do it, and I am confident we will do it again.

We have seen a lull in renewals after a very brisk July. So, pick up that renewal notice and come to the next meeting with $45 cash, check, or credit card and make it happen. Go online (you will need your ID# on the renewal notice) and re-up in minutes. Consider the 3-year renewal to ensure your membership rate is locked in. NO. I don’t have any inside information about a potential dues increase at any level. But, again, I’m a realist and, like you, I’ve seen everything increase in price over the last 5+ years, and it doesn’t look like prices are lowering and wages or fixed incomes are keeping up. Like a good investor, hedge your bets against an increase by purchasing a 3-year membership or, even better, a Paid UP For Life (PUFL) membership if the price is right for you.

Thank you to those who volunteered and participated in the National Night Out at Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville on August 6. It was an excellent setting to “Thank” our area First Responders, who, like those serving in our military, are underpaid for their selfless work and sacrifice in our communities. We met and obtained contact information for 6 Veterans who wanted to learn more about The American Legion Post 52. They have been emailed our newsletter and extended an invitation to join us at our next membership meeting and events. We let Veterans and the community know that American Legion Post 52 is active and serving the community.

Veterans are Stronger as a Legion

Chris Smith, Vice Commander

Chaplain's Corner

Greetings in the mighty name of Jesus. May the peace of Jesus engulf you.

September can be a hard month. People are still grieving. People who have loved ones in harm's way. Continue to pray for them and pray for peace. Continue to stand behind Israel and pray for them. God says Bless Israel, and you will be blessed. Curse Israel, and you will be cursed.

We need to be helping our neighbors, paying attention to see if they need help. Most people will not come right out and say they need help. Love people the way God loves them. One thing is for sure: to help, you will have to step out of your comfort zone.

I also noticed a lot of fear. Not knowing where their next meal is coming from. The price of fuel. How to pay the electric bill. The list goes on. God is not the god of fear. He's the God of peace. He knows what is happening; He's not surprised. Call on Him, and He will be found. Start thanking Him for what you do have and stop focusing on what you don't have. Look around and watch Him move.

Jesus will meet you wherever you are.

May God's peace engulf you; may God's love transform you. In Jesus' name, amen.

Todd McPhetridge – Chaplain Post 52

Auxiliary Unit 52 Report

As I am writing this column, my husband Mike and I are getting ready to spend a week in Shelby, NC, for the American Legion Baseball World Series. I volunteer at the 50/50 raffle tent during this week. It is also a great week to spend with our youth. Then we will be attending the National Convention, which is being held this year in Louisville, Kentucky. During these two events, we catch up with many of our friends that we know from around the country.

As for upcoming events in September;

Bake Sale, Saturday, September 12, 2026, in conjunction with the Post Fish Fry from 11 am – 6 pm held at Post 52, Franklinton, NC.

Unit 52 Sew Day, Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 1:30 – 4:30 pm, held at Post 52, Franklinton, NC.

Unit Members’ Meeting, Thursday, September 17, 2026, held at Post 52, Franklinton, NC, at 6 pm.

Auxiliary Division 2 Meeting, Saturday, September 19, 2026, held at Post 427, Haw River, NC; registration begins at 9:30 am, meeting at 10 am. Please let me know if you are interested in attending this meeting.

Thank you to those who have paid their 2027 membership dues. Unit officers, please try to pay your 2027 membership dues by September 17, 2026. As for unit members, please try to pay your 2027 membership dues by November 10, 2026 (the Auxiliary’s birthday).

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.