On December 16, 2023, we held a luncheon as we celebrated Founder’s Day the 99th Anniversary of the Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157. The Post was chartered December 19, 1924, five years after the National American Legion received its Congressional Charter. The Post was named to honor Pvt. Charles T. Norwood who served with Company H, 365th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Infantry Division. Pvt. Norwood was wounded on November 11, 1918 just hours before the Armistice to end World War I was set to begin. Pvt. Norwood died from his wounds and Lobar Pneumonia on January 17, 1919 making him the first Black soldier to be killed from Raleigh, North Carolina during World War I. Pvt. Charles T. Norwood was buried in the Raleigh National Cemetery on August 1,1921.
Legionnaire Gabriel Carr, 1st Vice Commander/ Adjutant hosted the event. Honored guest, The Ladies Auxiliary Unit, family members and friends all attended the celebration. Legionnaire Devone Young sang two beautiful songs.
During the member recognition of the program the Post Commander James Langston conducted an Invitation Ceremony. Initiation of new members is an important post function. They need to be shown, officially and formally, that they're indeed a part of The American Legion. They deserve the courtesy of being introduced to the post that has accepted their membership applications and dues payments.
The Sergeant-at-Arms escorted the new member into the meeting room and placed him properly before the flag and read his name Mr. Greg Bethea Post Commander read him his obligation (ie: “raise your right hand and repeat after me.”) at the conclusion of the obligation the Chaplain Willie Pulley read "There shines the emblem of The American Legion."
Post Commander James Langston welcome Legionnaire Greg Bethea to The American Legion. All post members present also welcome Legionnaire Greg Bethea as a member of Charles T. Norwood Post 157.
In conjunction with the Founder’s Day Celebration the post conducted a fundraisers a silent auction of a few items for purchase and selling raffle tickets. . The event ended with the drawing of 3 tickets and the 1 of the 3 winners were present. The first prize winner $500.00 was Mrs Geneva Langston was present, 2nd prize winner of $250.00 was Ms. Roz Hirshfield and the 3rd prize winner of $100.00 was Ms. Cori McDermott were presented with their winning check at their home.
The proceeds from the raffle will be used to support the post youth activities programs and the post general fund which provides the funding for a wide range of post activities.
