On Saturday, December 21st, 2024, we celebrated our Annual Founder’s Day and the 100th Anniversary as 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.
The Post celebrated with our fellow Legionnaires, family, and friends at the North Raleigh Hilton Hotel in Raleigh, NC. We were truly grateful for the camaraderie!!
We were honored to have Ms. Cleola M. Davis as the guest speaker. She was commissioned an Army Officer through the ROTC program at North Carolina A&T State University. She is the recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award. She has over twenty-two years of military service and held numerous staff and leadership positions.
Ms. Davis retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after receiving numerous medals and awards, the highest of which is the Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters.
Honored guest included Thomas Cerniglia, North Carolina Department Commander and Devell “Bo” Durham Jr of Leonard Moore Post 71 and Candidate for Department Commander 2025-2026.
The Doughboy Foundation certified that Taps at National World War I Memorial in Washington, DC was sounded in honor of WWI Veteran Private Charles T. Norwood; namesake of the Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157; honored the post’s Centennial Anniversary. Honored on December 19, 2024.
You can watch the Taps ceremony by visiting the Doughboy Foundation YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJzWaUaC-_g
In conjunction with the Founder’s Day Celebration the post conducted a fundraiser selling raffle tickets. The event ended with the drawing of 3 tickets and 2 of the 3 winners were present. The first prize winner of $500.00 was Mrs. Brenda Parrott, the winner of 2nd prize of $250.00 was Mr. Tony Whitaker and the 3rd prize winner of $100.00 was Ms. Pat Lykins was presented with her winning check at her home.
