Founder’s Day 2025 - 101st Anniversary

     On Saturday, December 20th, 2025, we celebrated our Annual Founder’s Day and the 101st 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. 

     Legionnaire Lloyd Dunn, 2nd Vice Commander, hosted the event as we celebrated with our fellow Legionnaires, the Ladies Auxiliary Unit, family members, and friends at the Lea Community Family Center in Raleigh, NC. The event was catered by Levy’s Soul Cafe. We truly enjoyed the delicious food and was very grateful for the camaraderie.

  Honored guest included:

The North Carolina Department Commander Devell “Bo” Durham Jr 2025-2026.

The American Legion Department of North Carolina District 11 Commander Vickie Woodard. 

Ms. Kimberly Michelle, a singer, songwriter, and a classically trained violinist. She opened the event by playing the National Anthem on her violin and later with a Song of Praise. Post History guest speaker Mr. David Serxner, a historian, museum educator, and living historian, has a diverse range of research interests and expertise.       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. The first prize $500.00, 2nd prize $250.00 and the 3rd prize $100.00. The winner will be presented with a check. 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.