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.

 

 

 

Gabriel Carr, 1st Vice Commander/ Adjutant was the master of ceremonies for the event.

 

Head table L to R: James Langston, Post Commander wife Mrs Geneva Langston, Post 157 Auxiliary Unit Vice President, Ms Cleola M. Davis the guest speaker, Thomas Cerniglia, North Carolina Department Commander and his wife.

 

Willie Pulley, Chaplain opened up the event with a prayer

 

Legionnaire Devone Young sang the National Anthem as Gabriel Carr, 1st Vice Commander/ Adjutant renders a hand salute.

 

Dinner is being served

 

Legionnaire Devone Young, Legionnaire Terry Smith and Legionnaire S. Cameron.

 

 

Legionnaire Elree Smith, Past Finance Officer

 

James Whitaker, Historian spoke of the history of the post and the Daily Taps Program.

 

Donald Moses, Past Post Commander

 

Devell “Bo” Durham Jr of Leonard Moore Post 71 and Candidate for Department Commander 2025-2026.

 

 

Charles Whitaker, 2nd Vice Commander with his family members.

 

Legionnaire Joseph Holt talked about his time and experience as a member of Post 157.

 

 

L to R: James Langston, Post Commander, Thomas Cerniglia, North Carolina Department Commander, Ms Cleola M. Davis the guest speaker and Mrs Geneva Langston, Post 157 Auxiliary Unit Vice President.

 

The Centennial Anniversary December 19, 1924 to 2024

 

Willie Pulley, Chaplain and his family

 

Legionnaire Joseph Holt, Donald Debnam, Service Officer and Legionnaire Devone Young.

 

The guest speaker Ms Cleola M. 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.

 

James Whitaker, Historian and his wife Belinda.

 

Michael Shaw, Parliamentarian being served.

 

The American Legion

 

Legionnaire Patricia Harris, Alternate National Executive Committeeman, Past District Commander, Past Department Commander, Past Post 124 (Apex) First Vice Commander, Past Post 157 Commander.

 

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.

 

Post Commander James Langston

 

 

L to R: Charles Whitaker, 2nd Vice Commander, Donald Moses, Past Post Commander, Michael Parrott, Finance Officer and Willie Pulley, Chaplain

 

 

 

 

James Langston, Post Commander and Thomas Cerniglia, North Carolina Department Commander.

 

James Langston, Post Commander Legionnaire Stanley Best and Gabriel Carr, 1st Vice Commander/ Adjutant

 

James Langston, Post Commander Legionnaire Joseph Holt and Gabriel Carr, 1st Vice Commander/ Adjutant

 

James Langston, Post Commander, Ernest Adams, Sergeant-at-Arms and Gabriel Carr, 1st Vice Commander/ Adjutant.

 

James Langston, Post Commander, the guest speaker Ms Cleola M. Davis and Mrs Geneva Langston, Post 157 Auxiliary Unit Vice President.

 

James Whitaker, Historian and Gabriel Carr, 1st Vice Commander/ Adjutant presented The Doughboy Foundation certified certificate to Post Commander James Langston.

 

Members of Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157 celebrated it’s 100th Anniversary in style Thanks to all that came out and celebrated.

 

Thanks to The Doughboy Foundation, The Daily Taps Program and the National World War I Memorial in Washington, DC.

 

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