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.

 

 

 

 

 

Willie Pulley, Chaplain opened the event with a prayer.

 

 

 

Gabriel Carr, Post Commander calls to place the POW/MIA flag on an empty chair. Charles Whitaker, 1st Vice Commander and Lloyd Dunn, 2nd Vice Commander approaches the empty chair unfolds the flag and drape it over the chair with the crest facing the membership.

 

Color bearers Legionnaire Henry Horne and Legionnaire Terry Smith standing by to post the colors.

 

 

Legionnaire Terry Smith posting the colors

 

 

 

Legionnaire Devone Young, Mrs Clara Smith, Mrs Geneva Langston, Post 157 Auxiliary Unit Vice President and Legionnaire Wilbur Mitchell.

 

 

Legionnaire Devone Young, Mrs Clara Smith, Mrs Geneva Langston, Post 157 Auxiliary Unit Vice President, James Langston, Past Post Commander and Legionnaire Elree Smith.

 

Donald Debnam, Service Officer

 

Legionnaire Lloyd Dunn, 2nd Vice Commander, hosted the event as we celebrated with our fellow Legionnaires, the Ladies Auxiliary Unit, family members.

 

The American Legion Department of North Carolina District 11 Commander Vickie Woodard, Legionnaire Henry Horne, Mrs Marilyn Horne and The North Carolina Department Commander Devell “Bo” Durham Jr.

 

 

Ernest Adams, Sergeant-at-Arms

 

Caters: Levy’s Soul Cafe: L to R: Levy Smith Jr, Shanta Brooks Smith and Levy Smith.

 

James Langston, Past Post Commander, Michael Parrott, Finance Officer, Ernest Adams, Sergeant-at-Arms and Legionnaire Terry Smith.

 

Ms. Kimberly Michelle, a singer, songwriter, and classically trained violinist, graced the event by opening it with a rendition of the National Anthem on her violin. She later performed a Song of Praise, captivating the audience with her musical talents.

 

 

Ms. Kimberly Michelle, a singer, songwriter, and a classically trained violinist.

 

 

Lloyd Dunn, 2nd Vice Commander and Mrs. Cheryl C. Williams of The Historic Turner House Foundation, Inc.

 

Ms. Kimberly Michelle later performed a Song of Praise, captivating the audience with her musical talents.

 

Lloyd Dunn, 2nd Vice Commander introducing the Post History guest speaker, Mr. David Serxner.

 

Post History guest speaker Mr. David Serxner, a historian, museum educator, and living historian, has a diverse range of research interests and expertise.

 

 

 

 

Legionnaire Terry Smith and Charles Whitaker, 1st Vice Commander

 

 

 

James Langston, Past Post Commander and Legionnaire Patricia Harris, served as one of five National Vice Commanders (2022-2023) for The American Legion. She served as Post Commander at Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157 in Raleigh, NC. She is currently serving as Chair of the National Internal Affairs Commission. Recently inducted into the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Hall of Firsts.

 

Caters: Levy’s Soul Cafe Mr Levy Smith.

 

 

 

Mr. David Serxner, Mrs Geneva Langston, James Langston, Past Post Commander and Legionnaire Patricia Harris.

 

Special thanks to Mrs. Sarah Loftin and Mrs. Eddie Bailey-Holden, the Banquet Center Coordinator at the Lea Community Family Center, for their invaluable assistance and warm hospitality at this magnificent facility. Their support played a pivotal role in making this event a resounding success.

 

Gabriel Carr, Post Commander

 

Lloyd Dunn, 2nd Vice Commander, James Langston, Past Post Commander and Gabriel Carr, Post Commander.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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