LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
Weekly Reports April 18, 2024
Weekly Reports April 4, 2024
Francis “Frank” H. Maitland, Jr.
It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of Past 11th District Commander Francis “Frank” H. Maitland, Jr. of Stuart, Florida. Frank passed away on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the age of 75. He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann, and their children, Sara and Jason.
Details regarding services for Frank have not been finalized. Any updates regarding arrangements will be communicated via email and posted on the Department’s website.
Frank was a U.S. Navy Vietnam War Era Veteran and a member of Stuart Post 62. Frank was also a retired Fire Lieutenant with the City of Lynn, Massachusetts, and a dedicated member of the American Legion for 21 continuous years. He held various leadership positions throughout his membership, including Post Commander from 2009-2011 and 2012-2018. Additionally, he served as District Vice Commander from 2011-2013, followed by District Commander from 2013-2014.
If you wish to extend your condolences, you may do so through his wife, Jo Ann Maitland, at P.O. Box 1710, Stuart, FL 34995-1710.
Please join us in keeping Frank’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him, and he will be dearly missed.
Raymond “Ray” A. Perez
Raymond Perez
With deep sorrow, we inform you of the passing of Past 16th District Commander Raymond “Ray” A. Perez of Madeira Beach, Florida. Ray passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at the age of 70. He is survived by his fiancé, Maryellen Waskiewicz.
Details regarding Ray’s services have not been finalized. Any updates regarding arrangements will be communicated via email and posted on the Department’s website.
Ray served his country proudly for 35 years in the United States Army, spanning from 1971 through 2007. He also served as a dedicated member of the American Legion for 15 continuous years and was a member of Madeira Beach Post 273. He held various leadership positions throughout his membership, including Post Commander from 2016-2019, District Commander from 2017-2019, and Department Blood Donor Chair from 2019-2021. On a National level, Ray served on the National Security Council from 2018-2019, the National Legislative Council from 2019-2024, and the National Membership Committee from 2022-2024.
If you wish to extend your condolences, you may do so through his fiancé, Maryellen Waskiewicz, at 230 Medallion Blvd., Apt. D, Madeira Beach, FL 33708-1958.
Please join us in keeping Ray’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. His memory will continue to inspire us, and he will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Weekly Reports April 4, 2024
John P. Bell
With a heavy heart, we inform you of the passing of Past 16th District Commander John P. Bell of St. Pete Beach, Florida. John passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the age of 79. He is survived by his wife, Department Auxiliary President Denise “Dee” Bell, and their children: daughters Renee, Nicole, and Samantha, and son John Jr.
Details regarding John’s services have not been finalized yet. Any updates regarding arrangements will be emailed and posted on the Department’s website.
John proudly served his country as a United States Navy Vietnam War Era Veteran.
John, a member of Treasure Island Post 158, served as a dedicated member of the American Legion for 27 continuous years. He held various leadership positions throughout his membership, including Post Commander from 2003-05, 2009-10, and 2012-14. Additionally, he served as District 16 Vice Commander from 2013-15, followed by District 16 Commander from 2015-16.
If you wish to extend your condolences, please do so through his wife, President Dee Bell, at 326 72nd Ave., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706-1913. In lieu of flowers, President Dee is requesting donations be made to Bay Pines Hospice or American Legion Boys State.
Please keep John’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him, and he will be dearly missed.
***UPDATE***
The Interment Service for Past 16th District Commander John P. Bell will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Bay Pines National Cemetery, located at 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL. Following the service, a Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM at Post 158, located at 111 108th Ave., Treasure Island, FL.
Weekly Reports March 28, 2024
Robert “Bob” S. Jaegers
It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of Past Department Judge Advocate Robert “Bob” S. Jaegers of Jupiter, Florida. Bob passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024, at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife, Denise, and their children: daughters Heidi and Kathryn, and sons Robert and Charles.
As of now, details regarding services for Bob have not been finalized. Any updates regarding arrangements will be communicated to you via email and will also be posted on the Department’s website.
Bob dedicated 31 years of service as a Palm Beach County Assistant State Attorney before retiring in 2019. He also served his country proudly for 28 years in the United States Air Force, spanning from 1977 through 2005.
Bob, a member of Tequesta Post 271, served as a dedicated member of the American Legion for 34 continuous years. Throughout his membership, he held various leadership positions, including Post Commander from 1993-94, 2004-06, and 2020-23, as well as Post Judge Advocate from 1990-93, 2010-20, and 2023 until the present. Additionally, he served as District Judge Advocate from 2006-17 and 2018-2021, and later as Department Judge Advocate from 2021-2022, followed by Department Assistant Judge Advocate from 2022-2023.
If you wish to extend your condolences, you may do so through his wife, Denise Jaegers, at 12600 189th Ct. N, Jupiter, FL 33478-3787.
Please keep Bob’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him, and he will be dearly missed.
Weekly Reports March 21, 2024
Weekly Reports March 14, 2024
Weekly Reports March 7, 2024
Weekly Reports February 29, 2024
Joseph “Joe” A. Maichle
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of 5th District 1st Vice Commander Joseph “Joe” A. Maichle of Jacksonville, Florida. Joe passed away on Monday, February 26, 2024, at the age of 75. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; his three daughters, Tricia, Dawn, and Nicole; six grandchildren, Adrianna, Victoria, Kylie, Zoe, Trevor, and Bailey; one great-grandson, Strieder; his mother, Cathline; and five brothers, Ronald, Kenny, Billy, John, and Bruce.
Joe was a dedicated member of the New Castle County Division of Police from 1972 to 1996. Senior Corporal Maichle was highly respected by his colleagues and described as a wonderful friend, always willing to help, incredibly funny, and a great investigator.
In addition to his service in law enforcement, Joe proudly served his country as a United States Air Force Vietnam War Era Veteran. He was a member of Jacksonville Post 129, with 17 continuous years of membership. Joe held various leadership positions within the American Legion, including Post Commander from 2017-2024 and 5th District Vice Commander from 2022-2024. He also served as Department Credentials Chair from 2022-2024.
If you wish to extend your condolences, you may do so through his wife, Kathy Maichle, at 12474 Collinswood Dr. S., Jacksonville, FL 32225.
Services to honor Joe’s life are as follows:
Visitation
- Tuesday, March 5th – 5 PM to 7 PM
- Beaches Chapel by Hardage-Giddens
- 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL
Funeral Service
- Wednesday, March 6th – 11:30 AM
- St. Paul’s Catholic Church
- 523 Pablo Ave., Jacksonville Beach, FL
Burial Service
- Wednesday, March 6th – 2 PM
- Jacksonville National Cemetery
- 4083 Lannie Rd., Jacksonville, FL
Celebration of Life
- Saturday, March 16th – 2 PM
- American Legion Post 129
- 1151 4th St. S, Jacksonville Beach, FL
Please keep Joe’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Weekly Reports February 22, 2024
Weekly Reports February 15, 2024
Weekly Reports February 8, 2024
LOCAL VET WINS BIG, COMMUNITY WINS BIGGER
One local Coast Guard Veteran started his New Year off with some extra cash this year – the American Legion, Department of Florida has, too, with its new 50/50 charity raffle!
Recently, a grand prize of over thirty-two thousand dollars was awarded to Miguel Roldan, Jr. of American Legion Post 35 here in Mount Dora. Another thirty-two thousand will go to Florida Veterans and their families through The American Legion, Department of Florida.
Mount Dora Post 35 hosted an event to present Miguel Roldan, Jr. with his winnings. The American Legion, Department of Florida Officers including the State Commander, and several Post Officers made a special visit to the Post to witness the largest 50/50 raffle payout to date.
When asked what Roldan would do with the funds he received, he said he would first pay off some bills, but most importantly, he was going to help a close family member who was less fortunate. And of course, he and his wife were going to take a much-needed vacation.
The mission of the online 50/50 raffles is to support the various programs and services of the American Legion throughout the State of Florida and right here in our local community.
The American Legion, Department of Florida is a part of the largest Veterans Service Organization in the world and is a volunteer organization, run and operated primarily by Veterans. While their main focus is advocating and supporting our Veterans and active-duty service members, their reach goes well beyond to our youth and local communities.
The Department of Florida has more than 28 programs to aid, rehabilitate, and educate veterans, service members, youth, and local communities. Their programs promote American traditions within our local schools, stop veteran suicides, advocate for veterans’ rights and benefits, and support veterans through their difficult times, such as homelessness, isolation, or financial hardship.
As The American Legion, Department of Florida relies on the generosity of its members and patriots, their raffle programs are just one way they raise funds to offset the necessary costs needed to provide these programs. Therefore, their 50/50 raffles will be ongoing and anyone in Florida who is eighteen years or older is eligible to enter.
The current draw’s prize pool is already over $20,000 and one lucky winner will take half the cash on March 1st! You can support Mount Dora Post 35 when you enter, as they receive a portion of all entries with their Post selected. To enter and get all the details go to www.florida5050.org/35.