Category Archives: Florida

Five Things to Know, Feb. 6, 2023

1.   China on Monday accused the United States of indiscriminate use of force in shooting down a suspected Chinese spy balloon, saying it “seriously impacted and damaged both sides’ efforts and progress in stabilizing Sino-U.S. relations.” The U.S. shot down the balloon off the Carolina coast after it traversed sensitive military sites across North America. China insisted the flyover was an accident involving a civilian aircraft.

2.   Russian forces are keeping Ukrainian troops tied down with fighting in the eastern Donbas region as Moscow assembles additional combat power there for an expected offensive in the coming weeks, Ukrainian officials said Monday. Russian President Vladimir Putin is hungry for some battlefield success, especially securing illegally annexed territory in eastern Ukraine, to mark the anniversary of his invasion on Feb. 24.

3.   A former Israeli prime minister who served briefly as a mediator at the start of Russia’s war with Ukraine says he drew a promise from the Russian president not to kill his Ukrainian counterpart. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett emerged as an unlikely intermediary in the war’s first weeks, becoming one of the few Western leaders to meet President Vladimir Putin during the war in a snap trip to Moscow last March.

4.   President Joe Biden will deliver his State of the Union address Tuesday evening on Capitol Hill as congressional committees gear up to begin their work for the new session. House Armed Services Committee members will have their first non-organizational meeting just a few hours before the presidential address. The hearing, on national security threats posed by China, is expected to gain even more attention in the wake of the shooting down of a Chinese surveillance balloon spotted above the United States last week.

5.   Around 50 U.S. service members, veterans, and their families gathered atop a hill on this installation south of Seoul to remember a seasoned combat veteran who helped turn the tide of the 1950-53 Korean War. The ceremony paid respects to the memory of Army Capt. Lewis Millett, who led the soldiers of Easy Company, 27th Infantry Regiment, in what the Army regards as its last major bayonet charge. The charge took place at Osan on Feb. 5, 1951, according to the Army. Millet was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions that day.

The American Legion seeks entries for Fourth Estate Awards in media

INDIANAPOLIS (January 6, 2023) – The American Legion has announced its call for entries in the annual Fourth Estate Awards competition for excellence in journalism and its positive impact on society. The deadline for submissions to be received or postmarked is March 1, 2023.

The American Legion presents the awards to recognize the outstanding achievements made in print and broadcast media. Website and podcast submissions are also encouraged to compete in the print or broadcast categories.  In addition to the award, the winner in each category will be presented a $2,000 stipend to cover travel and lodging expenses to The American Legion National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.. The presentation will occur at approximately 9 am on August 31, 2023 at the Charlotte Convention Center.

An entry form with contest rules can be found at www.legion.org/presscenter/fourthestate. You can also contact pr@legion.org for further information.

Submissions are judged on the quality of the work and the impact that it had in producing a positive result for the community. The work must have been published, posted or broadcast in 2022.

All journalists or media outlets who believe their work improved society in a tangible and way are encouraged to submit their entry. There is no entry fee and no single medium is limited to the number of entries.

Past winners include CBS News, CNN, USA Today, The Washington Examiner, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Jackson Clarion Ledger and Military.com. The complete list can be found at www.legion.org.

Weekly Reports February 3, 2023

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary

PACT Act Fraud Prevention

On August 10, 2022, President Biden signed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022 (PACT Act) — possibly the largest expansion of Veterans benefits in history — into law.

The PACT Act expands Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances, and it helps VA provide generations of Veterans and their survivors with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

However, predatory companies are targeting Veterans’ retroactive benefit payments and VA needs your continued support to help us educate Veterans and their survivors about the types of fraud tactics being used against them – especially now that the PACT Act has been passed.

Some predatory companies, not accredited by VA, are targeting Veterans by offering to assist them with their VA benefit claim. These companies charge absurd fees or require those applying to pay a portion of their VA benefits for this ‘help’. VA will never charge Veterans or their family members to apply for the benefits they may be entitled to receive.
Please share the following information with Veterans and their survivors to help them guard against fraud and scams:

  • Apply directly to VA. You may submit your application securely online via VA.gov or in person at any regional office. You may file your claim directly with VA, and VA will help gather the necessary evidence to support it. There are no costs or hidden fees to apply.
  • Be suspicious of media advertisements from companies which provide information about the PACT Act and suggest you can only obtain benefits with their help. These companies may not be accredited with VA and may be attempting to charge you illegal fees.
  • Use the VA Office of General Counsel (OGC) Accreditation Search to confirm and validate the credentials of anyone offering claims assistance. • Be cautious of aggressive law firms or companies expressing a sense of urgency and insisting you must act now.
  • Do not sign a contract agreeing to pay an unauthorized company a fee to help you with your VA claim. There are accredited Veterans Service Organizations, agents and attorneys who may assist you.
  • Be cautious of companies claiming to be contacting you on behalf of VA. Contact VA directly at 1-800-827-1000 if you are unsure about the authenticity of a message you’ve received.
  • Review all documents thoroughly. Never sign a blank form for someone else to complete later. Always review the fully completed form.

Helpful Resources and Tools

Veterans and their survivors who think they might be eligible should apply for PACT Act benefits right now. Go to www.va.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 for more information.

To report suspected fraud or predatory companies, please contact VA OIG (OIG) Hotline (va.gov).

Veterans and their survivors who suspect a company is using predatory practices, should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau. For more information on how to avoid scams, go to https://www.fcc.gov/veterans-targeted-benefits-scams.

Although there’s still a lot of work to be done, we appreciate your partnering with us to help protect Veterans and their survivors against fraudsters and PACT Act scams!

Download Information

Weekly Reports January 26, 2023

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary

Tony King

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of our comrade, Tony King. Tony passed away Sunday, January 22, 2023 after a long battle with cancer.

Tony King was a long-time member and acting commander for the Robert H.L. Dabney American Legion Post 192 in Tice Florida.

Please keep his wife, kids and family in your prayers as they deal with this giant loss in their lives.

Please send flowers and cards to:

  • 263 Richmond Ave
    South Lehigh Acres, FL 33936

 

PDC Reginald Beverly

PDC Reginald Beverly 2003-2004

PDC Reginald Beverly 2003-2004

It is with deep regret that we report the passing of Past Department Commander Reginald C. Beverly of Bear, Delaware, at the age of 89. Reginald is survived by his wife, Evelyn C. Beverly; son, Reginald C. Beverly, Jr.; and daughter, Larita R. Mason. The service will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, with time and location TBD. Any new details regarding services will be communicated to you through email and posted on our website.

Reginald was a U.S. Air Force Korean War Era Veteran and a member of Port Orange Post 270, with 37 continuous years of membership. He served in every capacity within the Post, most predominately having served as Post Commander for four consecutive years from 1994-98. Under his leadership, the Post increased its membership and achieved an All-Time High. He served as 17th District Commander from 1997-99. During 2000-01, Reginald served as Department Membership Chair. He led the Department to achieve an All-Time High and was awarded the General Henri Gouraud Trophy for being the first Department to reach 100% in its category.  Reginald served as Northern Area Commander from 2001-02, Department Vice Commander from 2002-03, and Department Commander from 2003-04. At the National level, he served on the Americanism Council from 1999-01 and the Foreign Relations Council from 2001-09.

If you would like to send your condolences, you may do so through his wife, Evelyn C. Beverly, at 35 Nairn Ln., Bear, DE 19701-4757.

—-UPDATE—-

The Memorial Service for Past Department Commander Reginald C. Beverly, Sr., will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Scarlet Note Church, 20 East Commons Boulevard, Suite 100, New Castle, DE 19720.

Weekly Reports January 19, 2023

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary

Weekly Reports January 12, 2023

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary

Weekly Reports January 5, 2023

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary

Luther’s 10 Days of Mischief Christmas Countdown

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, from your Department Staff! We hope you have enjoyed “Luther’s 10 Days of Mischief Christmas Countdown” series. Now you can watch the full movie below.

We hope that your holiday season and coming new year are filled with hope, love, joy, family, and good friends! Please be safe, we look forward to another year.

Keep in mind our Service Members currently deployed and their families and pray for their safe return home.

Part 10: Maybe Christmas…

Part 10: Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more! Keep watching daily to see what happens in Luther’s 10 Days of Mischief Christmas Countdown!

Part 9: Green, green, everywhere there is green…

Part 9: Green, green, everywhere there is green! Keep watching daily to see what happens in Luther’s 10 Days of Mischief Christmas Countdown!

American Legion National Commander Welcomes ‘Victories for Veterans’ in Budget Agreement

WASHINGTON (December 23, 2022) – The head of the nation’s largest veterans organization commended Congress for what The American Legion considers ‘victories for  veterans’ in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal 2023.

Earlier this month, American Legion National Commander Vincent “Jim” Troiola, along with other VSO leaders, sent a letter to congressional leadership urging them to pass a full year funding package and avoid additional stop gap measures that could impact VA’s ability to provide services to veterans.

“We are pleased to see that Congress has not only reached an agreement on the funding measure but also included important provisions that support America’s veterans,” Troiola said. “The American Legion has made the prevention of veteran suicide our top priority and this budget designates an annual ‘Buddy Check’ week, in which peer wellness checks will be emphasized throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs. The American Legion has long believed in buddy checks and the effectiveness of outreach to veterans who may be experiencing a crisis. We recognize that Buddy Check Week alone will not solve veteran suicide but we do believe that it will raise awareness and save lives.”

Troiola pointed to additional provisions in the budget that were part of The American Legion’s legislative agenda. Among them is the expansion of VA health care to all remaining World War II veterans. They will now have access to hospital care, medical services and nursing home care.

“Delegates to our national convention called for this inclusion in a resolution which they passed unanimously in 2017,” Troiola said. “These men and women responded to an existential threat and were deemed the ‘Greatest Generation,’ largely because of their service. The American Legion will always remember their sacrifice and we are pleased that World War II veterans now have access to benefits that they have absolutely earned.”

Also included in the budget is an extension of the Special Immigrant Visa program for our Afghan allies, many of whom are still endangered by the Taliban. Troiola said that The American Legion has been publicly advocating for visas to be awarded to Afghan and Iraqi combat translators since 2018.

“By allocating an additional 4,000 visas, our country sends a message to the world that America does not forget its allies,” Troiola explained. “We simply cannot turn our backs on those who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us in combat. Some translators have saved American lives. They have already been through a strict vetting process but they are targeted by terrorists simply because they cooperated with our mission.”

“With the passage of the historic PACT Act this summer, Congress is closing 2022 with some meaningful victories for veterans,” Troiola said.

Weekly Reports December 22, 2022

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary

Part 8: No Exit

Part 8: All the exits are blocked! How will we get home for Christmas! Keep watching daily to see what happens in Luther’s 10 Days of Mischief Christmas Countdown!
Special thanks to Jack Kump and Joan Wheeler for their donation of twelve mobility scooters to our Florida Veterans. This marks their seventh-year donating! We have many thankful Veterans who have benefited from their generosity.

Part 7: Working Christmas

We’re working through Christmas? We were really looking forward to a break and time with our families. Keep watching daily to see what happens in Luther’s 10 Days of Mischief Christmas Countdown!

Part 6: Staff Dinner Cancelled

Part 6: Christmas Staff Dinner reservations have been cancelled. That’s terrible, the staff works incredibly hard, they deserve a little cheer. Keep watching daily to see what happens in Luther’s 10 Days of Mischief Christmas Countdown!

Part 5: Only Green Paper

All the paper is GREEN! We can’t print everything on green paper! Keep watching daily to see what happens in Luther’s 10 Days of Mischief Christmas Countdown!