(INDIANAPOLIS—December 16, 2022) – – American Legion National Commander Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola today praised the 2023 planned increases in military housing allowances for U.S. troops.
“The Department of Defense just announced that Basic Allowance for Housing rates will increase an average of 12.1 percent next year depending on location,” Troiola said. “Just this month I’ve had the honor of visiting military personnel in Hawaii and overseas. A common concern expressed by troops living off-base is the cost of rent and real estate. The American Legion has long believed that providing a high quality of life for our military personnel is a moral imperative. During a period of high inflation, it is important that the men and women defending this nation have access to safe and affordable housing. Whether a servicemember lives on base or off-base, I want all military families to know that they have no stronger advocate than The American Legion.”
Governor Ron DeSantis has signed the 2022 Battle of the Bulge Day in Florida Proclamation, commemorating the 78th anniversary of the last major campaign on the Western Front during World War II. Friday, Dec. 16 is Battle of the Bulge Day.
HM1 Alan Sparks joined Post Everlasting on July 10, 2022 after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Edie, and sons Ian, Colin and Joshua Field. His cremains will be interred at the American Legion Cemetery located at USS Tampa, Post 5 in Tampa Florida.
Saturday, December 17, 2022 – The American Legion “U.S.S. Tampa” Post 5 invites the community to its holiday memorial event, Wreaths Across America. This is a family-friendly event to show support for our military’s sacrifices.
The ceremony begins at 12:00 p.m. (arrive early for parking and seating) at the American Legion, “U.S.S. Tampa” Post 5 located at 3810 W. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33609. Terry Doan (American Legion member) will be presiding over the ceremony under the coordination of Post Commander Jess “JR” Scogging and Cemetery President Alyse Duffy. All branches of the military will be represented, as well as the remembrance wreaths announcement. Designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, Merchant Marine and POW/MIA will be placed during the ceremony that will be coordinated simultaneously at over 750 participating locations across the Country, including Arlington.
We hope to be included in your holiday event schedules to make the community aware of this event, which provides a venue for all ages to give thanks for our military’s sacrifices. The significance of the cost our soldiers have come to bear to preserve our freedoms granted will never be forgotten.
Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization whose mission: Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. Their mission is to spread the important message of remembering our fallen heroes, honoring those who serve, and teaching our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve our freedoms. This event is made possible by thousands of volunteers who organize local ceremonies, raise funds to sponsor wreaths, and participate in the events. We receive no government funding for the project.
For directions or to sponsor a wreath please call (813) 870-0505 or visit www.post5tampa.org
Please take a few moments to view our Hurricane Relief video, a testament to the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, donors, and the Legion Family.
Our Disaster Prep Chair Bill Hoppner, organized a meeting today with Department Commander Eunice Butts, Auxiliary President Jane Hardacre, fellow Legionnaires, and Department staff members to plan and organize Hurricane Relief Efforts across the state. Donations have been steadily coming in this week, and other states, such as Ohio, already have supplies en route.
Today’s meeting will decide the logistics and distribution of a combined effort among the Legion Family and other volunteers. We hope to provide “boots on the ground” aid and assistance to those affected by Hurricane Ian in the coming days.
Post 274 in Fort Myers, Fla., after Hurricane Ian.
National ~ In over a decade as the Department of Florida’s disaster preparedness chairman, Bill Hoppner has seen plenty of destructive storms.
“I have never seen devastation and destruction to this degree,” he said in a Facebook post after Hurricane Ian.
More than 100 people died from the storm and damage estimates are in the billions. And there’s still much to do before cleanup and relief efforts can begin in earnest in the state’s hardest hit areas.
“Everyone wants to help which is good,” Hoppner wrote. “But we have to understand the logistics. There are still search and rescue missions going on. Still powerlines down. The gas stations are running out of gas and the stations that do have gas have lines blocks long. I don’t want anybody to come in with supplies and not get out because they have no gas.”
The department’s Disaster Preparedness Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday to assess damage, identify distribution centers, and develop a plan of action. In the meantime, the Department of Florida is collecting donated items at department headquarters, 1912A Lee Road, Orlando, FL 32810.
The department is collecting:
Water, non-perishables (canned food, dried meats, hard candies, granola or power bars), dry goods (crackers, nuts, dried fruit, trail mix), peanut butter, hand can openers, hygiene items (shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.), bug spray, sunscreen, infant supplies (diapers, wipes, food, formula), feminine products, pet food, batteries (all sizes), flashlights, solar lights, battery operated fans, pocket juice battery chargers, camping stoves, propane, charcoal grills, cleaning supplies (disinfectant wipes, dust rags, dust masks), first aid items (Band-Aids, antibacterial ointment, gauze, medical tape, aspirin, rubbing alcohol, etc.), chain or hand saws, utility gloves, packaged undergarments (all sizes).
Donations can be shipped to or dropped off at Department of Florida headquarters during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., until official distribution sites have been designated.
In the meantime, American Legion posts outside the disaster area have also been collecting supplies.
A team of Legion Riders is scheduled to leave Post 104 in Pinellas Park, Fla., early Oct. 8 to deliver donated items.
Post 382 in Navarre, Fla., is collecting donations of water, non-perishable foods, paper products, tarps and more. Drop-off times are from noon to 7 p.m.
Post 221 in Niceville, Fla., is seeking donations of water, canned goods, non-perishable items, tarps, gloves, generators, diapers, baby food, new clothing, and new blankets and sheets still packaged. Drop-off times are from noon to 6 p.m.
Legion posts are also providing for relief workers.
Post 69 in Avon Park, Fla., provided pizzas, sodas and a break for the National Guard.
Post 103 in Punta Gorda, Fla., is serving as headquarters for Team Rubicon for the next 6-8 weeks as the organization helps demolition and cleanup efforts.
Resources for those impacted by the hurricane and ways to donate to the Department of Florida’s Hurricane Relief Fund are available at floridalegion.org/resources/hurricane-relief/.
The American Legion stands ready to assist eligible Legionnaires, American Legion posts and Sons of The American Legion impacted by these and other natural disasters.
Grants from the National Emergency Fund (NEF) are available — up to $3,000 to Legionnaires and SAL members displaced due to damages to their primary residence from declared natural disasters, and up to $10,000 for Legion posts that have been damaged by a natural disaster and whose programs and activities within the community have been impacted.
For assistance in completing the application, click here for a video presentation. And this video illustrates how disaster relief teams were set up in Illinois following a tornado outbreak.
NEF grants are made possible from the generosity of donations to the fund. Donate here.
In addition to the requirement that an emergency declaration be made for a natural disaster, applicants must be current on their membership prior to the disaster and at the time of application submission, and must provide photos, receipts, insurance paperwork, and FEMA statements if possible.
The Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) program is also available to assist American Legion eligible veterans with minor children in the home who need financial help to pay for shelter, food, utilities, and medical expenses.
