Weekly Reports July 27, 2023
John “Michael” Speck
It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Past Department Comptroller, John “Michael” Speck, of Winter Springs, Florida, who passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at the age of 74. Michael is survived by his son, Jason Michael Speck. There are no details regarding services at this time, but any new information will be communicated through email and posted on our website.
Michael was a U.S. Army Vietnam War Era Veteran and an Orlando Memorial Post 19 member, with 34 continuous years of membership. He served as Department Comptroller from 1988-2022. Michael was awarded for his 34 years of dedication and service as Department Comptroller during the 104th Department Convention (see the photo below).
Condolences may be sent to Jason Michael Speck, C/O The American Legion, Department of Florida, P.O. Box 547859, Orlando, FL 32854.
VetFest PACT Act Event at Barnett Park Recreation Center
The Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) will host a PACT Act event on Thursday, August 3, 2023. Outreach services will be conducted from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. with a special Veterans Town Hall portion starting at 4:00 p.m. in the conference room at the Barnett Park Recreation Center located at 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida 32808.
Veterans Benefits Claims Assistance, Eligibility and Enrollment Services, toxic exposure screenings, outreach tables with free giveaways and more will be available to all who attend.
Guest speakers will include OVAHCS CEO, Mr. Timothy J. Cooke, U.S. Congressman Maxwell Frost, U.S. Congressman Darren Soto, Orange County Mayor, Mr. Jerry L. Demings, and St. Petersburg VA Regional Office Director, Ms. Julianna Boor will lead the Veterans Town Hall discussion in the conference room starting at 4:00 p.m.
The town hall portion of the event will provide updates on the OVAHCS, the PACT Act, and offer an opportunity for Veterans and their families to ask questions about VA programs and services.
Reserve your seat by registering HERE. If you are unable to attend in person you are invited to attend the town hall by watching us LIVE stream from our Facebook page HERE.
Weekly Reports July 13, 2023
LEGION REPORTS
Weekly Reports June 23, 2023
LEGION REPORTS
Weekly Reports June 23, 2023
LEGION REPORTS
Weekly Reports June 9, 2023
LEGION REPORTS
Discontinuation of Department Emblem Sales
Legionnaires,
Department of Florida has just been informed by The American Legion National Emblem Sales that Resolution 10 from the Fall of 2012 provides that all Emblem Sales products are to be sold only through National Emblem Sales. This has come as a surprise to the Staff, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. To remain in compliance with the directive from the National organization, we are forced to discontinue the Florida Emblem Sales immediately, and upon conclusion of the Department Convention, all Emblem Sales items will be returned to National.
The department will continue with the online sale of non-Emblem items, such as military service items, patriotic items, etc. We will continue to operate while inventory lasts or until other arrangements have been made.
Thank You,
Bruce E. Comer
Department Adjutant
Weekly Reports June 1, 2023
LEGION REPORTS
TALMA names its 2023 contest winners
Photo by Edward Lewis, American Legion Department of Florida
The American Legion May 23, 2023 – The American Legion Media Alliance (TALMA) is proud to announce the winners of its 2023 contest. There were a record 103 contest entries submitted for the seven categories. The winners were selected by a panel of judges and approved by the Media & Communications Commission.
A special awards luncheon will be held during the 104th National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, Aug. 28, to recognize the contest winners. The luncheon will be free to all TALMA award recipients. For other members and guests, there will be a fee per ticket. Registration information and other details are forthcoming.
The following are the 2023 TALMA contest winners and their entries:
PUBLICATIONS
Department/District: Timothy Engstrom, American Legion Department of Minnesota (Example 1, Example 2, Example 3)
Posts up to 249: Russell Myers III, Squadron 105, Belleville, N.J. (Example 1, Example 2, Example 3)
Posts 250-749: Patricia Douglas, Ryan Winslow Post 911, Hoover, Ala. (Example 1, Example 2, Example 3)
Posts over 750: Georgianna Shea, American Legion Neal Thomas Jr. Centennial Post 209, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Example 1, Example 2, Example 3)
WEBSITE
Department/District: Timothy Engstrom, American Legion Department of Minnesota (website)
Posts up to 249: Michael Hayes, Chris Kyle Post 388 in Midlothian, Texas (website)
Posts 250-749: Lee Heavlin, Post 6 in Chapel Hill, N.C. (website)
Posts Over 750: Steve Hayes, Neal Thomas Jr. Centennial Post 209 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (website)
SOCIAL MEDIA
Department/District: Jennifer Havlick, American Legion Department of Minnesota (Facebook)
Posts to 249: Russell Myers III, Squadron 105, Belleville, N.J. (Facebook)
Posts 250-749: Melissa Steinle, Millard Auxiliary Unit 374, Omaha, Neb. (Facebook)
Posts Over 750: Laura Smerbeck, Post 245 in State College, Pa. (Tiktok)
VISUAL MEDIA
Department/District: Edward Lewis, American Legion Department of Florida (Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3)
Posts up to 249: No Award
Posts 250-749: Patricia Douglas, Ryan Winslow Post 911 in Hoover, Ala. (flyer)
Posts over 750: Edward Lewis, Augustus Ruser Jr. Post 273 in Madeira Beach, Fla. (Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3)
EDITORIAL/NEWS
Department/District: Cynthia Boehnlein, American Legion Department of Ohio (story submission)
Posts up to 250: Russell Myers III, Squadron 105, Belleville, N.J. (story submission)
Posts 250-749: Burrell Parmer, Fred Brock Post 828 in San Antonio, Texas (story submission)
Posts over 750: None Submitted
EDITORIAL/INFO
Department/District: Timothy Engstrom, American Legion Department of Minnesota (story submission)
Posts up to 249: Gregory Wilson, American Legion McKaig-Test-Mullen Post 455 in New Egypt, N.J. (story submission)
Posts 250-749: Lee Heavlin, Post 6 in Chapel Hill, N.C. (story submission)
Posts over 750: None Submitted
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Department/District: Cory Brockmann, American Legion Department of Oregon (example and story)
Posts up to 249: Russell Myers III, Squadron 105, Belleville, N.J. (news station and story submission)
Posts 250-749: Catherine Mondy Boyce, Post 560, Houston, Texas (story submission)
Posts over 750: Theodore Clark, American Legion Post 90 of Southwest Florida, Cape Coral, Fla. (example submitted)
Weekly Reports May 25, 2023
LEGION REPORTS
New Motorcycle Safety Law
Motorcycle Safety Law being signed by Governor DeSantis. The implementation of the Law will is a joint effort between three organizations, ABATE, ALR, and LAMA to create a statewide motorcycle safety and awareness program.
Weekly Reports May 18, 2023
LEGION REPORTS
Memorial Day Service to Honor the Fallen – May 29, 2023
May 15, 2023 – The American Legion “U.S.S. Tampa” Post 5 invites the community to its Memorial Day event with family-friendly environment to show support for our military’s sacrifices. The two-day event begins with Luminaries at 8:00 p.m., Sunday, May 28th and concludes Monday, May 29th with the Memorial Service from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The ceremonies are at the American Legion, “U.S.S. Tampa” Post 5 located at 3810 W. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33609.
This year centers on “Be the One” to eliminate the stigma related to mental health treatment, and in turn, lower the number of veterans who die by suicide every day. We honor those who have fallen and are still in the battle for their lives. This focus is in collaboration on the goals of the American Legion National Commander and Ellsworth “Tony” Williams (American Legion Post 5 member and Veterans Counseling Veterans founder). Veterans Counseling Veterans, Inc., (VCV) is a veteran-led nonprofit providing training, education, advocacy, mentorship, and service (TEAMS) to veterans and their families in the areas of mental wellness and suicide prevention.
The number of veterans who die by suicide every day is estimated at between 17 and 22. The American Legion has elevated Be the One to be its top priority, empowering veterans, servicemembers, their family members and civilians to act appropriately when a veteran may be at risk. This event intends to bring more awareness to the problem while providing resources to those who may be able to help save the life of a veteran.
Sunday’s luminary observance requests that friends and family come out any time after 8:00 p.m. and have a moment of silence at the cemetery after sunset. No official ceremony will be presented. The Luminaries will be left out for visitations throughout the night with no official service or ceremony. The sight of all the candles lit is breathtaking and a symbol that we will never forget for our tomorrow, they gave their today. Volunteers will set up starting at 5:30 p.m.
The Memorial Service is organized by the American Legion Cemetery Corporation President Alyse Duffy and presented by Terry Doan (American Legion Post 5 Member and Board Member of the Cemetery) as the Master of Ceremonies. The first guest speaker will be Emily Peake, District winner of the American Legion Oratorical Contest, a sophomore at Cambridge Christian School, and placed 3rd in the Department of Florida Oratorical Contest as the youngest contestant. The second guest speaker will be Lt. Col. Jeremy “Scooby” J.C. Shoop (ret.) was a career Special Tactics Officer and served within Special Operations for three decades, the mainly as a plankholder with the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, an Air Force Special Operations Command unit. The ceremony will include special guests from the Boys State and Girls State Delegations. The invocation will be performed by Chaplain (Colonel) Eric J. Albertson is the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Command Chaplain as a special staff officer responsible for providing strategic guidance on spiritual, religious, and ethical matters pertaining to the force. Vocal tributes by Gail Cooper, American Legion Unit 5 member. The raising of the flags to full staff will still take place at the closing of the ceremony at 12:00pm (noon) to memorialize those who gave their lives serving the United States of America.
Feel free to bring a flag Monday and show support by flag waving along Kennedy Boulevard. Wreath registration is available if your group would like to place a remembrance wreath during the Post Everlasting portion of the ceremony to be part of the Roll Call. If any group would like to place their organization’s personalized remembrance wreath in the ceremony, bring it to the registration table between 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Memorial Day. All branches of the military will be represented, as well as the remembrance wreaths announcement.
Since 1922 the American Legion has been honoring the fallen with a Memorial Day Service. The event 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 way of life and the freedoms granted by their choices will never be forgotten. We asked them to give their all…they did. They ask to be remembered one day a year, and we will.
Weekly Reports May 11, 2023
LEGION REPORTS
Flemmen N. Howard
It’s with Great Sadness that we the Members of American Legion Post 220 announce the Passing of Our Sgt-at Arms, Flemmen N. Howard. Comrade Howard, was Interred at the Sunset Memorial Cemetery in the city of Ft. Lauderdale Florida with Full Military Honors.
Dennis R. Bruland
With deep regret, we report the passing of Past Southwestern Area Commander Dennis R. Bruland of Punta Gorda, Florida, who passed away on Monday, April 17, 2023, at the age of 74.
The Department was just made aware of the services for Dennis, which will be held today. The Burial Service will be held from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Rd., Sarasota, FL 34241. A Celebration of Life will be held following the Burial Service at 4:30 pm at Moose Lodge 2121, 3624 Loveland Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.
Dennis was a U.S. Army Vietnam War Era Veteran. He was a member of Punta Gorda Post 103 with 46 continuous years of membership. Dennis served as Post Commander from 2006-2007, 13th District Commander from 2006-2008, and Southwestern Area Commander from 2008-2009. At the Department level, he served as Department Veterans Preference Chair from 2007-2009, Department Law & Order Chair from 2009-2010, and Veterans Benefits Chair from 2014-2016. At the National level, he served on the Constitution and By-Laws Committee from 2006-2017 and the Legislative Council from 2015-2019.
At this time, there are no details regarding where to send condolences. Any new information will be communicated to you through email as well as posted on the Department’s website.
Weekly Reports May 4, 2023
LEGION REPORTS
Welcome Home Weekly
Join us May 13, 2023, as Dana-Howard-Weekly Post 130 Members Honor & Celebrate the homecoming of our founding Post namesake 2nd Lt. Pharis E. Weekley.
Weekley’s remains were recently located after 80 years! In his honor and for his family we start the day with a motorcycle and car procession from Post 69 Avon Park, South to LaBelle Post 130. We are needing a flag line from the foot of the bridge at Barron Park in LaBelle to Post 130 with flags and yellow ribbons for his family, as they return to LaBelle. This is going to take a lot of Patriots – please join us and help stand the line if you can.
Dana-Howard-Weekly Post 130 will be hosting a Welcome Home Picnic around Noon on the 13th.
Download our flyer for complete details.
