The American Legion – Last spring, flooding hit the Columbia and Suwannee County Toys for Tots chapter’s collection center at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds in Lake City. News reports had more than 50 boxes of donations being ruined, along with damage to the center itself.
When nearby American Legion Riders Chapter 57 learned that a charity it has supported for years was in trouble, it developed a plan to assist. And that plan turned into another large fundraiser conducted by the chapter.
Since 2018 – with the exception of 2020, when the pandemic canceled the event – Chapter 57 has staged fall fundraisers for Toys for Tots, raising around $40,000 in the process. Another one is planned for this year, but after hearing about the loss of toys due to the flooding, the chapter wanted to do something else: Christmas in July for Toys for Tots.
“(Toys for Tots) lost about $3,000 worth of toys, and we wanted to help them replenish that,” said ALR Chapter 57 Director Bill Huggins, who also serves as Post 57’s first vice commander. “It’s a popular program in the community. Its coordinator (Inga Dwyer) is really well known in the community. She told me we helped 3,500 children last year. And it gives us a chance to get out and ride. It’s one of the Four Pillars. We do a lot of other things, but Toys for Tots is the most prominent thing we do.”
Planning for this year’s fundraiser started in May and included delivery of 165 meals at $10 each to local car dealers to feed their employees on the day of the event. While delivering the meals, members of Chapter 57 also picked up toys donated there.
Volunteering during the event were 44 Post 57 American Legion Family members, who served meals while conducting multiple auctions. Close to 400 toys, stocking stuffers and books also were collected on the day of the event. The chapter also was able to pick up sponsorships to help defer the fundraiser’s cost.
Union County JROTC students provided the posting of the colors and also helped with set-up and clean-up. A classic car show also took place throughout the event.
Tallying everything up and subtracting expenses, Huggins estimates around $8,000 was raised to donate to Toys for Tots.
“We were hoping to have 10 gift baskets for our auction, and we had one donor come through with 10 baskets by himself,” Huggins said. “We got a lot of buy-in in the community. (WCJB) Channel 20 picked it up and ran it on the news.”
Huggins is quick to credit organizer Lisa Dye, a fellow Legion Rider and president of Auxiliary Unit 57, for putting together a successful event. “She stepped up and agreed to chair the event and organize the event,” he said. “And this was one of our best-organized events. The lines of communication with everyone were very open and very clear.”
And while the fundraiser was a Legion Riders event, Huggins said he and all of the other Riders are American Legion Family members first.
“Any time we do an event and if I get up and speak, I bring light to the fact that to be a Legion Rider, you first have to be a Legion Family member,” he said. “What you see … are Legion Family members with a love for motorcycles coming together to support our community.”
WASHINGTON (August 2, 2022) – The head of the nation’s largest veterans organization praised the Senate for its passage of legislation that will provide comprehensive benefits to veterans suffering from conditions linked to toxic exposure during their time in the U.S. Armed Forces. A previous version passed on June 16 but had to be reconsidered due to parliamentarian objections to a technical provision.
“Tonight, the U.S. Senate passed historic legislation that will make a difference in the lives of millions of veterans,” American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard said. “After some unusual delays for a bill that is largely identical to what passed on June 16, a bipartisan majority of senators voted in favor of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act. This act will save lives and offer health care and benefits for those exposed to the poisons of war while serving our country. It would not have passed without the tireless efforts of our American Legion Family and friends who contacted lawmakers and encouraged them to do right by America’s veterans. We look forward to President Biden signing the PACT Act expeditiously.”
The Honoring Our PACT Act, which had already passed in the House of Representatives, will provide health care for millions of veterans who were exposed to contaminants emanating from open-air burn pits. It establishes presumptions of service connection for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers linked to burn pits and other hazards. It will also provide additional resources and staff to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
With our sincerest condolences, we are sad to announce that Madeline (Lindy) Jordan passed away yesterday, July 17, 2022, at 5:00 pm in Charlotte, NC. Lindy was Past Commander of Flagler Post 115, Past Commander, 17th District, served on Department Committees, and the nurse at Boys State during my tenure as Director.
Several years ago, she sold her home in Palm Coast and moved to Charlotte to be near her family. She was very active in Legion work prior to her departure from Florida. She traveled extensively participating in Legion golf tournaments. She was a high-spirited, fun lady, but also very dedicated and committed to Legion work.
Anyone wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the following address:
Clifford D. (Skip) Collins, Jr. Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Navy
Loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend passed away peacefully Wednesday June 15, 2022 in Ocoee, FL after a long illness at age 76. Born in Davenport Iowa to the late Clifford D. Collins, Sr. and L. Elaine (Handley) Collins. He was predeceased by his sister Cheryl (Collins) Sargent and nephew Joseph (Joey) Platt. He is survived by his wife JoAnn (Flannery) Collins of Ocoee FL, his son Clifford D. (Dean) Collins, III, his sisters Barbara (Barbie) Platt and Mary Helen Collins-Weldon all of Jacksonville FL, his stepsons Gregory Blotzer of MA, Brian and Kevin Blotzer both of FL, 6 grandchildren, Christopher Brock of AL, Aryette and Emilyn Collins of FL, Ethan and Ava Blotzer of FL and Esme of MA.
Growing up the son of an Insurance salesman his family moved several times from Iowa to Pennsylvania to Florida before settling in Jacksonville when his dad began working for the US Postal Service becoming President of the Postal Union. It was while living in Pittsburgh that he became a lifelong fan of (in this order) the Pirates, the Steelers and the Penguins. He joined the Navy in 1967 during the Vietnam war where he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation. After Honorable discharge he briefly attended Georgia Tech and the University of Florida, Gainesville before starting to work for Seaboard Coastal Railroad which later became CSX Railroad. After leaving the railroad he opened King Video in Jacksonville and when Blockbuster took over the video scene he sold it and started a home renovation business where he bought run down houses and brought them back to their original beauty. He enjoyed turning houses into homes. Sadly, that business came to an end when we moved to Ocoee. He gained employment with the American Legion, Department of Florida working with what began as the Gilchrist Fund and evolved into what is presently Project VetRelief. He assisted countless Veterans obtain financial assistance with rent and utilities. He also had the privilege of being on an Honor Flight, being the escort of a WWII Veteran. In his time working at The American Legion he made several lifelong friends. He never met a stranger. Cliff was a kind and caring soul, he will be forever loved and missed.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to your local Humane Society or Project Vet-Relief, both organizations were special to Cliff.
A gathering of family and friends to Celebrate Cliff will be held at The American Legion, Department Headquarters 1912 A Lee Rd., Orlando FL 32810 on Saturday, August 13, 2022 from 11am to 4pm.
We the Members of Robert Bethel Post 220 deeply regret the announcing the passing of our Fellow Comrade William Mcbride.
Comrade Mcbride Passed on Thursday June 29, 2022. Service will be held Saturday July 9, 2022. time and Location TBA
(INDIANAPOLIS—June 29, 2022) – American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard called for President Biden to authorize a state funeral for Woody Williams, the last Medal of Honor recipient from World War II to pass away.
“Delegates at our national convention in 2018 unanimously passed a resolution calling for a state funeral to honor the last of these remarkable heroes,” Dillard said. “Even before Woody’s passing today, our Washington staff has been working with Congress to permit the last World War II Medal of Honor recipient to lie in honor in the Capitol rotunda. All Medal of Honor recipients are extraordinary and Woody Williams was particularly special to The American Legion. He was a proud Legionnaire who demonstrated legendary valor at Iwo Jima and then spent a lifetime serving veterans and Gold Star Families. He was a true American hero in every sense of the word. We extend our condolences to his family.”
It is with sadness that we report the passing of a Past Commander of Post 304 in Dania Beach, Fl. Commander Jay Walrond held many offices at Post 304, on the District level and also the Dept. of Florida. A memorial was held for him by his son John Walrond at Post 304 on Saturday 25, 2022. Commander Walrond will be sadly missed by family, friends, and fellow Legioniers.
WASHINGTON (June 16, 2022) – The head of the nation’s largest veterans organization praised the Senate for its passage of legislation that will provide comprehensive benefits to veterans suffering from conditions linked to toxic exposure during their time in the U.S. Armed Forces.
“Today, the U.S. Senate has saved lives and truly delivered for veterans,” American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard said. “By passing the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act, the 117th Congress has put substance behind the phrase, ‘Thank you for your service.’ The American Legion is grateful for the service of millions of veterans who were exposed to burn pits, atomic radiation, Agent Orange and other environmental poisons. Thanks to the U.S. Congress, these men and women will be able to receive the care and benefits they have earned. The PACT Act is an historic bipartisan achievement. The American Legion thanks not only those who voted for this legislation but the thousands of Legionnaires and advocates who worked to make this happen. We look forward to President Biden signing the Honoring Our PACT Act into law.”
The Honoring Our PACT Act, which had already passed in the House of Representatives, will provide health care for millions of veterans who were exposed to contaminants emanating from open-air burn pits. It establishes presumptions of service connection for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers linked to burn pits and other hazards. It will also provide additional resources and staff to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
WASHINGTON (May 18, 2022) – The head of the nation’s largest veterans organization is calling the bipartisan agreement by Senate leaders to assist veterans who have been exposed to environmental toxins “historically impactful.”
“The work is still not yet complete, but the agreement between Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester, D-Mont., and ranking member Jerry Moran, R-Kan., is proof that Democrats and Republicans can achieve great things for veterans when they work to put country ahead of partisanship,” American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard said.
“The Honoring Our PACT Act would deliver needed benefits for up to 3.5 million veterans who were exposed to the poisons of war due to the prevalence of burn pits, radiation, contaminated water, Agent Orange and other toxicants during deployments and military assignments. The House of Representatives deserves great credit for passing this legislation, and I am confident that with the continued support of The American Legion, the Senate will now follow suit. This is an historic opportunity for the 117th Congress to pass the most meaningful veterans legislation in a generation. I am asking all Americans to tell their senators to vote for the Honoring Our PACT Act.”
We are pleased to congratulate the following who placed in the 2021 contest of The American Legion Media Alliance. Judges selected entries in the Social Media – Posts over 750, Visual Media – Dept. and Visual Media – Posts over 750 categories. Overall, 95 entries were received in this year’s contest. Below is a list of your Florida winners, Congratulations!
Website
Posts over 750:Theodore Clark, American Legion Post 90 of Southwest Florida, Cape Coral
Social Media
Posts over 750:Edward Lewis, Augustus Ruser Post 273, Madeira Beach, Florida
Visual Media
Posts over 750: Edward Lewis, Augustus Ruser Post 273, Madeira Beach, Florida
Public Relations
Posts over 750:Theodore Clark, American Legion Post 90 of Southwest Florida, Cape Coral
It is with deep sorrow and regret that I must announce the passing of Post Commander of 139, Mark Wilson. He passed away yesterday May 4th. As more details on his services become available I will inform everyone. Please keep his family and the Post 139 family in your thoughts and prayers.
We mourn the loss of our 2nd District Commander, Steve G. Mears, Jr. Steve passed away on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 3, 2022, after a plane crash at Calhoun County Airport. On behalf of the entire Florida Legion Family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his son, Steve “Trace” Mears, III, and to his family, friends, and colleagues.
Steve was a forty-eight-year-old Veteran of the U.S. Army during the Iraq War. He was a member of Blountstown Post 272, with twenty-two continuous years of membership. Steve served as Post Commander since 2019, he also served as Post Commander from 2004-2006 and Post Adjutant from 2009-2010.
While serving in the U.S. Army, Steve was awarded many achievements, including the following:
The Army Achievement Medal for his selfless service and outstanding dedication to duty while conducting detainee operations in Iraq contributed to the overwhelming success of the command’s mission.
The Army Commendation Medal for his outstanding duty performance during combat operations in Iraq contributed greatly to the overwhelming success of the Brigade’s mission in support of Multi-National Corps and Multi-National Force Iraq.
Honorary Lifetime Member of the 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne) for his dedicated service in support of “Operation Iraqi Freedom” on September 25, 2007. His patriotism, hard work, and selfless service contributed to the safe and secure environment provided to all detainees.
Steve was a true Patriot and a valuable member of The American Legion and his Community. His absence will be felt by all.
At this time, there are no details regarding services or where to send condolences. Any new information will be communicated to you through email as well as posted on the Department’s website.
