LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
Weekly Reports March 25, 2021
Vietnam War Veterans Day in Florida
VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY IN FLORIDA
WHEREAS, throughout the rich history of the United States of America, patriotic men and women have taken up arms and sworn an oath to defend our nation, establishing an honorable tradition of dedicated service; and
WHEREAS, Florida is recognized as the one of the most military and veteran friendly states in the nation, with 1.5 million veterans calling the Sunshine State home, and more than 498,000 of them being Vietnam-era veterans; and
WHEREAS, more than 3 million men and women served in the Vietnam War with more than 58,000 making the ultimate sacrifice; more than 304,000 were wounded and more than 1,500 are still missing in action; and
WHEREAS, our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, coast guardsmen, and merchant mariners, many of whom lost their lives while fighting to ensure our country remains the land of the free, have made our state and nation immensely proud; and
WHEREAS, the patriotism of those in uniform who continue to defend the timeless truths and great freedoms upon which our nation was founded will continue to make our state and nation proud, and serve as an inspiration for generations to come; and
WHEREAS, as Americans and Floridians, we will always honor the legacy of those who served, were wounded, or lost their lives in battle and can never repay our debt of gratitude for the courage they demonstrated; and
WHEREAS, the Governor’s Initiative on Lawyers Assisting Warriors (GI LAW) is leveraging the talent of Florida’s leading law firms to provide pro bono services to military members; and
WHEREAS, Vietnam War Veterans Day is an opportunity to honor all Vietnam veterans and their families and recognize the contributions they continue to make to our state through their leadership and wisdom.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ron Desantis, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby extend greetings and best wishes to all observing March 29, 2021, as Vietnam War Veterans Day in Florida.
SAVE LIVES Act allows VA to soon provide COVID-19 vaccinations to all Veterans, their spouses and caregivers
SAVE LIVES Act allows VA to soon provide COVID-19 vaccinations to all Veterans, their spouses and caregivers
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden signed the SAVE LIVES Act into law today, expanding VA’s legal authority to provide COVID-19 vaccines to all Veterans, regardless of their VA health care enrollment status, as well as Veteran spouses, caregivers and some beneficiaries.
The SAVE LIVES Act removed some of the legal limits on the medical care VA can provide to Veterans, based on health care eligibility and priority groups.
The expanded authority depends on readily available COVID-19 vaccine supply and requires VA to continue to prioritize vaccinations and healthcare delivery for our nation’s Veterans enrolled in VA care.
“The SAVE LIVES Act increases the number of individuals who are eligible to get lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines from VA from 9.5 million to more than 33 million,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “Meeting the task of vaccinating this expanded population will be a tremendous undertaking for the VA and will require a significant increase in our allocation of vaccine supply, but I am confident that VA’s workforce is up to the task.”
VA is providing COVID-19 vaccinations to Veterans and employees per its COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. As of March 24, VA has fully vaccinated 1,594,812 individuals, including Veterans, VA employees and federal partners.
The next steps in VA’s prioritized expansion efforts are to offer the vaccine to all enrolled Veterans – approximately 9.5 million – followed by those outlined in the bill, as vaccine supply permits:
- Non-enrolled Veterans as defined in the new legislation, including those without service-connected disabilities and who have incomes above VA’s threshold.
- Overseas Veterans who rely on the Foreign Medical Program.
- Veteran caregivers who are enrolled in either the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers or the Program of General Caregiver Support Services.
- Veteran caregivers enrolled in certain Geriatrics and Extended Care Programs, such as Veteran Directed Care, Bowel and Bladder, Home Based Primary Care and VA’s Medical Foster Home Program.
- Civilian Health and Medical Programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs recipients.
- Veteran spouses.
In March and April 2021, VA will conduct pilots of COVID-19 vaccination for individuals specified in HR1276 at select VA medical centers. These pilots will work through critical steps in the process including communications, operations including space and staffing, systems for registration, enrollment, and scheduling, documentation, and data transmission.
VA currently receives approximately 200,000 first, or single doses, of COVID-19 vaccine each week. VA estimates that it will need a minimum of 300,000 first or single doses of COVID-19 vaccine weekly to offer COVID-19 vaccination to an additional three million Veterans who are enrolled but not currently using VA health care. VA estimates that it will need approximately 600,000 first, or single doses, of COVID-19 vaccine each week to further expand vaccination to all individuals outlined in HR1276. First or single dose supply is the best indicator of VA’s capacity to offer expanded COVID-19 vaccination.
Interested Veterans, their caregivers and Veteran spouses who qualify under the legislation can click here to get more information about COVID-19 vaccines at VA. Updates will be provided regarding the availability of vaccine supply and other resources.
Resolution No. 21
NATIONAL EXCUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF
THE AMERICAN LEGION
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
MAY 4 – 5, 2016
Resolution No. 21: Reiteration of 1960 National Executive Committee to Urge Departments to Restrict Resolutions to Matters Relevant to Purposes for Which The American Legion was Organized
Origin: Internal Affairs Commission
Submitted By: Internal Affairs Commission
WHEREAS, One of the major objectives of The American Legion is the enactment of its national legislative program; and
WHEREAS, Each year the National Convention committees are required to give consideration to numerous resolutions referred to them, through channels, as the result of action taken at department conventions in adopting resolutions calling for the enactment by Congress of legislation concerning matters which are far afield of the main objectives for which The American Legion was organized, namely Rehabilitation, Child Welfare, National Security and Americanism; and
WHEREAS, It has become necessary to remind the departments, a main source for all resolutions, that the national organization operates through commissions and their subordinate committees established by the National By-laws of Article I, Section 6; and
WHEREAS, Such commissions and their subordinate committees should forthwith discontinue their present policy of considering resolutions submitted by private organizations to further their own interests by submitting to departments resolutions calling for legislative action by Congress and urging their adoption by the delegates to our National Convention; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, By the National Executive Committee of The American Legion in regular meeting assembled at Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 4-5, 2016, That the national adjutant be, and he hereby is empowered and directed to send a copy of this resolution, together with an appropriate covering letter no later than September 15th of each year, to all department commanders, department adjutants, National Executive Committeemen, the chairmen of all national commissions and committees, the directors of all commissions, and the chairmen of all National Convention committees, with the directive that every reasonable effort be made to reject resolutions which are far a field of the main objectives for which The American Legion was organized which are today known as “The Four Pillars” at the department level; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the National Executive Committee hereby requests that all of the departments, through their department commanders, department adjutants and National Executive Committeemen, bring this situation to the attention of the delegates assembled at their annual department conventions; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the National Executive Committee hereby requests that all resolutions calling for consideration by the National Executive Committee or the National Convention of The American Legion, be supported by the identification of the individual or group originating the resolution, and also by a written statement or brief containing the support arguments in favor of the action sought, and clearly establishing the material relevance of the subject to the purposes for which The American Legion was formed; and, be it finally
RESOLVED, That Resolution No. 21, adopted May 4-5, 1960, is hereby rescinded.
Bass Pro Shops Hiring
Bass Pro Shop in Orlando is holding an open house on Wednesday, April 1, 2021 from noon until 6:00pm.
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Flag at half-staff
The president of the United States has issued a proclamation for display of the United States flag at half-staff until sunset on March 27, 2021, as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless act of violence perpetrated on March 22, 2021, in Boulder, Colo. White House proclamations are available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/
Orlando VA Healthcare System Offering COVID-19 Vaccines for Enrolled Veterans who receive care at VA
The Orlando VA Healthcare Center is offering COVID-19 vaccines for all Veterans who receive care at VA regardless of age at certain VA clinics (see below for details). The vaccine is being offered at five sites of care this week through a combination of appointments and walk-ins until supply is exhausted. Location specific information:
- Lake Nona:
All Ages. March 23-27: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments and Walk-Ins
Orlando VA Medical Center, Lake Nona Campus, 4th Floor Auditorium
13800 Veterans Way
Orlando, FL 32827
Pfizer Vaccine - Lake Nona:
Janssen (Very Limited Supply) Vaccine
All ages. March 27: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Appointments Only
Orlando VA Medical Center, Lake Nona Campus,
Drive Through: West Side of Medical Center just past West Parking Garage
13800 Veterans Way
Orlando, FL 32827 - Lake Baldwin:
All ages. March 23-26: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Appointments and Walk-Ins until 1 p.m.
Lake Baldwin VA Medical Center, Auditoriums B
5201 Raymond St.
Orlando, FL 32803
Pfizer Vaccine - Daytona Beach VA Clinic:
All ages.
March 23-26: 8:30 a.m. -4 p.m.
Appointments only.
Moderna Vaccine. - Viera VA:
Appointments only for 65+, frontline essential workers, and Veterans with underlying medical conditions, as determined by the CDC. The list of underlying medical conditions can be found here. Moderna Vaccine. - Palm Bay Janssen Vaccine:
Appointments only for 65 and older
(Very Limited Supply)
March 27: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Appointments Only
Palm Bay VA CBOC
5200 Babcock St NE
Palm Bay, FL 32905
Veterans must be enrolled and eligible for VA health care benefits. Veterans must be able to return to clinic they received their first shot at for a second dose.
Veterans will receive either the Pfizer, Moderna or Janssen vaccine at no cost.
To schedule an appointment call 407.631.0499 (Available Monday- Friday from 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.)
Veterans who are not enrolled or do not currently receive care at VA can visit VA’s Eligibility web page to learn more: Eligibility For VA Health Care | Veterans Affairs.
For information contact the Orlando VA Healthcare System’s Public Affairs Office at vhaorlpublicaffairs@va.gov
Weekly Reports March 18, 2021
Weekly Reports March 11, 2021
Weekly Reports March 4, 2021
The American Legion calls for fast-tracking citizenship for military members, veterans
WASHINGTON (March 1, 2021) – The nation’s largest veteran service organization, The American Legion, is pushing to strengthen military naturalization programs in support of non-citizens who honorably serve, for at least a year, in the U.S. Armed Forces.
On behalf of its nearly two million members, the organization sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting an executive order authorizing the reinstitution of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for Naturalization at Basic Training Initiative and reopening all USCIS field offices abroad for servicemembers and deported veterans.
“The American Legion believes that non-citizen veterans who are honorably discharged and have not been charged or convicted with felonious or heinous crimes should be guaranteed the promise they were made of citizenship,” said James W. “Bill” Oxford, national commander of The American Legion. “We would like to see the reinstitution of the USCIS Naturalization at Basic Training Initiative to provide onsite immigration resources and staff to support recruits beginning the naturalization process.”
The American Legion also recommends requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs assess the barriers to care and benefits that deported veterans face. “Our appeal is for President Biden to remove the barriers to VA benefits which these veterans have earned through their service to this country. These veterans took an oath to defend the United States with their lives. Awarding them with citizenship is the right thing to do,” said Oxford.
Through two organizational resolutions, The American Legion supports the implementation of measures to ensure the process of naturalization is complete prior to discharge for those who have served honorably. In addition, the organization calls on the federal government to grant expedited citizenship applications to deported veterans who were honorably discharged and have no felony convictions.
WASHINGTON (March 1, 2021) – The nation’s largest veteran service organization, The American Legion, is pushing to strengthen military naturalization programs in support of non-citizens who honorably serve, for at least a year, in the U.S. Armed Forces.
On behalf of its nearly two million members, the organization sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting an executive order authorizing the reinstitution of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for Naturalization at Basic Training Initiative and reopening all USCIS field offices abroad for servicemembers and deported veterans.
“The American Legion believes that non-citizen veterans who are honorably discharged and have not been charged or convicted with felonious or heinous crimes should be guaranteed the promise they were made of citizenship,” said James W. “Bill” Oxford, national commander of The American Legion. “We would like to see the reinstitution of the USCIS Naturalization at Basic Training Initiative to provide onsite immigration resources and staff to support recruits beginning the naturalization process.”
The American Legion also recommends requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs assess the barriers to care and benefits that deported veterans face. “Our appeal is for President Biden to remove the barriers to VA benefits which these veterans have earned through their service to this country. These veterans took an oath to defend the United States with their lives. Awarding them with citizenship is the right thing to do,” said Oxford.
Through two organizational resolutions, The American Legion supports the implementation of measures to ensure the process of naturalization is complete prior to discharge for those who have served honorably. In addition, the organization calls on the federal government to grant expedited citizenship applications to deported veterans who were honorably discharged and have no felony convictions.
Weekly Reports February 25, 2021
The American Legion to State Veterans Homes: ‘Obey the Law, Cooperate with VA’
(INDIANAPOLIS, February 25, 2021) – Alarmed by a report that 35 state veterans homes across the country have not shared coronavirus data with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the head of the nation’s largest veterans organization called on the facilities to “obey the law.”
“A federal law requires VA to post information about coronavirus cases and deaths that occur at state-run veteran homes,” National Commander of The American Legion James W. “Bill” Oxford explained. “Stars & Stripes reported that 35 of 158 state veterans homes have not provided the data that VA requires. This is completely unacceptable. In June, I spoke about the tragic deaths that occurred at the state home in Holyoke, Massachusetts due to the comingling of coronavirus patients with asymptomatic residents and personal protective equipment shortages. VA doesn’t run state homes but the department plays an important oversight role. In order to assist these facilities and prevent similar tragedies, these state facilities must be transparent and share the data with VA and the public. Veterans and their loved ones need assurances that their homes have the resources that are needed and are following appropriate protocols to keep all residents safe.”
Oxford added that 123 state veterans homes are reporting the information to VA but that it is not good enough. “A veteran is a veteran no matter where he or she lives,” he said. “The American Legion believes every facility that claims to serve veterans must be top-notch. We expect full compliance with the law.”
Weekly Reports February 18, 2021
Weekly Reports February 11, 2021
The American Legion Congratulates VA Secretary Largest VSO Offers Support in Serving Veterans
(INDIANAPOLIS, February 8, 2021) –The nation’s pre-eminent veterans organization congratulated Denis McDonough for his confirmation by the U.S. Senate to serve as the 11th secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“The honor given to you today is matched by the solemn obligation that we all have in fulfilling Lincoln’s promise to ‘care for him who shall have borne the battle’ and to equally advocate for women veterans and the families of all who have served as well,” The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford said. “There are many great challenges today facing America’s veterans. Whether it’s the efficient distribution of COVID-19 vaccines or legislation addressing toxic exposures, the VA will always find an informed and eager ally in The American Legion. Though we have and will continue to confront VA policies when we believe they fall short, The American Legion also believes that VA is a system worth preserving for America’s veterans. Congratulations, Secretary McDonough. The American Legion is rooting for your success in enhancing the quality of life for America’s veterans.”
Resolution No. 35 – Insurance Requirements
On October 14-15, 2020, the National Executive Committee adopted Resolution No. 35, titled “Insurance Requirements”.
Resolution No. 35 specifies additional insurance requirements for EVERY POST of The American Legion. It is anticipated that the additional requirements regarding Department will also take effect in the near future and it is recommended that each post consider this when contacting your insurance agents.
Click below to download a copy of Resolution 35 – Insurance Requirements, a memo published by the National Judge Advocate, a copy of the December Florida Legion Link Article submitted by the Department Judge Advocate, and a Certificate of Liability Insurance Example. These documents will provide additional information related to the resolution and answer most of your questions.
Please direct any questions regarding the insurance requirements to Department Judge Advocate Clarence Hill at Judgeadvocate@legionmail.org.
Children & Youth Call for Help
Post Commanders/Adjutants,
Your help is needed. As you are aware, our two fundraisers for 2020 were cancelled due to the pandemic. Because of this we were only able to raise a small amount of funds (donations) to help the youth of Florida. Also, due to the pandemic, there are more youth and families with children that are in need of our assistance.
This year, due to the S.A.L. holding a golf tournament on the date that we were to hold our Department of Florida Children & Youth golf tournament and their proceeds going to C.O.T.A., we only have our Children & Youth Picnic and Coin sales to provide the necessary donations needed for the Children & Youth Programs. Therefore, this is a plea to all of our Posts for help. We need all of our Posts to participate in the Annual Children & Youth Picnic that is being held at Post 1 in Titusville, on April 3, 2021.
How can you participate? You can participate by attending the picnic, enjoying a great lunch and comradery. You can also help by sending or bringing a basket of cheer or other items that can be raffled off. Posts that cannot attend or send a basket, please consider sending in a check for $100 to $500. With nearly 300 Posts in Florida, we should have a successful year and make up for some of last year’s loss. (Make checks payable to Dept. of Florida American Legion. In the memo put Children & Youth Picnic and mail to the address below.
Thank you in advance for your participation and remember, the Fourth Pillar of The American Legion is CHILDREN AND YOUTH.
Oratorical Competition COVID Notice
Due to current health guidelines, we will be conducting the Department contest with only contestants, their parents/guardians, and the bare minimum of volunteers necessary to run the competition to allow for social distancing.
Unfortunately, this means we are unable to invite prestigious guests, Legion family members and friends to attend as normal. Videos of each contestant’s prepared speech and assigned topic oration will be available on the Department of Florida’s website after the completion of the National Oratorical Contest in Indianapolis, IN April 9-11, 2021/
Assisting with COVID-19 vaccine effort ‘a no-brainer’ for Florida Legion post
Fortunately, also located in nearby Lady Lake is the world’s largest American Legion post, Veterans Memorial Post 347. With both a large meeting room and parking lot, the post looked like a perfect location for the clinic to expand its vaccination operation.
So the clinic reached out to the post, which spent little time debating how to respond.
“To us, this was a no-brainer. Not one member of the executive committee said no when we brought it to them,” Post 347 First Commander Joan Suelter said. “The (Villages Outpatient Clinic) is a good-sized facility, but in order to handle the vaccine, they would have to shut down other portions of the medical portion of it. They do MRIs up there, bloodwork, for all our veterans. So some of those services would have to have been curtailed. And parking is very limited up there.”
By chance, Suelter said she was approached in Post 347’s parking lot by Dr. Brian Pinkston, The Villages Chief Medical Officer and a member of Post 347, about the clinic’s shortage of space for the vaccinations. Suelter immediately reached out to Post Commander Al Varrone, a member of The American Legion’s National Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission, and Post Adjutant Mike Seidel to let them know about Pinkston’s dilemma and a possible solution.
“Al jumped all over it,” Suelter said. “The train left the station immediately when Al got it. He’s been the runner of this program, and I’ve been backing him up 100 percent because I believe in what we’re doing.”
Via VA press release, Pinkston said joining up with Post 347 “began out of necessity. Since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, our capacity inside the clinic has been reduced to allow for social distancing, which has created some new challenges for us.”
With both a meeting room encompassing thousands of square feet, as well as a parking lot large enough to serve as the starting point for hundreds of motorcycles on the 2019 American Legion Legacy Run, Post 347 was a perfect fit for VA.
“Collaboration with our community partners allows us to remain agile, receptive, and relevant to the veterans we serve across our catchment area,” Florida/South Georgia Health System Director Thomas Wisnieski said via press release. “We are very fortunate to be partnering with American Legion Post 347.”
VA staff came to set up Post 347 for the vaccination effort, working through the logistics of social distancing protocols. Post leadership met with VA staff via phone calls and Zoom meetings to work out the details.
The first batch of 80 vaccines were distributed on Jan. 28 at the post. Suelter said the hope was for two more vaccination sessions Feb. 4 and 5 before possibly transitioning to daily, including Saturdays, provided there are enough vaccines.
“This is one of our Four Pillars,” Suelter said. “And the relationship we have with (VA staff) is unbelievable. What better way for us to take care of veterans but through this program? This is exciting stuff.”
While Post 347 is serving as a vaccine site, two Missouri American Legion posts have opened up their facilities to provide COVID-19 testing.
Starting Feb. 1, American Legion Post 397 in Creve Coeur, Mo., will be a testing site for a collaboration between Visit Healthcare and the Kaufman Fund. The site will be open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. All forms of insurance are accepted, but uninsured individuals will be accepted and tested at no charge. No appointment is necessary but it is recommended to sign up in advance at visithealthcare.com.
And Roscoe Enloe Post 5 in Jefferson City, Mo., is providing free testing through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and Cole County. Testing dates are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 17, March 3 and March 19. To register for testing, visit health.mo.gov/communitytest or call (919) 351-6256.