LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
Weekly Reports – June 4, 2020
Weekly Reports – May 28, 2020
Letter to Governor Regarding Posts Opening
Please click below to read the letter from Department Commander Rick Johnson to Governor Ron DeSantis in regards to Posts reopening.
Flag at half-staff
Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance for honoring and mourning military servicemembers who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. This federal holiday is annually observed on the last Monday of May. This year Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 25.
In accordance with the U.S. Flag Code [U.S.C. Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7(m)], on Memorial Day the United States flag is to be displayed at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset.
Weekly Reports – May 21, 2020
Full Phase I – Monday, May 18, 2020
Race-to-the-Top
The Race-to-the-Top competition has concluded. The first place winners in each category will receive a trip to the 2021 national convention along with their guest or a $2,500 check. Second place winners will receive a $500 check for their efforts and third place winners will receive a check for $375. We would like to congratulate the following district commanders on a job well done.
Category I
1st Steven A. Anderson (UT) 116.43%
2nd Dean E. Welch (WY) 107.51%
3rd Keith Morris (CA) 106.92%
Category II
1st Jack “JD” Baker (NC) 110.90%
2nd Jacob W. Christman (GA) 106.84%
3rd Alan H. Caesar (TX) 103.61%
Category III
1st Devell “Bo” Durham, Jr. (NC) 114.66%
2nd Annette M. Johnson (CO) 109.26%
3rd Richard J. Cameron (MA) 103.95%
Category IV
1st Bruce Carl (FL) 104.60%
2nd -No Submission-
3rd -No Submission-
Category V
1st Robert G. Suelter (FL) 100.94%
2nd -No Submission-
3rd -No Submission-
Weekly Reports – May 14, 2020
Weekly Reports – May 7, 2020
Weekly Reports – April 30, 2020
Weekly Reports – April 23, 2020
Charles “Chuck” Weinberg
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of Past 13th District Commander, Charles “Chuck” Weinberg, of Port Charlotte, Florida on Monday, April 20, 2020 at the age of 72. There are no details regarding services at this time, but any new information will be communicated to you through email as well as posted on the website.
Chuck was a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War Era Veteran and a member of Port Charlotte Post 110 with 11 continuous years of membership. Chuck served as Post Commander (2012-2013) and District Commander (2016-2017).
Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers in their time of grief. If you would like to send your condolences you may do so through his significant other, June Habor, at 3146 Lockwood St., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.
Weekly Reports – April 16, 2020
Department Convention Cancelled
Dear Legionnaires,
In this time of uncertainty it is with a heavy heart, that we announce the 2020 Department of Florida Convention has been cancelled.
Your Department Adjutant in conjunction with the DEC are working on other necessary details, such as; room cancellation procedures, elections and legion business, etc. More information will be provided as it is decided.
In accordance with Article 2 entitled – DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, Section 8 of the BY-LAWS of The American Legion Department of Florida, an email was sent to the Department Executive Committee on April 8, 2020, to vote on the motion to cancel the Department of Florida 2020 Convention to be held at the Marriott World Center, June 23-25, 2020. The motion was approved by majority vote.
We regret any inconveniences this may cause our members, but your safety and good health is our number one priority. Again, we will provide complete details in the coming days.
Sincerely,
William “Rick” Johnson
Department Commander
More information coming soon, please check back in a few days.
Does your Post have questions about the Stimulus Bill?
Any Post having questions about the stimulus and how it may help with your Post financial status should direct those questions to your accountant or banking institution (it does not have to be one of the banks named in the stimulus package) or you can reach out to one that was mentioned. They will provide information and assistance in applying for any monies of which your post may be entitled. We recommend you do not delay in filing.
Weekly Reports – April 9, 2020
Health emergency forces cancellation of American Legion National Convention
The American Legion ~ The American Legion’s 102nd National Convention, originally scheduled for Louisville, Ky., Aug. 28 – Sept. 3, 2020, is canceled due to public-health concerns, ongoing restrictions and uncertainties related to the global coronavirus-COVID-19 pandemic.
“The safety of our members and compliance with state and federal public-health restrictions and guidelines made this decision not only prudent but necessary,” American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford said. “The Commonwealth of Kentucky has taken emergency actions to prevent the spread of infections and to follow federal guidance that restrict public gatherings and urge social distancing. No one can say with any certainty when these measures will be lifted or in what manner.”
The American Legion National Executive Committee approved a resolution Wednesday, April 8, by email to cancel the annual convention of wartime veterans and their families for the first time in history. The 2020 Sons of The American Legion National Convention is also canceled.
“Local American Legion services – such as Buddy Checks, blood drives, meal delivery and volunteer assistance – remain the top priority of the organization as we navigate these challenging waters,” Oxford said. “Community efforts are now under way throughout the country and around the world, while many American Legion state and foreign departments are canceling or postponing their conventions and elections to protect public health in the midst of this pandemic. Normally, national convention delegates are appointed during department conventions. This year is anything but normal.”
The 102nd National Convention is now scheduled for Aug. 27 – Sept. 2, 2021, in Phoenix. Terms of currently serving national officers, including National Commander Oxford, are extended until then, according to the resolution. Nationally appointed American Legion commission and committee chairpersons will also remain in their positions until the Fall 2021 meeting of the National Executive Committee.
The convention cancellation and extension of national officer terms are within the authority of the National Executive Committee, according to The American Legion’s constitution and bylaws.
Also Wednesday, the NEC selected Louisville as the site of the 2026 American Legion National Convention, the first available date.
Post Elections
It is uncertain when we will be able to resume normal business. Therefore, posts should be researching alternative ways to hold Post elections.
Many Posts have not incorporated crisis situations into their Constitution and By-Laws, and may be required to suspend their Constitution and By-Laws for purposes of holding elections.
Your Department Judge Advocate and Assistant Judge Advocates are working on a standardized method for conducting elections, which they will send out soon.
Baseball and Youth Law Cadet Programs Cancelled for 2020
Due to the ongoing and continual changes in State and Federal recommendations and orders concerning the COVID-19 virus, I must announce that the Florida American Legion Baseball program and Youth Law Cadet Program have been cancelled for the year. This has been done for the health and safety of the Legionnaires, program participants, and the families and communities involved with the programs.
I know it can be life changing for the young men and women who participate in these great Americanism programs, but this decision has been made with their futures in mind and it would be a risk to that future should we allow the programs to continue.
We want all the Posts to concentrate getting their homes back in order and the cost, and time to bring everything back will be very costly and time consuming once we get through these rough times.
If you would like to have fun while you are at home, there are games online that will give you a blast of fun, we recommend you to try these out since you will have the opportunity to win incredible prizes.
Thank you for all you have done for the Florida American Legion Baseball program and Youth Law Cadet Program. Thank you doubly for what you are doing now in these uncertain times. Our goal, as always, is to take care of Florida veterans and the communities we live in, and we will get through this together, as a family.
For God and Country,
William “Rick” Johnson
Department Commander