LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
Weekly Reports for November 21, 2024
Kelton D. Sweet, Jr.
It is with deep sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Past Department VA&R Chair Kelton D. Sweet, Jr., of Orlando, Florida. Kelton passed away on November 11, 2024, at the age of 90.
At this time, service information is not available. If service details are provided, they will be shared via email and on the Department’s website.
Kelton was a proud U.S. Air Force veteran who served during the Korean War Era and a devoted member of Pine Castle Post 286. Throughout his 32 years of continuous membership with the American Legion, he exemplified dedication and service.
At the Department level, Kelton served as the VA&R Chair from 2005 to 2016. His commitment extended to the National level, where he served on the Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Committee from 2006 to 2016.
Please keep Kelton’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. His contributions to The American Legion and his unwavering support for veterans will not be forgotten.
Weekly Reports for November 14, 2024
Two years after Hurricane Ian, the post in Bonita Springs is renovated and again supporting the community.
An aisle of 100 American Flags maintained and set up by American Legion Post 303 at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs , Fla, on Monday, November 11. Photo by Hilary Ott / The American Legion
An aspect of patriotic holiday ceremonies in Bonita Springs, Fla., is an aisle of 100 flags which the Legion Family from John F. Murphy Post 303 maintains and sets up for the events at Riverside Park each Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Each flag is stenciled with the name of a deceased veteran in tribute to those who paid the ultimate price for America’s freedom.
For this Veterans Day, the flags — replacements for those destroyed when Post 303 was deluged with floodwaters from Hurricane Ian in 2022 — served not only as tribute to those veterans but a representation of the post’s and city’s rebuild from the devastating storm.
Post 303 Commander Adam Prentki acknowledged it was “very difficult” when he first saw the case where the flags were stored at the post following Ian.
“It was important (to replace the flags) because it was something we always did,” Prentki said, noting the Aisle of Flags first returned at the Memorial Day event at Riverside Park even as renovations were continuing on the post home. “I think it was important for everyone to see, OK, maybe the Legion’s not there, they’re still working on their building, but they’re still in the community.”
“My partner was one of these flags, along with my brother-in-law, and both those flags were destroyed. That totally destroyed me,” said Jan Farrington, the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Florida membership chairman and a member of Unit 303. “There are many flags flying that I personally know their families, I personally know a lot of the history, and it just destroyed us to know that when we pulled those flags out after Hurricane Ian, and to just watch them disintegrate in front of us, it was just heartbreaking. So to be able to resurrect this … it’s another form of our rebuilding. Our phoenix is rising out of the ashes.”
Farrington is also the Auxiliary representative on Bonita Springs’ veterans advisory committee and talked about the Aisle of Flags during the city’s Veterans Day ceremony. She noted many of the flags had served as burial flags on the caskets of fellow veterans.
“We need to remember and honor (all veterans),” Farrington said.
U.S. Army Lt. Gen (ret.) Steve Blum, the guest speaker at the Veterans Day morning event at Riverside Park, echoed that sentiment. “A nation that does not remember and revere and thank and appreciate its veterans will not long remain a nation,” Blum said.
Veterans and their families — among them 98-year-old World War II veteran Daniel Rossi — gathered in the park for the Veterans Day event, which included Bonita Springs city councilman and Army veteran Nigel Fullick recognizing Rossi and reading a proclamation from Mayor Rick Steinmeyer commemorating the holiday.
Following the morning’s event at Riverside Park, Post 303 hosted a grand reopening ceremony which drew Legion Family and leadership from across the state.
“It’s all about the brotherhood and sisterhood for me,” said Department of Florida Commander Chris Hamrick.
“We had a lot of people donate (to the rebuild),” Prentki said. “We are blessed with a lot of snowbirds in this area. We had a lot of those individuals donate. I wanted them to be a part of it. It was very moving for me to see the support we got, not just from the people that are here every day but from our snowbird community. And when we tried to decide on a date, we looked at what would be available. It was brought up on doing it today, on Veterans Day. That’s what we settled on.
“It’s late enough in the year that a lot of our northern guests are down and could attend; some of them came down specifically for this,” Prentki added.
“It’s been a day we’ve been waiting for, for two years… it’s here, we are open,” Farrington said. “It’s more than just a building. It’s a place we go for our veterans. It’s a safe haven. It’s a community spot where veterans can come, share their stories. We can work our wonderful programs with the American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion can do their programs, we can just enhance our veterans through community service, and children and youth, and Americanism at its best and at its root.”
Weekly Reports for November 7, 2024
Weekly Reports for October 31, 2024
Opportunity to Serve on the BSCIP Advisory Council for Veterans and Family Members
The Florida Department of Health’s Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program (BSCIP) provides essential services to eligible residents with traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries, helping them regain functional independence in their communities. With direct case management, resource facilitation, and a dedicated network of statewide staff, BSCIP supports both adult and pediatric clients in achieving their recovery goals.
In line with House Bill 1329, the BSCIP Advisory Council is expanding to include two new members: veterans or family members of veterans affected by traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or sub-concussive impacts from military service. This expansion honors the unique needs of our veterans and enhances representation on the council.
Please help us spread the word within veteran organizations and networks to encourage qualified individuals to apply for this meaningful opportunity.
For more details on the BSCIP, the advisory council, or to apply, visit Florida BSCIP Website.
Weekly Reports for October 24, 2024
Weekly Reports for October 17, 2024
Weekly Reports for October 11, 2024
American Legion National Commander Pledges Support for Hurricanes Milton, Helene Victims
(INDIANAPOLIS – October 10, 2024) – American Legion National James A. LaCoursiere pledged his organization’s support for victims impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as he addressed senior volunteers during two days of meetings in Indianapolis.
“Keep in mind that we are truly an American Legion Family, and we are there for you – hearts, minds, prayers and physically, we are there for you,” LaCoursiere said to The American Legion National Executive Committee, the organization’s board of directors. “The Legion will continue to do what they have always done during emergencies like these. They will put service before self. They will gather supplies, collect donations and give to the areas that are hurting.”
He called for American Legion Family members to conduct buddy checks, an outreach effort in which veterans and friends personally check on the wellbeing of others who have served in the military. LaCoursiere added that The American Legion stands ready to assist Legionnaires, posts, and Sons of The American Legion members, with National Emergency Fund grants. Since its inception in 1989, the NEF has awarded more than $10 million to veterans and military members impacted by declared natural disasters. The American Legion also offers Temporary Financial Assistance grants, which help Legion members and active duty servicemembers with minor child(ren) in the home. More information about American Legion programs and assistance can be found at www.legion.org.
Office Closure
Weather Alert Due to Hurricane Milton, our Department Headquarters office will be closed starting Tuesday at noon through Wednesday, with a possibility of closure on Thursday. We apologize for any inconvenience and will resume normal operations as soon as it is safe to do so.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all Floridians as we brace for the storm’s aftermath.
Stay updated on our website for important information and valuable resources regarding our Disaster Relief Program. Stay safe! www.floridalegion.org/relief
Women Veterans’ Whole Health Summit
We are pleased to invite you to the Women Veterans’ Whole Health Summit, taking place on November 2, 2024, at Marriott Hutchinson Island Beach Resort Golf & Marina
This summit aims to address the unique health, and wellness needs of women veterans, providing a platform for education, support, and connection.
Join us for an encouraging day featuring:
- Keynote Speakers: Hear from experts in women’s health and veteran services.
- Interactive Workshops: Participate in sessions focused on mental health, physical wellness, and holistic care.
- Panel Discussions: Engage with leaders in the field as they discuss pressing health issues facing women veterans.
- Resource Fair: Discover organizations and services dedicated to supporting women veterans in their health journeys.
Your voice and experience are invaluable to our discussions, and we would be honored to have you join us.
Please register for this event at https://FDVAwomenVeteransSummit.eventbrite.com.
Hotel Details: Marriott Hutchinson Island Beach Resort, Golf & Marina
555 NE Ocean Blvd
Stuart, FL 34983
Event Summary:
FDVA Women Veterans’ Whole Health Summit
Hotel(s) offering your special group rate: $169.00 per night
Book your group rate for FDVA Conference
We look forward to welcoming you to this engaging event and working together to enhance the health and well-being of women veterans.
Warm regards,
Vanessa Thomas
Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
State Women Veterans Coordinator
Weekly Reports for October 3, 2024
Weekly Reports for September 26, 2024
Weekly Reports for September 19, 2024
A 2,700-mile walk to save lives
Ron Zaleski left Key West, Fla., on Sept. 11 for a 2,700-mile mission: to walk across the country in support of ending veteran suicide and advocating for life-saving programs. Zaleski, a Marine veteran and member of American Legion Post 159 in Venice, Fla., is walking to San Diego, Calif., and making stops to Legion posts, churches and other veteran supportive organizations along the way to share his mission.
“It’s going to take all of us to fix this,” said Zaleski, who will walk for 10 months while wearing a sign that displays a list of different names daily of veterans lost to suicide, “so their lives may never be forgotten, and we honor their legacy by believing in a brighter future for the brave veterans of the United States.”
This is not Zaleski’s first walk in support of veteran suicide awareness. In 2010 he walked barefoot to Washington, D.C. During the walk he met a mother of a veteran who died by suicide. “The hardest thing that I’ve done on my walk is to hold the mother who lost a child, and she held me like I’m her son, and say, ‘It’s my fault.’ There are no words to that,” he said. “There is no loss that I know of that’s greater than that.”
That experience led Zaleski to form the nonprofit The Long Walk Home where he has helped veterans with suicide intervention, relationship healing, and the skills needed to live meaningful lives.
“I know our program causes a transformative shift in the trajectory of their lives,” he said. “I have seen first-hand by supporting these veterans and their families we have been able to turn their anger into mindfulness, heal damaged relationships for themselves and their loved ones, and create a new mission. We were warriors (in the military). But now is the time to be leaders in our community and in our family. Our program helps them shift that perception.”
The Long Walk Home has two programs – ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) by LivingWorks that’s a two-day program teaching family members suicidal signs to look for and how to intervene, and a 10 Challenge course for veterans that’s a list of guided questions.
Zaleski said the first set of challenge questions are: What are you grateful for when you wake up? What are you grateful you accomplished at the end of the day? And how do you show gratitude?
“Part of these challenge questions is to go out and have a conversation with your loved ones or a stranger,” Zaleski said. “I had an 80-year-old take this who thought he had no problems. His wife made me a batch of cookies and thanked me for the transformation of her husband.”
Zaleski is taking the 10 Challenge course to incarcerated veterans as well. After his visit with about 15 veterans, he learned that they took the knowledge learned and administered the program to the entire prison.
“I would rather prevent suicide than wait till you’re on the ledge where you’ve got nothing left to lose.” he said.
As Zaleski walks 12 hours a day over the next 10 months, he will share the resources available through The Long Walk Home and the Legion’s Be the One suicide prevention mission to save a life through available resources and training.
“I want to direct veterans the best way I can to get the help they need. My hope is by creating a movement rather than just my own passion and advocacy, together we can help eradicate veteran suicide.”
Follow Zaleski on his journey at thelongwalkhome.org/ or on Facebook.