SFA Legacy Initiatives has signed a contract with Carnival Cruise Lines to charter an entire ship for a SF, Family, and friends The Carnival Paradise will provide an exclusive cruise experience departing from Tampa, FL on October 19, 2024. The current planning/itinerary will include the following events that will also support many SF small businesses during this epic event:
October 2024
October 17-18 – Pre-cruise gatherings, USSOCOM events?, golf tournament(s), poker run, supporting local SF businesses with Scuba dives, off-shore fishing, boat trips, and more
October 19 – Board the ship, SF Swag, Regimental Colors flying from the mast, sail away party with Nationally known music artist(?)
October 20 – Day at Sea, SF beer and wine tasting from SF owned breweries and wineries
October 21 – Bimini
October 22 – Nassau with a shore party at the SF owned “The Bearded Clam Sports Bar”, support other SF businesses with shore excursion
October 23 – Day at Sea, SF bourbon, whiskey, and liquor tasting from SF owned distilleries
October 24 – Return to Tampa with more activities planned like football games, hockey games, etc…
We have over 1,000 passengers already registered during the pre-registration phase. Please tell your teammates to sign up before all the rooms are booked. This is a family friendly cruise. We look forward to seeing you.
SFACON 2024
The Special Forces Association will be holding its annual Convention (SFACON) during the cruise, with special events planned in the Tampa area for a few days prior to sailing. Visit the SFACON 2024 website for the latest information and to see a list of those who’ve registered for the cruise.
Gabriel Bostwick, a 12-year-old who is in home hospice care while battling terminal cancer, wanted a chance to see Santa Claus and feel the holiday spirit one more time. His community, including multiple American Legion Riders, were more than happy to accommodate his wish.
On July 21, more than 70 motorcyclists joined with more than 200 other area residents to bring Christmas to Gabriel and his parents at their home in Navarre, Fla. Legion Family members from American Legion Post 382 in Navarre and Post 378 in Gulf Breeze were among the contingent, which sang Christmas carols, delivered presents, and provided a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as some other North Pole inhabitants.
Ashley Correa, who works at the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart and is a member of the American Legion Family at Post 378, learned about Gabriel’s wish and that an event had been planned. She contacted Post 382 Commander Jason Skobel, the past ALR director at the post, to share what was planned.
“He knows we do the ‘Ride for the Claus’ during Christmas, and she said this family was wanting to do a Christmas in July for (Gabriel),” said Skobel, who also serves as District 1 first vice commander and Department of Florida Western Area ALR chairman. “I put the word out there in our district with our Riders, and … we had overwhelming support for this kid.”
Skobel said there were around seven different motorcycle organizations involved, including at least four American Legion Riders chapters. “When we arrived there, there already were some members of the community and neighbors lined up along the street,” he said. “But when they saw 75, 100 motorcycles pull up in front of their house, just seeing the look on the parents’ faces and that kids face, just goosebumps, hair standing up all over. It was just, there were really no words to describe it.
“Just seeing that little kid smile and his dad pushing his wheelchair just to take a look at all the bikes lined up on the street – I just kind of stood in the back for awhile and was watching all the riders. It’s funny to see all these older, big gentlemen – the burly riders – flipping their sunglasses down so you can’t see the tears coming out of their eyes.”
VetFest is being held to educate and inform Veterans about the PACT Act and to provide onsite services to include VA health care enrollment, toxic exposure screenings, VA claims assistance, VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center, women’s health, mental health, whole health, Vet Center and more. Attendees will also have the opportunity to enter drawings for free game tickets and branded items, compliments of the Rays.
“When we think of partnership, community, and Veteran support, no one does it better than the Rays,” said David B. Isaacks, FACHE, Director, VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8). “We’re honored to have Tropicana Field host this event, and just like the Rays have done all season, we’re looking to make some noise and put some large numbers on the scoreboard.”
VA is making a big push as the one-year anniversary of the PACT Act approaches on August 9. VA and Tampa Bay Rays leaders alike are hopeful the VetFest event at Tropicana Field will rally Veterans and families to take advantage of the opportunity to enroll for VA health care, submit claims related to toxic exposures, and benefit from other services.
“The Tampa Bay Rays are grateful to the many active duty service members, Veterans and their loved ones for their commitment to serving our nation,” said Tampa Bay Rays President Matt Silverman. “We are honored to host this event in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help share information about the PACT Act and help provide access to health care resources.”
More about the PACT Act
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act, signed into law in Aug. 2022, expanded Department of Veterans Affairs health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. It is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. To learn more, please visit: www.va.gov/pact
The 2023 precision and sporter winners of The American Legion Junior 3-Position Air Rifle Championships were named Saturday, July 22, in Colorado Springs, Colo.
First, the top eight sporter shooters lined up shoulder-to-shoulder on the firing line in the basement of the USA Shooting Range at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Each competitor fired 10 shots, aiming for a perfect 10.9 score for each one with a 50-second time limit. Even with the cheering from American Legion Family members, coaches and family members, Charles Bratton of Clover, S.C., held on to his first-place position to win the sporter championship.
“Finals are always fun but also really intense. It’s a lot of relief (that it’s done) but also bittersweet because this is the last time I’ll shoot this kind of match,” said Bratton, who will be attending Harvard University this fall with hopes to become a brain surgeon. “It was a good ending. And my local (American Legion) Post 54 is awesome. I have family members that are veterans and members of The American Legion. I just think it’s a really great organization, and I love what they’re doing for the youth.”
When Gracie Dinh and Jacob Wisman walked to the firing line to compete in their first and second-place positions, Dinh had only a one-point lead over Wisman. Their scores remained close until the final shot – Wisman shot a 10.7 over Dinh’s 10.2 to take the lead and win the precision championship.
“I went in to today with some doubts since I was a point behind, but I’m happy I was able to keep calm and do what I could do,” said Wisman, 17 years old and a rising senior who hopes to shoot air rifle in college. “I want say thank you to The American Legion. This was a great opportunity, and I’m very grateful.”
Dinh is happy with her second-place finish and the growth she has experienced in air rifle since placing 15th during the 2021 American Legion Junior 3-Position Air Rifle Championship.
There was a lot of growing in the two years in-between. “(This time around) I tapered my training, I shot less and I got more ready mentally,” Dinh said. “Thank you, American Legion, for holding this. It’s always a fun match; it’s a great experience.”
As the precision and sporter champions, Wisman and Bratton will each receive a $5,000 scholarship provided by The American Legion and Sons of The American Legion. They too will receive a trip to The American Legion’s 104th National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., in August to be honored alongside other American Legion youth program champions. Bratton said he lives 45 minutes from Charlotte and is looking forward to attending the national convention and hopes to purchase a computer with the scholarship.
For their second-place finish, Dinh and sporter competitor Nathan Krokstrom of Cape Coral, Fla., will receive a $1,000 scholarship provided by The American Legion Auxiliary.
The top eight precision shooters aggregate scores:
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.
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.
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 pageHERE.
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.
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)
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.
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.
