Category Archives: News

Weekly Reports March 14, 2024

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary


Detachment Membership Summary
Squadrons Membership Summary


Weekly Reports March 7, 2024

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary


Detachment Membership Summary
Squadrons Membership Summary


The American Legion seeks entries for Fourth Estate Awards in media

INDIANAPOLIS (February 14, 2024) – The American Legion is still accepting entries in the annual Fourth Estate Awards competition for excellence in journalism and its positive impact on society. The deadline for submissions to be received or postmarked is March 15, 2024.

The American Legion presents the awards to recognize the outstanding achievements made in print and broadcast media. Website and podcast submissions are also encouraged to compete in the print or broadcast categories.  In addition to the award, the winner in each category will be presented a $2,000 stipend to cover travel and lodging expenses to The American Legion National Convention in New Orleans. The presentation will occur at approximately 9 am on August 29, 2024 at the New Orleans Convention Center.

An entry form with contest rules can be found at www.legion.org/presscenter/fourthestate. You can also contact kchrisman@legion.org for further information.

Submissions are judged on the quality of the work and the impact that it had in producing a positive result for the community. The work must have been published, posted or broadcast in 2023.

All journalists or media outlets who believe their work improved society in a tangible and way are encouraged to submit their entry. There is no entry fee and no single medium is limited to the number of entries.

Past winners include CBS News, CNN, USA Today, WFTS (Tampa) and the Military Times. The complete list can be found at www.legion.org.


Weekly Reports February 29, 2024

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary


Detachment Membership Summary
Squadrons Membership Summary


Joseph “Joe” A. Maichle

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of 5th District 1st Vice Commander Joseph “Joe” A. Maichle of Jacksonville, Florida. Joe passed away on Monday, February 26, 2024, at the age of 75. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; his three daughters, Tricia, Dawn, and Nicole; six grandchildren, Adrianna, Victoria, Kylie, Zoe, Trevor, and Bailey; one great-grandson, Strieder; his mother, Cathline; and five brothers, Ronald, Kenny, Billy, John, and Bruce.

Joe was a dedicated member of the New Castle County Division of Police from 1972 to 1996. Senior Corporal Maichle was highly respected by his colleagues and described as a wonderful friend, always willing to help, incredibly funny, and a great investigator.

In addition to his service in law enforcement, Joe proudly served his country as a United States Air Force Vietnam War Era Veteran. He was a member of Jacksonville Post 129, with 17 continuous years of membership. Joe held various leadership positions within the American Legion, including Post Commander from 2017-2024 and 5th District Vice Commander from 2022-2024. He also served as Department Credentials Chair from 2022-2024.

If you wish to extend your condolences, you may do so through his wife, Kathy Maichle, at 12474 Collinswood Dr. S., Jacksonville, FL 32225.

Services to honor Joe’s life are as follows:

 Visitation

  • Tuesday, March 5th – 5 PM to 7 PM
  • Beaches Chapel by Hardage-Giddens
  • 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL

Funeral Service

  • Wednesday, March 6th – 11:30 AM
  • St. Paul’s Catholic Church
  • 523 Pablo Ave., Jacksonville Beach, FL

Burial Service

  • Wednesday, March 6th – 2 PM
  • Jacksonville National Cemetery
  • 4083 Lannie Rd., Jacksonville, FL

Celebration of Life

  • Saturday, March 16th – 2 PM
  • American Legion Post 129
  • 1151 4th St. S, Jacksonville Beach, FL

Please keep Joe’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.


Weekly Reports February 22, 2024

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary


Detachment Membership Summary
Squadrons Membership Summary


Weekly Reports February 15, 2024

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary


Detachment Membership Summary
Squadrons Membership Summary


The American Legion seeks entries for Fourth Estate Awards in media

INDIANAPOLIS (February 14, 2024) – The American Legion is still accepting entries in the annual Fourth Estate Awards competition for excellence in journalism and its positive impact on society. The deadline for submissions to be received or postmarked is March 15, 2024.

The American Legion presents the awards to recognize the outstanding achievements made in print and broadcast media. Website and podcast submissions are also encouraged to compete in the print or broadcast categories. In addition to the award, the winner in each category will be presented a $2,000 stipend to cover travel and lodging expenses to The American Legion National Convention in New Orleans. The presentation will occur at approximately 9 am on August 29, 2024 at the New Orleans Convention Center.

An entry form with contest rules can be found at www.legion.org/presscenter/fourthestate. You can also contact kchrisman@legion.org for further information.

Submissions are judged on the quality of the work and the impact that it had in producing a positive result for the community. The work must have been published, posted or broadcast in 2023.

All journalists or media outlets who believe their work improved society in a tangible and way are encouraged to submit their entry. There is no entry fee and no single medium is limited to the number of entries.

Past winners include CBS News, CNN, USA Today, WFTS (Tampa) and the Military Times. The complete list can be found at www.legion.org.


Weekly Reports February 8, 2024

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary


Detachment Membership Summary
Squadrons Membership Summary


LOCAL VET WINS BIG, COMMUNITY WINS BIGGER

One local Coast Guard Veteran started his New Year off with some extra cash this year – the American Legion, Department of Florida has, too, with its new 50/50 charity raffle!

Recently, a grand prize of over thirty-two thousand dollars was awarded to Miguel Roldan, Jr. of American Legion Post 35 here in Mount Dora. Another thirty-two thousand will go to Florida Veterans and their families through The American Legion, Department of Florida.

Mount Dora Post 35 hosted an event to present Miguel Roldan, Jr. with his winnings. The American Legion, Department of Florida Officers including the State Commander, and several Post Officers made a special visit to the Post to witness the largest 50/50 raffle payout to date.

When asked what Roldan would do with the funds he received, he said he would first pay off some bills, but most importantly, he was going to help a close family member who was less fortunate. And of course, he and his wife were going to take a much-needed vacation.

The mission of the online 50/50 raffles is to support the various programs and services of the American Legion throughout the State of Florida and right here in our local community.

The American Legion, Department of Florida is a part of the largest Veterans Service Organization in the world and is a volunteer organization, run and operated primarily by Veterans. While their main focus is advocating and supporting our Veterans and active-duty service members, their reach goes well beyond to our youth and local communities.

The Department of Florida has more than 28 programs to aid, rehabilitate, and educate veterans, service members, youth, and local communities. Their programs promote American traditions within our local schools, stop veteran suicides, advocate for veterans’ rights and benefits, and support veterans through their difficult times, such as homelessness, isolation, or financial hardship.

As The American Legion, Department of Florida relies on the generosity of its members and patriots, their raffle programs are just one way they raise funds to offset the necessary costs needed to provide these programs. Therefore, their 50/50 raffles will be ongoing and anyone in Florida who is eighteen years or older is eligible to enter.

The current draw’s prize pool is already over $20,000 and one lucky winner will take half the cash on March 1st! You can support Mount Dora Post 35 when you enter, as they receive a portion of all entries with their Post selected. To enter and get all the details go to www.florida5050.org/35.


Weekly Reports February 1, 2024

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary


Detachment Membership Summary
Squadrons Membership Summary


Weekly Reports January 25, 2024

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary


Detachment Membership Summary
Squadrons Membership Summary


Weekly Reports January 18, 2024

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary


Detachment Membership Summary
Squadrons Membership Summary


Legislative Update

As we begin the 2024 session, we have already seen several bills get traction and others get absorbed by other bills, not to mention some that won’t see the light of day. That being said, there have been over 1,700 bills filed along with many appropriation requests, such as our requests for Boys/Girls State and the upcoming 2025 National Convention in Tampa.

When the occasion arises, we will ask for your assistance.  Please keep an eye out for communications that come from us in regard to reaching out to your legislative members and request to have your post membership make contact with them.  This is our ability to be the grassroots to our endeavors.

Attached to this email are the bills that we are tracking here in Tallahassee.  Some we are in support of (Yes) and some we are simply watching to see how the language in the bills move and or change.  If the language doesn’t move in the right direction, we will then indicate that we are not in support of the bill (No).

If you would like more information about the bills that we are tracking, please review the bill language through either the Florida House of Representatives or the Florida Senate websites.

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/bills.aspx     –     https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bills/2024

In closing, please read up on legislation that you have a passion for.  A well-educated citizen should be the goal of everyone!

For God & Country,
Stuart Scott
Legislative Chair

Download Tracked Bills


Legislative – WE NEED YOU!

Your help is needed on a few Legislative Issues!

We need your immediate assistance in ensuring that we are heard in the capital. The American Legion, Department of Florida has requested two appropriations for program funding. While we are working very hard here in Tallahassee, we need your help to let our State Representatives and Senators know these issues are important to us.

Here’s where you come in…

We need as many people as possible to use the contact information below to make a phone call to these chairpersons. We don’t have a lot of time, so please reach out BEFORE January 19th. Your assistance could help us land these very special appropriations.

We have created a script that you can use when you are making these phone calls. Please be sure to reference the appropriate project number when you are speaking with them.

View Script

$200,000 for Boys State/Girls State

This allows us to offset costs associated with housing and meals for our delegates while they attend our prestigious youth event. This program is one of our most premiere events here in Florida.

House of Representatives
Chairman: Rep Shoaf
Project Number: 2234
Office Number: 850-717-5007

Representative Info

Senate
Chairman: Sen Perry
Project Number: 1348
Office Number: 850-487-5009

Senator Info

$250,000 for National Convention (Transportation)

As most are aware, we are hosting the American Legion National Convention in 2025 in Tampa. While this is a National event, The Department of Florida is responsible for many costs associated with the convention. This request will assist with the costs of the buses that transport over 7,000 National Delegates from around the world from their hotels to the convention center.

House of Representatives
Chairman: Rep Andrade
Project Number: 2856
Office Number: 850-717-5002

Representative Info

Senate
Chairman: Sen Hooper
Project Number: 1475
Office Number: 850-487-5021

Senator Info

If you have any questions in regards to this request, please feel free to contact me directly. I look forward to working hard for you and your community in all legislation this year.

 

For God & Country,

Stuart Scott
Legislative Chair

One of The American Legion’s most important missions is advocating for our Veterans. We have strength in numbers and that’s why we need you. Together we have a strong voice to make things happen, whether it be on a National or State level.

You’re already subscribed to our general mailing list, but if you would like to receive all Legislative updates and news, please subscribe below.

Join Our Legislative Mailing List


Weekly Reports January 11, 2024

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary


Detachment Membership Summary
Squadrons Membership Summary


The American Legion seeks entries for Fourth Estate Awards in media

INDIANAPOLIS (January 8, 2024) – The American Legion has announced its call for entries in the annual Fourth Estate Awards competition for excellence in journalism and its positive impact on society. The deadline for submissions to be received or postmarked is March 15, 2024.

The American Legion presents the awards to recognize the outstanding achievements made in print and broadcast media. Website and podcast submissions are also encouraged to compete in the print or broadcast categories. In addition to the award, the winner in each category will be presented a $2,000 stipend to cover travel and lodging expenses to The American Legion National Convention in New Orleans. The presentation will occur at approximately 9 am on August 29, 2024 at the New Orleans Convention Center.

An entry form with contest rules can be found at www.legion.org/presscenter/fourthestate. You can also contact kchrisman@legion.org for further information.

Submissions are judged on the quality of the work and the impact that it had in producing a positive result for the community. The work must have been published, posted or broadcast in 2023.

All journalists or media outlets who believe their work improved society in a tangible and way are encouraged to submit their entry. There is no entry fee and no single medium is limited to the number of entries.

Past winners include CBS News, CNN, USA Today, WFTS (Tampa) and the Military Times. The complete list can be found at www.legion.org.


Retirement Announcement

We would like to extend hearty CONGRATULATIONS to Bobbi Halle on her recent retirement. Bobbi has dedicated fifteen years to The American Legion, Department of Florida as our Finance Director. Her absence will be felt, and she will be greatly missed. Please extend her your best wishes on this new chapter in her life.

Thank you, Bobbi, for your endless dedication and devotion to our Florida Veterans.