A Cruise has been set up for our Legion Family for November 13 – 18, 2021. Cabins are on a first come first served basis, so make your reservations soon. Please call Ernesto Romeo, who is filling for Maureen Williams (Past Department Commander Rick Johnson’s wife) as soon as possible. Prices can change at any time.
Deposits can be made until August 30th, at which time the full payment will be due. Booking after August 30, 2021 will be required a full payment.
Ernesto Romeo, Vacation Planner Carnival Cruise Line
800-819-8902 ex 83026 OFFICE
305-439-3325 FAX
Following a two week break in the schedule, the INDYCAR season rolls into the final half of the season with a very unique street course venue in the streets of Nashville, TN. Jimmie Johnson and the #48 team are on an even playing-field (so to speak) this weekend as he and the other 27 drivers in the field are experiencing the twist and turns of this new circuit all for the very first time. If you are interested in music, you might be interested in reading about this article about How Does Music Affect Your Brain?
I’m reaching out this morning to share with you a very special event that took place on Friday morning at the track that Mary Jo Dial brokered between the NTT Data INDYCAR Series and the race promoters in Nashville.
One of the most iconic sections of this street circuit is Korean War Memorial Bridge in downtown Nashville. The American Legion worked with all parties in Nashville to create a ceremonial “First Lap” around the circuit and we were able to include Korean War Veteran and Tennessee Legionnaire Jim Markham in the ceremony. Jim had the opportunity to ride in the pace car driven by four-time INDYCAR Champion and former Ganassi Racing driver Dario Franchitti. As you can see from the video link below, the ceremony garnered and incredible amount of media attention with a specific spotlight on Jim Markham and The American Legion.
As for the race weekend schedule, practice begins at 1:00 p.m. EST with qualifying starting at 4:30 p.m. broadcasted on NBC’s streaming platform – Peacock. The Music City Grand Prix will is Sunday beginning at 5:30 p.m. on NBC.
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the annual Florida Purple Heart Day Proclamation.
The Florida Legislature unanimously passed legislation in 2012 establishing Aug. 7 as Florida Purple Heart Day to recognize recipients of our nation’s oldest award given to combat-wounded veterans.
WASHINGTON (July 30, 2021) – American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford called the safe evacuation of Afghan allies from danger “a truly welcome sight,” but added that his organization would like to see the pace pick-up dramatically as American forces leave that country.
“We certainly welcome the evacuation of approximately 2,500 Afghan allies and family members that comprise the first priority group of Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants,” Oxford said. “But we have also made clear to the Biden administration that far more still needs to be done. The American Legion believes that approximately 70,000 Afghan nationals face severe retribution by the Taliban because of assistance that they provided to U.S. troops. Many U.S. veterans tell us that their interpreters fought shoulder-to-shoulder with them and in many cases actually saved American lives. They have already been screened and have proven that they can be trusted. We must remember their loyalty and not abandon them to a ruthless and merciless enemy. We believe in Operation Allies Refuge and hope the pace can be picked up to match the levels we saw at the end of the Vietnam War.”
The American Legion passed a national resolution in 2018 asking for the president and Congress to prioritize the processing of SIVs for Afghan and Iraq interpreters and other allies.
GREETINGS FROM NATIONAL COMMANDER – Bill Oxford (NC)
GREETINGS FROM THE NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP AND POST ACTIVIVITES CHAIRMAN – John W. “Jay” Bowen (CO)
GREETINGS FROM LEADING CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL COMMANDER – Paul Dillard (TX)
MEMBERSHIP AWARDS FOR POST/DISTRICT/DEPARTMENTS – Nick Arnett (IN) Member Engagement Coordinator
VETERANS EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT – Joe Sharpe (DC), Director
VETERANS AFFAIRS & REHABILITATION – Mario Marquez, (DC) Director
EMBLEM SALES – Kevin Carothers, Marketing Manager (SAL-IN)
AMERICANISM – Jeff Hendricks, Deputy Director (IN)
(INDIANAPOLIS—July 19, 2021) –The head of the nation’s largest veterans organization warned Congress that the American people will “be furious,” if partisan gridlock causes a shutdown of the National Guard and delayed paychecks for its soldiers.
“Congress and the White House need to act immediately to ensure that our National Guard is fully funded and its members compensated for all of their drills, missions and deployments. Have they already forgotten the thousands of National Guard members who protected the Capitol during civil unrest just a few months ago? Or the crucial role of our National Guard members in America’s response to COVID-19?” American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford asked. “The American Legion spoke loudly two years ago when partisan bickering led to an in interruption of the Coast Guard being paid. We stepped up and provided more than $1 million of grants to help hundreds of Coast Guard families, but Congress still has failed to pass the Pay Our Coast Guard Act. Moreover, it isn’t the job of private nonprofit organizations to pay the military. As Americans, we should all demand that Congress never repeats that mistake.
“We are not simply talking about bureaucracies,” Oxford continued. “We are talking about families. The men and women of the National Guard have living expenses, bills due and other financial obligations that cannot be put on hold while politicians argue. The volunteers who defend America deserve better.”
WASHINGTON (July 8, 2021) – Calling the Taliban “the enemy of all human rights,” American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford expressed his organization’s “deep disappointment” that the White House isn’t offering a better plan to evacuate interpreters, family members and other Afghan allies who closely assisted U.S. military troops during the war.
“We welcome an end to ‘forever wars,’ but withdrawal must be conducted in an orderly and honorable manner. This falls short on both counts. Abandonment of those who assisted us is literally an issue of life or death,” Oxford said. “Any veteran who has worked with Afghan interpreters will tell you how valuable these brave heroes were to our mission there. It is precisely because of their dedication to our cause that they are primary targets for barbaric retribution by Taliban terrorists. Their families are also targets. They have already undergone extensive security screening and further processing can occur in Guam or other region safely out of harm’s way. It is a moral imperative that we offer them immediate and safe passage away from the enemy and to the United States. If we abandon such friends, how could we expect any assistance by potential allies in future missions?
“The president said today that his administration approved 2,500 Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghan nationals since January 20,” Oxford said. “Yet estimates of the backlog run as high as 18,000. If you include close family members, the administration should be prepared to quickly evacuate as many as 70,000. We saved many more lives when we left Vietnam, and even that wasn’t enough when you consider how many were left behind and slaughtered after our departure. A great nation such as the United States does not abandon its friends.”
Oxford also lamented that time is running out, in spite of the letters that he sent to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in April which raised alarms about the dangers faced.
“The American Legion passed a national resolution in 2018 asking the president and Congress to prioritize SIVs for our Afghan and Iraqi allies,” Oxford said. “This is not a new or recent issue. The American Legion is calling on the White House to immediately institute a better plan and evacuate our friends now. Delay means death for many of these brave people.”
PDC Rick Johnson is responding well with all treatments, and the doctors anticipate his release on Thursday, July 8th. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers as he continues to recover.
Get well wishes can be sent to 211 Dickinson St. NE, Palm Bay, FL 32907.
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of Past Northern Area Vice Commander Robert C. Schmidt of Citrus Springs, Florida, who passed away on June 22, 2021 at the age of 98. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters Mary (Ron) Brown of Nashville, IL; Ruth (Ron) Wilton of Carlinville; Nancy (Norman) Shade of Chesterfield, IL; Carol (Billy) Rivers of Bolton, MS; Sandra Thacker of Carlinville; Clara Hicks of Citrus Springs, FL and son Robert T (Lori) Schmidt of Ocala, FL; 17 grandchildren especially his granddaughter, Heather Fritz; 42 great grandchildren; and 15 great-great grandchildren; brothers Rev. Carl Schmidt of Effingham, IL, Joseph Schmidt of Quincy, IL and sister Virginia Drew of Quincy, IL; several nieces, nephews, and many other relatives. 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.
Robert was a U.S. Army WWII Era Veteran and a member of Dunnellon Post 58 with 51 continuous years of membership. Robert served as Post 58 Commander (1973-1978 & 1993-1997), 4th District Commander (1981-1982 & 1993-1994) and Northern Area Vice Commander (1996-1997).
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a Veteran’s organization of your choice. Condolences for the family can be left at www.robertsofdunnellon.com.
Join us July 3, 2021 at the Orlando World Center Marriott when “Old School McDaniel” squares off with “New School Comer“. The Main Event will take place following General Session on Saturday, at approximately 2:ishpm. You don’t want to miss this!
Join us July 3, 2021 at the Orlando World Center Marriott when “Old School McDaniel” squares off with “New School Comer“. The Main Event will take place following General Session on Saturday, at approximately 2:ishpm. You don’t want to miss this!
Join us July 3, 2021 at the Orlando World Center Marriott when “Old School McDaniel” squares off with “New School Comer“. The Main Event will take place following General Session on Saturday, at approximately 2:ishpm. You don’t want to miss this!
Join us July 3, 2021 at the Orlando World Center Marriott when “Old School McDaniel” squares off with “New School Comer“. The Main Event will take place following General Session on Saturday, at approximately 2:ishpm. You don’t want to miss this!
The American Legion, Department of Florida is pleased to announce “THE MAIN EVENT” to be held at Department Convention, Orlando World Center Marriott on Saturday, July 3, 2021, following General Session in Crystal H.
“Old School McDaniel” will square off in an epic boxing match with “New School Comer“. These men have something to prove, and they’ll battle it out for your viewing pleasure!
McDaniel taunts, “Comer is going down!” Confident Comer answers, “Bring it on old man!”
McDaniel, weighing in at an undisclosed weight, will be coached by his loving wife Cathy. McDaniel has already began preparing for this challenge… by shopping for the appropriate attire and looking up moves on YouTube.
Comer, also weighing in at an undisclosed weight, will be coached by his loving wife Cyndi. Comer says he doesn’t need to prepare for this challenge, because “McDaniel is old and decrepit and would never stand a chance against his youthful prowess”.
Stay tuned to our Facebook page to see how this fight builds up over the coming days, as these fighters prepare for a real smack down.
On Thursday, July 1, 2021, the fighters will have their one and only public interview during the Legion Family Kick-Off and Bittersweet Retirement Event to be held in Crystal J1..
We ask you… which of these do you think will reign supreme?
Place your wagers now atfloridalegion.org/mainevent…but what we really mean is make a donation to who you think will win. All donations will be split evenly between the Commander’s Charities, PROJECT: VetRelief and COTA.
Be there or not, but you’d really be missing out!
DISCLAIMER: Match is for entertainment purposes only. No one will be actually hurt in this mockery.
Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance observed the last Monday of May each year, honoring members of the United States Armed Forces who died while in service of the United States of America. This year Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 31. In accordance with the U.S. Flag Code [U.S.C. Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7(m)], on Memorial Day the flag of the United States is to be displayed at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff.
