In an effort to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, our staff is currently working remotely, but we are still here for you! When you call Department Headquarters, please choose the individual or department you would like to talk to from the directory. If you do not receive, an immediate answer, please leave a message. The staff member will return your call as quickly as possible. For even faster service, you can email us.
Please note, the Department Headquarters will not be accepting any visitors during this time.
We hope to make this as painless as possible for our members, while ensuring the safety and health of our staff.
Receptionist, general inquiries, all Florida Emblem Sales questions
Service Officers: Accredited American Legion service officers are specially trained to provide expert assistance, free of charge, to veterans and their families.
The president of the United States has issued a proclamation for display of the United States flag at half-staff until sunset on August 30, 2021, as a mark of respect for the U.S. servicemembers and other victims killed in the terrorist attack on August 26, 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan.
PHOENIX (August 26, 2021) – James W. “Bill” Oxford, national commander of The American Legion, issued the following statement about today’s terrorist attacks in Afghanistan:
“As an organization of wartime veterans, The American Legion profoundly feels sorrow for the needless loss of life that occurred today. The United States has been blessed by the caliber of the men and women who served there. While we fully support their service, we recognize that nation-building is not the role for the U.S. military. It is time for us to leave and to evacuate all Americans, allies and their families as safely and efficiently as we can. We also support any efforts to strike back hard against those who committed these ruthless acts.”
(Please note speakers, times and events on this agenda are subject to change without notice)
Thursday, August 26
2:45 pm – Legacy Run Arrival / Closing Ceremony. American Legion Post 58, 16837 E. Parkview Ave., Fountain Hills, Ariz., 85268.
Hundreds of American Legion Riders arrive ending a 5-day scenic ride that began in Rogers, Ark., on Aug. 22. The American Legion Riders raised funds for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund.
Friday, August 27, 2021
9-11 am – Media Availability, National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford, By appointment only, 15-minute slots, email kchrisman@legion.org or call (317) 630-1298.
1 pm – TBI/PTSD/Suicide Prevention Task Committee, Phoenix Convention Center, North Bldg., Rm. 225, 100 Level.
Saturday, August 28, 2021
8:30 am – Veterans Employment & Education Commission. Issues pertaining to Veterans
Preference, veterans education, homelessness and benefits. Sheraton Valley of the
Sun Ballroom, C, Second Level.
8:30 am – Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission. Issues pertaining to health
administration, national cemeteries and veterans benefits. Phoenix Convention Ctr., South Bldg, Ballroom.
9 am – National Security Commission, Issues pertaining to POW/MIA, foreign relations, law & order, homeland security, aerospace, conventional armed forces, military benefits & quality of life, National Guard & Reserve, unconventional forces & intelligence. Phoenix Convention Center, South Bldg., Exhibit Hall F.
Sunday, Aug. 25
9 am – Veterans Employment & Education Commission. Issues pertaining to Veterans
Preference, veterans education, homelessness and benefits. Sheraton, Encanto, Second Level.
9 am – Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission. Issues pertaining to health
administration, national cemeteries and veterans benefits. Phoenix Convention Ctr., South Bldg, Ballroom.
9 am – National Security Commission, Issues pertaining to POW/MIA, foreign relations, law & order, homeland security, aerospace, conventional armed forces, military benefits & quality of life, National Guard & Reserve, unconventional forces & intelligence. Phoenix Convention Center, South Bldg., Exhibit Hall F.
11 a.m. – Patriotic Memorial Service, Phoenix Convention Ctr., North Bldg., Exhibition Hall, A-E, 300 Level.
General Sessions: – Phoenix Convention Center, North Building, Exhibit Hall A-E, 300 Level
Tuesday, Aug. 31
8:30 a.m. – Call to Order / Opening Ceremony
James W. Oxford (NC)
National Commander
National Anthem
Craig Morgan
Country Music Artist and Army Veteran
10:05 a.m. – Address
Bruce Crandall
Medal of Honor recipient
10:25 a.m. – Address Larry P. Arnn, President
Hillsdale College
10:40 a.m. – Chip Ganassi Racing – Fireside Chat featuring Chip Ganassi, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Kanaan.
11:15 a.m. – Address
The Honorable Denis McDonough
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
11:35 a.m. – Distinguished Service Medal
To: Diane Carlson Evans, Veterans Advocate and Founder,
Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation
12:30m. – Presentation The American Legion Riders present American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund donations to National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford.
2:10 p.m. – National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford’s Report to Convention
Wednesday, Sept. 1
9 a.m. 2021 – National Law Enforcement Officer of Year Presentation
To: Daniel Martin
Omaha, Neb. Police Department
2021 National Firefighter of Year
To: Robert Nagle ,Gallitzin, PA. Fire Department
10:10 a.m. – Address
Matt Wetenkamp,
Veteran Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment
11:30 a.m. – Address
Terry Hamby, Chairman
WWI Centennial Commission
12:30 p.m. – Philip Onderdonk Religious Liberty Award
Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO
First Liberty Institute
12:45 p.m. – Address
The Honorable Mark Takano, Chairman
House Committee on Veterans Affairs
Thursday, Sept. 2
8:35 a.m. – The American Legion Fourth Estate Award Presentations
9:10 a.m. – Address
The Honorable Mark Kelly
United States Senate
WASHINGTON (August 16, 2021) – James W. “Bill” Oxford, national commander of The American Legion, calls “the collapse of the Afghanistan government a sad event for humanity. The fall of Afghanistan in no way denigrates the honorable service of the men and women who served, bled, and died there.”
PALM BAY, FL-American Legion Posts 117 and 394 along with the Palm Bay Police have selected Officer Tasha Gray to receive a new Patrol Vehicle Honoring Veterans. Officer Gray born in Canada moved to South Florida with her parents at age 12. At age 17, she joined the US Army where she served from 1994 to 2002. During her service Officer Gray was selected as one of the Army’s only Fifteen Flight Stewards. She received several service awards including the Army Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. After separating from the Army Officer Gray received her Florida Law Enforcement Certification and was later hired by the Palm Bay Police Department. She continues serving her community, state and nation assigned to the Hostage Negotiations Team, Secret Service Task Force. Officer Gray is a Corporal in the Uniformed Service Division responsible for the supervision, training, and mentorship on her shift.
The Vehicle Displays the American Flag with the Military Logos of the six branches of service, Dog Tags, Veteran’s affairs logo. On the hood is the Logos of the American Legion Family. The Rear sports the American Legion Department of Florida Logo and A Thank You to all Veterans for their service.
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!
