LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
Weekly Reports for May 22, 2025
Weekly Reports for May 22, 2025
Governor DeSantis Signs 2025 Memorial Day Proclamation
Governor Ron DeSantis has signed Florida’s 2025 Memorial Day Proclamation, honoring the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. In accordance with the proclamation, the United States and Florida flags will be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon on Monday, May 26.
This year marks the 157th Anniversary of Memorial Day, a time not only to remember our fallen heroes but also to honor Gold Star Families. The Honor and Remember Flag will be displayed to symbolize Florida’s deep respect and gratitude for those who have lost a loved one in military service.
Let us come together to reflect, remember, and give thanks.
Gatlinburg, Tenn., Student Wins American Legion Oratoricals
Earns $25K Scholarship, National Championship
HILLSDALE. Mich. (May 18, 2025) – A high school senior from Gatlinburg, Tenn., capped a busy weekend of competition by earning a $25,000 college scholarship and first place in The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program – “A Constitutional Speech Contest.” Gina Raj Harjani’s winning prepared oration was titled “The Constitution in the Digital Age.”
Harjani started the weekend as one of 50 state or department champions in the 86th annual contest. She advanced to the championship through three rounds of intense competition. She was sponsored by American Legion Post 202 in Gatlinburg.
Mary Payton Crosby, a home-schooled junior from Burlington, Wash., earned a $22,500 college scholarship with a second-place finish, while Elena May Andrews, a 12th grader from Beresford, S.D., earned $20,000 and third place in the competition. The scholarships account for a small portion of post-secondary scholarships that The American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans organization, awards annually.
In her prepared oration, Harjani said that while social media postings are protected by the Constitution, “opaque algorithms” decide which voices get heard.
“The founders may not have foreseen the Internet, but they understood a universal truth: threats to liberty remain constant, even as their forms evolve,” she said. “Our U.S. Constitution is not an artifact of history. It is a living, breathing document that guides us through current challenges.”
In each round of the weekend competition, orators delivered a rehearsed 8- to 10-minute address and a randomly assigned 3- to 5-minute oration on a constitutional topic, each without the benefit of notes and in front of a live audience, including the judges. The 1.5-million-member American Legion developed the contest to encourage young people to improve their communications skills and to study the U.S. Constitution. The American Legion awarded more than $8 million in youth scholarships at the post, state and national levels in 2024.
Weekly Reports for May 15, 2025
Weekly Reports for May 8, 2025
Your Support Needed: Help Secure Florida Legion Budget Priorities
The 2025 Florida Legislative Session has been extended to finalize the state budget—and your voice is urgently needed to protect critical funding for two of our top American Legion programs.
These initiatives are vital to the continued success of our mission, and with your help, we can ensure they receive the support they deserve.
Please review the flyers below for detailed program information and take just a few moments today to call or email the key decision-makers listed below. Your outreach could make all the difference in the final budget outcome.
Priority #1: Florida American Legion Boys State
Funding Request: $200,000 in Non-Recurring Funding (Higher Education Budget)
- House Request Form: 2132 – Rep. Michelle Salzman
- Senate Project: 1475 – Sen. Jay Collins
- Status: Fully funded in the House; not included in the Senate
Take Action:
-
Call Senator Gayle Harrell (Senate Higher Ed Chair)
(772) 221-4019 or (850) 487-5031
➤ Urge her to include full funding for Boys State. -
Call Representative Demi Busatta Cabrera (House Higher Ed Chair)
(305) 442-6808 or (850) 717-5114
➤ Thank her for the House support and encourage her to defend it in negotiations.
Priority #2: National Convention Transportation
Funding Request: $250,000 in Non-Recurring Funding
- House Request Form: 1794 – Rep. Michelle Salzman
- Senate Project: 1475 – Sen. Jay Collins
- Status: Partially funded ($125,000) in the House; not included in the Senate
Take Action:
-
Call Senator Nick DiCeglie (Transportation Budget Chair)
(727) 563-1910 or (850) 487-5018
➤ Urge full funding for convention transportation. -
Call Representative Jason Shoaf (House Transportation Budget Chair)
(850) 295-5680 or (850) 717-5007
➤ Thank him for the House funding and ask for full support in negotiations.
Tips for Your Outreach
- Introduce yourself and your connection to the Legion or local community.
- Clearly state the program and your request.
- Share why the program is meaningful to you.
- Be respectful, appreciative, and persistent.
Your calls and emails can tip the scale. This is our moment to ensure Florida’s veterans, youth, and Legion family are fully supported. Let’s make our voices heard!
Resources
Weekly Reports for May 1, 2025
Weekly Reports for April 24, 2025
Weekly Reports for April 17, 2025
Weekly Reports for April 10, 2025
Weekly Reports for April 3, 2025
Legion Members Prepare for Capitol Visit in Tallahassee – April 2, 2025
Members of the Legion will be heading to Tallahassee on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, for an important visit to the Capitol. This annual event provides a key opportunity for members to meet with lawmakers and advocate for legislative issues impacting Veterans and American Legion business.
If you plan on attending, please notify Stuart Scott as soon as possible. Team assignments will be coordinated in advance to ensure a smooth and effective visit.
Attire for the day is business dress.
In addition to the Capitol meetings, the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA) is hosting a Meet-n-Greet with Military Legislators on the evening before:
- Tuesday, April 1, 2025
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
22nd Floor, Capitol Building
Business Casual Attire
We encourage all members attending the Capitol visit to also join this valuable networking opportunity.
Together, we can continue to be a strong voice for our Veterans and make this another successful and impactful visit.
For questions or to confirm your attendance, please contact Stuart Scott directly.
Support Needed for Florida Legion Budget Priorities
We’re asking for your help in securing critical funding for key Florida American Legion programs in the 2025 state budget. These initiatives are essential to our mission, and your support is vital in advocating for their continued funding.
Please refer to the attached flyers for more details on the two programs outlined below. We kindly ask you to take a few moments to email or call the elected officials listed and express your support for these important budget priorities:
- Florida American Legion Boys State
- Request: $200,000 in non-recurring funding within the Higher Education Budget
- House Request Form 2132 (Rep. Salzman)
- Senate Project 1475 (Sen. Collins)
- Current Status: Fully funded in the House budget, not included in the Senate budget.
- Action Needed:
- Contact Senator Gayle Harrell, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Budget Committee, at 850-487-5031, and urge full funding.
- Contact Representative Demi Busatta Cabrera, Chair of the House Higher Education Budget Committee, at 850-717-5114, to thank her for including this funding and ask her to protect it during negotiations.
- American Legion National Convention Transportation
- Request: $250,000 in non-recurring funding
- House Request Form 1794 (Rep. Salzman)
- Senate Project 1475 (Sen. Collins)
- Current Status: Funded at $125,000 in the House budget; not included in the Senate budget.
- Action Needed:
- Contact Senator Nick DiCeglie, Chair of the Transportation Budget Committee, at 850-487-5018, and urge full funding.
- Contact Representative Jason Shoaf, Chair of the House Transportation Budget Committee, at 850-717-5007, to thank him for the included funding and request that he advocate for full support during negotiations.
Why Your Calls Matter
Your voice can make a real difference. When contacting officials, be respectful and to the point. Introduce yourself and your connection to the American Legion or your local community. Clearly state which program you’re supporting and why it matters to you. End by thanking them for their service and consideration.
Advocacy works best when it’s personal, thoughtful, and persistent. Your engagement can help ensure these vital programs receive the funding they need.
Weekly Reports for March 27, 2025
Weekly Reports for March 20, 2025
Weekly Reports for March 13, 2025
The American Legion seeks entries for Fourth Estate Awards in media
INDIANAPOLIS (January 9, 2025) – 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, 2025.
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 Tampa. The presentation will occur at approximately 9 am on August 28, 2025 at the Tampa Convention Center.
An entry form with contest rules can be found at https://www.legion.org/information-center/the-fourth-estate-award. 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 2024.
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.
Angelo “Skip” G. Felicita, Jr.
With deep sorrow, we share the passing of Past Southwestern Area Commander Angelo “Skip” G. Felicita, Jr. of North Port, Florida. Skip passed away on March 6, 2025, at the age of 72. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda Felicita, his son, Angelo Felicita III, and his daughters, Stacey Stanley and Lauren Strickland.
Details regarding services are not yet available. Updates on arrangements will be shared via email and on the Department’s website.
Skip was a U.S. Marine veteran who served during the Vietnam War Era and was a dedicated member of Rotonda West Post 113. Throughout his 26 years of continuous membership with The American Legion, he held numerous leadership positions, including Post Commander from 2017 to 2018, Post 1st Vice Commander from 2023 to 2024, Post Adjutant since 2020, 8th District Commander from 2019 to 2022, and Southwestern Area Commander from 2022 to 2023.
If you wish to extend your condolences, you may do so through his wife, Rhonda Felicita, at 6931 Willow Creek Cir. Apt. 105, North Port, FL 34287.
Please keep Skip’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Florida Capitol Hill Visitation (March on Tallahassee)
If you are interested in the Legislative Process and want to visit with your Legislator in Tallahassee, FL, during the Legislative Session, please plan on attending our Capitol Hill Day on April 2, 2025. This is ALSO, Military Day at the Capitol. More information to follow as details get closer.