LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
Weekly Reports – May 7, 2020
Weekly Reports – April 30, 2020
Weekly Reports – April 23, 2020
Charles “Chuck” Weinberg
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of Past 13th District Commander, Charles “Chuck” Weinberg, of Port Charlotte, Florida on Monday, April 20, 2020 at the age of 72. 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.
Chuck was a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War Era Veteran and a member of Port Charlotte Post 110 with 11 continuous years of membership. Chuck served as Post Commander (2012-2013) and District Commander (2016-2017).
Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers in their time of grief. If you would like to send your condolences you may do so through his significant other, June Habor, at 3146 Lockwood St., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.
Weekly Reports – April 16, 2020
Department Convention Cancelled
Dear Legionnaires,
In this time of uncertainty it is with a heavy heart, that we announce the 2020 Department of Florida Convention has been cancelled.
Your Department Adjutant in conjunction with the DEC are working on other necessary details, such as; room cancellation procedures, elections and legion business, etc. More information will be provided as it is decided.
In accordance with Article 2 entitled – DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, Section 8 of the BY-LAWS of The American Legion Department of Florida, an email was sent to the Department Executive Committee on April 8, 2020, to vote on the motion to cancel the Department of Florida 2020 Convention to be held at the Marriott World Center, June 23-25, 2020. The motion was approved by majority vote.
We regret any inconveniences this may cause our members, but your safety and good health is our number one priority. Again, we will provide complete details in the coming days.
Sincerely,
William “Rick” Johnson
Department Commander
More information coming soon, please check back in a few days.
Does your Post have questions about the Stimulus Bill?
Any Post having questions about the stimulus and how it may help with your Post financial status should direct those questions to your accountant or banking institution (it does not have to be one of the banks named in the stimulus package) or you can reach out to one that was mentioned. They will provide information and assistance in applying for any monies of which your post may be entitled. We recommend you do not delay in filing.
Weekly Reports – April 9, 2020
Health emergency forces cancellation of American Legion National Convention
The American Legion ~ The American Legion’s 102nd National Convention, originally scheduled for Louisville, Ky., Aug. 28 – Sept. 3, 2020, is canceled due to public-health concerns, ongoing restrictions and uncertainties related to the global coronavirus-COVID-19 pandemic.
“The safety of our members and compliance with state and federal public-health restrictions and guidelines made this decision not only prudent but necessary,” American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford said. “The Commonwealth of Kentucky has taken emergency actions to prevent the spread of infections and to follow federal guidance that restrict public gatherings and urge social distancing. No one can say with any certainty when these measures will be lifted or in what manner.”
The American Legion National Executive Committee approved a resolution Wednesday, April 8, by email to cancel the annual convention of wartime veterans and their families for the first time in history. The 2020 Sons of The American Legion National Convention is also canceled.
“Local American Legion services – such as Buddy Checks, blood drives, meal delivery and volunteer assistance – remain the top priority of the organization as we navigate these challenging waters,” Oxford said. “Community efforts are now under way throughout the country and around the world, while many American Legion state and foreign departments are canceling or postponing their conventions and elections to protect public health in the midst of this pandemic. Normally, national convention delegates are appointed during department conventions. This year is anything but normal.”
The 102nd National Convention is now scheduled for Aug. 27 – Sept. 2, 2021, in Phoenix. Terms of currently serving national officers, including National Commander Oxford, are extended until then, according to the resolution. Nationally appointed American Legion commission and committee chairpersons will also remain in their positions until the Fall 2021 meeting of the National Executive Committee.
The convention cancellation and extension of national officer terms are within the authority of the National Executive Committee, according to The American Legion’s constitution and bylaws.
Also Wednesday, the NEC selected Louisville as the site of the 2026 American Legion National Convention, the first available date.
Post Elections
It is uncertain when we will be able to resume normal business. Therefore, posts should be researching alternative ways to hold Post elections.
Many Posts have not incorporated crisis situations into their Constitution and By-Laws, and may be required to suspend their Constitution and By-Laws for purposes of holding elections.
Your Department Judge Advocate and Assistant Judge Advocates are working on a standardized method for conducting elections, which they will send out soon.
Baseball and Youth Law Cadet Programs Cancelled for 2020
Due to the ongoing and continual changes in State and Federal recommendations and orders concerning the COVID-19 virus, I must announce that the Florida American Legion Baseball program and Youth Law Cadet Program have been cancelled for the year. This has been done for the health and safety of the Legionnaires, program participants, and the families and communities involved with the programs.
I know it can be life changing for the young men and women who participate in these great Americanism programs, but this decision has been made with their futures in mind and it would be a risk to that future should we allow the programs to continue.
We want all the Posts to concentrate getting their homes back in order and the cost, and time to bring everything back will be very costly and time consuming once we get through these rough times.
If you would like to have fun while you are at home, there are games online that will give you a blast of fun, we recommend you to try these out since you will have the opportunity to win incredible prizes.
Thank you for all you have done for the Florida American Legion Baseball program and Youth Law Cadet Program. Thank you doubly for what you are doing now in these uncertain times. Our goal, as always, is to take care of Florida veterans and the communities we live in, and we will get through this together, as a family.
For God and Country,
William “Rick” Johnson
Department Commander
Weekly Reports – April 2, 2020
Virtual Rise and Shine Challenge
During this period of social distancing, America’s heroes – our Veterans – are at risk. We will lose more than 1,000 Veterans to suicide during this quarantine… and that number can be much higher as Veterans young and old have lost access to the activities that keep them going.
The Virtual Rise and Shine Challenge is a great way to show support for at-risk Veterans who are feeling disconnected or discouraged.
On April 11, we ask that you RISE, SHINE, and SHARE and show your support for those heroes who gave so much to keep us safe. They need to know they are NEVER alone.
Rise. Get up on April 11 and choose the right workout for you. Walk, run, bike, hike, lift, or just knockout some pushups and jumping jacks. Do whatever you can to keep yourself healthy.
Shine. Show off your workout and leave a video, picture or note with your workout so we can show our Veterans that you’re thinking of them and that they aren’t alone.
Share. Ask others to join the challenge. This is easy to do and will bring smiles to so many during this difficult time.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
March, 26, 2020
Members of The American Legion, Sons of the American Legion, The American Legion Riders & The American Legion Auxiliary,
At this time no one can predict where the current Covid-19 crisis is going or how long we will be in this government mandated quarantine situation. We do know that short term our Posts, Squadrons, Chapters and Units will remain closed for all activities, except take-out food.
All Post, Squadron, Chapter and Unit Meetings, Celebrations of Life, ALL SCHEDULED EVENTS, and anything else scheduled except maintenance by a group not larger than 10 at a Post Home are cancelled until further notice.
We realize each Post, Squadron, Chapter or Unit has their own guiding documents that require elections at specific times. These guiding documents in all cases are superseded by State Law so elections will have to wait, except in the case of The American Legion Auxiliary who have already have set a procedure in place for dealing with this crisis. For Post, Squadrons and Chapters that have held nominations, the actual elections can wait. Those Posts, Squadrons and Chapters that haven’t started nominations, at this time do not worry about it. You will get some direction once we have some idea of when things can return to normal.
As to the District Constitutional Conferences (DCC’s), at best the schedule is now very tentative. Again, you will get some direction once we have some idea of when things can return to normal.
The American Legion
- Headquarters will remain closed. Calls are being directed to voicemail and employees are answering voicemails and emails. If you have a pressing situation please contact either the Department Adjutant Mike McDaniel or the Assistant Department Adjutant Bruce Comer.
- All Post Commanders and Post Adjutants are advised to get the National Consolidated Post Reports (CPR) and Department Addendum completed online or and mailed into Department Headquarters.
- Also, please submit any members paperwork that are eligible for awards.
The Sons of The American Legion
- All Squadron Commanders and Adjutants need to focus on the Squadron Officer Report Form, Detachment Consolidated Report Form, and the SAL National Consolidated Report Form.
- The Squadron Officer Report form and the Detachment Consolidated Report forms are available on the Detachment website www.floridasons.org Follow the mailing and due date instructions on these reports.
- The National Consolidated Report can be found on the National website www.SonsoftheAmericanLegion.org
The American Legion Riders
- ALR Directors, please forward your chapter’s year end totals of hours, and cash donations to your Post Commanders.
- Directors, please also advise your Post Commander the number of Legionnaires, Sons and Auxiliary members that make up your Chapter.
The American Legion Auxiliary
- The American Legion Auxiliary has already notified their units of their required reports and due dates.
During these uncertain times we have to now, more than ever be concerned and focused on our Mission and giving as we know that many of our fellow Veterans, their families and members of our local communities are in need of our help. We all want to make sure that all monies that our collective groups raise through all of our various channels within The Department of Florida ONLY BENEFITS our Veterans and their families and OUR communities IN FLORIDA. You have OUR pledge that all monies we raise will only be used to benefit our Veterans, their families and in OUR communities.
For God and Country,
William “Rick” Johnson
Commander
The American Legion
Department of Florida
James “Jim” Wineland
Chair American Legion Riders
The American Legion
Department of Florida
Thomas V. Klinger
Commander
Sons of The American Legion
Detachment of Florida
Ann-King Smith
President
The American Legion Auxiliary
Department of Florida
Weekly Reports – March 26, 2020
COVID-19 Project Relief Fund to Help Florida Veterans
Tallahassee, FL – The Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, is impacting many Floridians as well as Florida’s veterans, active duty military members and their families. As many sdvosb businesses and organizations are being forced to close their doors, our veterans are unable to work and provide an income to support their families.
The Florida Veterans Foundation has teamed up with the American Legion of Florida to create the COVID-19 Project Vet Relief Fund. This will help with emergency assistance for those veterans who are affected by this pandemic around the state of Florida with the help of educational assistance for military personnel to help those who desire to continue their education.
“It is anticipated that we will receive a substantial increase in the number of applications requesting assistance over the next few months, says Lew Wilson, President of the Florida Veterans Foundation, and we are committed to do what we can to support our veterans, but resources are limited.”
By combining the efforts and resources of both organizations, this project will help to raise the funds needed from corporations and individuals and equip them to support the expected demand of the veteran community.
Veterans in need of assistance will find the application form, requirements and guidelines listed on the website at www.HelpFLVets.org. Due to limited personnel access, they are not taking phone calls and will accept online/email applications only.
How You Can Help. Funds need to be raised to accommodate the increased needs of our veteran community, so please donate so that together we can assist all those who need our support. Visit www.HelpFLVets.org to donate and learn more.
The Florida Veterans Foundation is a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit public charity formed by the Florida Legislature in 2008 and is the direct services organization for the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. They are located at The Capitol, Suite 2107, 400 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001.
COVID-19 Update – National Headquarters
Due to the uncertainty of when our nation will overcome the COVID-19 virus, and because we want to ensure that a minimum number of people are infected, we have taken the following steps to limit exposure of Legionnaires, program participants, and the national headquarters staff:
- The National Oratorical Finals scheduled to be in Indianapolis near the end of April have been cancelled.
- The Spring Meetings have been canceled.
- The Junior Shooting Sports competition scheduled for July has been cancelled.
- Boys Nation, also scheduled for July, has been cancelled.
We advise departments to consider similar measures. Right now, it is too soon to predict the effect that the virus will have on the American Legion World Series or the national convention, but those decisions will be made within the next couple of months.
In the meantime, your national headquarters continues to function – some employees are in the offices, many others working remotely from home. You should still be able to reach the vast majority of us via email or phone. If you need assistance with something and cannot reach the person responsible in a timely manner, please let my assistant Mary Rooney know (contact information below), and she will work at getting an answer for you.
Weekly Reports – March 19, 2020
Children & Youth Events Cancelled
We regret to announce that the Children & Youth Picnic and Golf Tournament have been cancelled due to safety precautions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, we still need your support. Please donate to support the program.
State of Florida (Emergency Management – COVID-19)
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 20-68
(Emergency Management – COVID-19)
WHEREAS, Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory illness that can spread among humans through respiratory transmission and presents with
symptoms similar to those of influenza; and
WHEREAS, on March I, 2020, I issued Executive Order number 20-51 directing the Florida Department of Health to issue a Public Health Emergency; and
WHEREAS, on March I, 2020, the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer
declared a Public Health Emergency exists in the State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-52 declaring a state of emergency for the entire State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, President Donald J. Trump and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) issued the 15 Days to Slow the Spread guidance advising individuals to adopt far-reaching social distancing measures, such as working from home and avoiding gatherings of more than IO people; and
WHEREAS, as Governor, I am responsible for meeting the dangers presented to this state and its people by this emergency.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section (I )(a) of the Florida Constitution, Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order to take immediate effect:
Section 1. Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs
A. Pursuant to sections 252.36(5)(g)-(h), Florida Statutes, any licensee authorized to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises that derive more than 50% of its gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages shall suspend all sale of alcoholic beverages for thirty days from the date of this order, effective at 5 p.m. today, March 17, 2020.
B. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation shall utilize its authorities under Florida law to further implement and enforce the provisions of this Section and shall take additional measures with respect to bars, pubs and nightclubs as necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
Section 2. Beaches
Pursuant to section 252.36(5)(k), Florida Statutes, I direct parties accessing public beaches
in the State of Florida to follow the CDC guidance by limiting theirs gatherings to no more than O persons, distance themselves from other parties by 6 feet, and support beach closures at the discretion of local authorities.
Section 3. Restaurants
A. Pursuant to section 252.36(5)(g), Florida Statutes, a restaurant shall immediately limit its occupancy to 50% of its current building occupancy.
B. Pursuant to section 252.36(5)(g), Florida Statutes, a restaurant shall follow the CDC guidance by ensuring, at minimum, a 6-foot distance between any group of patrons and limiting parties to no more than IO individuals.
C. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation shall ensure all restaurants implement employee screening and prohibit any employee from entering the restaurant premises if they meet any of the criteria listed below:
I)Any person infected with COVID-19 who has not had two consecutive negative test results separated by 24 hours;
2)Any person showing, presenting signs or symptoms of, or disclosing the presence of a respiratory infection, including cough, fever, shortness of breath or sore throat;
3)Any person who has been in contact with any person(s) known to be infected with COVID-19, who has not yet tested negative for COVID-19 within the past 14 days;
4) Any person who traveled through any airport within the past 14 days; or
5) Any person who traveled on a cruise ship within the past 14 days.
D.The Department of Business and Professional Regulation shall utilize its authorities under Florida law to further implement and enforce the provisions of this Section and shall take additional measures with respect to bars, pubs and nightclubs as necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
For purposes of this section, “restaurant” shall include any Food Service Establishment, licensed under Chapter 500, Florida Statutes, and Public Food Service Establishment, licensed under Chapter 509, Florida Statutes.
Section 4. This Executive Order shall expire thirty days from this date unless extended.