LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
Weekly Reports – June 6, 2019
Weekly Reports – May 31, 2019
Weekly Reports – May 23, 2019
PROJECT: VetRelief Collecting Donations for Deland Veteran
PROJECT: VetRelief, a program of The American Legion, Department of Florida, is collecting donations to aid the 82-year-old U.S. Coast Guard veteran, from Deland, FL, who captured headlines after falling victim to a scam. For complete details, please read the story below.
PROJECT: VetRelief is proud to work with the Deland Police Department in an effort to aid this veteran. All donations will go directly to the veteran. PROJECT: VetRelief is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Two Arrested in Exploitation of Deland Veteran
(DeLand, FL) – Two people have been arrested in a scam to steal money from a DeLand veteran.
On May 8, DeLand Police officers were contacted by the Veterans Crisis Center in reference to an elderly man advising that he wanted to kill himself because he had no money left in his bank account.
When police arrived they made contact with the 82-year-old U.S. Coast Guard veteran, who was still on the phone with the Crisis Center. After speaking with the victim and gathering the facts, it was determined that Jessica Henry, 31, and Gregory Dushan, 28, knowingly obtained funds – more than $50,000 – and property from the victim.
According to the investigation, the victim told detectives that he had met Henry about three years ago and gave her money to feed her kids and for transportation to take them to school.
Then six months ago, Henry contacted the victim and told him she had been arrested and needed money to pay for a urine test administered by her probation officer. A male, later identified as Dushan, then got on the phone and demanded money for probation costs. The victim said Dushan would call him daily and demand sums of money from $150 to $1,000, threatened the victim with jail time if the victim did not pay and also threatened to seize the victim’s vehicle. Eventually, the victim gave Henry his vehicle so it would not get seized again. It has since been recovered.
Both suspects in this case intentionally coerced and deliberately deceived the victim causing him to deplete his bank account to support their drug habit, according the investigation. The victim was then notified by the bank that his account had a negative balance, which prompted him to want to kill himself because he felt this was his only solution.
The investigation revealed that Dushan and Henry spent more than $500 per day of money they stole from the victim to support their drug use.
As a result of the investigation, DeLand Police arrested and charged Henry and Dushan with exploitation of an elderly person between the amounts of $20,000 and $100,000. Dushan faces an additional charge of impersonating a correction/probation officer.
Additionally, the victim advised detectives that he received death threats prior to the Dushan’s arrest Wednesday advising that he needed to drop the charges on Henry or he would be killed in a half-hour. Police are still looking into the threats made against the victim at this time and more charges could be filed.
Both subjects were transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail where they remain in custody.
Date: 05/15/2019
Media Contact: Chris Graham
386-626-7117
grahamc@deland.org
Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://volusia.crimewatchfl.com/delandpd/42614/post/two-arrested-exploitation-deland-veteran
S.21 and H.R. 367, the “Pay Our Coast Guard Act”
Contact your Senators and Representative today
The American Legion must continue to serve as a powerful voice for veterans. Our voice in our nation’s capital is only as strong as our membership allows us to be. The American Legion’s Legionnaires, Auxiliary members, and Sons of The American Legion are the heart and soul of our organization.
Today, we need your help in contacting your members of the Senate and House of Representatives. Please use the prepared message or your own letter to ask them to cosponsor and pass S.21 and H.R. 367, respectively. Your member needs to encourage congressional leadership to bring the Pay Our Coast Guard Act to the floor for a vote, and to promise to vote for this legislation, to ensure our members of the Coast Guard do not go without pay ever again.
Members of the US Coast Guard should never find their pay jeopardized because of partisan unrest in Washington D.C. There is a constant and real threat, because of any government shutdown, that without the action of Congress, the Coast Guard may not be able to pay their members. With the current political climate, we need Congress to take immediate bipartisan action. A select number of members of Congress have come together in bipartisan fashion to introduce S.21 and H.R. 367, the Pay Our Coast Guard Act, in this 116th Congress.
Earlier this year, the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history came to an end, stopping what had been more than a three-week gap since more than 41,000 active-duty members of the U.S. Coast Guard had been paid. The American Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) program was able to provide more than $1 million in non-repayable grants to approximately 1,713 Coast Guard families with 3,170 children.
TFA grants, like the ones distributed to Coast Guard families affected by the shutdown, are made possible through donations to The American Legion Veterans and Children Foundation at www.legion.org/donate. The foundation supports veterans and military families in need, as well as American Legion service officers who provide free VA benefits and health care assistance to veterans.
Contact your Senator and Representative today to tell them to pay the Coast Guard!
“The brave members of our Coast Guard risk their lives defending us daily, just like their sister services in the Department of Defense…. Whether they are performing rescues during a hurricane or stopping drug traffickers at sea, members of the Coast Guard regularly perform heroic and lifesaving tasks on our behalf. They should not have to worry about bills and living expenses just because Congress and the White House cannot agree on a budget.” – Brett P. Reistad, National Commander
Legion Announces Recipients of 4th Estate Journalism Awards
INDIANAPOLIS (May 17, 2019) – A San Francisco Bay-area television news station, a community newspaper and an influential online media outlet will receive The American Legion’s Fourth Estate Award during the 101st National Convention of the nation’s largest veterans organization in Indianapolis, on August 29.
The Fourth Estate Award has been presented annually by The American Legion since 1958 for outstanding achievement in the field of journalism. Nominations in 2019 were considered in three categories: broadcast, print and new media (Internet). They were selected by the organization’s Media & Communications Commission on May 6 and announced today.
Taking top honor in the broadcast category is San Francisco NBC-affiliate KNTV. In a comprehensive series titled “Failure to Report: Sex Abuse Victims Silenced,” the stationed examined allegations of sexual abuse made by student of a private high school in San Jose. As a result of the station’s reporting, the school revised its policies on the handling of abuse accusations, two teachers were put on administrative leave and the school’s president resigned.
The Republican of Springfield, Mass., is being recognized in the print category for its profile of World War II Army Nurse Corps veteran Louise Fleming. “There is another side of war, a time when beauty appears,” the feature said. The piece, authored by managing editor Cynthia Simison, highlights the distinguished service by Fleming and fulfills The American Legion’s longtime goal of promoting the honorable nature of military service.
The Fourth Estate New Media Award is going to Military.com. Reporter Oriana Pawlyk wrote about an Air Force policy prohibiting its pilots from using the HIV-preventative drug Truvada, despite its approval for use by members of other military branches. Shortly after the report was published, 14 members of Congress signed a letter to the Air Force secretary. The service soon after reversed its policy.
“As a veterans organization, The American Legion cherishes the U.S. Constitution, the First Amendment and the special role that a free press plays in our society,” said Brett. P. Reistad, national commander of The American Legion. “The American Legion would not be nearly as effective without media coverage of our positions and programs on the national and community level. The Fourth Estate Awards represent the best of the best. These award winners are being recognized for outstanding works of journalism that not only stand far above normal media reporting, but have also resulted in outcomes that have positively impacted the lives of people and issues. These committed journalists have devoted long, hard hours into investigating, researching, writing and producing reports that have truly made a difference.
“I will be honored to present each of these deserving recipients with our highest recognition of journalistic accomplishment, The American Legion Fourth Estate Award, at our national convention in Indianapolis this summer,” Reistad said. “They are all credits to their profession.”
Previous winners of the award include CNN, CBS, USA Today, ABC News, C-SPAN, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Life Magazine, among others.
The American Legion was founded by World War I veterans in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through nearly 13,000 posts across the nation.
Weekly Reports – May 16, 2019
Weekly Reports – May 9, 2019
Kirby Stewart American Legion Post 24 held its third 100th Anniversary Pistol Match
(R) 1st Place David Youngclaus, (C) 2nd Place Dan Roberts, (L) 3rd Place Jerry Ham
Bradenton ~ On April 17, 2019 the Kirby Stewart American Legion Post 24 held its third 100th Anniversary Pistol Match at the Shoot Straight Range in Sarasota, FL. Six members participated in this iron sights only match for pistols and revolvers shooting three stages consisting of Slow, Timed and Rapid Fire. The top three shooters received awards at the May 3nd Post Meeting. First Place went to David Youngclaus, 2nd Place to Dan Roberts and 3rd Place to Jerry Ham, Chairman of Pistol Competitions.
Our next competition is open to Legion Family Members and will be held after Memorial Day on May 28th at the Shoot Straight Range in Sarasota. Anyone interested in shooting should contact Jerry Ham at the email address indicated below. We are also interested in friendly low pressure competition shooting against other veterans organizations in the Manatee County area. If interested, please contact us at the email address below.
For God and Country,
Jerry Ham, Chairman Pistol Competitions
Post 24 Bradenton, FL
thecommish1672@verizon.net
Weekly Reports – May 2, 2019
Phil Hearlson
We are sorry to report that Past Department Commander, Phil Hearlson, was admitted into the hospital on Saturday, April 27th. He was admitted after sustaining injuries from a car accident earlier in the week. Phil is currently in ICU. Any new information will be shared through email and on our website.
Please keep Phil in your thoughts and prayers.
Get well wishes can be sent to 14050 SE 53rd Ave., Summerfield, FL 34491-3121.
***UPDATE 5/1/2019*** PDC Phil Hearlson is improving, but will remain in ICU at Advent Hospital of Ocala. Please check back here for any updates.
Get Ready for the 2019 Dept Convention
Are you ready?
The American Legion, Department of Florida is gearing up for its 101ST Annual Statewide Convention to be held June 27-30, 2019 at the World Center Marriott, Orlando, FL.
We hope that you will be joining us this year for this four-day event of learning, comradery, and fun. Here are a few things to help you get prepared:
VENUE
The main venue, the World Center Marriott, is now completely sold out. We hope you have already made your reservations, but if not, we do have two overflow hotels very close to the main venue:
The Caribe Royale Orlando is offering their standard rooms for $139 plus tax, per night and villas for $314 plus tax, per night. To book now, call (888) 258-7501, and be sure to ask for The American Legion, Department of Florida room block. A mandatory $12.50 resort fee per night is also required. All reservations require a non-refundable first night room and tax deposit, which MUST be paid by credit card.
Buena Vista Suites is offering their standard rooms for $129 plus tax, per night and villas for $304 plus tax, per night. To book now, call (800) 537-7737, and be sure to ask for The American Legion, Department of Florida room block. A mandatory $14.95 resort fee per night is also required. All reservations require a non-refundable first night room and tax deposit, which MUST be paid by credit card.
Click here for more information, including parking information.
AGENDA
A tentative Agenda is available online. We strongly recommend that you wait closer to the event before printing this agenda, as there are likely to be minor changes. View our tentative agenda by clicking here.
CLASSES
Each year the state convention offers a wide variety of leadership trainings available to all members for the development and betterment of their local American Legion Post.
The pre-registration form for Post Service Officer Training School is now available online. This is a two-day, informative VA&R class that covers all veteran benefits. A certificate and certification card are provided upon completion. To attend you must pre-register, attend both days (Thursday/Friday), and be appointed Post Service Officer by your Post Commander. The course is filled based off first come, first served interest. Click here for additional information.
Online pre-registration is also available for PROJECT: VetRelief Advocate Training. Attendees can expect a closer look into the VetRelief Advocate role, and not just an overview of the program. Be sure to pre-register as space is limited. Click here for additional information.
All other classes do not require registration and are open to attend as space is available.
The American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Riders will also conduct their own series of courses.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION RAFFLE
The American Legion, Department of Florida is proud to announce its upcoming Centennial Celebration Raffle where you could win OVER $15,000 in awesome prizes; including the *BONUS RAFFLE* drawing for a chance to win an American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Three-Coin Set.
In the next 2 to 3 weeks, a select group of members will receive the Centennial Celebration Raffle packet. To participate, complete and return the enclosed tickets for your chances to win these exciting prizes!
Didn’t get a packet? No worries, just complete our online form before May 31, 2019 and we will mail one to you. After May 31st, you will only be able to purchase tickets at our Department Convention, June 27-29, 2019.
DEPARTMENT CONVENTION BOOK
Advertise in the 2019 101st Annual Florida Convention Book! Take advantage of this unique opportunity to advertise your business or Post, send well wishes, special recognition, special announcements and more. Legion Members get half off all advertisements.
We provide our attendees, free of charge, with an annual convention book, very similar to a yearbook. This book would be a great resource to advertise your products and services to interested veterans and patriots, as well as support The American Legion.
Hurry and get your advertisements in now, the deadline of May 1st, has been extended to May 15, 2019. Click here to purchase online.
HISTORY BOOK
We’re also pleased to announce the upcoming release of The American Legion, Department of Florida- Our History – 1919-2019 book. This book details the first 100 years of the Department of Florida, with fascinating facts for each decade and lots of photos depicting some of our greatest accomplishments.
This book will be a limited edition, one time run only, with limited quantities. Available in paperback or hardcover. Pre-order your piece of history now, and get the Department of Florida Centennial lapel pin FREE. Reserve your copy now at floridalegionstore.org.
*This book is different from the History and Directory book sold previously. It includes a more comprehensive Department History and does not include the member directory.
2018-2019 DEPARTMENT CONVENTION T-SHIRTS
Get your Official Convention T-Shirts showcasing the 2018-2019 year. This year’s shirt will be red in Gildan soft style; available in Men and Women’s crewneck. Sizes tend to run a size small; extended sizes, 2x -5x, brand and style may vary. Pre-order now at floridaleigonstore.org.
COMMANDER’S AND PRESIDENT’S BANQUET
The Commander’s and President’s Banquet will take place Friday, June 28, 2019 at the World Center Marriott, Orlando in the Canary Ballroom. A farewell to outgoing Department Commander, Dianne Boland and outgoing Department President, Michele Degennaro. The Banquet will feature a German Dinner Buffet and entertainment by Not Quite Fab (a popular Beatles Cover Band) A cocktail hour will be served prior to the banquet, tickets are required to attend and are available online for purchase. Tickets must be pre-purchased and are limited.
TEXT ALERTS
Sign-up now for Florida Legion Text Alerts, by clicking here or texting FLCON to 41372. You’ll get important announcements, reminders, exclusive Emblem Sales Discounts, a chance to win prizes and interactive fun! Activities include: Legion Quest and Lost Lectures.
VENDORS AND SPONSORS
Approximately 3,000 American Legion members will be in attendance at Department Convention, making this an excellent opportunity for vendors to showcase their products and services. Our vendors are vital to the success of our events. If you are interested in becoming a vendor or know someone who may be interested, please click here to learn more.
DISTRICT CONSTITUTIONAL CONFERENCES
District Constitutional Conferences will begin starting May 4, 2019. Your District Conferences are important to attend. Please view a complete schedule by clicking here.
DEPARTMENT CONVENTION DEADLINES
Department Convention deadlines are fast approaching for Posts and delegates. Please click here for more information.
Dept of Florida Centennial Celebration Raffle
The American Legion, Department of Florida is proud to announce its upcoming Centennial Celebration Raffle where you could win OVER $15,000 in awesome prizes; including the *BONUS RAFFLE* drawing for a chance to win an American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Three-Coin Set.
In the next 2 to 3 weeks, a select group of members will receive the Centennial Celebration Raffle packet. To participate, complete and return the enclosed tickets for your chances to win these exciting prizes!
Didn’t get a packet? No worries, just complete our online form before May 31, 2019 and we will mail one to you. After May 31st, you will only be able to purchase tickets at our Department Convention, June 27-29, 2019.
On June 29, 2019, ten (10) CASH winners and one (1) BONUS winner will be chosen for the following Centennial Celebration Raffle prizes:
BONUS DRAWING PRIZE:
American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Three-Coin Set with authenticity certificate
Enter to win these great prizes by sending in your tickets along with a suggested donation of $5 per ticket, six tickets for $20 or all twelve tickets for $30! For a chance to win a remarkable piece of history, include your gold ticket with an additional $5 donation.
By mailing in your tickets with your gift, you play and important part in our programs that serve our brave service members, their families and honor the legacy of the 1.6 million Veterans in Florida. We are making a difference one Veteran at a time!
The Golden Ticket
Centennial BONUS Raffle
Return your enclosed golden ticket with an additional suggested donation of $5 for a chance to win the LIMTED EDITION Centennial American Legion Coin Set with US Mint certificate of authenticity: includes $5 Gold Coin, Silver Dollar and Clad Half Dollar.
Golden tickets are independent from Centennial Celebration Raffle and will be kept separate. Winner will be drawn on Saturday, June 29, 2019 during the Annual Convention and streamed live on Facebook.
WANT MORE CHANCES? Contact Jennifer Cooper at (407) 295-2631 or by email.
Dept of Florida Membership Drive Event
The Department of Florida will be holding a Membership Drive at Florida’s 32nd Annual Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion at Wickham Park in Melbourne, FL. This is the Nation’s largest veterans reunion to be held May 9th – 12th. The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will also be on display May 5th – 12th. The Public is invited to attend.
The Department of Florida is asking for volunteers to assist in our Largest Membership Drive. If you are a Legion, Auxiliary or SAL member, we need you! Volunteers are needed to work a couple hours Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon – 6:00PM.
If you can volunteer, please email membership@legionmail.org with your availability.
Weekly Reports – April 25, 2019
National Emergency Fund, Tornado Outbreak and other storms
Today and tomorrow, many of the states across the Southeast, Northeast, Ohio Valley and others will be affected by these devastating severe storms. According to The Weather Channel, for the deep south it’s a 6 in 10 chance there will be tornados, and up the Eastern Seaboard and points north, a 4 in 10 chance. We just want to remind you of the National Emergency Fund. As long as the location from where an application is coming from has been declared a natural or state of emergency disaster, (either state or federal declaration) the members or posts in your department can apply for funds.
Reminder, for Legion and SAL members, they must have been displaced (by damages) or evacuated from their primary residence. The fund can provide grant monies to cover their out of pocket expenses (food, clothing, shelter, medicines, etc.). Not meant to replace or repair damages to their home or outbuildings or vehicles. Receipts for these expenses are needed. Photos are needed. Insurance paperwork, to include what their deductible will be, is helpful. As much information provided is helpful when consideration is given to these members. And they must have been active at the date of the disaster and date of application.
For posts, proof of what programs will suffer as a result of post not being able to operate normally (usually the Consolidated Post Report is extremely helpful). Operations or supplies to their social quarters is not provided for. Insurance paperwork is helpful. Photos are needed.
Bottom line, provide to us as much information as you can so we can do our best to make a good determination to assist our members and post to get as closely back to normal as possible after the disaster hits.
The link below provides where you can download the form. Please share with all your contacts in those states that have been adversely affected.
https://www.legion.org/emergency/apply
Please send to us any printed applications in the mail, fax to us at: 317-630-1413 or scan/e-mail to Internal Affairs at ia@legion.org
Thank You to Legionnaire Insurance Trust (LIT)
Legionnaire Insurance Trust (LIT) has been a long-time partner to the American Legion, Department of Florida. We are grateful of their support and service to our veterans and their families.
Legion to VA: ‘Fix Communication Breakdowns’
(INDIANAPOLIS, April 11, 2019) — Calling it a case of “mission delayed turning into mission failure,” American Legion National Commander Brett P. Reistad called for VA officials to implement a plan to prevent future communication breakdowns between home-care social workers and VA medical centers.
Reistad specifically referred to the case of a veteran who had to undergo a partial leg amputation due to delays in receiving home health consultations after being discharged from the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis. The patient, who was treated for diabetic ketoacidosis and an ulcerated foot abscess, “did not receive the necessary home health care,” according to U.S. Special Counsel Henry J. Kerner.
The patient required frequent changes to his wound dressings. As a result of the veteran not receiving the necessary care, an infection occurred which later required a below-the-knee amputation. Investigators determined that social workers were directed to stop entering home health care consults into the Computerized Patient Record System due to a lack of training.
“The U.S. Office of Special Counsel assured the president that VA has taken the necessary steps to prevent similar problems in the future,” Reistad said. “The American Legion certainly hopes that those assurances are well-founded. Too many veterans have lost their limbs on the battlefield. They should not be losing limbs due to bureaucratic malpractice. We thank the whistleblowers who helped expose this case. It reinforces why The American Legion supported legislation that protects these brave employees. The American Legion believes in VA. It’s why The American Legion visits VA medical facilities across the country as part of our System Worth Saving program, so we can identify critical needs and share best practices. We will certainly review this latest incident again as part of our SWS agenda. We also believe that recent reforms such as the Mission Act and increased accountability will improve an already-strong VA system. That said, tragedies such as what happened in Indianapolis should never occur. We expect VA to learn from this and act accordingly.”
Waukee, Iowa, Youth Sweeps to Victory, Earns $18K Scholarship in American Legion Oratorical Contest
Patrick Junker of Waukee, Iowa, won The American Legion’s 82nd annual National Oratorical Contest in Indianapolis April 7. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion
INDIANAPOLIS (April 7, 2019) – A junior from Van Meter High School in Iowa capped a busy weekend of competition in Indianapolis by earning an $18,000 college scholarship and first place in The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program – “A Constitutional Speech Contest.” Patrick Junker’s winning prepared oration was titled “The Spread of Constitutional Apathy and how to Quarantine it.”
Junker, who lives in Waukee, Iowa, started the weekend as one of 53 state or department champions in the 82nd annual contest. He advanced to the championship through three rounds of intense competition. Junker was sponsored by American Legion Post 403 in Van Meter.
Caleb Maue, a home-schooled junior from Homer Glen, Ill., earned a $16,000 college scholarship with a second place finish, while Eden Carnes, a home-schooled freshman from Friendsville, Tenn., earned a $14,000 scholarship and finished third. The scholarships account for a small portion of post-secondary scholarships that The American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans organization, awards annually.
In his prepared oration, Junker warned that apathy and ignorance about the U.S. Constitution can endanger freedom. “In a study done by the Freedom Forum Institute, 40 percent of the American survey respondents could not name a single freedom under the First Amendment. The question becomes this, ‘How can we fight and defend our rights if we don’t even know what those rights are?’”
Junker encouraged making education about the Constitution a priority. “We must not only teach students the Constitution, but we must also teach them the importance it has on our everyday life. We must teach them this importance in order to safeguard our future.”
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 nearly 2-million member American Legion developed the contest to encourage young people to improve their communications skills and to study the U.S. Constitution. More than $3 million in scholarships have been awarded over the history of the contest.