(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.”
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.
So far, it has been an exciting year for the 16th District.
As the largest District in the Department, membership is always a challenge but the Posts in the 16th District have welcomed the challenge and are on their way to meet and exceed their numbers for 2018-2019. I would like to give special mention to a couple Posts that have taken the membership challenge and have performed above and beyond expectations.
First, I would like to thank Post 46 who is at 187% as of February 14th. They have exceeded my expectation in growth, not only in membership but throughout the entire Tarpon Springs community by reaching out to the city government, churches, social groups, and schools. Post 46 has put their old nickname of “Ghost Post” behind them and transformed to a Post that is now considering expanding by creating both Sons of the American Legion and Auxiliary Charters. During this time of expansion, they have also started a Boys Scout Program.
Congratulations are also due to Dunedin Post 275 and Commander Sid Damsgard. Post 275 continues to grow, and they recently passed 101% membership this year while representing and promoting the Four Pillars in their community. Job well done Post 275!
Currently, the 16th District is in 3rd place in the Department. I am proud of all the hard work the Posts of the 16th District are doing in membership.
We are working hard to communicate with our Sons and Auxiliary on a monthly basis. The District staff has worked hard, participating in Staff Huddles at least once a month and meeting on Fridays for “Social Hours” at different Posts within the District. These events provide an opportunity for coordination of calendar events and fellowship. Our District Oratorical Winner is Joseph Corley from Post 79 and will be in the Central Area Contest on the 23rd of February at Cross Bayou Post 252.
The District has also been recognized in Social media on the Department and National stages. Our social media presence has increased by over 300% in the last eight months and is averaging 2,000 unique visitors each week.
In closing, it is with deep regret that I announce the passing of Commander Walter Hartshorne, long time Post Commander of Post 343 in New Port Richey, FL. Walter “Wally” Hartshorne was born in New York on January 23, 1930. He was an 89-year-old Korean War Army veteran and a 61-year member of the American Legion. He transferred from Post 1011 in New York City on October 23, 1993. RIP Wally!!
TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis has designated the week of March 10-16, 2019 as Women Veterans Recognition Week in Florida. Women veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the veterans’ population. There are more than 144,000 women veterans in the Sunshine State.
In order to maintain a charter, each Post in the Department of Florida shall participate in at least one recognized program of The American Legion each year, Article X, Section 10c.
All post must complete a National CPR and the Department Addendum, or will be subject to review and possible revocation of charter.
In celebration of our 100th Birthday, The American Legion, Department of Florida is proud to announce “Our History,” a full color book of Florida Legion’s history from 1919 to 2019.
More information will be available soon. Pre-Order your book starting March 15, 2019.
**Please note, this is a Florida Legion publication, and not the directory book sold previously.**
It is with a sad and heavy heart, we announce the passing of Barbara Smith, the Post 186 First Vice Commander. This was her second time in that position, and her first time she held the position, she was able to get 100% membership at the Post. Barbara has served 35 years in the American Legion, beginning her long career in Kansas, where she was a Post and District Adjutant, and also served on some National committees. Barbara and her husband Chris moved to Florida in 2015, and she became the Adjutant at the first meeting she attended in July. She also served one year as the 15th District Adjutant.
Barbara was also a member of the American Legion Riders, the Bingo Chairperson, 20/4, was also in the Honor Guard. She was a member of the Harley owners group for over twenty years. She also loved doing arts and crafts. Her biggest passion was the Legion, and doing whatever she could for our youth and Veteran’s. Barbara will be greatly missed both at our Post, and where she previously served in Kansas, as well as her friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, her husband has requested any donations be made on her behalf to Project Vet Relief, The Children’s Welfare Foundation, or the Humane Society.
Memorial service and viewing will be on Wednesday, March 6th from 5 pm – 7 pm at Downing Funeral Home 1214 Wendy Court, Spring Hill,FL
She will be interred on Friday March 8th, at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. There will be an escort leaving the funeral home at 11 am to go the cemetery. If you would like to attend the service at the cemetery, please be there by 1230 pm.
In the wake of the government shutdown, The American Legion went public to assist active duty Coast Guard members through National’s Temporary Financial Assistance program. This program requires families with minor children. The Department of Florida utilized it’s program, Project: VetRelief, to provide assistance to those that did not have qualifying children.
Through both programs, the Department Staff processed nearly 400 applications received from Coast Guard members.
The wave of US Coast Guard member applications has been overwhelming, but we are happy to report that all cases in which there was not a minor child in the home have been provided with a $250 gift card to Publix from PROJECT: VetRelief. To date, there have been 29 Coast Guard members funded for a total of $7,250. Additionally, of the 302 applications submitted to National’s TFA program, 231 families were provided support for a total of $130,000.
In the event that the government shuts down in a couple of weeks, the Department Staff would like to keep providing support for those effected for as long as we can; however, funds for both programs are limited. We ask that you, along with the members of your Post, take a minute to realize the impact a donation can have on someone defending your coastline and not receiving a paycheck.
National Commander Brett Reistad is set to visit Florida February 1 – 7, 2019. He will be accompanied by his aide, Ken Knight. Let’s give them both a warm welcome. Please remember to invite the Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion to attend.
Please note:The National Commander, has an emergency in Washington D.C. and has to cut his trip to Florida short. Please download the revised itinerary below.
The following 100% Posts 2-11-15-20-46-49-51-62-76-84-96-102-108-130-166-172-181-187-234-248-249-268-308-314-358-378-389-411
Districts @ 85% or Higher 2-6-12-16
The 84 Posts who are @ 85% or more
I would also like to thank the 124 posts who are on the new system it is making a difference for the Department of Florida. Using these numbers, I estimate that we are at 83% as of this morning. Our next Department goal is 90% and the National goal is 85% let’s make the 90%.
Thank you for Continuing to Serve
RENEW-REINSTATE-RECRUIT
Bruce Thurber, Membership Chairman
Department of Florida
ATTENTION POSTS:
Past Due – Membership Renewals post cards are in. Please email Irene Graham, Membership Director at igraham@floridalegion.org and let her know how many you need.
Last years cruise was a great success. We had 22 cabins booked and everyone had a great time.
This will be first come first serve, so make your reservations ASAP as cabin space might fill up quickly. Please call to reserve your room as prices change all the time.
It’s time to do it again. This will be first come first serve, so make your reservations ASAP as cabin space might fill up quickly. My wife works for Carnival, so we will be taken care of.
At least put your deposit down quickly and she will try to have us as close together as possible. Remember, this will be a FUN cruise and time to enjoy each other’s company and to recharge for the year. I will have hotel information as we get closer for the night before the cruise.
Everyone have a great time and will see you aboard.
William R Johnson
1st Vice Commander
American Legion
Department Of Florida
954-242-4496 rickjtank@hotmail.com
Questions, Tickets, Reservations
Maureen Williams, Vacation Planner
Carnival Cruise Line 800-819-3902 EXT 85931
305-406-6183 FAX
MON – THU 11:00 AM – 8:00PM EST
FRI 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM mwilliams2@carnival.com
