Category Archives: News

Phishing Emails Purported to be from Natl HQ Staff

From: National Adjutant Dan Wheeler

Many of you have recently received fraudulent emails which appear to be from national headquarters. There are several variations circulating, but all seem to use the name of a national headquarters’ staff member and mention an “invoice.” Some of the emails even use the staff member’s actual email address.

These emails are also known as “phishing.” They are scams and do not originate from national headquarters. Although national cannot prevent outside groups from sending this type of email, there are several things we all can do to help protect ourselves:

  • Right now we are seeing “spoof” sender attacks. These are messages pretending to be from coworkers or external work-related relationships. These messages attempt to entice you into clicking an attachment or provide personal information. Don’t do it! If you are not expecting or generally do not get a message with attachments from the purported sender proceed with extreme caution. When in doubt, contact the purported national HQ “sender” to verify the email is legitimate.
  • Sometimes, but not always, the body of the message gives it away. The English is bad. The contact information at the bottom has errors such as wrong city or area code. The context of the message is just not something this sender would discuss.
  • If you open an email and find that it’s not legitimate, delete the message without opening any attachments.
  • Don’t provide credit card information to the sender. National headquarters will never ask that you provide your credit card information to us in an email.
  • If you wish to share a message that contains the email addresses of other recipients, please delete the email addresses before you forward. That will help prevent those legitimate email addresses from getting into the wrong hands to be misused as has happened here.
  • Report such phishing to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov
  • In general, we all must have our “guard up” at all times when dealing with email. It’s easy to get in the habit of seeing a name we recognize, and clicking to open it or any attachments or links, and that can lead to many hours and dollars to recover. Question anything even slightly suspicious.
  • If you wish to create a message that contains the email addresses of other recipients, get in the habit of placing email addresses in the “Bcc:” field (instead of To: or CC:). If you are going to forward a message that displays others’ email addresses, delete those addresses before forwarding to prevent those email addresses from getting forwarded on, shared or captured by a hacker and being misused as has happened here.
  • Please see the attached link for more information on this subject. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0003-phishing

A Message From Our Disaster Preparedness Chair

Bill Hoppner, Disaster PreparednessI hope that all our fellow Legionnaires and family are safe following the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. We want you to be aware of The American Legion programs that are available to assist you during this time of recovery.

The American Legion’s National Emergency Fund (NEF) provides immediate financial assistance to Legion Family members and posts affected by Hurricane Michael. The fund provides up to $3,000 for qualified members and up to $10,000 for posts.

NEF grants do not cover costs of items which should be covered by insurance. It is strictly for assisting Legionnaires with emergency travel, lodging and meals while under mandatory evacuation from their homes. These are considered emergency, out of pocket, living expenses.

In order to qualify for an NEF grant, an applicant must:

  • Have been displaced from his or her primary residence due to a declared natural disaster.
  • Must have sustained damage to their primary residence as a result of the declared natural disaster.
  • Provide copies of receipts of items required to meet immediate needs, such as temporary housing, food, water, clothing, diapers, etc.
  • Provide evidence of damage sustained to their residence.
  • Membership must be active at time of disaster and the time of application.
  • Post grants must derive from a declared natural disaster and substantiating documentation must provide that The American Legion post will cease to perform the duties and activities in the community due to losses sustained.

While the NEF provides immediate assistance to Legion and SAL members, qualified children of Legion-eligible veterans may receive assistance through the Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) program.

The TFA grants do not cover costs of items which should be covered by insurance. It is strictly for temporary food, shelter, utilities, and clothing.

Payout from the funds are currently capped at $2,500 per veteran with minor children (17 years or younger) living at home. Legion membership is not required.

In addition, Department of Florida is also taking applications for the Department’s Hurricane Relief Fund.  This fund is similar to NEF; however, for a good restoration resource there is no need to have sustained damage to be eligible for funding.  Also, the Department fund will support, any veteran regardless of membership status.  Legionnaires will have first consideration and the program will be active until funds are depleted. 

For more information or to apply for NEF, TFA or Department of Florida’s Hurricane Relief Fund,  contact Department Headquarters at 407-295-2631, or visit www.foridalegion.org.

VFW, Legion National Commanders Demand Immediate Action

VA Rates 70 Percent of its Nursing Homes as Failures
VFW, Legion national commanders demand immediate action

WASHINGTON (November 14, 2018) — The national commanders of the nation’s two largest veterans organizations are demanding that Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie bring immediate attention to his nursing home program that currently has 70 percent of its 132 homes receiving failing grades by the VA’s own rating system.

The call by Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. National Commander B.J. Lawrence and American Legion National Commander Brett Reistad is in response to a series of scathing articles by two USA Today and Boston Globe reporters who documented substandard and negligent care at the VA nursing home in Brockton, Mass., which is one of 45 nursing homes that received the VA’s lowest rating of one star. Forty-seven homes received two stars, 16 homes three stars, and 15 homes four stars. Only nine nursing homes received the VA’s top five-star rating.

“While much of the media’s attention has been on the proper implementation of VA healthcare legislation, we cannot forget about 46,000 mostly senior veterans who reside in these nursing homes,” said the two national commanders, who collectively speak for more than 4.6 million members and their auxiliaries.

“The media reports about sub-par care, patient neglect and safety violations at VA nursing homes are more than just disturbing,” said the Legion’s national commander. “Legionnaires, our friends in the VFW, and anybody who respects veterans should be angered by this,” said Reistad. “These are not just patients in a home, these are people who in the prime of their lives risked their lives, and made enormous sacrifices on behalf of our country. America’s veterans deserve better. We not only expect VA to fix these problems immediately, but we want transparency. Those who sleep on the job and ignore the best interests of their patients need to find a different employer.”

Echoing his counterpart, the VFW national commander said “These veterans earned the right to receive high quality care in a fully-staffed and well-managed facility. Their families deserve to know that their loved ones — their heroes — are not being abandoned or abused, and America needs to be reassured that the VA is honoring our nation’s promise to those who have borne the battle,” said Lawrence. “The VA must improve its delivery of quality care at these facilities. It must recruit and retain only the best healthcare professionals and support staff, and it must hold all employees accountable for their actions or inactions. It is not a right but a privilege to work for America’s veterans, and anything less is unacceptable.”

Media Contacts: VFW: Joe Davis, 202-608-8357, JDavis@vfw.org , The American Legion: John Raughter, 317-441-8847  jraughter@legion.org

Post 16 Prepares to Celebrate 100 Years

Submitted by: Jim Ramos
Press: WCJB 20

Its been one hundred years since the World War One armistice, which means the American Legion will soon celebrate their hundredth year.

The American Legion has been serving the North Central Florida and verteran communities across the nation since 1919.

The Legion opperates on four pillars: veteran’s affairs and rehabilitation, national security, americanism, and children and youth.

The Legion holds multiple events throughout the year, including the Medal of Honor ceremony.

The Legion invites all veterans and their families.

Link to original article: https://www.wcjb.com/content/news/American-Legion-Post-16-prepares-to-celebrate-100-years-499984741.html

 

 

 

Post 144 Miami Lakes Co-hosts Benefit

Submission by: Gary E Cardenas, Post 144 Commander
Submitted on: October 30, 2018

On Saturday, October 20 our Post co-hosted with the US Coast Guard Air Base in Opa Locka, for the third year in a row a Veterans Benefits Fair and Meals with Memories. The first one in 2016 only attracted about 720 Veterans due to space limitations. Last November, we attracted almost 1,200 Veterans and their families, as we were allowed to us part of the hangar at the Base. This time our goal was 2,000 and guess what, we did it!! Even thou we ended up not getting half of the hangar as they were repairing airplanes that were being used for support missions in the panhandle (thanks to Hurricane Michael). See link for some photos from the Coast Guard.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/215c45a#.W9OxtyuyN5E.email

Our guest of honor was Gold Star Mother Ms. Georgie Carter, mother of the late USMC, PFC Bruce Wayne Carter, CMOH recipient. As you may already know, the Miami VA Hospital bears his name. By the way, he is buried at Vista Memorial Cemetery in Miami Lakes, where last year on Memorial Day we placed 2,000+ Flags with the help of 7 Boy Scouts Troops/Packs Our Post hosted a Memorial Day Ceremony, where we unveiled the improvements made to the four veterans burial sections by a Boy Scout who did this project for his Eagle. This past Saturday I attended his Eagle Scout Court of Honor where I spoke and presented him with the Legion’s Eagle Scout Pin and a Certificate.

The next Eagle Scout Project is to place a headstone on the tomb of PFC Carter-CMOH; is the least he deserves. I am now working with mom to get her permission.

At the Veterans Benefits Fair event our Post was recognized by a Proclamation from Miami Dade County, declaring Oct 20, 2018 as “American Legion Post 144 Day.” for our work in support of our Veterans. It was presented by Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz, a Vietnam Veteran Marine. See photo attached.

At this event, in addition to the 2,000 Veterans, and free food ,we had employers, nearly 100 Benefits vendors, the DOV truck issuing drivers licenses with the V designation at no charge, the Department of Labor, the FDVA, the Miami VA, Hair for Heroes, full color guard from SOUTHCOM, Veterans Motorcycle Riders, The Salvation Army, and much more.

See some attached photos (you can see me (bald head my District Cap on chest) on one of them during the opening prayers. By the way, the young lady singing the National Anthem is a contestant on this season of the Voice.

Declassified Normandy Landing Photos

Here is a presentation of images and history of the Normandy Landing:

Click here for Presentation

Hurricane Relief Efforts

To all concerned:

We are witnessing a swift change by the local, state, and federal agencies that are embedded in the disaster prone areas on how non-registered volunteer organizations are being treated and prevented from attempting to provide logistical needs to those affected.

Mexico Beach is off limits as of 6 am 10/23/18 unless you’re a registered organization through Tallahassee or a Federal entity authorized to operate within. A special armband is required to be worn for access.

Port St. Joe is potentially next on the list as it too received devastating destruction.

Outlying areas are receiving the support required and folks know where to get aid/relief.

Bill Hoppner and I were shunned when we offered our service and support. The Supply Center controlled by a Red Cross team advised us that our American Legion resources and services were not required, that they had everything they needed, and that we should go talk with the County EOC.

Today I was called and informed that tractor trailers, large trailers, large trucks with hurricane aid supplies will be turned away from all (POD) Point of Distribution sites and Designated Supply Centers. They will be referred / advised to take their loads to a designated warehouse in the Tallahassee area to off load. There the supplies will be segregated, stored, and shipped to the PODs or Supply Centers when commodities are requested.

As a State EOC representative implied, we are considered “Amateurs” and they do not want us in their way, providing services or support to those that are in need.

The material shift is rapidly changing and those registered organizations are not prepared to support those endeavors. When they begin to pack up and go back to where they came from, the local residents will begin seeking organizations such as The American Legion to assist with some of their needs and we must be ready.

Our final push of basic necessities will continue over the next three weeks thru November 17th. Those American Legion Posts in the affected areas who are willing to accept and distribute supplies to their veterans and communities are requested to contact either William “Bill” Hoppner at gonepost1@aol.com / (305) 968-7979 or Stephen Shuga at shugaste1057@gmail.com / (407) 394-5534 to coordinate your request.

We will alert all who have given to stop acquiring the typical support currently being provided as they are swamped with supplies. We will request that all further shipments beyond November 17th stop until further notice.

Due to the rapid response of the local, state, federal agencies and programs that have overwhelmed the affected areas, support continues to press on. The utility companies have been feverishly working to turn on power, water, sewage, and communications. Boil water notices are lifting, and soon the curfews will end. Students are returning to school and the local infrastructure is springing back to life. All that’s left is the cleanup and rebuilding.

Just remember this: “ Our Veterans are Our #1 Concern and We Will Take Care of Our Veterans! “

For God and Country.
PDC Stephen Shuga

Biketoberfest Daytona Event

The American Legion has joined forces with AbbVie Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company, to launch TAKE ON HEP C, a nationwide movement to bring free hepatitis C (hep C) testing to veterans and their communities. Taking center stage of the TAKE ON HEP C campaign is a 45-foot tour bus that is used as a mobile veteran outreach command center known as “The Legion One.” The bus offers free hep C testing, on-the-spot results and information for how to seek treatment, if needed.

This project also provides a great opportunity for local posts to staff a membership outreach tent setup with the bus. We provide the tent, you engage your community AND GROW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!

EVENT: Biketoberfest Daytona
DATE(S): Thursday, October 18 – Sunday, October 21
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday
LOCATION: 307 N Beach St • Daytona Beach, FL 32114
(Adjacent to Indian Motorcycle Daytona Beach)
REQUEST: Please send up to four (4) volunteers who can engage those attending the event. Share information about the benefits of being an American Legion member and encourage them to participate in the free hep C testing.

Volunteers should be scheduled in four-hour shifts. Duties include support with light set-up/tear down (tents, tables, chairs).

Free parking is available onsite. However, please plan ahead and allow extra travel time as parking is limited.

Staff shirts will be provided for all volunteers to wear upon check-in at the event. One shirt per person.

This is a casual, outdoor event so jeans or shorts of an appropriate length are recommended with Legion logo items and cap.
ABOUT
BIKETOBERFEST:		 This annual Daytona Beach motorcycle rally draws more than 100,000 visitors. Bikers, motorcycle enthusiasts and curious travel seekers will enjoy beautiful fall weather, live music and more.
ABOUT HEP C: Testing for hep C is especially important for veterans, specifically those who served in the Vietnam conflict between 1964 and 1975. One out of every 20 veterans enrolled with the Veterans Health Administration has hep C, more than three times the infection rate of the general U.S. population.

 

Thank you in advance for your consideration in supporting this important effort. If you’d like to volunteer or have any questions, please contact Dave Baughman at 317-517-4161 or DBaughman@legion.org.

Fla. Stat. § 205.055

Fla. Stat. § 205.055

The Florida code and constitution are current through the 2018 Second Regular Session of the 25th Legislature.

LexisNexis® Florida Annotated Statutes  >  Title XIV. Taxation and Finance. (Chs. 192 — 221)  >  Chapter 205. Local Business Taxes. (§§ 205.013 — 205.1975)

§ 205.055. Exemptions; veterans, spouses of veterans and certain servicemembers, and low-income persons.

(1)  The following persons are entitled to an exemption from a business tax and any fees imposed under this chapter:

(a)  A veteran of the United States Armed Forces who was honorably discharged upon separation from service, or the spouse or unremarried surviving spouse of such a veteran.

(b)  The spouse of an active duty military servicemember who has relocated to the county or municipality pursuant to a permanent change of station order.

(c)  A person who is receiving public assistance as defined in s. 409.2554.

(d)  A person whose household income is below 130 percent of the federal poverty level based on the current year’s federal poverty guidelines.

(2)  A person must complete and sign, under penalty of perjury, a Request for Fee Exemption to be furnished by the local governing authority and provide written documentation in support of his or her request for an exemption under subsection (1).

(3)  If a person who is exempt under subsection (1) owns a majority interest in a business with fewer than 100 employees, the business is exempt. Such person must complete and sign, under penalty of perjury, a Request for Fee Exemption to be furnished by the local governing authority and provide written documentation in support of his or her request for an exemption for the business under this subsection.

History

  1. 24, ch. 2018-118, eff. July 1, 2018.

LexisNexis® Florida Annotated Statutes

Copyright © 2018 Matthew Bender & Company, Inc. a member of the LexisNexis Group. All rights reserved.

An urgent matter needs your help

Dear American Legion Family and Friends,

I had wanted my first email communication to you to be about Team 100 — my theme for this historic year as The American Legion transcends its first century of service into its next.

There will be plenty of opportunities in my year as national commander to discuss Team 100, pay tribute to the Legion’s century of accomplishments and celebrate our rise into the next 100 years.

But I learned of an urgent matter today that has a potentially significant impact on The American Legion and all its members. I am asking for your support.

The United States Postal Service has proposed a rule that would prevent The American Legion (and other nonprofits) from sending merchandise or goods like calendars, stickers, etc. in nonprofit marketing mail. Instead, the USPS would classify these mailings as first-class mail.

This is not a simple change in the category of how mail is sent. This change would eliminate the use of premiums in nonprofit fundraising mail — and would increase The American Legion’s mailing cost by 200 percent.

That significant increase would critically impact our programs dedicated to helping and advocating for veterans, mentoring children, assisting transitioning servicemembers, providing scholarships for students, comforting the afflicted throughout every community in our great nation.

We must quickly work together to let the USPS know this proposal is unreasonable. My team has prepared a sample templated letter. I encourage you to download the template, personalize it with your information and email it to the USPS (ProductClassification@usps.gov) with the subject line: USPS Marketing Mail Content Eligibility.

Please don’t delay. This is an urgent matter and the letters must be emailed no later than Friday, Sept. 14.

Thank you for your assistance, and for what you do every day on behalf of our nation’s veterans, servicemembers and their families.

#Team100.
Brett Reistad
National Commander

Legislative Agenda

  • Support VA’s suicide prevention efforts

    As our nation deals with the effects of nearly two decades of war, the need for mental health services for our veterans will no doubt increase in the years to come. It is imperative to combat
    VA’s staffing shortage by increasing recruitment and retention budgets, while also expanding direct hiring authority to medical center directors to expedite the hiring process of mental health professionals. All health care possibilities should be explored and considered to find the appropriate treatments, therapies and cures for veterans suffering from visible and/or invisible wounds. The American Legion strongly advocates for complementary and alternative therapy and urges Congress to provide VA the necessary funding to increase its Integrative Health and Wellness Program.
    (Resolutions 28 and 165)

  • Fully fund a superior national defense as the global war on terror continues        

    It is critical to maintain a well-funded national security strategy to ensure a strong national defense. The United States must enhance foreign policy, improve military intelligence, and increase cyber operations and capabilities. The American Legion advocates for a good quality of life for our troops and an improved transition process from military service to civilian life. The Legion vows to fight against those who desire to reduce the benefits of veterans, servicemembers, and their families to obtain short-term budget gains.
    (Resolutions 17 and 86)

  • Create lifetime electronic health record – ACHIEVED

    The American Legion supports VA in finally implementing a quality lifetime electronic health record (EHR) system that works in concert with the Department of Defense system to ensure that veterans’ medical documents transfer seamlessly from active service to VA and community providers.
    (Resolution 83)

  • Institute gender-specific health care for women veterans

    Women veterans face remarkably different experiences than their male counterparts when transitioning in and out of combat roles, in between services or back to civilian life. VA must
    ensure an improved quality of life for women veterans with gender-specific health care to meet their needs.
    (Resolution 147)

  • Limit outsourcing, unify VA’s programs – ACHIEVED

    Continued focus is needed to ensure VA can meet challenges in delivering high-quality, timely benefits and health care to veterans. In 2018, critical policy choices must be made, primarily
    the future of the Veterans Choice Program, which expires in August. A community care option is now a basic expectation for enrollees in VA’s  health-care system. Excessive outsourcing would render VHA too small to function economically or preserve quality of care and essentially dismantle it. Congress should pass legislation to unify VA’s multiple non-VA care programs with VA as the coordinator and guarantor of care.
    (Resolution 372)

  • Support those who care for wounded veterans – ACHIEVED

    There are 5.5 million caregivers who go unnoticed while they care for America’s wounded. Military caregivers suffer higher rates of depression and health problems than others. The American Legion is committed to supporting these hidden heroes.
    (Resolution 146)

  • Reclassify cannabis for medical research

    The American Legion supports increased research into cannabis as part of the larger effort to develop complementary and alternative treatments and therapies. Cannabis is classified as schedule I drug and drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine and methadone are classified as schedule II drugs. The American Legion urges Congress to amend legislation to remove
    Cannabis from schedule I and reclassify it in  a category that, at a minimum, will recognize cannabis as a drug with potential medical value, and further urge the Drug Enforcement Agency to license privately-funded medical cannabis production operations in the United States to enable safe and efficient cannabis drug development research. It’s really easy for anyone to get a quick meeting with someone to talk about how hemp oil could help them from a trusted source, and even get a coupon for it in the process, they just have to Contact Syncronicity Hemp Oil.
    (Resolutions 11,160,165)

  • Defend veterans education benefits – ACHIEVED

    As the primary author of the original GI Bill,  The American Legion continues to focus on the sustainability of this important earned benefit, while ensuring that veterans receive the most benefit possible from it.
    (Resolution 349)

  • Repeal unfair offsets that penalize disabled veterans and widows

    Many military retirees must forfeit some of their retirement pay to receive their VA service connected disability compensation. It is equally outrageous VA survivor benefits (DIC) are offset
    from military Survivor Benefit Plan annuities. The American Legion supports legislation to repeal both of these unjust offsets.
    (Resolutions 85 and 224)

  • Provide mandatory end-of service exams for reservists

    Active-duty servicemembers have the right to physical examinations when separating. After all, servicemembers retiring from active duty are required to have such examinations. This
    same right to an end-of-service exam is only partially authorized for reserve component servicemembers. This unfair treatment must be changed.
    (Resolution 85)

  • Create an American Legion Commemorative Coin – ACHIEVED

    The American Legion will celebrate its centennial in 2018-2019. An American Legion Centennial Coin is under consideration by the U.S. Mint. Timely congressional authorization is needed and your support is requested.
    (H.R. 2519 & S. 1182)

  • Ensure those returning from active duty retain re-employment rights

    The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act protects the rights of servicemembers to be re-employed after returning from active duty, including reserve or
    National Guard members. The American Legion wants to prohibit employers from pressuring a veteran into waiving his or her veteran’s employment rights and protections.
    (Resolution 315)

  • Continue funding programs to end veterans homelessness

    To fully implement VA’s pledge to eradicate veterans homelessness, Congress must continue making responsible investments in affordable housing and programs such as Supportive
    Services for Veteran Families that move veterans and their families off the street and into stable housing.
    (Resolution 340)

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Disclaimer: The American Legion’s work is never done! These legislative priorities have been marked “achieved” because we were able to get the U.S. Congress to pass legislation that the President of the United States signed into law. It is important to note that after passage, your American Legion professional staff often participates in the federal rulemaking that translates law into VA or government policy. We are always vigilant in ensuring our veterans receive the healthcare and benefits they have earned through their service to our great nation, and we will fight every effort to reduce or curtail them. Ensuring the protections, benefits, and rights of our servicemembers, veterans, and their families, has and will always be a primary focus of the National Legislative Commission and Division.”

Vets Invade the Canyon

The American Legion will be celebrating its 100th year of service to our Veterans, Communities and Nation in the coming year. As such, Legion Posts’ throughout our “Great Nation” will be hosting a variety of events in honor of this centennial milestone.

The State of Florida is planning a two-day Concert Birthday Celebration, hosted by American Legion Post #155 of Crystal River, Florida and supported by fellow Legion Posts 237, 166, and 77. This event is known as “Vets Invade the Canyon” and is scheduled to take place January 18th and 19th, 2019. There will be two shows, one on Friday night (January 18th) and one on Saturday night (January 19th). Each night of the event will have two feature acts with a short ceremony between each act paying tribute to our Veterans.

The proceeds from the “Vets Invade the Canyon” Concert Birthday Celebration will be donated to the Florida American Legion Program called “PROJECT: VETRELIEF”, which is a 501c3 charitable organization. The mission of “PROJECT: VETRELIEF” is to provide support for our service men and women as they transition into civilian life, with the vision of one day to live in a nation where no service member stands alone. All funds raised from this event are slated for Veterans of Florida. The American Legion of Florida supports Florida’s service members whether they are active duty, newly returned, or have been honorably separated for years, in addition to their immediate family, at no cost.

Should you have any questions regarding the “Vets Invade the Canyon” Concert Birthday Celebration or PROJECT: VETRELIEF please contact Gerry Kaufman at (407) 218-9139, Doug Hockenberry at (727) 514-3742 or me directly at (352) 212-8750.

Larry White
Finance Officer
American Legion Post 155

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Packing Event at Post 273

“Tampa Bay Troop Support held another packing event at Post 273, and will be able to ship 210 boxes to our troops overseas!

Thank you Dave & Sharon Dabney. Their purpose is to make a difference in the lives of our Soldiers by sending care packages to different units in different places. We want them to know that they are in our thoughts, and we appreciate everything they do.

Thank you also to all the volunteers who helped out, and to Commander White and our Post 273 Auxiliary.”

Submitted by:
Anthony Torregrossa
2nd Vice Commander, Post 273

Post 273 Presents $15,000 Donation to Fisher House

Commander Jim White(right) presents a $15,000 donation to Shentrela Diggins, manager of Fisher House at the Bay Pines V.A. on behalf of the Post 273 Legion, SAL & Auxiliary. Also pictured are Executive Officer Dick Karol(left) who led this year’s fundraising drive, and Finance Officer Dick Gifford(center). Post 273 has now donated a total of $50,000 to our local Fisher House at Bay Pines in the past three years to help them out with their finances. Luckily their management team knows how to handle and correctly use these finances accordingly, for those who need help like these veterans to handling their large financial income, consider learning more about cash management at https://www.wecu.com/business-banking/.

Fisher Houses are onsite residences where military & veterans families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital. They have private bedrooms and baths, and families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room.

Submitted by:
Anthony Torregrossa
2nd Vice Commander

Gov. Scott Announces 2018 Florida Military-Friendly Guide

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the release of the 2018 Florida Military-Friendly Guide. The annual guide, created by the Florida Defense Support Task Force, offers a summary of Florida’s laws, programs and services benefitting military service members and their families. It also highlights Florida’s low tax and financial advantages, educational benefits, professional licensure opportunities and fee waivers for service men, women and their families stationed in Florida. A digital copy of the 2018 Florida Military-Friendly Guide is available HERE.

Governor Scott said, “As a proud Navy veteran, and the son of a World War II veteran, I want to make sure our military and their families have access to the services they need. Florida is the most military and veteran friendly state in the nation, and since I took office, we’ve invested hundreds of millions in funding for services and benefits for our military and veterans. Our Florida Military-Friendly Guide is another great resource for our military members to learn more about these great benefits and everything Florida has to offer to those who serve.”

Florida is home to more than 1.5 million veterans, 20 major military installations and three unified commands. Since 2011, under the leadership of Governor Scott, Florida has invested hundreds of millions in funding to support active military, veterans and their families – including more than $180 million in this year’s budget. Governor Scott’s focus on serving those that serve our nation has also helped drive down the unemployment rate for veterans in Florida to a low 2.9 percent – nearly an entire percent lower than the national average and a decrease of more than six percent since 2010. To foster enhanced cooperation between state agencies and Florida’s military installations, Governor Scott holds regular meetings with Florida’s base commanders and heads of state agencies.

Representative Jay Trumbull of Panama City, Chair of the Florida Defense Support Task Force, said, “The Florida Military-Friendly Guide is a great resource for military service men, women and their families in the Sunshine State. Enterprise Florida and the Florida Defense Support Task Force will continue to support military members and their families, and work to maintain Florida’s status as the most military-friendly state in the nation.”

The defense industry provides an annual economic impact of $84.9 billion and accounts for more than 801,000 jobs in Florida. Defense continues to be the fourth largest contributor to the state economy behind agriculture and tourism. The Florida Military-Friendly Guide is distributed annually to Florida’s military bases and defense communities.

Governor Signs 2018 Florida Purple Heart Day Proclamation

Gov. Rick Scott has signed the annual Florida Purple Heart Day Proclamation. The governor calls upon Floridians to pay special tribute to those members of the Armed Forces who have received the Purple Heart, while also honoring the families of the fallen.

Tuesday, August 7, 2018 is Florida Purple Heart Day.

Click here to print proclamation.

Navy’s First Female Admiral, Alene Duerk, Passes Away

Story Number: NNS180725-04Release Date: 7/25/2018 12:58:00 PM
From Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division

An undated official portrait of Rear Adm. Alene B. Duerk. Duerk entered the Navy in January 1943 and initially served as a ward nurse at the Portsmouth and Bethesda naval hospitals. She was later assigned to the hospital ship USS Benevolence and deployed to the Pacific Theater during World War II in support of Adm. William Halsey’s Third Fleet. In May 1970, Duerk was appointed director of the Navy Nurse Corps. She became the first woman to attain flag rank in the U.S. Navy on June 1, 1972. Duerk was born in Defiance, Ohio and retired from the Navy in 1975. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

WASHINGTON (NNS) — Retired Rear Adm. Alene B. Duerk, the Navy’s first female admiral, passed away July 21, 2018. She was 98 years old.

“It took 197 years and a forward-looking Chief of Naval Operations, Elmo Zumwalt, to break with tradition before Alene Duerk became the first woman admiral in the U.S. Navy,” said Naval History and Heritage Command director Sam Cox. “But the credit goes to Duerk. From the crucible of caring for wounded Sailors, Marines and prisoners of war during World War II in the Pacific, she blazed a trail of stellar performance in tough jobs, serving as an inspiration for an ever increasing number of women officers who have followed her path.”

Born in Defiance, Ohio, on March 29, 1920, she received nursing training at the Toledo [Ohio] Hospital School of Nursing, from which she earned her diploma in 1941. From there, Duerk entered the U.S. Naval Reserve and was appointed an ensign in the Nurse Corps.

“Alene Duerk was a strong and dedicated trail blazer who embodied the very principles that continue to guide Navy Medicine today,” commented Vice Adm. Forrest Faison, Navy surgeon general, upon learning of her passing. “She will forever be remembered as a servant leader who provided the best care to those who defended our nation, honoring the uniform we wear and the privilege of leadership.”

Her first tours of duty included ward nurse at Naval Hospital Portsmouth in Virginia, Naval Hospital Bethesda in Maryland, and sea service aboard the Navy hospital ship, USS Benevolence (AH 13), in 1945. While anchored off the coast of Eniwetok, Duerk and the crew of the Benevolence would attend to the sick and wounded being brought back from the Third Fleet’s operations against Japan.

Upon cessation of hostilities on Sept. 2, 1945, Duerk and the Benevolence crew took on the task of repatriating liberated Allied prisoners of war, an endeavor that solidified her commitment to nursing and patient care.

An undated file photo of Rear Adm. Alene Duerk during a promotion ceremony with Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo “Bud” Zumwalt, left, and Secretary of the Navy John Warner. Duerk entered the Navy in January 1943 and initially served as a ward nurse at the Portsmouth and Bethesda naval hospitals. She was later assigned to the hospital ship USS Benevolence and deployed to the Pacific Theater during World War II in support of Adm. William Halsey’s Third Fleet. In May 1970, Duerk was appointed director of the Navy Nurse Corps. She became the first woman to attain flag rank in the U.S. Navy on June 1, 1972. Duerk was born in Defiance, Ohio and retired from the Navy in 1975. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

Years later, when asked about her service for the Library of Congress’ Veteran’s History Project, Duerk said, “The time I was aboard the hospital ship and we took the prisoners of war, that was something I will never forget . . . that was the most exciting experience of my whole career.”

Thereafter, Duerk was assigned to Naval Hospital Great Lakes until being released from active service in 1946.

In 1951, Duerk returned to active duty serving as a nursing instructor at the Naval Hospital Corps School in Portsmouth, Va. and later as inter-service education coordinator at the Naval Hospital Philadelphia, Penn.
Her skills in ward management, surgical nursing and mentoring would be put to use over the next two decades while serving at hospitals in San Diego; and Yokosuka, Japan; at the Recruiting Station in Chicago; and in Wash., D.C.

In May 1970, following assignments as assistant for Nurse Recruitment in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) and assistant head of Medical Placement Liaison (Nurse Corps) at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Duerk was appointed director of the Navy Nurse Corps.

Over the next five years, Duerk provided direction for the Nurse Corps, updating policies affecting Navy Medicine and expanding the sphere of nursing into ambulatory care, anesthesia, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology.

Her selection to the rank of rear admiral was approved by President Richard Nixon on April 26, 1972. The first woman to be selected for flag rank, she was advanced on June 1, 1972.

Rear Adm. Duerk retired in 1975, but remained a strong advocate for Navy nursing through the remainder of her life.

Duerk was awarded the Naval Reserve Medal, American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with bronze star; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal, Asia Clasp; and the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star.

Duerk’s biography offers greater insight into her service, it can be found online at the website of the Naval History and Heritage Command here: http://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/diversity/women-in-the-navy/first-female-flag-officer.html

See the entry on Duerk at the Library of Congress Veteran’s History Project online here: http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/bib/loc.natlib.afc2001001.28852

The Naval History and Heritage Command, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for the preservation, analysis, and dissemination of U.S. naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy’s unique and enduring contributions through our nation’s history, and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services. NHHC is composed of many activities including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, nine museums, USS Constitution repair facility and the historic ship Nautilus.

2018 Freedom Raffle Winners Announced

We are pleased to announce the WINNERS of the 2018 Freedom Raffle as follows:

 

  • Grand Prize winner of $10,000 – Frank Klimekoski
  • 2nd Place winner of $2,500 – Jose Cintron
  • 3rd Place winner of $1,000 – James Allbrook
  • 4th – 5th Place winners of $500 – William Coopy, Barry Murante
  • 6th – 10th Place winners of $100 – David LeRoy, James Handly, John McCoy, William Walz, Steven Pommer

 

All recipients will be notified within the coming week by The American Legion, Department of Florida.
To watch the live footage of the drawing, click here. The Raffle is featured at the 6:00:36 time mark.

American Legion’s call to Congress: Pass the VA Mission Act of 2018

Dear American Legion Family and Friends,

There is no question that The American Legion is the largest veterans service organization, and we have the influence that we do on Capitol Hill because of our active and caring members. With that said, there is an opportunity this week for The American Legion’s voice to be heard on Capitol Hill.

The VA MISSION Act of 2018 (S. 2372) will be going for a vote in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 16. If passed, this bill would do several things to help veterans, including:

  1. Streamlining all of the community care programs, including the Veterans Choice Program, into one common sense program.
  2. Expanding the VA’s caregivers program to all war eras of veterans, not just the post-9/11 generation, which is critical. This program should be available to all war eras and the veterans who proudly served our great nation.
  3. Providing $5.2 billion to the Department of Veterans Affairs to appropriately fund the Veterans Choice Program through the next year while the community care programs are being modified and streamlined. This means the VA will not have to continuously ask Congress for more money, which will allow veterans to receive the immediate care they need and where they need it.

Supporting these issues has long been a goal of The American Legion, and this is the time to get it done. From streamlining the multiple ways and programs a veteran can obtain care in the community into one simple program, to opening the caregiver program to all veterans of any war era, to ensuring the VA has the funding necessary to provide the best care anywhere, the VA MISSION Act of 2018 is a great step forward for veterans.

Please call your congressman or congresswoman and let them know that The American Legion supports S. 2372, the VA MISSION Act of 2018, and encourage them to pass this veteran-centric bill as soon as possible.

Throughout my year as your national commander, I have made “Family First” my theme. It’s time that Congress does the same.

There is some opposition to this legislation so your quick action can make the difference. Call now and tell your representative to support the VA Mission Act of 2018. You can find your representative’s phone number by entering your zip code at https://ziplook.house.gov/htbin/findrep_house?ZIP or by calling the congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121; (press 2 for House).

Family First!
Denise H. Rohan
National Commander

Quarterly Veterans Town Hall Scheduled for May 16 at St. Petersburg VA Regional Office

 

Bay Pines VAHCS Office of Public Affairs | April 26, 2018

BAY PINES, Fla. – The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, in collaboration with the St. Petersburg VA Regional Office and Bay Pines National Cemetery, will host a quarterly Veterans town hall meeting on Wednesday, May 16 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. The event will take place at the St. Petersburg VA Regional Office in the atrium located on the second floor. Click here for driving directions and a campus map.

VA outreach services and special program representatives will also be available to assist Veterans beginning at 12:00 p.m. and will remain available throughout the duration of the town hall. Services available will include VA health care enrollment and eligibility; VA benefits and claims assistance; and patient advocate services. Veterans and their families, congressional stakeholders, Veteran Service Organizations and other community partners are invited to attend.

During  the town hall, Bay Pines National Cemetery Assistant Director Eugenia Simmons will present pre-need eligibility services available through the National Cemetery Administration (NCA). In addition, local VA leaders will provide updates on VA operations and improvement initiatives. Veterans and their families will have an opportunity to comment publicly about VA programs and services.

This event is open to media. Media representatives interested in attending are encouraged to contact Jason Dangel, Public Affairs Officer, Bay Pines VAHCS, at 727-398-9531 or email vhabaypublicaffairs@va.gov prior to the event.

For updated information about the Veterans town hall meeting or to learn more about the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, please visit www.baypines.va.gov. To learn more about the St. Petersburg VA Regional Office, please visit www.benefits.va.gov/stpetersburg. You can also receive information by subscribing to receive updates via email at www.baypines.va.gov/news/enews_subscribe.asp, or by connecting with us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/vabaypines, and Twitter, www.twitter.com/vabaypines.

About the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System 
The Bay Pines VAHCS is one of the nation’s leading VA healthcare systems, employing nearly 4,300 medical professionals and support staff dedicated to providing the very best care to Veterans residing in southwest Florida. The organization is one of the largest VA health care systems in the country in terms of patients served and is accredited by The Joint Commission, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and several other nationally recognized accrediting organizations. The Bay Pines VAHCS operates nine facilities to include the main medical center located in Bay Pines and outpatient clinics located in Bradenton, Cape Coral, Naples, Palm Harbor, Port Charlotte, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Sebring. To learn more, please visit www.baypines.va.gov, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vabaypines, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vabaypines.