We Need Your Help!
The National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission is requesting your assistance in seeking nominations for the 2018 VA Health Care Provider of the Year and VA Physician of the Year Awards.
Below are several documents explaining the awards and nomination criteria.
Nominations should be submitted to the Department Programs Director no later than September 4, 2017.
In an effort to show support for The American Legion at a local level, USAA will be giving out $20,000 for a Legion Post the week of Veteran’s Day 2017. Both existing USAA members and non-USAA members can enter the sweepstakes at www.usaa.com/talgiveaway from July 22nd – October 31st. To enter the drawing, non-USAA members need to complete USAA eligibility by going to www.usaa.com/talgiveaway. If you are already a USAA member, go to www.usaa.com/talgiveaway and login with your USAA username/password. The drawing will be held in early November and the winner will be able to select a local post to give $20,000 towards post improvements.
In continuing effort to support Veterans, their families and the communities in which they live, The American Legion Department of Florida is proud to announce a Community Grant to Lutheran Social Services on behalf of American Legion Jacksonville Post 197 for $5,000.00.
This grant was awarded at the Annual State Convention of the Florida American Legion in June. The Grant is in support of the “Backpack Program.” This program provides food to low-income children when free school meals are not available. Hunger is detrimental to a child’s physical and emotional health, and puts them at a disadvantage in the classroom, making it a community need.
Post 197 is located in zip code 32209, an area of town were the lowest family income rates can be found. More than 80% of the students attending the four elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 2 High Schools within 2 miles of the Post are on free or reduced lunch. Many of these students come home after school to a single parent or no parents.
The Presentation will be Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 10am at Lutheran Social Services, 4515 Philips Highway, in Jacksonville.
Contact: Michael Clark, Post Commander (904) 378-8224
Anna Matthews, Post Activities Director (904) 228-5672
Heather Vaughan, Director of Human Services, (904) 739-7016
This year’s six-day ride will begin in The Kansas Soldier’s Home at Ford Dodge, Kansas, and will follow much of historic Route 50 through Kansas, Colorado, Utah and Nevada, to arrive at the 99th annual American Legion Convention in Reno. Which will be held from August 18-24, 2017.
Should you wish to follow the riders on this year’s Legacy Run
FROM: Dewey Moss, National Legislative Council Chairman
DATE: August 7, 2017
I write today with more exciting news out of Congress. Last Thursday, August 3, the Senate passed S. 1182, The American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act before it went on recess!
Now our full attention turns to passage in the House when Congress returns to Washington in September. Until then, we still need additional cosponsors on the House bill. Below is a list of all remaining House members not signed onto the bill by state. Please make every effort to contact these lawmakers while they are home for the next month!
If you have any questions, you are encouraged to contact either myself or Jeff, our Grassroots Coordinator located in our Washington DC office. We’d be glad to assist you. I can be reached at dmoss2@windstream.net or 706.463.1674. Jeff at jsteele@legion.org or 202.263.2987.
Thank you all again for your service, support, and understanding. It is most appreciated. And needed.
| Last name | First Name | 115 St/Dis | Party |
| Byrne | Bradley | AL01 | R |
| Roby | Martha | AL02 | R |
| Rogers | Mike | AL03 | R |
| Brooks | Mo | AL05 | R |
| Crawford | Eric | AR01 | R |
| Westerman | Bruce | AR04 | R |
| O’Halleran | Tom | AZ01 | D |
| McSally | Martha | AZ02 | R |
| Grijalva | Raúl | AZ03 | D |
| Gosar | Paul | AZ04 | R |
| Lee | Barbara | CA13 | D |
| Swalwell | Eric | CA15 | D |
| Valadao | David | CA21 | R |
| McCarthy | Kevin | CA23 | R |
| Cárdenas | Tony | CA29 | D |
| Aguilar | Pete | CA31 | D |
| Gomez | Jimmy | CA34 | D |
| Bass | Karen | CA37 | D |
| Calvert | Ken | CA42 | R |
| DeGette | Diana | CO01 | D |
| Buck | Ken | CO04 | R |
| Blunt Rochester | Lisa | DE00 | D |
| Gaetz | Matt | FL01 | R |
| Yoho | Ted | FL03 | R |
| Demings | Val | FL10 | D |
| Castor | Kathy | FL14 | D |
| Ross | Dennis | FL15 | R |
| Rooney | Thomas | FL17 | R |
| Rooney | Francis | FL19 | R |
| Hastings | Alcee | FL20 | D |
| Frankel | Lois | FL21 | D |
| Wilson | Frederica | FL24 | D |
| Diaz-Balart | Mario | FL25 | R |
| Carter | Earl | GA01 | R |
| Ferguson | A. | GA03 | R |
| Johnson | Henry | GA04 | D |
| Lewis | John | GA05 | D |
| Handel | Karen | GA06 | R |
| Scott | Austin | GA08 | R |
| Collins | Doug | GA09 | R |
| Hice | Jody | GA10 | R |
| Loudermilk | Barry | GA11 | R |
| Graves | Tom | GA14 | R |
| Hanabusa | Colleen | HI01 | D |
| Labrador | Raúl | ID01 | R |
| Rush | Bobby | IL01 | D |
| Kelly | Robin | IL02 | D |
| Gutiérrez | Luis | IL04 | D |
| Quigley | Mike | IL05 | D |
| Roskam | Peter | IL06 | R |
| Davis | Danny | IL07 | D |
| Krishnamoorthi | Raja | IL08 | D |
| Schakowsky | Janice | IL09 | D |
| Schneider | Bradley | IL10 | D |
| Hultgren | Randy | IL14 | R |
| Kinzinger | Adam | IL16 | R |
| Bustos | Cheri | IL17 | D |
| LaHood | Darin | IL18 | R |
| Rokita | Todd | IN04 | R |
| Bucshon | Larry | IN08 | R |
| Hollingsworth | Trey | IN09 | R |
| Marshall | Roger | KS01 | R |
| Yoder | Kevin | KS03 | R |
| Yarmuth | John | KY03 | D |
| Massie | Thomas | KY04 | R |
| Rogers | Harold | KY05 | R |
| Scalise | Steve | LA01 | R |
| Johnson | Mike | LA04 | R |
| Graves | Garret | LA06 | R |
| Neal | Richard | MA01 | D |
| Tsongas | Niki | MA03 | D |
| Clark | Katherine | MA05 | D |
| Keating | William | MA09 | D |
| Harris | Andy | MD01 | R |
| Ruppersberger | C. | MD02 | D |
| Brown | Anthony | MD04 | D |
| Hoyer | Steny | MD05 | D |
| Cummings | Elijah | MD07 | D |
| Huizenga | Bill | MI02 | R |
| Amash | Justin | MI03 | R |
| Walberg | Tim | MI07 | R |
| Levin | Sander | MI09 | D |
| Mitchell | Paul | MI10 | R |
| Trott | David | MI11 | R |
| Conyers | John | MI13 | D |
| Lawrence | Brenda | MI14 | D |
| Clay | Wm. | MO01 | D |
| Wagner | Ann | MO02 | R |
| Graves | Sam | MO06 | R |
| Long | Billy | MO07 | R |
| Kelly | Trent | MS01 | R |
| Thompson | Bennie | MS02 | D |
| Harper | Gregg | MS03 | R |
| Price | David | NC04 | D |
| Foxx | Virginia | NC05 | R |
| Walker | Mark | NC06 | R |
| Rouzer | David | NC07 | R |
| Hudson | Richard | NC08 | R |
| McHenry | Patrick | NC10 | R |
| Meadows | Mark | NC11 | R |
| Adams | Alma | NC12 | D |
| Budd | Ted | NC13 | R |
| Norcross | Donald | NJ01 | D |
| Smith | Christopher | NJ04 | R |
| Sires | Albio | NJ08 | D |
| Pascrell | Bill | NJ09 | D |
| Payne | Donald | NJ10 | D |
| Watson Coleman | Bonnie | NJ12 | D |
| Kihuen | Ruben | NV04 | D |
| Jeffries | Hakeem | NY08 | D |
| Clarke | Yvette | NY09 | D |
| Nadler | Jerrold | NY10 | D |
| Maloney | Carolyn | NY12 | D |
| Espaillat | Adriano | NY13 | D |
| Engel | Eliot | NY16 | D |
| Lowey | Nita | NY17 | D |
| Maloney | Sean | NY18 | D |
| Tonko | Paul | NY20 | D |
| Chabot | Steve | OH01 | R |
| Jordan | Jim | OH04 | R |
| Johnson | Bill | OH06 | R |
| Fudge | Marcia | OH11 | D |
| Mullin | Markwayne | OK02 | R |
| Lucas | Frank | OK03 | R |
| Schrader | Kurt | OR05 | D |
| Brady | Robert | PA01 | D |
| Costello | Ryan | PA06 | R |
| Rothfus | Keith | PA12 | R |
| Doyle | Michael | PA14 | D |
| Smucker | Lloyd | PA16 | R |
| Cartwright | Matt | PA17 | D |
| Langevin | James | RI02 | D |
| Sanford | Mark | SC01 | R |
| Duncan | Jeff | SC03 | R |
| Gowdy | Trey | SC04 | R |
| Clyburn | James | SC06 | D |
| Rice | Tom | SC07 | R |
| DesJarlais | Scott | TN04 | R |
| Black | Diane | TN06 | R |
| Blackburn | Marsha | TN07 | R |
| Kustoff | David | TN08 | R |
| Gohmert | Louie | TX01 | R |
| Poe | Ted | TX02 | R |
| Ratcliffe | John | TX04 | R |
| Hensarling | Jeb | TX05 | R |
| Barton | Joe | TX06 | R |
| Culberson | John | TX07 | R |
| Thornberry | Mac | TX13 | R |
| Smith | Lamar | TX21 | R |
| Vela | Filemon | TX34 | D |
| Doggett | Lloyd | TX35 | D |
| Stewart | Chris | UT02 | R |
| Chaffetz | Jason | UT03 | R |
| Goodlatte | Bob | VA06 | R |
| Beyer | Don | VA08 | D |
| Griffith | H. | VA09 | R |
| Plaskett | Stacey | VI00 | D |
| Ryan | Paul | WI01 | R |
| Pocan | Mark | WI02 | D |
| Moore | Gwen | WI04 | D |
| Sensenbrenner | F. | WI05 | R |
| Grothman | Glenn | WI06 | R |
Thank you for taking time to view this Podcast from Commander, Steve Shuga.
Governor Rick Scott has signed the 2017 Spirit of ’45 Day Proclamation, commemorating the 72nd anniversary of the end of World War II.
Monday, August 14 is Spirit of ’45 Day.
There are currently more than 65,000 World War II veterans living in Florida.
A 10 passenger golf cart was recently donated to the new Fisher House, underway at Lake Nona in Orlando, FL. The 10 passenger golf cart was not utilized by the Gainesville VA Hospital and Alan Cohen, our VA&R Chairman reached out to Ted Costello, VAVS Representative for the Orlando VA Medical Center, to see if the new VA Hospital at Lake Nona, would have use for it.
If you are a golfer a simulator can be for you, at Rain or Shine Golf, we are here to help make your dream of owning your own golf simulator a reality like this. This all-encompassing golf simulator comparison guide will recommend the top golf simulators on the market for just about every budget and need. So whether you are a PGA professional or the Average Joe, we will help you find the perfect golf simulator package so you can Tee It Up Anytime, Rain or Shine.
Adelina Sowell, Chief of Voluntary Services, felt the golf cart was too large for their use but suggested the new Fisher House, currently under construction, could utilize it to transport families to and from the hospital to visit loved ones under hospital care. The golf cart was overhauled for safety and Costello made delivery arrangements with PDC Larry White.
A presentation was made at the Veterans Memorial between the Domiciliary and CLC Nursing Home the morning of July 27, 2017. Afterwards, attendees visited CLC Nursing Home, for good company and provided residents with small gifts. Afterwards, attendees and representatives headed over to the VA Facility for lunch before departing.
[foogallery id=”12436″]Your 2017-2018 National Membership Polos will be going on sell soon. If you are interested, an order form can be found under Forms on our Resources page or you can click here.
LEGISLATIVE DIVISION UPDATE
Action Alert: Please tell Congress to pass the Legion Coin bill
Click here: http://www.capwiz.com/legion/issues/alert/?alertid=78053626
Legion Commemorative Coin Bills Update
The Legislative Division again focused much of the week gathering support and co-sponsors for The American Legion Centennial Coin Act, which was introduced on May 18.
The bills, introduced in both the House and Senate, would require the U.S. Mint to produce a centennial coin in celebration of The American Legion turning 100 and proudly representing and supporting millions of veterans.
The House bill – H.R. 2519, sponsored by Representative Tim Walz (MN) — was introduced with 102 co-sponsors and currently has 232 co-sponsors. The Senate version – S. 1182, sponsored by Senator Todd Young (IN) – was introduced with 28 co-sponsors and currently has 68.
Again, there is still much work to be done on these bills, but the Legislative Division is working tirelessly to get it to the President’s desk as soon as possible!
Landmark Post 9/11 GI Bill Approved by House VA Committee
On Monday, July 24 the House of Representatives passed by a 405-0 recorded vote H.R. 3218, the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017. The bill is named after American Legion Past National Commander Harry Colmery, who is credited with writing the original draft of what became the G. I. Bill of Rights in 1944.
The measure was introduced on July 13, by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (TN) and Ranking Member Tim Walz (MN). H.R. 3218 would close current gaps in the existing GI Bill and guarantee veterans have access to their GI Bill benefits beyond the current 15-year time limit and would be the biggest expansion of college aid for veterans in a decade. In addition, the bill would expand benefits for reservists, Purple Heart recipients and surviving dependents. It would also retroactively restore benefits to veterans affected by recent school closures and provide additional funds to GI Bill users pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.
On Thursday, July 20 a Senate companion bill – S. 1598 – was introduced by Sen. Johnny Isakson (GA), chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC). The measure currently has 41 cosponsors, including nearly the entire SVAC membership. S. 1598 was approved by the full SVAC on July 26.
Speaking on the new “Forever GI Bill” legislation, National Commander Schmidt said the bill “would launch a new era for all who have honorably served in uniform.” You can read more about it here: http://capwiz.com/legion/issues/alert/?alertid=78198626
House Acts on Veterans Legislation
On July 24, several pieces of legislation related to veterans received action on the House floor.
Several other measures passed by voice vote; including:
o H.R. 1058, the VA Provider Equity Act, which addresses the pay rates and career movement of podiatrists;
o H.R. 1690, the Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act, requiring reporting of all bonuses paid to Department executives;
o H.R. 1848, the Veterans Affairs Medical Scribe Pilot Act of 2017, implementing a pilot project to use scribes to assist physicians in a few VA medical centers;
o H.R. 2006, the VA Procurement Efficiency and Transparency Act, to improve the procurement practices of VA;
o H.R. 2749, the Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2017, which would to improve the oversight of contracts awarded by the VA Secretary to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans; and
o H.R. 2781, the Ensuring Veteran Enterprise Participation in Strategic Sourcing Act, which would direct the VA Secretary to certify the sufficient participation of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans and small business concerns owned by veterans with service-connected disabilities in contracts under the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative
These measures now go to the Senate for further action.
Appropriations
On Thursday, July 27, the House continued working on the Make America Secure Appropriations Act for 2018 (H.R. 3219). This minibus includes four appropriations bills: Defense, Military Construction/Veterans Affairs, Energy & Water, and Legislative Branch. The House approved the package by a vote of 235 to 192.
A number of health and personnel-related amendments were added to the bill. They include:
DEFENSE
No amendments will be allowed to take money out of the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) part of the bill to fund something in the base budget. The following amendments were adopted as part of an en block package. They include:
One amendment was offered – and failed on a voice vote – which would have provided $25 million of the Defense Health Program RDT&E to be used to award grants to medical researchers and universities to support research into early detection of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION/VETERANS AFFAIRS
Amendments added to the MilCon/VA portion of the minibus as part of an en bloc package included:
Two additional amendments were adopted separately by voice votes. These amendments state: a) No funds may be used to propose, plan, or execute a new round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC); and b) the VA may not spend money on a study that causes significant pain or distress to dogs. Training programs or studies of service dogs are exempted from the ban.
VA Choice program funding
The VA’s premier program for providing veterans with access to community care known as Choice will run out of money in August. Legislation, S. 114 that would have provided a $2 billion boost to the program, largely by continuing reductions in other VA programs that were initially used to fund the program but which are scheduled to expire, failed to achieve a 2/3 majority in the House on Monday.
Wednesday night, the VA issued a press release praising new legislation to extend the funding. However, lawmakers told reporters that no such deal had been reached, and there was no movement on any legislation on Thursday.
Update on Flag Amendment Bill
The end of the 114th Congress signaled that House Joint Resolution (H.J. Res.) 9 and Senate Joint Resolution (S.J. Res.) 21 – proposed constitutional amendment to protect the American flag from physical desecration – expired. Though garnering some support in their respective chambers, neither measure emerged from the House or Senate Judiciary committees for an up-or-down vote in either chamber
As a result, The American Legion is continuing its efforts to protect the American flag in the 115th Congress. As he did in the previous Congress, Rep. Steve Womack (AR) re-introduced a flag protection constitutional amendment, House Joint Resolution (H.J. Res.) 61, with 23 co-sponsors. He is currently contacting other Members of the House seeking additional co-sponsors.
On Flag Day, Sen. Steve Daines (MT) introduced a Senate companion measure, Senate Joint Resolution (S.J. Res.) 46, in that chamber. The amendment is co-sponsored by Sens. John Cornyn (TX), Johnny Isakson (GA), Mike Crapo (ID), Lindsey Graham (SC), Dean Heller (NV), Chuck Grassley (IA) and Orrin Hatch (UT). You can read his press release here: https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/on-flag-day-daines-introduces-constitutional-amendment-to-prohibit-flag-burning
The American Legion issued the following congratulatory response here: https://www.legion.org/commander/237811/american-legion-national-commander-salutes-senate-bill-flag-day
Matthew Shuman, Director
The American Legion Legislative Division
(202) 861-2700
For Week Ending 07-28-2017
July 19, 2017 Crystal River Florida – Blanton-Thompson American Legion Post 155 located in Crystal River announces the dedication of their new smoking area. The post received their permanent charter on February 28th, 1951 and was a smoking post located at Hunters Springs Part (Legion Beach) before moving to its present location at 6585 W Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River.
Up until 2012 when the dining room became a non smoking area. In June of 2016 the membership voted to construct a suitable smoking area and upon completion the entire post would become non-smoking.
Construction began in April 2017 after a lengthy engineering and permitting process. Construction was completed in June at which time the lounge area was closed and remodeled. The smoking room and lounge was reopened July 7th and has been functioning very well. There are medical experts that recommend to follow this link here to get their medical requirements met.
The room will be dedicated to Darlis Greene and Rodney Appleby. The two were best friends and were always doing something for the post or our community. Both members have passed in the last few years and this dedication will keep their memories and spirit alive for both present and future members of the post.
The dedication will take place on Saturday July 22nd, 2017 beginning at 12:00pm noon. The ceremony and post will be open to the public from 12:00 to 4:00pm with free food and tours of the building. We will have our veteran’s service officers on hand to assist any veterans, active duty, and or family members with questions about available benefits and claims.
June 28, 2017, B.C. Manion, The Laker ~ When American Legion Post 108 formed 80 years ago, it had its preliminary meeting in an old house on Denny Johnson’s old grove, on Lake Fern Road, according to club records.
About 10 veterans gathered for that initial 1937 meeting.
Next, they met in an old store building on U.S. 41, then known as Route 41, near the Superette.
After that, the group met for several years at the old Boy Scout Hall, with the Auxiliary members gathering in another room at that hall, according to an account published in a 1963 club newsletter.
From left are Joe Dilimone, Ray Mason, Lyle Watson and Hunter Arnstine, during the American Legion Post 108’s 80th birthday celebration.
Flash forward eight decades to the present: The group is still active, but is seeking a permanent home — and more members — to increase its vitality.
“We’re in a Catch-22. We need more members, and we need to meet in a place to get more members,” said Lyle Watson, the post’s adjutant. “We need fundraisers. We need a place to hold fundraisers. You can’t hold bingo if you don’t have a building to hold bingo in.”
The post currently meets monthly at Harvester United Methodist Church.
It would like to expand its activities, but it is difficult to fit into another organization’s schedule and it doesn’t have the financial means to purchase a permanent home.
Still, the post has a proud history.
When Post 108 was formed, it had 22 charter members. Over the years, membership has waxed and waned.
The post’s charter members must have been veterans of World War I, Watson observed.
Post chaplain Fred Wilsky has firsthand knowledge of how the post got started: “The guy who went out and recruited those members was my dad. He was a member of the Sulphur Springs Post.
It was during the Depression, he noted, “it was expensive for everybody to drive all of the way down there for a meeting, so they wanted to have a post out here,” said Wilsky, a member of the Army Air Corps who served in Guam.
N.B. Shewfelt, the post’s adjutant in 1963, offered a glimpse into the organization’s character in a February 1963 issue of the Lutz Legion News.
“Post No. 108 somehow keeps going right along doing their job of looking out for the interests of veterans, their widows and orphans,” Shewfelt wrote.
Over time, the name of the post was changed from Lutz Post 108 to Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Post 108. Post meetings now attract about 20 members.
Some members have been lost to death, said Post Commander Ray Mason. “We lost two veterans this year,” noted Mason, who served from 1962 to March 1968 in the Navy as a commissary store keeper.
One of those veterans who died was Granville Kinsman, a fighter pilot in World War II.
“He supported ground troops and escorted bombers to their destination,” Mason said.
“He was a paid-up lifetime member of Post 108. He was 95 years old,” Mason added.
The attendance at his funeral was gratifying, Mason said.
“Oh, my God, it was packed,” Mason said.
Post members say their experiences in the armed forces give them a particular kind of camaraderie with others who have shared the military life.
Currently, the post’s main activities are awarding school medals, providing an oratorical contest, supporting the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes and posting flags on veterans’ graves.
The organization presents two medals and two certificates at several local elementary and middle schools. The schools select the recipients. One medal goes to a boy and one goes to a girl. An honorable mention certificate also is awarded to a boy and to a girl.
“Sometimes we get invited,” Watson said. “The schools sometimes tell us what these kids have done to get selected. It is fantastic. It gives you a whole new perspective on public schools.”
At the high school level, there’s an oratorical contest, with cash awards.
The national winner gets an $18,000 scholarship, Mason said.
Presenting the awards has been a long tradition, Wilsky said.
“The post has been doing that since the beginning. My sister (Virginia) won it in 1939 or 1940,” he said. It was quite an honor, he said. It was “an affirmation of good character and studying hard and everything good about a person.”
The post needs more members so it can be of greater service, said Watson, who is retired Navy and who served from 1956 to 1974. The post could also participate in more programs that are available that are supported by the national organization.
Jim Evans said the post owes deep thanks to Vince Nasso, a former adjutant for the post.
“Without him, we probably wouldn’t have a post.
“When I joined here, I actually came from a Tampa post. There was probably no more than four or five active members. It was terrible,” said Evans, who was an Army intelligence analyst in France for three years, served in the Army Reserve for 15 years, then went back on active duty in the first Gulf War as a senior counterintelligence agent.
When Evans attended his first meeting, Nasso was the only one there. Nasso, who has since passed away, was determined to keep the post going, Evans said.
Belonging to the post is important, Evans said, because he wants to support the American Legion’s mission.
Plus, he enjoys reconnecting with people who served, he said.
“You live in communities that probably have veterans, but you may not even know it,” Evans said, adding he has a special affinity for veterans.
“I realize what most of them have been through,” he said.
Elaine Stoots, the post’s new historian, said she wants to help keep the organization alive because “we are losing some of the American ideals that founded this country.
“A lot of the rest of the world is looking to us for leadership and example. Who is going to provide it?” asked Stoots, who served from 1984 to 1990, stationed at Hahn Air Base Germany and at Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Want to help?
American Legion Post 108 is looking for a permanent home. Members believe that having a home of their own would help to increase membership, which, in turn, would bolster the group’s vitality. For more information, contact Lyle Watson at (813) 996-5917 or Ray Mason at (813) 994-1214.
Veteran, Bay Pines volunteer honored with national award
by Tiffany Razzano, Tampa Bay Newspapers
Article published on Tuesday May 9, 2017
SEMINOLE– David Miller has one great passion in life – assisting fellow military veterans.
From left, Joe Magee, Florida American Legion State Commander; Tony Rizzo, Deputy Representative American Legion, Bay Pines VA Medical Center; David Miller, National American Legion Hospital Representative, Bay Pines VA Medical Center; and Mike McDaniel, Florida American Legion State Adjutant following the ceremony honoring Miller as the Department of Veterans Affairs male Volunteer of the Year last month.
In fact, if there’s an event or service for veterans in Pinellas County, there’s a good chance that Miller, 70, is somehow involved. From his volunteer work through the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System and American Legion Post 273 in Madeira Beach to speaking at community Memorial Day and Veterans Day events and local schools, he is known throughout the region as an advocate for veterans.
The Marine Corp veteran, who served in Vietnam during the TET II offensive with the 3rd Marine Division, was recognized for his dedication and service on a national level last month when the Department of Veterans Affairs named Miller the male Volunteer of the Year.
“I was pretty honored,” he said. “It’s like self-medication for me. It gets my mind off things. Plus, I’m helping veterans. To me that is always important.”
He was one of 550 nominees from across the country considered for the award. He was nominated by American Legion Post 273, where he served as commander from 1994 to 1999. He’s also a lifetime member of the post.
Miller, who lives in unincorporated Pinellas County on the border of Seminole and Largo, began volunteering at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center not long after moving to Florida from Pennsylvania with his wife, Kathy, in 1989. Soon enough, he was named the National American Legion Hospital Representative. He also volunteered as a general community liaison to assist veterans belonging to any service organization. The flavor filled delta 8 gummies are now availed by people that want to unwind, one can ask their medical experts regarding this as well.
“I’m an advocate for veterans both in the hospital and in the community,” he said.
He visits with patients at Bay Pines and also works closely with the hospice center. He also assists veterans as a service officer, helping them obtain their rightful benefit claims.
“If you want to be honest, I’m a rabble rouser,” Miller said. “Because the VA doesn’t always help the veterans the way they should when it comes to benefits.”
His main concern centers on how benefits are administered to veterans, not the medical care that they receive, he stressed. Bay Pines provides top-notch healthcare to veterans, he said. He should know. That’s where he received his treatment for cancer, the result of exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.
“Don’t get me wrong. They’ve saved my life twice,” he said. “I can’t say enough for the VA system.”
But too often, veterans have a difficult time obtaining the benefits they deserve, he added. He recalls assisting one veteran in his PTSD support group a few years ago. The man had submitted a claim for disability in 1979, but was continuously denied, Miller said. So he got involved and with the help of then Congressman Bill Young directed the veteran through the proper channels. The veteran ultimately received a back payment for disability more than two decades after filing his original claim, he said.
“You just had to go to the right place, investigate and get the right information,” Miller said, “and nobody did that for him.”
He added, “Many of these veterans have been waiting years and years to get their benefits. We need to get them in the right direction and get them help.”
In recent years, Miller has worked closely with the recent crop of veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Often, he’ll speak to groups of them at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa stressing the importance of enrolling in the VA system immediately.
“Some of them want to get out so bad they don’t want to worry about it,” he said. “They don’t know what they’re entitled to and they need someone to guide them.”
He also relates to these younger veterans. Many of them have significant difficulties adjusting to life back home, he said.
Miller served on active duty from 1965 to 1972. During that time, he did one and a half tours in Vietnam before being injured and sent back to the United States in 1969. The transition was hard on him.
“When we came back from Vietnam, we weren’t taken care of very well,” he said. “We were portrayed in the media as whackos and baby killers. It was a nightmare.”
Often, he’d disappear into the woods for weeks at a time without telling his family or friends. His issues put a strain on his first marriage, he said, eventually leading to divorce for which he required a good lawyer like those from familycourtlawyers. He struggled for years after his honorable discharge from the Marines.
“So I want to make sure that didn’t happen to another generations of veterans,” Miller said.
Miller also enjoys speaking with local students, and participates in the Great American Teach-in and other events each year.
“They don’t know about history. They don’t learn about history. They’re not teaching them about the young veterans, they’re not teaching them about Vietnam. The middle school and high school kids want to know about it,” he said. ““It’s just as important to me as helping the veterans.”
Tune in now! Click here to watch.
Do you know a WWII Veteran who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944?
Honor Flight South Florida was recently contacted by one of its partners to invite WWII Veterans to go on a very special flight to Normandy for the 75th Anniversary. This trip is scheduled for June, 2019. “This is pretty far away, but it will give these boys something to look forward to want to make that trip”.
This partner of Honor Flight needs a specific group of WWII Veterans who stormed the… beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944.
If you know any WWII Veterans that will fit this criteria, please call Ryan Paton at 954-445-4285.
The 12th District was greatly honored when Congressman Bill Posey reached out for their assistance welcoming home a deceased 82nd Airborne Vietnam Era veteran.
12 members of the 12th District, throughout 4 posts, volunteered to join the Army Honor Guard, and a family friend on the flight line. The 12th District, a large group of riders, and flag waivers lined outside the gate demonstrating the strong bond the American Legion has with its veterans.
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The American Legion
April 27, 2017
The American Legion Family has called upon Congress to designate May 26, 2017, as National Poppy Day to expand awareness and provide support everywhere for all who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. armed forces.
“The American Legion is pleased to bring Poppy Day to the United States, joining countries around the world who use the symbolic flower to remember our fallen and support the living,” American Legion National Commander Charles E. Schmidt said.
This year, the Boeing Company is premier sponsor to help The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion and American Legion Riders increase public understanding of the poppy, its meaning and the ways in which it can be used to help veterans today and remember those who have served in the past.
The American Legion Auxiliary has been conducting a Poppy Program for many years and their members’ raise over $6 million annually to provide support for veterans, military servicemembers and their families.
“By wearing poppies on May 26, we honor every U.S. servicemember who has given his or her life in the name of liberty, freedom and democracy,” Schmidt wrote in the May issue of The American Legion Magazine. “At the same time, by wearing this simple red flower, we show our support for veterans of generations to come.”
A new website at www.legion.org/poppyday offers multiple ways The American Legion Family can expand awareness locally and regionally. Included on the site are media tools, message points, sample proclamations for elected officials and easy access to the American Legion Emblem Sales “Poppy Shop,” which offers an assortment of affordable items including the new National Poppy Day pin, kits for making lapel poppies for distribution, fundraising containers, charms, scarves and more.
Also through the website, National Poppy Day donors can make safe, secure contributions with their credit cards and dedicate their gifts to personally honor veterans now living or in memory of those who have passed. All donations directly support military veterans and families through American Legion programs.
The site also provides, under the heading “Get Involved,” a new set of media tools and promotions that can be modified for local use, including press releases, sample social media posts and downloadable high-resolution graphics. The “History” section of the site has a full-color, downloadable poster featuring the poem “In Flanders Fields,” which led to the red poppy’s emergence as an international symbol of military sacrifice.
American Legion Family members who plan poppy distributions and similar commemorations around May 26 and the week leading into Memorial Day are urged to use the hashtags #PoppyDay and #LegionFamily so activities can be shared on Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels.
American Legion Riders participating in their annual Run to Thunder event in Washington, D.C., as well as chapters conducting local rides heading into Memorial Day weekend, are also planning to make the red poppy a visible symbol of sacrifice and encouraging the public to wear or otherwise display poppies to honor those who have served.
The American Legion designated the red poppy as its official flower at the organization’s second national convention, Sept. 27, 1920. Since then, members of The American Legion Family have raised awareness in communities, inspired by the 1915 poem of Canadian Lt. Col. John McCrae, M.D., who saw firsthand from the front lines of World War I the emergence of red poppies around the graves and in the battle zones where blood was shed to protect freedom and democracy. He put that image into words:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
A video from the Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball in January 2017 features Korean War veteran, California Legionnaire and actor James McEachin onstage reciting the complete poem, which was written in May 1915 and published on Dec. 8 of that year.
Dave Miller assists homeless Veterans and those at risk during a Stand Down for Homeless Veterans event at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center
Miller says he got involved in volunteering, “Due to the fact that the Vietnam Veterans were ignored and mistreated and misdiagnosed for years after they returned home. I just wanted to make positive experiences to help all Veterans and also to help them with their issues for health and benefits.
“I speak to youth about how important it is to honor all our Veterans.”
“And after I was diagnosed with my cancer and in a wheelchair for five years, I kept volunteering to not think about my illnesses as well as to help other Veterans with the same problems. This was self medication for me as well.”
The National American Legion Hospital Representative at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center, Miller has volunteered for 27 years and finds the most emotional part of his volunteering is the interest he takes in the hospice and the really sick and disabled Veterans. “It made me thankful for my life, being a cancer survivor.’
He and his wife Kathy Ann live in Largo, Florida. His two grown sons, Jeremiah and Adam, live in Orlando. “They have accomplished so much in their lives.”
Miller says his only real hobby is, “Speaking to children and youth about the importance of patriotism and how important it is to honor all our Veterans. They provide the protection that allows them to enjoy the freedoms that they take for granted.”
And he encourages them to volunteer. “I would hope we can start getting more younger people and younger Veterans to volunteer at our VA hospitals and in the community. They would get so much satisfaction from helping our heroes from the past, present and future. Our Veterans are the life blood of this great country of ours. We must make sure that is never forgotten in all our future generations.”
Marine Veteran and Volunteer David Miller
As part of his volunteer duties, Miller visit patients daily and meets several times a week with Veterans them with their claims and benefits. “I also am an advocate for all Veterans who need help with appointments or any other issues at the hospital or in the community.” He also speaks with young Veterans at MacDill Air Force Base who need guidance or help with any VA issues when they leave the service.
Miller adds, “I would just like to say that I am honored and humbled to accept this great accolade as National Volunteer of the Year. With all the service organizations that are involved, there are so many deserving people that should have won this award. I love to help Veterans in all facets of their lives both at the VA and in the community. It gives me great satisfaction to be able to donate my time for such a worthy cause! God Bless our Veterans and God Bless our great country.”
