The American Legion’s first generation was heavily involved with – if not fully responsible for – design, construction and dedication of hundreds of monuments and memorials to honor those who served, fought and died in World War I.
Over the decades, many of these sacred landmarks have become weathered and aged, if not forgotten altogether, and are in need of restoration. That is why The American Legion’s National Executive Committee passed a resolution in May to promote and participate in a joint venture with the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library: “100 Cities/100 Memorials.”
Legion posts are encouraged to apply for funds through the program, which is designed to foster a sense of heritage in local communities, recognize local stories and people who were involved in the war, and create a way for community members to participate in the national World War I centennial.
Matching grants of up to $2,000 per applicant are available for the restoration of sacred places to honor those who served in the Great War.
Videos on the World War One Centennial Commission website at www.ww1cc.org/100memorials will explain how to conserve memorials, research a memorial’s history and create a project plan for submission. The application deadline is June 15, 2017. Memorials need to be located in the 50 states or U.S. territories, and the preservation work must be completed (or have been completed) between Jan. 1, 2014, and Nov. 11, 2018.
Governor Scott has signed the 2016 POW/MIA Recognition Day in Florida Proclamation. September 16, 2016 is proclaimed as POW/MIA Recognition Day in Florida.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Hermine, many are left devastated across the region. We would like to remind you of The American Legion’s National Emergency Fund for situations, just like this. If you have been affected, the information link below will help you learn more about the program and apply for assistance.
If you were spared, we also encourage you to think of the countless others who were not, and donate to this valuable program.
Saturday, October 15, 2016 is our Military Appreciation football game vs University of Dayton at 12:00 pm.
Please come out and support our football team during this special event, there will be memorable custom coins from Coincious. Admission is free for all active duty military and veterans.
If you have a unit patch that you would like to donate for our players to wear on their uniform that day, please get those to me along with a short write up about your unit no later than September 2, 2016 so that I’m able to get those to the team with enough time to get them sewn on their uniforms.
As an American, maybe the most important thing you should know about all of these conditions is that they are among the most prevalent disabilities among U.S. veterans. They represent a fraction of the sacrifices made by the men and women in our U.S. Armed Forces. May is National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM), and Allsup salutes all veterans, active duty personnel and their families.
“It all began as a simple idea-to gather America around its military family to honor, remember, recognize and appreciate those who have served and those now serving and to know the history behind it all,” said NMAM founder and executive director Alice Wax.
“Our military represents the highest caliber of professionalism and technology. We ask them to willingly risk their lives in a moment’s notice; should we not willingly and openly recognize their contributions and their sacrifices as well?”
Designated by Congress and now in its 14th year, NMAM recognizes the more than 90 million Americans who are active duty military members, or in the National Guard and Reserves, and includes retirees, veterans, and their families. Important dates during the month include Loyalty Day (May 1), VE Day (May 8), Military Spouse Appreciation Day (May 10), Armed Forces Day (May 18), and Memorial Day (May 30).
Let’s show our team how strong our military community is!!!
Our Department 1st Vice Commander, Steve Shuga underwent a total right hip replacement on Wednesday morning, August 24, at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
He remains in good spirits and is expected to be discharged sometime Thursday afternoon. Rehabilitation will begin on Friday at his home over the next 6 weeks.
If you desire to send cards, notes, etc to our Department 1st Vice Commander, his mailing address is: 3355 Bellingham Drive Orlando, FL 32825.
*****We would like to give you advance notice that on this Monday, August 22nd, our office will be upgrading its data services to increase efficiency and reliability of our network. During this time, our staff will not have access to email, internet or the membership database.
We will have phone service, however we will be unable to look up information for membership, programs, etc. We will only be able to answer general questions.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, if you need immediate assistance please call us at 407-295-2631. Otherwise, we will respond to your email as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience during this time.*****
Past Department Legislative Chairman, Stanley Gold, underwent triple bypass heart surgery on Wednesday, August 10, 2016. He is currently in Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, Georgia.
We are happy to announce that Stanley’s surgery went well, and we received the attached photo from him this past Saturday. Please keep Stanley in your thoughts and prayers as he continues to recover.
You can send your get well wishes to 12601 SW 13th Street, Apt. 112, Pembroke Pines, FL 33027.
During 2015-2016, Department of Florida American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary joined together in a fundraising project for the Fisher House Foundation.
Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, close to the medical center or hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated #320 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.
The Department of Florida American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary raised over $124,000. Checks were presented to Fisher House Foundation Southeast Division Vice President Brian G Gawne at the American Legion Department of Florida Headquarters.
All monies raised stay in Florida for Veterans and their families.
Depicted is a check from The American Legion Department of Florida in the amount $66,869.75. The Auxiliary and other Legion entities will also present checks to the Fisher House Foundation.
The members of the American Legion Veterans Memorial Post 347, now over 8,200 strong, are planning our 28th Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, September 30th at Mallory Hill C.C.. This tournament has been a great success in the past and we expect to continue that tradition this year.
It’s important that you don’t build up some rounds or tournaments as being “bigger” or more important than others. I spoke with a new student last night who told me that he has his “biggest tournament of the season” coming up next week. The golf ball doesn’t know whether it’s a “big tournament” or a friendly game with your buddies. They are all just rounds of golf and it’s important that you do your best to treat them as such. The more you build up a round or tournament as being more important than others, the more pressure you put on yourself to do well.
Many of our behaviors and actions are predetermined by what’s already in our subconscious mind (your “belief system”). With the subconscious mind not being able to reason or know the difference between what’s real or imagined, you can shape it by using visualization. Spend 5-10 mins before each round, imagining yourself hitting the shots you’d like to in the round. E.g. See yourself on the first tee, shaking hands with your playing partners, going through your routine and confidently striking your drive down the middle of the fairway. By seeing this success before you play, you’ll give your subconscious mind a “green light” that it’s something to move towards and not be fearful of. To be able to take all the gear you need with you, check out the best golf travel bags at the link.
The members of the Legion hope they can count on your support for our tournament. This event is one of our major fundraisers of the year we will donating all of our proceeds to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association. We are soliciting for hole Sponsorships for each of the 27 holes at the Mallory Hill Country Club. Your business will be seen by every golfer. There are four different levels of sponsorship for you to consider. Click the link below for a flyer outlining the benefits of each sponsorship level, as well as a golf regisrtation form.
Washington, D.C.– 07/13/16 – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has introduced the “VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016,” a bill that would strengthen protections for whistleblowers and increase flexibility to remove VA employees for poor performance or misconduct. The bill would also reform the department’s disability benefits appeals process, which is a top priority for VA leaders and many veterans’ service organizations. Chairman of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Jeff Miller (R-FL-01), introduced the companion bill (H.R. 5620) in the House.
“For far too long, veterans have been victims of a broken and incompetent VA system,” said Rubio. “To make real progress in fixing the VA, we need to tackle the first problem plaguing the VA, which is the lack of accountability among employees. It is simply unacceptable that it can take years to fire one employee for poor management or misconduct.
“The VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 goes further to address the excessive backlog of appeals found at the department that have spiraled out of control,” Rubio added. “To give our veterans the care they deserve, it is crucial this legislation is passed and signed into law.”
Chairman Miller and Senator Rubio have drafted this legislation to comply with recent guidance from the Justice Department (DOJ). Specifically, by addressing due process and appointments clause concerns in the previously-introduced VA Accountability Act (H.R. 1994, S.1082). The revised bill will take away any doubt that these concerns have been addressed and will ensure that the VA Secretary can use expedited authority to manage the Department. Of note, H.R. 1994 passed the House with amendment in July of 2015, while S.1082 has been reported with amendment out of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
The revised legislation is also supported by a growing list of Veteran Service Organizations, including: The American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Concerned Veterans for America, and Student Veterans of America.
We would love to have attendees from the Legion family attend in support of these events and athletes. Here is what’s coming up, more details to come later:
August 27, 2016 State Stand-Up Paddleboard Championships
Nathan Benderson Park
5851 Nathan Benderson Cir
Sarasota, FL
September 2-3, 2016 Golf Championships
Disney Palms Golf Course
1950 W Magnolia Palm Dr
Orlando, FL
September 17, 2016 State Surfing Championships
Alan Shepard Park
Cocoa Beach, FL
Thank you,
William Rick Johnson
3rd Vice Commander
Department of Florida
The American Legion has a great opportunity to share with you, inviting all our legionnaires, veteran’s, employees, families and friends to enjoy a Miami Dolphins vs Atlanta Falcons pre-season game!
The game will be held at the Camping World Stadium on Thursday, August 25, 2016.
Click on the image below and receive an exclusive discounted ticket opportunity to watch live NFL football in Orlando for the first time in over 20 years! If you’re interested in group tickets or block seating (10+), please contact Thomas Eugene (305) 943-6633 or teugene@dolphins.com.
Exemption for Sales of Food or Drink by Qualified Veterans’ Organizations
Sales of food or drink in Florida for immediate consumption are subject to sales and use tax, unless a specific exemption applies.
New Sales Tax Exemption
Beginning July 1, 2016, sales of food or drink by qualified veterans’ organizations to members of such organizations are tax exempt when sold in connection with customary veterans’ organization activities. To qualify for the exemption, the veterans’ organization must hold a current Florida Consumer’s Certificate of Exemption (Form DR-14) as a nationally chartered or recognized veterans’ organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) or (19) of the Internal Revenue Code. Qualified veterans’ organizations may apply for an exemption certificate by filing an Application for a Consumer’s Certificate of Exemption (Form DR-5) with the Department. This fillable form is available on the Department’s website at www.myflorida.com/dor under “Forms and Publications.”
Effect of Exemption on Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration
On or after July 1, 2016, a qualified veterans’ organization that is registered as a sales and use tax dealer may cancel its Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration (Form DR-11) if the only reason for holding the certificate is for the sole purpose of collecting and remitting sales tax on sales of food or drink to members of veterans’ organizations. The quickest way to cancel a certificate of registration is to notify us online. Go to the Department’s website, select “TAXES,” and then select “Update Account Information Online.”
References: Chapter 2016-220, Laws of Florida; Section 212.08(7)(n), Florida Statutes
For More Information
This document is intended to alert you to the requirements contained in Florida laws and administrative rules. It does not by its own effect create rights or require compliance.
For forms and other information, visit our website at www.myflorida.com/dor or call Taxpayer Services, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, at 800-352-3671.
For a detailed written response to your questions, write the Florida Department of Revenue, Taxpayer Services, MS 3-2000, 5050 West Tennessee Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0112.
Want the latest tax information? Subscribe to our tax publications or sign up
for due date reminders at www.myflorida.com/dor/list Follow us on Twitter @MyFLDOR_TaxInfo
Veterans and General Cyclists All Welcome to Help change the lives of our Wounded Military and build a Community Park in Pinellas Park for our heroes by taking part in a fun ride!
The year will end with our Department Convention (June 16 – 19) and another year will start with a new 3rd Vice Commander. I want to thank each and every member of our legion family for all the love and support I have been shown this year as your 3rd Vice Commander. You have done amazing work on your programs and came up with some very interesting ways to raise money to support your programs.
I hope by now you have submitted your Consolidated Post Report (CPR) to Department and National. Department also receives your CPR Addendum. You must have these in by convention in order to vote. Our programs are not complete until the paperwork has been done. It’s these numbers that our National Commander takes to Congress that helps us and our veterans.
I look forward to working with you in the future. We belong to a wonderful organization called “The American Legion Family”.
Dianne M. Boland 3rd Vice Commander Department of Florida 3rdvice@legionmail.org (561) 315-0679
You are cordially invited to participate in the Department of the Navy’s Veteran & Wounded Warrior Hiring and Support Summit on Thursday, June 2nd at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel – Tampa Airport – Westshore, Tampa, FL. The Hiring Fair is from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM and will run in conjunction with veteran focused workshops.
-Updates and additional information also available on website above.
*WALK-INS are welcome
* Please bring employment support documentation IF ABLE (DD-214, Statement of Service, Schedule A, Disability Rating, Transcripts etc.); not required
The Hiring Fair will be led by the Department of Defense’s Hiring Heroes. The employers’ efforts will be focused on providing career opportunities as well as on-site, interview opportunities for qualified wounded, ill, injured, transitioning Service members, Veterans, their spouses, family members and primary caregivers.
The American Legion’s first generation was heavily involved with – if not fully responsible for – design, construction and dedication of hundreds of monuments and memorials to honor those who served, fought and died in World War I.
