The American Legion Department of Florida will be hosting its 98th Annual Statewide Convention June 16 – 19th 2016 at The Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, 6677 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando FL, 32821.
We wanted to give each Post the unique opportunity to be recognized by advertising in our Convention Program. This is your chance to send well wishes for a successful convention; announce outstanding membership goals; thank your officers for a great year; announce new officers or pay tribute to a special member of your post!
There are three different advertisement layouts to choose from: full page, half page or quarter page. The following rates are exclusive to our Legionnaires:
Full Page Advertisement (8.5 x 11) $350 Legion Member Discount: $175
Half Page Advertisement (5.5 x 9) $200 Legion Member Discount: $100
Quarter Page Advertisement (5.5 x 4.5) $100 Legion Member Discount: $50
ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MAY 15th 2016
The American Legion appreciates your support of our veterans that have served and continue to serve our great country. We extend our ever-lasting gratitude to our men and women in uniform. If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Douglas, Event Coordinator at 407-295-2631 ext. 232 or via email at events@floridalegion.org
Dedicated Locations Added to List of Student Veteran Resources at UTI’s Orlando Campuses
ORLANDO, Fla. (April 12, 2016) – Universal Technical Institute (NYSE: UTI), the leading provider of post-secondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, car accidents or collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, today unveiled new onsite student veterans’ centers at its two Orlando campuses. The centers, located at both the Universal Technical Institute campus and the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute campus, are designed to provide a comfortable and relaxing environment for some the school’s most- honored students to unwind.
UTI veteran students can access the centers and any veteran-specific materials relating to campus resources, educational benefits, scholarships, grants, career opportunities, campus/community events and veterans’ hospital services. Veteran work/study personnel are also on hand everyday to meet the specific needs of UTI’s student veterans.
“We recognize that veterans face unique challenges as they transition to civilian careers and share strong bonds with others who have served,” said Steve McElfresh, president of Universal Technical Institute and its sister campuses, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute, in Orlando. “These new, dedicated centers offer our veteran students social opportunities that will enhance their connectedness to one another and optimize the learning environment.”
McElfresh was joined at the dedication ceremony by Fla. Rep Victor Torres, Jr., and Dennis Latta, Central Florida Supervisor for the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Both Torres, a Marine Corps veteran himself, and Latta toured the school’s state-of-the-industry campus and met with current UTI student veterans.
For five straight years, UTI has been named a Military Friendly School®, a designation given to the top 15% of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that deliver the best experience for military students.
The Invictus Games opening ceremony producers are STILL accepting vocal/singing auditions!
This is an opportunity for active duty, veteran, spouses to be a part of an international program right here in Orlando Florida.
If you are an individual or part of a group and want to showcase your singing talent, contact the CAMMO organization – let them know you want to audition – and they well help you audition remotely –
C*A*M*M*O
Center for American Military Music Opportunities
The open ceremony will be broadcast live around the world! Pass the word to all your military/veteran friends & families and get them involved too.
We have included an article link (below) from the Military Times that will update you on some of the program and the celebrity personalities involved. You DON’T want to miss out on this unique opportunity to be involved with wounded warriors from around the world.
See YOU in Orlando for the Invictus Games! Have a Great Day!
Here is a bit more info about the games if you know of anyone in the area that has not yet auditioned please let them know http://militari.ly/1S6t4k8!
Providing custom canes & training, improving physical therapy and morale for our wounded and veterans worldwide.
3 Hour Free cane seminar for disabled veterans. Includes a FREE Cane for participant ($225 value)
The Warrior’s Cane Project has trained hundreds of recently returning, middle-aged, and Senior Veterans from coast-to-coast in the past 8 years. The Project is a registered 501C3 non-profit and is designed for Veterans and is 100% no-cost for Veterans.
The only requirement for participation is that the individual receiving the tools and training is a Veteran of the U. S. Armed Forces.
The Warrior Cane Project and Cane Masters International will be holding no-cost Special Event for Veterans in the Tampa Area this June. Participants will receive a $225 custom Warrior Combat Cane plus training at no cost, no strings attached.
This Special Event will be held in the Tampa Bay area at:
Sheraton Suites / Tampa Airport
4400 West Cypress Street
Tampa, Florida 33607
(813) 873-8675
We here at the Warrior’s Cane Project and Cane Masters would like to conduct the event for a total of 60 Veterans on Friday, June 8, 2016. There will be two sessions, one from 0900-1200 hours and one from 1300 until 1600 hours (two sessions and we would like to have 30 Veterans per session).
We would respectfully request that all interested Veterans pre-register with Cane Masters International by calling (800) 422-2263 so that we can keep track of attendance and which session they wish to attend.
For more information or to schedule an event, please contact: Cane Masters (800) 422-2263 or email info@canemasters.com.
Last year the Department of Florida won the Garland Murphy Award based on total contributions of $31,883.00 from June 1, 2014 through May 31, 2015.
With May 31st being approximately 7 weeks away, I am again asking for your support and contribution to The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, Inc.
So far as of April 7th Florida American Legion has contributed $14,015.00 to the Foundation.
We are presently in third (3rd) place in donations as of April 7th. Below is the donations by Departments
STATE DONATIONS
Pennsylvania $21,988.55
Iowa $14,581.70
Florida $14,015.00
As you can see we are behind the Department of Pennsylvania by $7,973.55. I know things are tuff, but if you can afford to make a donation to Foundation, we could possibly bring home The Garland Murphy Award again this year.
I will be leaving for Indianapolis on April 28th for the National Executive Committee meetings. If you would like for me to present your check at the Board of Directors meeting on May 1st, you can send the check to me at
314 Lake Ave Lehigh Acres, FL 33936
Please have it arrive before April 28th. Or you can send your check to
The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation
PO Box 1055
Indianapolis, IN 46206
I am thanking you in advance for your consideration and support of the Foundation.
Dennis R. Boland President The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation
Governor Scott Names Lieutenant Colonel Glenn Sutphin as Interim Executive Director of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced his nomination for the interim appointment to fill the vacancy at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs created by the resignation of Mike Prendergast. Lieutenant Colonel Glenn Sutphin is named as the interim appointment subject to the approval by the three members of the Cabinet. The Florida Cabinet will meet on April 26th to vote on Lieutenant Colonel Sutphin becoming the interim appointment.
Governor Rick Scott said, “Glenn has done a great job at the Department of Military Affairs advocating for all of Florida’s National Guardsmen for almost 20 years. He served alongside the brave men and women of our state in the Florida National Guard and has dedicated his career to not only making sure all Floridians are safe, but also making Florida the most veteran friendly state in the nation. As a disabled veteran, I am confident he will provide great leadership while continuing to advocate for all of Florida’s veterans.
Sutphin has served as the Chief of Staff and Legislative Affairs Director of the Department of Military Affairs since 1999. Prior to that he served in the Florida National Guard as a U.S. Army Officer and Field Artillery Officer for over 30 years. He also worked as the Desoto County Development Director while serving as a guardsman. He has been awarded over 50 medals including the Legion of Merit and the Florida Cross, the highest award in Florida, for exceptional performance in outstanding service and achievement. He was also awarded the Order of Saint Barbara and the Bronze Order of Mercury for outstanding innovation in programming.
The Cabinet Governance Guidelines (link) adopted by the Governor and Cabinet call for the Governor to name an interim appointee to temporarily fill a vacancy, subject to the approval by the Cabinet. The process of making a permanent appointment will also be governed by the Cabinet Governance Guidelines.
To view the letter Governor Scott sent to Cabinet members please click HERE.
Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state officials regarding state business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure.
Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive and join us as we celebrate Lee County’s National Spirit of ’45 Day in For Myers on August 14, 2016. For full details please visit www.spiritof45.org.
Florida Legionnaires, Thank you for all your support in our year with “Legion PRIDE”, But Please continue to work on Membership and help your Post, District and Department. Be a 100% on membership we can do it. How? By doing the following: Retain, Reinstate, Recruit, and Renew of our members who have NOT renew up to now. Please continue if you have not made 100% keep going until June 30, 2016 which is the end of the Legion year.
I thanks all the District I visited for helping me with the Post visit and the warm welcome in the Districts. We have great Post in Florida and we all do something difference in our community’s please continue doing all we can for our Veterans and their families. Also do not forget our Volunteers just say Thank you or have an appreciation day (a Dinner, award of some kind and certificate of appreciation) for your volunteers.
We have a very good time as the Legion Family: first picture at Post 142, Post 335 and Post 130.
Also, we need your Post CPR (Consolidated Post Report) and Department Addendum. Your Post has work all year round with all the programs so please lets do it (CPR) and turn it in to Department as soon as possible. If you are going to the Department Convention and your Post has not sent in the CPR report you cannot vote so get it in NOW. Please do your part and do the right thing and turn it in (your CPR report).
Do you like awards? If so this is easy to do “Post Excellence Award”. I know you do the work at your Post so if your Post is 100% just do it the paperwork to receive the award and send it to me at Department HQ, with the following information:
Membership: Must be at least one member greater than the previous year. At least one Post officer attends District meetings.
Youth Activities: Must sponsor and actively participate in at least one primary youth program: Boys State, American Legion Baseball, Oratorical, Boy Scout or Junior Shooting Sports. Just one program you do very well.
Community: Must accomplish a community service project with members of the Legion Family activity working in the community outside the post home. A wide range of potential projects exists, such as a project centered on one of the Children & Youth’s emphasis areas to fulfilling a strictly local needs. A monetary donation may be part of the project but may not constitute the entire project.
Service to troops/veterans: Must accomplish a project supporting troops or veterans in the community with Legion Family members outside the post home. Potential projects include the Family Support Network, Heroes to hometown, or simply helping a local veteran with necessary update to his or her home. Again, a monetary donation may be part of the project but may not constitute the entire project.
Your Post does all the hard work all year round so Post Recognition should be a top priority because you all deserve it. Each Post has something they do excellence so why NOT? Thank you and your Post for all the work they DO.
Thank you for all your support and please continue working hard.
VIEW classes are next week. All Veterans are encouraged to register for attend.
Don’t forget that the location is at Lake Nona. For those Veterans who are closer to Lake Baldwin, please have them take the shuttle to Lake Nona. The shuttle runs every hour on the hour.
The Sons of The American Legion, Detachment of Florida cordially invites you and a guest to attend a dinner to honor Ed Sheubrooks who will be retiring after 35 years as the Detachment of Florida Adjutant and will be at home now with the proper In Home Hospice Care to help him with all of his medical needs. For those close to retire and in the need of health care services, consider contacting Wilshire Health & Community Services: home health care. Of course, there are plenty of options for those looking to make their new home at an assisted living facility, where their needs and health can be taken care of seamlessly. If you navigate to this website you can find several options in order to locate the closest one to you. Should you like what you see in the site, you can easily schedule a visit in order to take a look at the facilities first hand.
This is the final week that we will accepting RSVPs to attend this event to honor one of our own who has selfishly served The American Legion Family here in Florida. As we get closer to the event we need to make sure that our caterer has right number of attendees. If you are planning to attend we have extended the date to respond, please RSVP no later than Thursday, April 7, 2016 as we must supply our information to the caterer no later than 7 days prior to the event.
We hope that you will be able to join us for this event to honor a great man for his dedicated service to The American Legion Family.
Please share this with other members of The American Legion Family. For more information, contact Detachment Assistant Adjutant Jim Roberts by e-mail at jim.robertsfl@gmail.com.
American Legion in partnership with Gov Vacation Rewards invites all current and former members of the military to take advantage of an exclusive offer for Orlando Predators arena football tickets at the Amway Center all season long. Come celebrate the Orlando Predators 25th Anniversary with 100 % of the net proceeds being donated to Project Vet Relief.
$15 Tickets (Retail Price – $35.00)
2016 Home Game Schedule
Sat. April 9 | 7:30pm vs. Portland
Sat. April 23|7:30pm vs. Los Angeles
Sat. May 7 | 7:30pm vs. Arizona
Fri. May 13 | 7:30pm vs. Tampa Bay
Fri. May 27 | 7:30pm vs. Jacksonville
Mon. June 13 | 7:30pm vs. Cleveland
Fri. June 24 | 7:30pm vs. Tampa Bay
Sat. July 30 | 7:30pm vs. Philadelphia
To purchase tickets please contact Allyson Capeca at 407-295-2631
DeLand, FL – DeLand will get money from the state to restore the historic American Legion Post there damaged when a tree fell during a hurricane.
Around $100,000 was set aside for the American Legion Post in the state budget that was signed by Governor Rick Scott on Thursday. State Senator Dorothy Hukill (R-Port Orange) and Representative Dwayne Taylor (D-Daytona Beach) have been given credit for helping the Post and the city of DeLand get the funds for the facility, and the two have recieved thanks from DeLand Mayor Bob Apgar for their work. “This will continue the legacy of this historic African-American American Legion Post,” said Apgar.
According to Hukill, supporting the American Legion Post was important because the organization is involved in the community and helps veterans. “I’m so happy we’ll be able to preserve this historic landmark,” said Hukill. “This is a very, very worthy project,” added Taylor. “I was glad to be able to get the funding.”
The current building at 415 West Voorhis Ave. was built in 1954. It has since been recognized as a historic site by the city of DeLand. The building was damaged by hurricanes in 2004, and a large oak tree fell on the back of the building. Work has been done, but the back of the building where the tree hit needs a major overhaul according to Post Commander Charles Williams.
Williams plans to open a museum to show the history of African-Americans in the nation’s wars. “We want to tell the story of our involvement,” he said. “A lot of our history has been unwritten.”
Discussing the future of the Post, Williams said “I’m going to leave it better than I found it. Keep the dream alive and pass it on.”
DUNEDIN, Fl – The American Legion will hold a Walk for Veterans here on Saturday, March 26. Leading the Walk will be American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett and Department of Florida Commander Jim Ramos.
“The purpose of this Walk is to raise public awareness about the crucial issues facing America’s veterans and their families,” said Department Commander Ramos. “An estimated 22 veterans a day commit suicide. Traumatic brain injuries have become a signature wound of the Global War on Terrorism and up to 20 percent of the men and women who served in Iraq or Afghanistan are believed to experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Veterans still have difficulty receiving health care in a timely manner and many have been waiting years to have their disability claims resolved. We owe it to those who served our country to never forget their sacrifice and devotion. We are walking for those who marched for us.”
The Walk will begin at 8 am and is open to all participants. The length of the walk is 2 miles and will start at American Legion Post 275, 360 Wilson Street, Dunedin. It will end at Purple Heart Park.
All of the proceeds will benefit The American Legion National Emergency Fund, which has provided more than $8 million of assistance to American Legion Family members and posts that have been impacted by natural disasters in communities across the country since 1969.
The registration fee for the walk is $15.00 and will include a t-shirt, bottled water and breakfast at the post following the walk.
For more information about The American Legion Walk for Veterans call (727) 733-8153.
On one side is a picture of the facilities at Nordhausen, a sub-camp of the German concentration camp Mittelbau-Dora in Thuringia, Germany. On the other side are pictures of the “residents” of that camp – some dying, some dead, most of them shells of the persons they once were.
In the middle of the two pictures, proudly displayed on the wall of American Legion Post 38’s John Ebling Veteran Art Gallery in Fort Myers, Fla., is an American flag stitched by those imprisoned at Nordhausen. What the flag represents is why it’s Post 38 Commander Kevin Boyd’s favorite piece in the gallery.
“As bad as it got, those people still had hope that the United States was coming to liberate them,” Boyd said. “That’s pretty powerful.”
The gallery, which opened last summer, was the brainchild of Boyd, who spent 29 years in the Navy and Naval Reserve before becoming Post 38’s commander seven years ago.
The post is named for Ebling, an Army veteran who worked in Lee County’s Office of Veterans Services. A wall in the gallery is dedicated to Ebling.
Boyd called Ebling “a man of vision. He always wanted to be the first of doing something that’s different (and) outside the norm. That’s what we need: people who go outside the norm.
“He opened (a Legion post) on a college campus (Hodges University). He brought the U.S.S. Mohawk down here and had it sunk. It’s a barrier reef for downtown. I thought it would be a great idea for a great person that has done so much for so many people, and a great way to honor him.”
And Ebling’s family’s reaction to the decision? “They were totally blown away,” Boyd said. “They couldn’t believe it. They come up here all the time.”
The gallery fits in perfectly with downtown Fort Myers’ Art Walk. On the first Friday of each month, downtown art galleries invite residents and visitors to a self-guided walking tour through downtown’s River District and Gardner’s Park area.
“I was talking with John Ebling’s daughter, and I said, ‘We have Art Walk. What a great way to bring people here to see what’s going on at The American Legion by creating an art gallery,’” Boyd said. “She goes, ‘What do we have to do to make it happen?'”
That set in motion the planning process. A room at the post was designated as the home of the museum, and post members then stripped the floors and walls, and repainted the room. “It took us two months to get it ready,” Boyd said. “This was veterans working night, day, whatever availability didn’t interfere with the operation of the post.”
Boyd said selling the idea of an art gallery to the post membership wasn’t difficult. “They look at it as change,” he said. “In any organization, change is an inevitable part of life. We’ve been doing the same old thing. If you do the same thing all the time and get no results, you have to change what you do. That’s what we wanted to do. We wanted to be proactive (and) be part of the community.”
Boyd’s brother, an Air Force veteran and artist, provided the first nine pieces of artwork. The grand opening of the gallery, and ensuing local media coverage, resulted in a slew of donated pieces.
“We have people who have 20 pieces of art they want to put in (the gallery),” Boyd said. “So what we’ve tried to do is change it up every month so that we have a different look, a different face of art that’s in the gallery.”
The creation of the artwork can be therapeutic for the artists. “That was one of the things that came out when we first talked about it,” Boyd said. “I talked with (a Department of Veterans Affairs case worker), and she said, ‘Kevin, that’s a great thing. A lot of these veterans that have PTSD, this a way for them to release a little tension.’ If a veteran wants to come in and display or sell their artwork, it’s here for them to do it.”
Boyd said the art gallery has created more foot traffic at the post. An at-risk children’s facility has contacted Boyd about creating a gallery for its children at their facility. Other veterans groups, including one from Canada, have come to visit the gallery. One Jewish veteran, a former prisoner of war, cried when he saw the Nordhausen flag.
“It brings back a lot of memories,” Boyd said. “It helps them heal old wounds, especially with our Vietnam veterans. A lot of times they don’t want to talk about the things that they went through.
“This has truly exceeded my expectations. I thought I’d have a few paintings here or there. The room’s not big enough to display (all the donated items). We’d like to make sure that we rotate them every month so that people can see some of the great work that these veterans do.”
The wearing of the cap and usage of The American Legion emblem, facilities and political donations
According to Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution of The American Legion, “The American Legion shall be absolutely nonpolitical and shall not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles nor for the promotion of the candidacy of any person seeking public office or preferment.” The National Charter, approved by Congress, also stipulates The American Legion as an organization is nonpolitical* which has been interpreted by the National Judge Advocate as “nonpartisan” in modern lingo. Therefore, The American Legion as an organization is prohibited from contributing, helping or endorsing a candidate. However, a member, as a private citizen, and not representing the organization, can employ whatever legal and ethical means to advance his or her candidate.
The Legion cap is considered the official Legion uniform (see p. 42 of The American Legion Officers Guide and Manual of Ceremonies). It is not an individual Legion member’s decision on the appropriate usage of the cap and emblem. If attending a political event, The American Legion cap, or any clothing with the emblem visible, should be removed so as not to imply endorsement by The American Legion. The problem is the assumption of endorsement by those who see the emblem or name worn at in improper location, such as a partisan rally.
When using post facilities to host candidates, post should remove emblem and Legion flag to avoid any impression of endorsements. Candidates for all parties must be presented equal opportunity at the same time to use the facilities on the same terms and conditions as other competing candidates.
If financial contributions are offered by candidates for political office, campaigns, political action committees or political parties, The American Legion should politely decline. Accepting these contributions may be perfectly legal, but The American Legion must avoid any perception of supporting any candidate or political party.
The American Legion values its independence and effectiveness on veterans’ issues. This stance is best maintained by neutrality on individual candidates or political parties. The American Legion by legal definition is non-partisan and supports only issues which impact your Four Pillars.
* This means “non-partisan” in today’s society. The American Legion is allowed by Congress to lobby for veterans benefits and a strong United States of America. (NJA, October 25, 2012)
Check out the video from the Walk for Veterans on Saturday, February 20th. Thank you to Post 117 and the city of Palm Bay for bringing awareness to The American Legion and our veterans!
All American Flag Act was signed into law! Matthew Susin presented The American Legion, Department of Florida with an original bill copy with the original signature of the governor for their support in getting the bill passed.
Beginning Jan. 1, all U.S. or state flags bought by state, county or city agencies are to be made in the United States.
News 6 partner Florida Today reported that three years ago, Andres Matos, then a student at Eau Gallie High School, said he was watching the news for a class assignment and started to think about all the products made in other countries that Americans consume. He brought the idea to a discussion in history teacher Matt Susin’s class where he said he learned something very alarming — even American flags aren’t made in the United States.
It was an idea so simple, so logical, said Susin, that it ignited a lesson in civics that would unfold as reality before the class. The class was charged with pursuing the issue. Students petitioned local government to take action.
The group called for the state to enact a policy to which all public entities purchase American-made flags. When Susin switched schools to Viera High, he again prompted students to take action. The Jefferson Club, a community service organization at the school, jumped on board and reached out to local veterans organizations to join forces in support. 17-year-old Tim Lancaster, a member of the club, gave speeches throughout the county urging others to support the bill alongside fellow students like Josh Henderson and Tyla Gelman who spoke passionately about the issue. Governor Rick Scott came to Viera High on September 21, 2015 to hold another ceremonial signing of the bill.
After the bill was signed Matthew Susin started the Brevard County Veterans back to school program. Veterans from Brevard through the help and coordination efforts of the Joe Foss Institute are speaking on various topics in our Brevard. In the short amount of time that it has started they have spoken to over 14,000 students, and the program has now become the largest speaking project in the southeast United States!
► Job Seekers, Employers, and Service Organizations: Click here to register. Why register? Job seekers can upload their resumes to be viewed by employers ahead of the event.
If you have any other questions, please visit our FAQ page.
HIRING OUR HEROES EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOP
This Hiring Our Heroes employment workshop is led by HR and workforce professionals and covers a variety of topics including resume building, networking, and interview tips, taking into account the job seeker’s military background and lifestyle. Hiring Our Heroes digital tools are also integrated into the workshop curriculum. Immediately following the workshop, volunteer career coaches will help you develop an elevator pitch, participate in a mock interview, and create a more effective resume.
► Must register as a job seeker above.
This hiring event is being conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Orlando Chamber of Commerce, United States Army Reserve (USAR), HHC, 143rd Sustainment Command Expeditionary, Private Public Partnership (P3O) Office, Workforce Central Florida, FL Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR), U.S. Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, American Legion, Goodwill Industries International, NBC News, and other local partners.
![Winner & Thank You Flyer 2016[2]](https://www.floridalegion.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Winner-Thank-You-Flyer-20162.jpg)
