This memo is a reminder that Posts are required to return all unused membership cards to Department no later than the end of the calendar year (December 31st). This includes all unused pre-printed blank membership cards and any extra cards provided to the Post throughout the year. Please turn in all unused 2015 membership cards by January 30, 2016 to avoid the assessed $21.00 fee per membership card.
Although the following “Membership Card Verification Form” is not required this year, it would be helpful if it is included. This form will be required when returning unused 2016 membership cards.
Thank you in advance for your assistance and understanding. Please contact the Department at 407-295-2631 if you should have any questions or concerns.
THE FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN: NEWS RELEASE – TRINITY CME HOSTS BLACK PEARL AWARDS
Trinity CME Church will present Black Pearl Awards to select women of faith at its Annual Women’s Day Celebration on Sunday, November 22, 2015 at its 11:15AM and 3PM services. Women who have quietly and unselfishly rendered decades of services to the community in the areas of religion, arts, volunteerism, music, health, media, youth mentoring, military or other areas of service will be celebrated.
The 2015 Black Pearl award recipients are Eunice Butts, Doris Cannon (Purple Passion), Diane Hart, Gwen Hayes, Florence Howell, Josephine Hubbard, Bonnie James, Denise Meteye James, Venus Jones, Ruth Jefferson, Lillie Mae Iglis, Paula Kay, Ruth McNair, and Sonji Rhanes, who like a Black Pearl are described as “extremely rare,” “strong,” “The Pearl of Queens,” a symbol of “ hope for wounded hearts”, “truth”, “wisdom,”” healing” and “life.”
Reverend Debra Thomas, Pastor of Mount Calvary CME Church, Lake Wales, Florida will deliver the 11:15AM morning sermon, and Rev. Dr. Delores Cain of Heritage Community Baptist Church will deliver the 3PM afternoon sermon. The theme for the celebration, “What’s Love Got to Do With It? Loving God, Self and Others”, will focus on forming stronger and healthier bonds of love for God and self, and showing greater love for other women and our children and men. Thus, the women of Trinity, its members and guests will be celebrating women of faith who work to make our women, families, youth, and community healthier and stronger. The public is invited to help us celebrate these women and may call 813-310-0994 for additional information.
On Saturday October 24, 2015, 8th District Officers: 8th District Commander Dennis Walsh, Adjutant Debbie Roush, Sergeant of Arms Jerry Faught, Service Officer Larry Roberts and a member of the Sons of American Legion Squadron 325, Chris Bengtson spent the day at Bay Pines Fisher House. They helped during their Harvest Party by grilling food for the 12 families who were staying there, and helped the kids carve pumpkins to decorate the Fisher House. It was a great feeling knowing that we were able help veterans and their family members, by doing something relatively easy – making a meal for them to eat when that came back from the hospital.
During his report to the National Executive Committee on Oct. 15 in Indianapolis, National Historian James Copher announced the winners of the National Post History Contest and National Department History Contest, which had been judged earlier in the week by a panel of past and present department and national historians. A meeting of the NADHAL (National Association of Department Historians of The American Legion) organization, to which the judges belong, was also held.
2015 winners include:
One-Year Department Narrative History Contest (out of three entries):
First Award, Department of North Carolina
Second Award, Department of Indiana
Honorable Mention, Department of Georgia
One-Year Department Yearbook History Contest (out of 12 entries):
First Award, Department of Nebraska
Second Award, Department of North Carolina
Third Award, Department of Florida
Honorable Mention, Department of North Dakota
One-Year Post Narrative History Contest (out of six entries):
First Award, Banks Post 90, Banks, Ore.
Second Award, Pony Express Post 359, St. Joseph, Mo.
Third Award, Carroll Post 143, Carrollton, Ga.
One-Year Post Yearbook History Contest (out of 25 entries):
First Award, Carroll Post 143, Carrollton, Ga.
Second Award, Alois-Dreikosen Post 469, Marathon, Wis.
Third Award, Frierson-Nichols Post 8, Winter Haven, Fla.
Honorable Mention, Cornville Post 135, Cornville, Ariz.
On October 28, 2015, The American Legion will be testifying before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs to address VA’s efforts to increase access to mental health care through its increased hiring initiative and the Community Provider pilot program.
In response to President Obama Executive Order 13625, VA medical centers nationwide were directed to host Community Mental Health Summits at all VA health care facilities. These summits were designed to promote awareness and utilization of VA mental health resources, help Veterans gain access to community services, and build healthy communities for Veterans and their families. In addition to the summits, VA established 24 pilot projects with community based mental health and substance abuse providers across nine states and seven Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs).
We would like to know your feedback on your experience with the community provider pilot program, and if you had an opportunity to participate in any of VA’s Community Mental Health Summits conducted at VA medical centers, what was your impression of the summits. For all feedback, please email Department Assistant Adjutant, Fred Robinson.
If you could respond by October 20, 2015, we would greatly appreciate it. I would like to thank everyone in advance for your support!
Sincerely,
Michael McDaniel
Department of Florida Adjutant
American Legion
Please join us for a hiring fair presented by Hiring Our Heroes’ Military Spouse Program in partnership with MOAA Spouse Programs. This event is sponsored by LaQuinta Inns & Suites, PNC, and USAA and is open to active duty, guard, reserve, veteran, and gold star spouses. Service members and veterans are also welcome.
Our hiring fair features:
Employers committed to hiring military spouses
A demonstration of Career Spark, the resume builder for military spouses
Nonprofit partners providing career resources and tools to support your employment goals
REGISTRATION
Job seekers, Employers, and Service Organizations: Click here to register for the hiring fair.
American Legion Post #155 recently organized a “Veterans Benefit Reaction Team” which is made up of War-Time Veterans to reach out to our fellow Veterans of Citrus County that may not know the benefits that they so deserve. No matter what time period you served in, WWII to present you may be owed benefits’ especially if you were injured while you were serving our country.
It’s so important to let our Veterans, young or old, male or female know that they don’t stand alone! On October 2nd & 3rd, 2015 we will commence a 2 day “Veterans Benefit Seminar” and open house which we will have qualified Service Officers including two female service officers, the Citrus County VSO will also be on hand for more complex issues.
So Veterans please do yourselves a favor and if you served and Not receiving benefits’, or you think you are NOT receiving what you should please attend. We will be conducting the Veterans Benefits’ on Friday, October 2nd and Saturday, October 3rd from 10am – 3pm (Please bring your DD-214 or Discharge to expedite the process). Refreshments’, snacks and lunch will be provided.
On Friday, Veterans Benefits’ will be the main subject, setting up one on one appointments with a Service Officer and on Saturday we will be continuing Veterans Benefits’ plus conducting an open house about what The American Legion does for our Veterans, Community, Children & Youth and our Active Duty men and woman.
Did you know that American Legion Post #155 in Crystal River donated over $250,000 back to the community of Citrus County; Schools, Children & Youth Programs, taking care of our Veterans, and other Statewide Charities over the past 5 years? Other things American Legion Post #155 for our Veterans will be sponsoring a Veterans Employment Jobs Fair for local companies just itching to hire a veteran in their work place. More information on this will be provided in the coming months.
For more information on going the fastest growing Veterans Organization in Citrus County American Legion Post #155 please contact the Post Commander Gabriella Danielson or 1st Vice Commander Jay Conti Sr. at 352-795-6526 for more information.
Dale Barnett was elected national commander of the 2.2 million-member American Legion on Sept. 3, 2015 in Baltimore, Md., during the 97th national convention of the nation’s largest veterans organization.
Barnett graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and served as an Army infantry officer from 1974 to 1996, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. A member of American Legion Post 105 in Fayetteville, Ga., he served The American Legion at every level, including Department (State) Commander of Georgia from 2007 to 2008. After leaving the military, Barnett taught high school social studies and coached basketball, baseball and cross country. He was the Creekside High School Teacher of the Year in 2005-2006 and a national board certified social studies teacher in 2003.
Raised in central Indiana, Barnett attended Whiteland Community High School, where he was student body president, captain of the track and basketball teams and president of the Whiteland United Methodist Youth Basketball Team. He credits his experience with Hoosier Boys Nation in 1969 with his decision to attend West Point.
Barnett served from 1990 to 1991 as the battalion executive officer of the 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. His decorations include The Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2 Awards), Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and Pathfinder Badge.
In addition to an International Relations / Public Affairs degree that Barnett earned at West Point, he holds a Masters of Business Administration from Boston University and graduated from Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Barnett served as The American Legion National Membership and Post Activities Chairman from 2008 to 2010 and National Economic Chairman from 2010 to 2013.
Dale and his wife, Donna, live in Douglasville, Ga., and have five children: Michelle, Andrea, Desiree, Kathalyn, and Joseph. They also have four young grandchildren: Heather, Daniel, Joanne and Brandon.
Osceola County, FL: The Museum of Military History will be celebrating POW/MIA Day with a special Commander’s Call Event beginning at 10:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday, Sept. 19th in the museum’s parking lot. On hand will be military re-enactors from the Civil War, WWII, and Vietnam. Local veteran’s support groups and business’s will provide information and support the veterans. A special treat for the kids will be the appearance of their favorite comic book heroes. Also with our honored guest, Korean War POW and Vietnam Veteran Charles Montano there will be a number of WWII and Korean War veterans to meet and greet our guest. The ceremony will be conducted by the Museum staff, 463rd Air Cadet Honor Guard, and the Osceola County Veterans Council. Custom made Dog Tags will also be available for purchase with all proceeds supporting the museum’s ability to educate people on the rich history of our military services, their contribution to our nation’s freedoms, and to gain a better understanding of what it means to serve. This will be a free event open to the public in the parking lot with a reduced fee for entrance to the Museum. Families are encouraged to attend and meet these military heroes that have given so much to secure the freedoms they enjoy today.
Donations, individual and corporate memberships, and sponsorships are available to help support the museum, a 501(c) 3 organization. For further information, contact the museum at 407-507-3894.
It’s been a heady summer for Aravind Byju, an incoming senior at Pine View School. First, he was elected president of American Legion Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. Then, he met President Barack Obama at the White House.
“Right now this whole experience has been absolutely surreal for me, and it really has not hit me” said Byju. “I am very blessed to be where I am and to have all the opportunity that I have enjoyed. I would not be anything without all of those who have supported me and I want to thank my Legion Post 159 that sponsored me, and my entire family and my brother who is my inspiration. I am very humbled and I can only hope to make everyone proud.”
Boys Nation is an annual American Legion program that includes civic training, leadership development and a focus on Americanism.
Obama was not the only leader on Byju’s list. He also met with Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus at the Pentagon and with Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson on Capitol Hill. Byju previously served as a mayor and president of the Senate at Florida Boys State, which had more than 500 student delegates.
Aravind Byju, an incoming senior at Pine View School in Osprey, met president Barack Obama after being elected as president of the American Legion’s Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. (Provided by American Legion)
This training session is for those members that have been appointed to serve or have an interest in serving as an Advisor or Liaison to the Sons of The American Legion at the Post, District or Area level. This session is intended to give those Legionnaires an overview of the Sons of The American Legion along with an overview of the responsibilities of the S.A.L. Advisor/Liaison and an opportunity to have an informal roundtable discussion with Detachment Leadership and the Department S.A.L. Advisor.
There is no fee to register for this course and an online registration form is available on our website at – https://www.floridalegion.org/sons/registration/20151113_Adv.htm – Registering online will guarantee the student will have seat in the class. Students that attend the class will get their certificate sent electronically, via e-mail, after the class. Students must be in class for the entire class to receive the certificate.
This course is being hosted by The American Legion Department Advisory Committee Chairman and the Sons of The American Legion Detachment of Florida and is open to all who wish to attend.
Jim Roberts
Chairman
Detachment Member Training & Development Committee
American Legion Post 219 in Fruitland Park held their 1st Anniversary of their Sea Cadet program with their Awards day on Sunday, August 16. The above picture shows the 18 Cadets and 2nd from the left is LTJG Rob Robbins a member of Post 219 and leader of the Cadets, with Post Commander Bob Morgan on the right.
PICTURED ABOVE: Mike Motko, President, Central FL Navy League of The United States presenting the their highest Award, Navy League Roosevelt Award to SN Sean Hicks.
PICTURED ABOVE: Peggie Shore, National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution presenting their Outstanding Cadet Award to SN Matthew Largent.
Governor Rick Scott has declared the following counties under a State of Emergency: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Dixie, and Taylor. Several storm systems have moved throughout the area that have caused significant damage.
Legionnaires who live in the above counties are eligible to apply for funding through the American Legion National Emergency Fund. Grants from this fund provide emergency assistance, up to $3,000 per household, to the American Legion or Sons of the American Legion who are current members and live in areas devastated by a declared natural disaster. You must have been displaced or evacuated from primary residence and had out-of-pocket expenses to provide food, clothing, and shelter. These funds are not designed for insurance compensation or to cover monetary losses from a business, structures on your property, equipment, or vehicles.
American Legion Posts that are in the above counties are also available for assistance through this program. Post grants, up to $10,000, must provide substantiating information that the Post will cease to perform the duties or activities in the community due to losses sustained. A written report from a Post, District, or Department Officer outlining losses and the impact on the community should be included with grant application.
The CVSOA Introductory Course on Veteran Benefits will be held October 3-4, 2015 at the Hilton Resort in Cocoa Beach, FL. Please note this is the last time the course will be held in Cocoa Beach for at least the next 3 years. During that time it will be held at the Safety Harbor Resort.
For those interested, fill out the form below and send in to the following address (DO NOT SEND TO FDVA):
Steve Marchbanks
Veteran Services
301 S. Monroe St.
Tallahasse, FL 32301
Below are the totals for the National Emergency Fund, Commander’s Challenge. Florida has contributed $16,587 so far, that’s 46% of our goal. As a reminder, the deadline is August 1st. If you have any outstanding donations, please send them in.
During The American Legion, Department of Florida Annual State Convention a Resolution was adopted to increase membership dues. I wanted to take a moment to review with you the two significant reasons, membership challenges and budgetary concerns, which lead to the adoption of this Resolution.
1. MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGES
Over the past 6 years, The American Legion Department of Florida has suffered a dramatic decrease in membership due to an increase in member death, combined with a reduction in new member recruitment and renewals.
2. BUDGETARY CONCERNS
This potential decrease in membership revenue for the 2015/2016 fiscal year has placed a significant strain on the Department’s annual budget. Any continued reduction in revenue will require scaling back and/or eliminating many programs and services of The American Legion Department of Florida.
Details of the Resolution to increase dues are included below:
· National dues will increase $5.00, from $13.50 to $18.50
· State dues will increase $3.00, from $7.50 to $10.50
· In total, dues will increase $8.00, from $21.00 to $29.00
· This per capita dues increase will take effect on January 20, 2016.
· Posts that pay all dues by December 31, 2015 will avoid the increase for the first year.
· Each Post has the discretion to raise their dues based on the consent of their membership.
· Posts 400 and 208 dues will be raised by $8.00 per member effective January 20, 2016.
As you are well aware, properly caring for our veterans and families is a national imperative. Passing this Resolution allows The American Legion, Department of Florida to continue meeting its obligation to the community, state and nation as articulated in the Preamble of The American Legion Constitution.
Having adopted this Resolution to secure our future, let us now come together to increase membership, and continue serving those who served.
On July 21, the 2015 class of Boys Nation senators elected a president and vice president in grand style.
The young men kicked things off in the same manner the program follows every year. The senators sat quietly and observed the presidential candidates’ campaign speeches. Following the speeches, the senators had a couple of hours to talk to the candidates offline and consider who they would cast their vote for.
After partaking in a meal together and a meet and greet with Jeffery Cole, a Marine Corps veteran who received the Silver Star for his actions in Afghanistan, it was time to vote. With their state signs in hand, the senators lined up and took turns verbally casting their votes for the new Boys Nation president.
The race was close, but Nationalist Aravind Byju, of Osprey, Fla., took home the victory, winning by a close vote of 50 to 46 with two abstentions.
“Right now this whole experience has been absolutely surreal for me, and it really has not hit me,” Byju said. “I am very blessed to be where I am and to have all the opportunity that I have enjoyed.”
Still fired up after the results of the presidency, the boys rolled right into the vote for vice president, which resulted in a tie – the first time in more than 30 years. Luckily, Boys Nation Activity Director and Past National Commander Bob Turner, who has been a part of the program for more than 30 years, knew just how to handle the situation.
“It’s always been said and written that in case of a tie – rather than do the whole (voting) process again – we do a coin flip. Everything went perfect and the young men knew beforehand that was the way we were going to solve it.”
Down to the wire, vice president candidates Federalist Peter Spectre and Nationalist Diab Eid watched as Turner flipped the coin that would decide their fate. After selecting the red side of the coin, Eid’s eyes followed the coin as it flipped in the air, landing on the blue side. Just like that – at the flip of a coin – Spectre’s vice presidency was confirmed.
“It was one of the closest elections I’ve ever seen in my time here,” Turner said. “We have had a lot that were close — even down to one point, but we’ve never had a tie.”
After a quick hug, the two candidates joined the rest of the group to celebrate.
Reflecting on their wins, the newly elected Boys Nation president and vice president said they were thankful to have made it so far in the election process, and they hope to take what they have learned home with them and build on their successes.
“I would not be anything without all of those who have supported me, and I want to thank my Legion Post 159 that sponsored me, and my entire family and my brother who is my inspiration,” Byju said. “I am very humbled, and I can only hope to make everyone proud.”
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Brimer for winning $20,000 in our 2015 Sizzlin’ Summer Raffle! They are members of Post 312 in Bradenton, FL. Department Commander, Jim Ramos, and Department NECA, Art Schwabe, presented their winnings at Department Headquarters on July 21st.
The raffle was mailed out to the Department of Florida membership in early Spring and winners were selected at the 97th Annual Department Convention last month. Mr. and Mrs. Brimer won first place, collecting $20,000. Second place, a cruise to the winner’s choice of destination, was awarded to Robert D. DeLeon from Bethel, CT. Howard R. Hess from Post 347 in Ocala was the Third Place Winner of the $1,000 cash prize.
Stay tuned for future opportunities to participate in the Department of Florida Raffles!
Make sure that you have your 2016 Membership Shirt in time for the Membership Workshop!
Shirts can be personalized with up to 4 lines of embroidery on the right chest, or you can order the shirt with no personalization. Shirts will be available for shipping in early July, or you can pick up your shirts at the Membership Workshop (subject to 7% Indiana sales tax.)
Important Dates:
Personalized shirts will be shipped 3 weeks after we have your order:
Order by July 13th to have them before the Membership Workshop, whether we are shipping them to you or you are picking them up at the workshop
Non-personalized shirts will be available for delivery in early July:
Order any time – will ship in early July
Order by July 31 if you are picking them up at the workshop
