With deep sorrow, we inform you of the passing of Past Western Area Commander Verna Y. Joyce of Navarre, Florida. Verna passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the age of 79. Verna was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Jesse Edwin Joyce. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Roberts, son James Joyce; two grandchildren, Stephanie Swisher and Samual Joyce; and three great-grandchildren, Jessamyn, Jackson, and June Swisher.
Verna will be laid to rest alongside Jesse at Arlington National Cemetery on a date to be announced. Any updates regarding arrangements will be communicated via email and posted on the Department’s website.
Verna, a Vietnam War Era Veteran, proudly served in the U.S. Army for 14 years. She also served as a dedicated member of the American Legion for 18 continuous years and was a member of Milton Post 78. She held various leadership positions throughout her membership, including Post Commander from 2009-2011, District Commander from 2012-2013, and Western Area Commander from 2013-2015. On a National level, Verna served on the Conventional Armed Forces Committee from 2013-2019.
If you wish to extend your condolences, you may do so through her daughter, Lisa Roberts, at 517 SW South Carolina Drive, Stuart, FL 34994.
Please keep Verna’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
INDIANAPOLIS (May 14, 2024) – A Minneapolis television station and a Kentucky newspaper will receive American Legion Fourth Estate Awards during the 105th National Convention of the nation’s largest veterans organization in New Orleans on August 29.
The Fourth Estate Award has been presented annually by The American Legion since 1958 for outstanding achievement in the field of journalism. Nominations in 2024 were considered in broadcast and print categories. They were selected by the organization’s Media & Communications Commission during its meeting in Indianapolis last week.
Taking top honor in the broadcast category is KARE. In its series, “Broken Promises,” the NBC affiliate examined the high rate of denials veterans received when applying for benefits after examinations from one particular neurologist at the VA Medical Center in Tomah, Wisc. Investigative reporter A.J. Lagoe exposed a system in which 649 claims denied by Dr. Mary Jo Lanska were later reversed. Some of the claims included veterans diagnosed with serious illnesses such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease. The denials led to an apology to the veterans by Secretary of Veteran Affairs Denis McDonough. Lanska was also removed as an examiner. KARE and Lagoe were previously recognized with a Fourth Estate Award in 2018.
The Courier Journal of Louisville, Ky. is being recognized for its 2023 series “Safer Sidelines, which explored the many ways high schools, athletic associations and lawmakers have failed to prepare for worst-case scenarios of sudden deaths on athletic fields. Lead reporter Stephanie Kuzydym built a searchable “deadly games” database, which includes more than 100 years of such incidents.
“I am looking forward to presenting KARE and the Courier Journal with their well-deserved Fourth Estate Awards,’ said Daniel J. Seehafer, national commander of The American Legion. “The American Legion is extremely appreciative of the importance of a free and independent media. As veterans, we defended the freedoms guaranteed by our nation’s Constitution. Our Fourth Estate winners represent the best in their field. These award winners are being recognized for outstanding works of journalism that not only stand far above normal media reporting but have had a positive impact on society.”
Previous winners of the award include CNN, CBS, USA Today, ABC News, C-SPAN, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Life Magazine, among others.
Commander 242 Phil Reynolds passed.
Burial May 25,2024 Cape Canaveral National Cemetery at 10:00 am Celebration of Life at 2:00 pm American Legion Post 242 East Colonial Dr., East Orlando
For information contact:
Dr. Telka difate
President American Legion Auxiliary 242
With deep sorrow, we inform you of the passing of Department National Security Chair Raymond “Chuck” Olsen of Gulf Breeze, Florida. Chuck passed away on Friday, April 19, 2024, at the age of 65. He is survived by his longtime partner, Missi Dyess, and his sons, Brian and Sean Olsen.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Post 382, located at 1850 Luneta St., Navarre, FL 32566. The exact time will be determined later. Any updates on the arrangements will be shared via email and on the Department’s website.
Chuck was a U.S. Navy veteran who served during the Panama-Lebanon-Grenada War Era and was a member of Navarre Post 382. Over 17 continuous years with the American Legion, he held numerous leadership positions, including Post Commander from 2011-2013 and 2014-2017, Post Judge Advocate from 2022-2024, 1st District Vice Commander from 2014-2016, 1st District Commander from 2016-2018, Department Americanism Chair from 2018-2019, Western Area Commander from 2018-2019, and Department National Security Chair since 2022. On a National level, Chuck served on the National Legislative Council from 2016-2021 and the National Security Council from 2017-2024.
Condolences can be sent to the Olsen Family C/O Post 382, at 1850 Luneta St., Navarre, FL 32566.
A funeral service and Post Everlasting Ceremony honoring Chuck Olsen will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Post 382, located at 1850 Luneta St., Navarre, FL 32566
Please keep Chuck’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of Past 11th District Commander Francis “Frank” H. Maitland, Jr. of Stuart, Florida. Frank passed away on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the age of 75. He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann, and their children, Sara and Jason.
A Celebration of Life honoring Frank Maitland will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Harold Johns Post 62, located at 2000 SE Fischer St, Stuart, FL 34997. All who knew Frank are warmly invited to attend and celebrate his memory.
Frank was a U.S. Navy Vietnam War Era Veteran and a member of Stuart Post 62. Frank was also a retired Fire Lieutenant with the City of Lynn, Massachusetts, and a dedicated member of the American Legion for 21 continuous years. He held various leadership positions throughout his membership, including Post Commander from 2009-2011 and 2012-2018. Additionally, he served as District Vice Commander from 2011-2013, followed by District Commander from 2013-2014.
If you wish to extend your condolences, you may do so through his wife, Jo Ann Maitland, at P.O. Box 1710, Stuart, FL 34995-1710.
Please join us in keeping Frank’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him, and he will be dearly missed.
With deep sorrow, we inform you of the passing of Past 16th District Commander Raymond “Ray” A. Perez of Madeira Beach, Florida. Ray passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at the age of 70. Ray is survived by his daughters, Sarah Perez and Emily Perez, his fiancé Maryellen Waskiewicz, and her daughter Nichole Waskiewicz.
Details regarding Ray’s services have not been finalized. Any updates regarding arrangements will be communicated via email and posted on the Department’s website.
Ray served his country proudly for 35 years in the United States Army, spanning from 1971 through 2007. He also served as a dedicated member of the American Legion for 15 continuous years and was a member of Madeira Beach Post 273. He held various leadership positions throughout his membership, including Post Commander from 2016-2019, District Commander from 2017-2019, and Department Blood Donor Chair from 2019-2021. On a National level, Ray served on the National Security Council from 2018-2019, the National Legislative Council from 2019-2024, and the National Membership Committee from 2022-2024.
If you wish to extend your condolences, you may do so through his fiancé, Maryellen Waskiewicz, at 230 Medallion Blvd., Apt. D, Madeira Beach, FL 33708-1958.
Please join us in keeping Ray’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. His memory will continue to inspire us, and he will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Ray Perez’s family invites family and friends to join them for the following:
Viewing and Visitation
Date: Friday, April 12, 2024
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 pm and 7:00 – 9:00 pm ET
Location: E. James Reese Funeral Home
6767 Seminole Blvd.
Seminole, FL 33772
Celebration of Life
Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Time: 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: American Legion Post 273
600 American Legion Drive
Madeira Beach, FL 33708
With a heavy heart, we inform you of the passing of Past 16th District Commander John P. Bell of St. Pete Beach, Florida. John passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the age of 79. He is survived by his wife, Department Auxiliary President Denise “Dee” Bell, and their children: daughters Renee, Nicole, and Samantha, and son John Jr.
Details regarding John’s services have not been finalized yet. Any updates regarding arrangements will be emailed and posted on the Department’s website.
John proudly served his country as a United States Navy Vietnam War Era Veteran.
John, a member of Treasure Island Post 158, served as a dedicated member of the American Legion for 27 continuous years. He held various leadership positions throughout his membership, including Post Commander from 2003-05, 2009-10, and 2012-14. Additionally, he served as District 16 Vice Commander from 2013-15, followed by District 16 Commander from 2015-16.
If you wish to extend your condolences, please do so through his wife, President Dee Bell, at 326 72nd Ave., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706-1913. In lieu of flowers, President Dee is requesting donations be made to Bay Pines Hospice or American Legion Boys State.
Please keep John’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him, and he will be dearly missed.
***UPDATE***
The Interment Service for Past 16th District Commander John P. Bell will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Bay Pines National Cemetery, located at 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL. Following the service, a Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM at Post 158, located at 111 108th Ave., Treasure Island, FL.
It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of Past Department Judge Advocate Robert “Bob” S. Jaegers of Jupiter, Florida. Bob passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024, at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife, Denise, and their children: daughters Heidi and Kathryn, and sons Robert and Charles.
Bob dedicated 31 years of service as a Palm Beach County Assistant State Attorney before retiring in 2019. He also served his country proudly for 28 years in the United States Air Force, spanning from 1977 through 2005.
Bob, a member of Tequesta Post 271, served as a dedicated member of the American Legion for 34 continuous years. Throughout his membership, he held various leadership positions, including Post Commander from 1993-94, 2004-06, and 2020-23, as well as Post Judge Advocate from 1990-93, 2010-20, and 2023 until the present. Additionally, he served as District Judge Advocate from 2006-17 and 2018-2021, and later as Department Judge Advocate from 2021-2022, followed by Department Assistant Judge Advocate from 2022-2023.
If you wish to extend your condolences, you may do so through his wife, Denise Jaegers, at 12600 189th Ct. N, Jupiter, FL 33478-3787.
Please keep Bob’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him, and he will be dearly missed.
Military Funeral Service Announcement for Bob: A full military funeral service for Bob will take place at the South Florida National Cemetery, located at 6501 S. State Road 7, Lake Worth, on Wednesday, May 1, at 12:30 p.m.
Memorial Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Bob’s memory to any of the following organizations:
Forgotten Soldiers Outreach
West Palm Beach Rotary Club
American Legion Post No. 271 Building Fund
Thank you for honoring Bob’s memory with your support.
INDIANAPOLIS (February 14, 2024) – The American Legion is still accepting entries in the annual Fourth Estate Awards competition for excellence in journalism and its positive impact on society. The deadline for submissions to be received or postmarked is March 15, 2024.
The American Legion presents the awards to recognize the outstanding achievements made in print and broadcast media. Website and podcast submissions are also encouraged to compete in the print or broadcast categories. In addition to the award, the winner in each category will be presented a $2,000 stipend to cover travel and lodging expenses to The American Legion National Convention in New Orleans. The presentation will occur at approximately 9 am on August 29, 2024 at the New Orleans Convention Center.
Submissions are judged on the quality of the work and the impact that it had in producing a positive result for the community. The work must have been published, posted or broadcast in 2023.
All journalists or media outlets who believe their work improved society in a tangible and way are encouraged to submit their entry. There is no entry fee and no single medium is limited to the number of entries.
Past winners include CBS News, CNN, USA Today, WFTS (Tampa) and the Military Times. The complete list can be found at www.legion.org.
