NECA
October 2022
Hello, and thanks to all who attended the National Convention; it was an excellent turnout for Florida.
One of the items that came out of the National Convention was the New National Commander’s acceptance speech, in which he said, “My platform and No. 1 priority for my year as National Commander will be tackling the toughest challenge facing veterans: veteran suicide,” I said in my acceptance remarks. The American Legion is asking you to ‘Be the One,” and by you, I include every one of us, military and civilian alike. We all need to ‘Be the One’ to begin thinking, talking, and acting to save just one life.”
National American Legion is pushing on how to prevent Suicide among the Active and former Military and Military families. Florida is already leading the way with our VET Relief and Challenge 22 programs. We now have a National Suicide hotline (988) and even a Chat or Text (838255) we can use. Please get the word out. We need to continue helping our Brothers and Sisters and their family who are in need.
My last newsletter article mentioned that the National Convention voted on Resolution 1. Subject Amend the American Legion Constitution and By-Laws to allow Multi-Year and Rolling Memberships. This Resolution was PASSED.
I want to thank PDC Dennis Boland for introducing NEC Jim Ramos and me at the NEC meeting on Thursday, the last day of the National Convention. Dennis is a standup man, and I hope he will continue to assist the Department of Florida in the future, as he has done for several years.
The next visit to the National will be from October 8th to the 13th for the National Fall Meetings; we will see what changes will be coming from those meetings. I will keep you informed.
Let me know if there is anything I can assist you with.
Jerry Brandt
Alternate National Executive Committee Member
anec@legionmail.org