Rachel West, Tampa Bay Times – Friday ~ TAMPA, Fla. — Marine Corps veteran and Tampa resident Barry Morgan didn’t know how he was going to be able to make it to his soon-to-be 6-year-old granddaughter’s birthday party in New Jersey next weekend.
But now, he’ll not only be able to make the trip, he’ll be arriving in style.
Online car retailer Carvana, IndyCar driver and seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, as well as the Tampa chapter of the American Legion, teamed up to surprise Morgan Thursday with a much-needed new set of wheels.
He was chosen through the Carvana Cares program to receive an electric blue Honda Civic by members of the American Legion.
“I am truly thankful and grateful for this,” Morgan said. “It’s definitely a blessing.”
Morgan, who thought he was attending a meet-and-greet with Johnson to honor the local veteran community, also received a membership to American Legion U.S.S. Tampa Post 5. Worldwide, the American Legion is made up of almost two million brothers- and sisters-in-arms.
During the presentation at the Carvana Car Vending Machine, the team did a “test run” to show how it works. Morgan was completely caught off guard to learn he was the new owner of the car coming down the machine.
“When I saw my name on the sign — ‘Winner Barry Morgan’ — I was frozen for a second,” he said.
Previously, Morgan didn’t have a reliable vehicle. His old truck had become inoperable and was in need of a new engine, which would have cost him thousands of dollars. Because of a lack of transportation, he hasn’t been able to see his family in months and struggled to find employment.
“To meet Barry, to see how much this means to him, it’s the most incredible thing. It’s really been a cool day,” Johnson said. “Ultimately, good things happen to good people. Barry is that man.”
While taking his new car out for a test drive, with Johnson riding along in the passenger seat, Johnson asked Morgan where he was going to go first. Morgan had a quick and emotional response.
“My granddaughter, Ava, her birthday is next Friday (in New Jersey),” Morgan said. “I was afraid I was going to have to tell them I couldn’t make it, but now it looks like I’m going to be able to make it and visit my granddaughter on her birthday.”
We the Members of Robert Bethel Post 220 deeply regret announcing the passing of our Fellow Comrade William McBride. Comrade McBride Passed on Thursday, June 29, 2022. The service will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022. time and Location TBA
WASHINGTON (August 10, 2022) – The American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard praised President Biden and the bipartisan majority of congressional members who supported the most comprehensive veterans’ health-care legislation in decades.
Dillard, who attended the bill-signing ceremony at the White House this morning, pointed to the law’s overwhelming support. “The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act is now the Honoring Our PACT law,” Dillard said. “We thank President Biden for signing this legislation. Millions of veterans and their families can take comfort in knowing that their government truly appreciates their service and sacrifice. This comprehensive health care law is the result of hard work and bipartisanship by patriotic advocates, members of Congress and American Legion Family members worldwide. It was a privilege to represent all of our allies at the White House today. I encourage all veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances while serving in the military to contact their American Legion service officers for free assistance in accessing the benefits that they have earned. The claims process can be complicated, and American Legion service officers are happy to help.”
The PACT Act will provide health care for millions of post-9/11 veterans who were exposed to contaminants emanating from open-air burn pits. It establishes presumptions of service connection for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers linked to burn pits and other hazards, including Agent Orange and atomic radiation for veterans whose exposure was previously unrecognized for VA health-care services and disability benefits. It will also provide additional resources and staff to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Enactment of the PACT Act was a major legislative priority for The American Legion in this session of Congress.
Consulate General of France in Miami – July 29, 2022 ~ On Friday, July 29th, 2022 World War II Veteran Seaman Mr. Stephen Alex Nemeth was distinguished on the behalf ot the President of the French Republic with the Legion of Honor from the Consul General of France in Miami, Vincent Floreani, during a moving ceremony, hosted by the American Legion Post 10 in Kissimmee, FL.
Mr. Nemeth’s family, veterans and volunteers at the American Legion, representatives from the government of Florida, as well as members of the French military and the French community, attended the ceremony.
“We are forever indebted to all of you for defending our freedom at the risk of your lives and the welfare of your families”, said Consul general, Vincent Floreani, and “We must never forget it is the bravery of individual men and women who chose to risk their lives in the name of our freedom and fundamental values which led to the victory of democracy over barabity.”
This meaningful ceremony offered also a rare connection to the World War II generation and placed a spotlight on the importance of French-American relations over many generations.
Several news outlets, such as the Osceola News Gazette, WESH Channel 2 which made a video report, and USA Warrior Stories, a non-profit organization preserving veteran stories and legacies, who is preparing an interview with Mr. Nemeth that should air around september, to tell his story.
Mr Stephen Alex Nemeth, Seaman 1st class within the U.S. Navy, helped liberate France and Europe from the Nazi regime. Mr Nemeth joined the military on February 10th, 1943 and was immediately assigned to a special unit known as the “Armed Guard”, responsible for counter-attacks against Nazi naval operations targeting merchant vessels, including many French ones, in the English Channel and the Atlantic.
To this end, Mr Nemeth served successively aboard the SS Surprise, the SS Abel Parker Upshur and ultimately the SS Santa Paula, American warships which took part in combat operations against enemy ships targeting Allied vessels and helped transport troops and ammunition used during D-Day and the Liberation of Normandy; these vital transportation missions often led to military confrontations during which the “Armed Guard” was deployed.
While serving aboard the SS Abel Parker Upshur (from February 15 to August 18 1944), Mr Nemeth helped deliver 8,000 tons of ammunition used on the beaches of Normandy, and secured the landing of 1,000 soldiers in Cherbourg while the city was still in enemy hands.
Through his military involvement in the struggles that took place in the Channel and off the coast of Normandy (during both D-Day and the Battle of Normandy) and the numerous convoys he was assigned to in extremely hostile conditions, Mr Stephen Alex NEMETH helped secure victory for the Allied forces.
Established in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte, this honor, which represents the highest award of the French Republic, can be bestowed upon French citizens as well as foreign nationals. In this way, France demonstrates its recognition towards the men who fought beside her during the Second World War: “France will never forget.”
France, through the Consulate General of France in Miami, has recognized over 1,600 American WWII Veterans in Florida and Puerto Rico since 2008.
Discover some of the ceremony’s pictures below, and all the rest on our Drive:
To read the article published by the Osceola News Gazette, click here.
To read the article published by WESH Channel 2, click here.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pledged her commitment to Taiwan on Wednesday as Chinese ships and aircraft ramped up their military activity in response to her visit.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen presented Pelosi the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon award, during a livestreamed ceremony that morning.
“Now more than ever America’s solidarity with Taiwan is crucial,” said Pelosi, who departed Taiwan on Wednesday evening for South Korea. “Today our delegation, of which I’m very proud of, came to Taiwan to make it unequivocally clear we will not abandon our commitment to Taiwan, and we are proud of our enduring friendship.”
China held live-fire military exercises Saturday off its coast opposite Taiwan after warning Pelosi to cancel her visit. Ahead of her arrival on Tuesday night, Chinese aircraft and warships brushed up against the median line in the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial dividing line, according to Reuters.
Also after her arrival, China’s Eastern Theater Command announced drills would take place near the Taiwan Strait starting late Tuesday. These included long-range live-fire and conventional missile launches, the official China Military website reported.
Chinese J-20 stealth fighters took off from an airfield that evening to participate in the drills, the official Global Times reported Wednesday.
This map released by China’s People’s Liberation Army shows six zones around Taiwan where extensive military drills are scheduled to take place Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, to Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. (People’s Liberation Army)China also announced a series of naval exercises, to include live-fire drills, slated to run from Thursday to Sunday that will effectively surround the self-governing island, according to a Tuesday report from China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency.
China’s planned exercises effectively “amount to a sea and air blockade,” a Taiwan National Defense Ministry official told reporters after Pelosi’s ceremony with Tsai, according to the Washington Post.
The drills show that China seeks “a cross-strait resolution by force instead of peaceful means,” the ministry tweeted Wednesday.
“Activities around our territory are closely monitored by [the defense ministry] and will meet our appropriate responses when needed.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy positioned the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan with the cruiser USS Antietam and the destroyer USS Higgins as escorts near Taiwan, according to USNI News and Reuters.
Reuters cited an unnamed Navy source; USNI cited unnamed Defense Department sources. An unnamed Pentagon official told USNI that the ships were operating normally in the region.
Meanwhile, the USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship that carries F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, steamed near Okinawa.
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command on Wednesday referred questions about its Western Pacific operations to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, which did not answer a telephone call or immediately respond to an email.
Pelosi, the third-ranking member of the U.S. government, and a five-member congressional delegation arrived in Taipei on Tuesday night. Her highly anticipated visit to Taiwan is part of an Indo-Pacific tour that also includes stops in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.
In the days leading up to Pelosi’s arrival, Chinese authorities made clear that a military response of some kind could be expected.
“We are closely following the itinerary of Speaker Pelosi,” China Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters Tuesday. “And if the U.S. continues down the wrong path, we will take strong and resolute measures to protect our sovereignty and security interests.”
Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province that must be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary. The U.S. government officially abides by the “One China” policy, which acknowledges Beijing’s view that it has sovereignty over Taiwan, which split from the mainland in 1949, but considers Taiwan’s status unsettled.
Assertive Chinese military activity has been taking place beyond Taiwan in the South China Sea, East China Sea and in the Pacific, said Ian Chong, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore.
“There has also been a lot of military activity in Taiwan’s [air defense identification zone] for some time,” he told Stars and Stripes in an email Wednesday.
“The Pelosi visit did not cause, nor will it change,” China’s coercive military activities, Chong said.
China’s response to Pelosi’s visit may ultimately be indirect and deniable, New Zealand-based U.S. security expert Paul Buchanan said in a Wednesday email. China could potentially expel U.S. diplomats and attaches to protest the visit, but won’t go to war over it, he said.
“That does not mean that there will be no response or even no kinetic response from [China] … perhaps another island seizure or fishing fleet confrontation that may or may not involve the U.S. and Taiwan,” he said.
The American Legion – Last spring, flooding hit the Columbia and Suwannee County Toys for Tots chapter’s collection center at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds in Lake City. News reports had more than 50 boxes of donations being ruined, along with damage to the center itself.
When nearby American Legion Riders Chapter 57 learned that a charity it has supported for years was in trouble, it developed a plan to assist. And that plan turned into another large fundraiser conducted by the chapter.
Since 2018 – with the exception of 2020, when the pandemic canceled the event – Chapter 57 has staged fall fundraisers for Toys for Tots, raising around $40,000 in the process. Another one is planned for this year, but after hearing about the loss of toys due to the flooding, the chapter wanted to do something else: Christmas in July for Toys for Tots.
“(Toys for Tots) lost about $3,000 worth of toys, and we wanted to help them replenish that,” said ALR Chapter 57 Director Bill Huggins, who also serves as Post 57’s first vice commander. “It’s a popular program in the community. Its coordinator (Inga Dwyer) is really well known in the community. She told me we helped 3,500 children last year. And it gives us a chance to get out and ride. It’s one of the Four Pillars. We do a lot of other things, but Toys for Tots is the most prominent thing we do.”
Planning for this year’s fundraiser started in May and included delivery of 165 meals at $10 each to local car dealers to feed their employees on the day of the event. While delivering the meals, members of Chapter 57 also picked up toys donated there.
Volunteering during the event were 44 Post 57 American Legion Family members, who served meals while conducting multiple auctions. Close to 400 toys, stocking stuffers and books also were collected on the day of the event. The chapter also was able to pick up sponsorships to help defer the fundraiser’s cost.
Union County JROTC students provided the posting of the colors and also helped with set-up and clean-up. A classic car show also took place throughout the event.
Tallying everything up and subtracting expenses, Huggins estimates around $8,000 was raised to donate to Toys for Tots.
“We were hoping to have 10 gift baskets for our auction, and we had one donor come through with 10 baskets by himself,” Huggins said. “We got a lot of buy-in in the community. (WCJB) Channel 20 picked it up and ran it on the news.”
Huggins is quick to credit organizer Lisa Dye, a fellow Legion Rider and president of Auxiliary Unit 57, for putting together a successful event. “She stepped up and agreed to chair the event and organize the event,” he said. “And this was one of our best-organized events. The lines of communication with everyone were very open and very clear.”
And while the fundraiser was a Legion Riders event, Huggins said he and all of the other Riders are American Legion Family members first.
“Any time we do an event and if I get up and speak, I bring light to the fact that to be a Legion Rider, you first have to be a Legion Family member,” he said. “What you see … are Legion Family members with a love for motorcycles coming together to support our community.”
WASHINGTON (August 2, 2022) – The head of the nation’s largest veterans organization praised the Senate for its passage of legislation that will provide comprehensive benefits to veterans suffering from conditions linked to toxic exposure during their time in the U.S. Armed Forces. A previous version passed on June 16 but had to be reconsidered due to parliamentarian objections to a technical provision.
“Tonight, the U.S. Senate passed historic legislation that will make a difference in the lives of millions of veterans,” American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard said. “After some unusual delays for a bill that is largely identical to what passed on June 16, a bipartisan majority of senators voted in favor of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act. This act will save lives and offer health care and benefits for those exposed to the poisons of war while serving our country. It would not have passed without the tireless efforts of our American Legion Family and friends who contacted lawmakers and encouraged them to do right by America’s veterans. We look forward to President Biden signing the PACT Act expeditiously.”
The Honoring Our PACT Act, which had already passed in the House of Representatives, will provide health care for millions of veterans who were exposed to contaminants emanating from open-air burn pits. It establishes presumptions of service connection for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers linked to burn pits and other hazards. It will also provide additional resources and staff to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
With our sincerest condolences, we are sad to announce that Madeline (Lindy) Jordan passed away yesterday, July 17, 2022, at 5:00 pm in Charlotte, NC. Lindy was Past Commander of Flagler Post 115, Past Commander, 17th District, served on Department Committees, and the nurse at Boys State during my tenure as Director.
Several years ago, she sold her home in Palm Coast and moved to Charlotte to be near her family. She was very active in Legion work prior to her departure from Florida. She traveled extensively participating in Legion golf tournaments. She was a high-spirited, fun lady, but also very dedicated and committed to Legion work.
Anyone wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the following address:
Clifford D. (Skip) Collins, Jr. Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Navy
Loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend passed away peacefully Wednesday June 15, 2022 in Ocoee, FL after a long illness at age 76. Born in Davenport Iowa to the late Clifford D. Collins, Sr. and L. Elaine (Handley) Collins. He was predeceased by his sister Cheryl (Collins) Sargent and nephew Joseph (Joey) Platt. He is survived by his wife JoAnn (Flannery) Collins of Ocoee FL, his son Clifford D. (Dean) Collins, III, his sisters Barbara (Barbie) Platt and Mary Helen Collins-Weldon all of Jacksonville FL, his stepsons Gregory Blotzer of MA, Brian and Kevin Blotzer both of FL, 6 grandchildren, Christopher Brock of AL, Aryette and Emilyn Collins of FL, Ethan and Ava Blotzer of FL and Esme of MA.
Growing up the son of an Insurance salesman his family moved several times from Iowa to Pennsylvania to Florida before settling in Jacksonville when his dad began working for the US Postal Service becoming President of the Postal Union. It was while living in Pittsburgh that he became a lifelong fan of (in this order) the Pirates, the Steelers and the Penguins. He joined the Navy in 1967 during the Vietnam war where he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation. After Honorable discharge he briefly attended Georgia Tech and the University of Florida, Gainesville before starting to work for Seaboard Coastal Railroad which later became CSX Railroad. After leaving the railroad he opened King Video in Jacksonville and when Blockbuster took over the video scene he sold it and started a home renovation business where he bought run down houses and brought them back to their original beauty. He enjoyed turning houses into homes. Sadly, that business came to an end when we moved to Ocoee. He gained employment with the American Legion, Department of Florida working with what began as the Gilchrist Fund and evolved into what is presently Project VetRelief. He assisted countless Veterans obtain financial assistance with rent and utilities. He also had the privilege of being on an Honor Flight, being the escort of a WWII Veteran. In his time working at The American Legion he made several lifelong friends. He never met a stranger. Cliff was a kind and caring soul, he will be forever loved and missed.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to your local Humane Society or Project Vet-Relief, both organizations were special to Cliff.
A gathering of family and friends to Celebrate Cliff will be held at The American Legion, Department Headquarters 1912 A Lee Rd., Orlando FL 32810 on Saturday, August 13, 2022 from 11am to 4pm.
(INDIANAPOLIS—June 29, 2022) – American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard called for President Biden to authorize a state funeral for Woody Williams, the last Medal of Honor recipient from World War II to pass away.
“Delegates at our national convention in 2018 unanimously passed a resolution calling for a state funeral to honor the last of these remarkable heroes,” Dillard said. “Even before Woody’s passing today, our Washington staff has been working with Congress to permit the last World War II Medal of Honor recipient to lie in honor in the Capitol rotunda. All Medal of Honor recipients are extraordinary and Woody Williams was particularly special to The American Legion. He was a proud Legionnaire who demonstrated legendary valor at Iwo Jima and then spent a lifetime serving veterans and Gold Star Families. He was a true American hero in every sense of the word. We extend our condolences to his family.”
WASHINGTON (June 16, 2022) – The head of the nation’s largest veterans organization praised the Senate for its passage of legislation that will provide comprehensive benefits to veterans suffering from conditions linked to toxic exposure during their time in the U.S. Armed Forces.
“Today, the U.S. Senate has saved lives and truly delivered for veterans,” American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard said. “By passing the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act, the 117th Congress has put substance behind the phrase, ‘Thank you for your service.’ The American Legion is grateful for the service of millions of veterans who were exposed to burn pits, atomic radiation, Agent Orange and other environmental poisons. Thanks to the U.S. Congress, these men and women will be able to receive the care and benefits they have earned. The PACT Act is an historic bipartisan achievement. The American Legion thanks not only those who voted for this legislation but the thousands of Legionnaires and advocates who worked to make this happen. We look forward to President Biden signing the Honoring Our PACT Act into law.”
The Honoring Our PACT Act, which had already passed in the House of Representatives, will provide health care for millions of veterans who were exposed to contaminants emanating from open-air burn pits. It establishes presumptions of service connection for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers linked to burn pits and other hazards. It will also provide additional resources and staff to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
WASHINGTON (May 18, 2022) – The head of the nation’s largest veterans organization is calling the bipartisan agreement by Senate leaders to assist veterans who have been exposed to environmental toxins “historically impactful.”
“The work is still not yet complete, but the agreement between Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester, D-Mont., and ranking member Jerry Moran, R-Kan., is proof that Democrats and Republicans can achieve great things for veterans when they work to put country ahead of partisanship,” American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard said.
“The Honoring Our PACT Act would deliver needed benefits for up to 3.5 million veterans who were exposed to the poisons of war due to the prevalence of burn pits, radiation, contaminated water, Agent Orange and other toxicants during deployments and military assignments. The House of Representatives deserves great credit for passing this legislation, and I am confident that with the continued support of The American Legion, the Senate will now follow suit. This is an historic opportunity for the 117th Congress to pass the most meaningful veterans legislation in a generation. I am asking all Americans to tell their senators to vote for the Honoring Our PACT Act.”
