LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
SAL REPORTS
Detachment Membership Summary
Squadron Membership Summary
Weekly Reports May 13, 2022
2022 TALMA Winners Contest
We are pleased to congratulate the following who placed in the 2021 contest of The American Legion Media Alliance. Judges selected entries in the Social Media – Posts over 750, Visual Media – Dept. and Visual Media – Posts over 750 categories. Overall, 95 entries were received in this year’s contest. Below is a list of your Florida winners, Congratulations!
Website
Posts over 750: Theodore Clark, American Legion Post 90 of Southwest Florida, Cape Coral
Social Media
Posts over 750: Edward Lewis, Augustus Ruser Post 273, Madeira Beach, Florida
Visual Media
Posts over 750: Edward Lewis, Augustus Ruser Post 273, Madeira Beach, Florida
Public Relations
Posts over 750: Theodore Clark, American Legion Post 90 of Southwest Florida, Cape Coral
Mark Wilson
It is with deep sorrow and regret that I must announce the passing of Post Commander of 139, Mark Wilson. He passed away yesterday May 4th. As more details on his services become available I will inform everyone. Please keep his family and the Post 139 family in your thoughts and prayers.
Weekly Reports May 5, 2022
LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
SAL REPORTS
Detachment Membership Summary
Squadron Membership Summary
Steve G. Mears, Jr.
We mourn the loss of our 2nd District Commander, Steve G. Mears, Jr. Steve passed away on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 3, 2022, after a plane crash at Calhoun County Airport. On behalf of the entire Florida Legion Family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his son, Steve “Trace” Mears, III, and to his family, friends, and colleagues.
Steve was a forty-eight-year-old Veteran of the U.S. Army during the Iraq War. He was a member of Blountstown Post 272, with twenty-two continuous years of membership. Steve served as Post Commander since 2019, he also served as Post Commander from 2004-2006 and Post Adjutant from 2009-2010.
While serving in the U.S. Army, Steve was awarded many achievements, including the following:
The Army Achievement Medal for his selfless service and outstanding dedication to duty while conducting detainee operations in Iraq contributed to the overwhelming success of the command’s mission.
The Army Commendation Medal for his outstanding duty performance during combat operations in Iraq contributed greatly to the overwhelming success of the Brigade’s mission in support of Multi-National Corps and Multi-National Force Iraq.
Honorary Lifetime Member of the 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne) for his dedicated service in support of “Operation Iraqi Freedom” on September 25, 2007. His patriotism, hard work, and selfless service contributed to the safe and secure environment provided to all detainees.
Steve was a true Patriot and a valuable member of The American Legion and his Community. His absence will be felt by all.
At this time, there are no details regarding services or where to send condolences. Any new information will be communicated to you through email as well as posted on the Department’s website.
Weekly Reports April 22, 2022
LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
SAL REPORTS
Detachment Membership Summary
Squadron Membership Summary
Birmingham, H.S. Junior Sweeps to Victory, Earns $25K Scholarship in American Legion Oratorical Contest
INDIANAPOLIS (April 24, 2022) – A junior from Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham capped a busy weekend of competition in Indianapolis by earning a $25,000 college scholarship and first place in The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program – “A Constitutional Speech Contest.” Emma Noble’s winning prepared oration was titled “The Power of the Executive Order: Because I said so.”
Noble, who lives in Birmingham, started the weekend as one of 50 state or department champions in the 83rd annual contest. She advanced to the championship through three rounds of intense competition. Noble was sponsored by American Legion Post 555 in Pelham, Ala.
Ashley Tuell, a senior from Johnson City, Tenn., earned a $22,500 college scholarship with a second-place finish, while Jackson Boone, a 12th grade student from Calvert City, Ky., earned $20,000 and third place in the competition. The scholarships account for a small portion of post-secondary scholarships that The American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans organization, awards annually.
In her prepared oration, Noble compared the use of presidential executive orders to the common parental admonishment of authority “because I said so.” She pointed out positive examples of its use, such as the Emancipation Proclamation and the desegregation of the military but also mentioned that it was used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to establish Japanese American internment camps during World War II.
Noble encouraged people to consider the use of executive orders when they vote. “Executive orders are an extremely valuable tool because they are much faster than passing a law through the legislative branch; however, they are not trivial to undo so you must have confidence in the person making them. It is a citizen’s responsibility to vote. Not only that, but to vote for someone you trust with the power of executive orders. Because I said so.”
In each round of the weekend competition, orators delivered a rehearsed 8- to 10-minute address and a randomly assigned 3- to 5-minute oration on a constitutional topic, each without the benefit of notes and in front of a live audience, including the judges. The nearly 2-million-member American Legion developed the contest to encourage young people to improve their communications skills and to study the U.S. Constitution. More than $3 million in scholarships have been awarded over the history of the contest.
The American Legion Mourns Passing of Orrin Hatch
(INDIANAPOLIS—April 24, 2022) – American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard issued the following statement today concerning the passing of former Sen. Orrin Hatch:
“The American Legion is saddened about the passing of Sen. Hatch. He was a true champion for veterans and an ardent supporter of a constitutional amendment to protect our American flag. His willingness to put patriotism ahead of partisan politics earned him friends across the political aisle. In 2000, The American Legion proudly presented him with our organization’s Distinguished Service Medal, our highest honor. His voice is already missed.”
As a presidential candidate during the primaries of 2000, the longtime Utah senator expressed dismay at those who disrespected the American flag. “I really believe that if we don’t protect the values that we have, if we can’t stand up for the flag of the United States, our national symbol, what can we stand up for?” Hatch told The American Legion Magazine.
Three High School Orators to Face Off Sunday for Top National Honor in American Legion Competition
INDIANAPOLIS (April 23, 2022) – Out of an original 50 contestants, only three remain as finalists in The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program, “A Constitutional Speech Contest.” The three survived two intense rounds of competition today and will vie for the championship during tomorrow’s finals which will be webcast live at 10 am Eastern Time on www.legion.org and on Facebook live at The American Legion National Headquarters page.
The top prize, a $25,000 scholarship, will be awarded to Emma Noble of Birmingham, Ala.; Jackson Boone of Calvert City, Ky; or Ashley Tuell of Johnson City, Tenn. The second and third place winners after tomorrow’s competition will receive $22,500 and $20,000 scholarships respectively. Each of the 50 competitors are department (state or regional) champions.
The other 15 semi-finalists who competed in this afternoon’s competition are Mattingly Watson (Ark.), Caleb Rasor (Ariz.), Anna Lichtenberg (Conn.), Eden Wood (Ind.), Olivia Scott (Iowa), Jha Diya (Md.), Megan Blonigen (Minn.), Valerie McDonnell (N.H.), Ian Chung (N.Y.), Ian Holdman (Okla.), Anwen Hefner (Pa.), William Sander (S.C.), Thomas Haar (S.D.), Aya Kasim (Texas) and Erin Mitchell (Wash.).
The contest, now in its 83rd year, encourages young Americans to improve their communications skills and study the U.S. Constitution. Approximately 6,000 high school students begin competition annually at The American Legion post-community level. More than $3 million in scholarships have been awarded since the inception of the program. The national contestants all competed in Indianapolis, the headquarters city for The American Legion. Previous champions include former presidential candidate Alan Keyes, the late Sen. Frank Church and writer Brent Bozell.Jr. Former Vice President Mike Pence and commentator Lou Dobbs are past state champions.
Weekly Reports April 22, 2022
LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
SAL REPORTS
Detachment Membership Summary
Squadron Membership Summary
Hiring Heroes
The United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes Program is conducting a Career Summit at Eglin Air Force Base on July 19 from 8:00 – 16:00.
The American Legion and Hiring Our Heroes signed a memorandum of understanding, permitting The American Legion to partake in Hiring Our Heroes career fairs. The American Legion is provided a booth, free of charge, where it can market free veteran resources and services.
If you are interested in participating, please contact:
Adam B. Treece
Veterans Employment and Education Analyst
The American Legion, National Veterans Employment & Education Division
1608 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
atreece@legion.org
(202) 735-2212
Weekly Reports April 14, 2022
LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
SAL REPORTS
Detachment Membership Summary (Coming soon)
Squadron Membership Summary (Coming soon)
Weekly Reports April 7, 2022
LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
SAL REPORTS
Detachment Membership Summary
Squadron Membership Summary
Weekly Reports March 31, 2022
LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
SAL REPORTS
Detachment Membership Summary
Squadron Membership Summary
Weekly Reports March 24, 2022
LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
SAL REPORTS
Detachment Membership Summary
Squadron Membership Summary
Weekly Reports March 17, 2022
LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
SAL REPORTS
Detachment Membership Summary
Squadron Membership Summary
Happy Birthday to The American Legion
On this day in 1919 the first American Legion caucus was held by members of the American Expeditionary Force, convening in Paris. War-weary members of the American Expeditionary Forces gathered for a “morale conference” that led to the creation of what would become The American Legion.
Happy 103rd birthday to … us. Thank you to all former and current members for keeping us going strong in our mission to serve the nation’s veterans, our military and their families, and our communities.
Weekly Reports March 11, 2022
LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
SAL REPORTS
Detachment Membership Summary
Squadron Membership Summary
Weekly Reports March 4, 2022
LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
SAL REPORTS
Detachment Membership Summary
Squadron Membership Summary
American Legion’s 2022 Legislative Priorities
As a member of The American Legion Family, The American Legion asks that you share The American Legion’s 2022 Legislative Priorities with your members of Congress. The American Legion continues to serve as a powerful voice for veterans in our nation’s capital, but the power of our voice is amplified by the voices of our membership! The American Legion’s Legionnaires, Auxiliary members, and Sons of The American Legion are the heart and soul of our grassroots organization.
Today, we need your help in contacting your members of the Senate and House of Representatives. Please reach out to your Senators and Representative to share The American Legion’s 117th Congress Legislative Priorities. Also please share that our National Commander will be testifying in front of Congress on Tuesday, March 8th!
Contact your Senators and Representative today to tell them to review our Legislative Priorities and let them know that The American Legion National Commander is testifying virtually in front a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs’ Committees.
Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/T2ZrakevsfeQZzxm-Fzznw