National | Florida American Legion

The American Legion Sends Well-Wishes to President Trump Condemns Violence Against Political Leaders

(INDIANAPOLIS –July 14, 2024) – American Legion National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer issued the following statement concerning the assassination attempt on former President Trump:

“The American Legion is deeply saddened about the attack on former President Trump and the shooting of innocent spectators. There is absolutely no justification for violence against any political leader. We are confident that an investigation will reveal any security deficiencies that have occurred but are also grateful for the quick reaction by the brave secret service agents who shielded the president to safety and neutralized the shooter. Our prayers are with President Trump and we wish him a full recovery. We also extend our condolences and prayers to the victims and families of all who have been impacted by this heinous act.”

Seehafer also added his expressed desire that Americans would unify in condemning the violence and tone down hateful rhetoric. “In addition to the shooting at the Trump rally, we have seen horrific attacks on Paul Pelosi, Rep. Steve Scalise and former Rep. Gabby Giffords. We should remind one another that political disagreements do not make us enemies. I pray that civility will become the norm in our discourse.”

‘A veteran is a veteran’

Washington and Florida are about as far apart as one can get in the continental United States.

But it didn’t take much effort from Darcy Bockman-Wright to convince Lisa Leathers to give up a week of her summer and fly across the country to join the staff at Florida American Legion Boys State (FALBS).

“When she heard the excitement in my voice about everything, she feels my passion and she wanted to share in this experience with me. It is a gift and a blessing to know that after 32 years, we still are battle buddies,” Bockman-Wright said.

“Long trip, but totally worth it,” Leathers said.

Bockman-Wright is FALBS’ marketing and communications chair. Leathers served as a counselor to the program’s press corps this year. And along with Department of Florida Programs Director Bekki Boarman, they’re a noticeable female presence on the FALBS staff.

It’s a role the women, all veterans and Legionnaires, welcome.

“When they get here and they get to meet all of us, especially the females, they get a different perspective (on what a veteran is),” Leathers said of the rising high school seniors that comprise the delegates at FALBS. “They get to realize that it’s a lot more diverse than that. In real life, they’re going to have female bosses, they’re going to have women that they’re working beside. So I do think it’s very important for them to see us in that way and get our perspective on what it was like to be in the military, what it’s like to be in government, what it’s like in the real world.”

FALBS Director Andy Satterlee said, “I want to get out specifically that the Legion is both women and men, and that they served together, and I want to show that positive impact to the delegates here so that they can recognize there’s a female portion of the Legion that served as well. …

“We need to recognize that a veteran is a veteran. It’s not just a male, it’s also females. Everyone is equal at Boys State, as I said in my opening speech.”

Satterlee called Boarman “the heart and soul of our program.”

“She’s the linchpin that gets the Legion in contact with us, helps administer our administration to Florida State University and the program itself, she sits with us on our board of directors as the secretary, so her input is extremely valuable. She has a voice with me, our program, the board of directors, and the Legion,” Satterlee said.

Boys State has become a passion for Bockman-Wright, who’s also a city counselor in addition to her marketing duties.

“Being retired and being in Florida, you’re supposed to be on the beaches and relaxing. Through the Legion, I’m involved in my post, I’m involved in my district as first vice commander. But Boys State has given me a passion. It gets me up out of bed on the days I don’t want to. I’m marching more than I think I ever did in the last couple years in the military,” she said. “I would do anything to get these boys up over that fence to the next obstacle, and better prepare them as better young men than they were when they got off the bus first thing in the morning on Sunday.”

Bockman-Wright said the impact goes both ways.

“I had a young man that got his Eagle Scout last year. And when he got his Eagle Scout and they put up the American flagpole and he stood there and saluted, he said, ‘Miss Darcy, I thought about you when I did it.’ And for all the female veterans that go into VA hospitals and are asked, ‘Where is your husband?’ time and time again, that was one point for us finally,” she said.

“We’re kind of sharing in those moments now, memory by memory with these young men, and that’s what makes it worthwhile every time we march up to the capitol and we sit in there watching them grow and develop, it’s very impactful. They inspire me to keep doing more because I know there’s more young men in Florida and throughout the country that need this program, and need more Legionnaires to be the boots on the ground doing what needs to be done.”

Leathers said she’d love to come back to serve on the FALBS staff and encouraged others to serve their Boys State programs.

“If you have a chance to support Boys State or be a part of it, I would 100 percent say please do it. Because we are building up our next generation,” she said. “And the example that we give them is going to have a huge influence on what they do in the future and who they become, where their values and morals come from. So if you can contribute at all in any way, do it.”

Troopers and title belts: the sights and sounds of Florida Boys State

Not long after the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) first took to the state’s roadways, a group of FHP troopers headed to Tallahassee for a week to support a fledgling program — Florida American Legion Boys State (FALBS).

It certainly helped that the FHP was established by former Department of Florida Commander Neil Kirkman. Eight decades later, FHP troopers are still a key part of the program.

“It helps us in several different ways” to have them here, said FALBS Director Andy Satterlee, himself a sergeant with the Cape Coral Police Department. “The relationship between Florida Highway Patrol and the Legion staying that history connection. Secondfold is, the youth of today, some positive influence and impact with law enforcement in general. So it’s not all negative; they have questions or experiences they’ve heard of, they’re right there.”

“Thirteen troopers from all over the state have volunteered their time to be away from their families over Father’s Day to join you this week. These troopers have dedicated their time to you,” FHP Director Col. Gary Howze told the Boys State delegates during an assembly.

Among those troopers was FHP emergency operations coordinator Capt. Derrick Rahming.

“Sometimes when we meet (young people), we meet them in unfortunate circumstances. But when we get to talk to them in this positive atmosphere, it gives us a chance to actually be one-on-one. I don’t call myself captain when I’m here, I call myself Derrick and ask them to do the same. I want to know them, I want them to know me,” Rahming said.

Rahming acknowledged it’s competitive to get the Boys State assignment.

“When those delegates come here, they’re getting the sharpest troopers that we have as part of this program,” said Rahming, who’s served on the staff 16 of the past 18 years. “When I see all those (Boys Staters in) red shirts come into the Capitol and they get to see what we do on a day-to-day basis to get things done in the state of Florida, just means the world to me. This program is awesome.”

‘A week that shapes a lifetime’

Several FALBS staff and guests who are alumni of the program shared their thoughts on how their time as a delegate influenced them.

“It made a huge difference. I didn’t have any understanding of government or an interest in that, and I found I’ve spent my entire 30-plus-year career in public service in various roles,” said Florida 1st District Court of Appeals Judge Clay Roberts, who attended FALBS and American Legion Boys Nation in 1982. “My legal career throughout the state, lots of times I would show up for a hearing in front of a judge and counsel on the other side would be someone I knew from Boys State.”

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey attended FALBS and has served as a counselor in past years. In accepting a banner from the program commemorating Tallahassee’s 200th anniversary, he said, “Thirty-four years ago I participated as a delegate … in this amazing program, Boys State.”

Satterlee “had so much fun” as a delegate in 1995 despite losing several races before being elected to the House of Representatives.

“So the next year, I saw that the Legion had asked if anyone would like to come back as a counselor, and I applied, and Director George Wehrli said yes. I came back as a counselor, and I was able to serve as a city counselor, and the city counselor is the core, that’s the hands-on with your individual cities. They take your personality on, but you’re also able to step back and watch them actually run it,” Satterlee said. “To me, that made a huge impact. I was actually able to go to college on a military scholarship, and at college, I had several people on my campus that attended Boys State as well, and they had the same experience.”

“Before I went to Boys State and Boys Nation, I was a page in Congress for a year,” said morale officer Bob Knight, a 1974 alum of FALBS and Boys Nation. “And so that gave me even another boost up to understand Washington. But it was life changing. I mean, when I went to Boys State, I really didn’t know which college I wanted to go to. Boys State and Boys Nation defined those decisions. And even as I came back and my second and third and fourth year, there was still a very heavy influence on me and my future. Because of this program; I owe everything to this program.”

And 2024 FALBS Governor Terry Shen was thankful even before his week was complete.

“As I look around this room, I truly see a close family. A family that will stick together because we are the 80th anniversary of Florida American Legion Boys State,” Shen said after his inauguration.

Honoring those who served

Even with the program’s emphasis on the political process, FALBS didn’t forget to thank those who made it all possible.

Shen and his cabinet braved the torrid Florida sun for a brief afternoon service at the Florida Veterans World War II Memorial across the street from the capitol. And all of FALBS gathered in the House chambers Friday morning for a memorial service.

The program’s cities also put together care packages to send to troops stationed overseas.

All in good fun

In an effort to add a little something extra to the rivalry between the political parties, this year’s session featured some bonus accessories for the party chairs — a replica championship belt for the party with the most success in the elections, and fluffy unicorn hats for the other party.

The Federalists left 2024 with the belt and bragging rights after a sweep of the state-level elections.

Florida Boys State embraces innovation while maintaining tradition

In the midst of its own bicentennial, Tallahassee, Fla., welcomed a gift from a longtime resident of the city.

Every session of Florida American Legion Boys State (FALBS) has taken place in the state’s capital city, and with this year’s session being FALBS’ 80th, it seemed only fitting to find a way to commemorate both milestones.

“We made this banner that everyone could sign,” said FALBS morale officer and former assistant director Bob Knight. The 450-some delegates to FALBS 2024 signed the banner, as did program staff, and Knight, FALBS Director Andy Satterlee, FALBS Marketing and Communications Chair Darcy Bockman-Wright, 2023 FALBS Governor Martin Seals and 2024 delegate Issa Allison — a native of Tallahassee — presented the banner to Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey and the city commission at a June 19 city commission meeting.

“The city of Tallahassee will be hanging it the rest of this year in the chambers of the city commission, which there are no other banners in there. So we’re very honored to be a part of that,” Knight said.

The banner presentation is reflective of the program’s embrace of tradition while also pursuing innovative ways to carry FALBS forward and grow its footprint.

Bockman-Wright’s committee is one of those innovations for the program.

“(Social media) has brought a lot more kids to the table, but we’re also getting a lot more older delegates that have forgotten about the program and realize it’s still going on, and we can use the support,” she said. “With the alumni foundation we’re starting in Florida, it would be great to go ahead and get some of those older delegates.

“If you’re a member of the Florida American Legion Boys State, reach out to us on social media, we’ll get you hooked up with where we are. We need that alumni association throughout the United States to connect and wear those buttons proud and shirts and everything else,” she added.

Satterlee acknowledged “the program has to start developing for the future.” In addition to social media campaigns and promotional videos, volunteer staff are developing apps to streamline the Boys State process.

“There is an app for counselors themselves, that has everything. When the boys get off the bus, we can check them in, we can update anything instantaneously, and we can push our schedule, if a guest speaker comes in we can change things immediately. That’s our next step is to get an app for the boys on the other side,” Satterlee said.

“The real big part is the counselor corps created this. Instead of having to spend money, they donated their time, they donated their wisdom in this, and they’ve created it themselves.”

Knight has also been part of that innovation, starring in the program’s promotional videos.

“We’ve been making them for a couple of years, but last year we took it to a more professional level,” Knight said. “And the reason is, because we realized, and we were told directly, that people never see Boys State unless you’re here at Boys State. You don’t have any idea what it looks like to see these boys sitting in those seats in the legislature. … So we said, let’s show the world.”

With the videos, Knight said the program is trying to reach Legionnaires “so that they know what they’re paying for and so that they’ll send us more boys” and the press.

“The press needs to know these are the leaders of our state, even though they only happen to be 17, 18, they are leaders now. And so wouldn’t you like to know what the leaders of the youth think?” Knight said.

The program is also showing the world what it’s doing through Facebook Live streams of various events during the week, including the election results for state office and the memorial service FALBS holds in the House chambers at the state capitol. This year, the program also used technology to interact with other Boys State programs.

“We reached out to Washington Boys State and we asked to do a livestream with them so that Florida Boys State could say hello. We were able to do that and they were able to stream back to us,” Satterlee said. “Right after that, we had Maryland Boys State do the exact same thing. We were able to get a recording as well to Virginia Boys State.”

Even with the innovations, though, tradition remains a powerful component of the week. As they’ve done every year since FALBS’ first session, troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol volunteer on staff. The governor, Supreme Court and other statewide elected officials take the oath of office at the state capitol just blocks from FALBS’ home on the Florida State University campus.

“Before I swore the officers in, one of the young men asked me how much Boys State has changed since 1982,” said Judge Clay Roberts of the Florida 1st District Court of Appeals, a 1982 FALBS and Boys Nation alum who returns each year to swear in the program’s elected officials. “Remarkably it hasn’t changed very much at all.

“You know, you hear in the news, you hear about young people, how they don’t care about service to their country, they don’t care about service to their state, and you come and see this group of 500 young men and you say, ‘No, there are still young men that are just like the young men that I went through it with in 1982, that are now leaders at all levels in the state and nation.’”

Renton, Wash. Homeschooled Student Wins American Legion Oratoricals Earns $25K Scholarship, National Championship

HILLSDALE. Mich. (May 19, 2024) – A home-schooled high school sophomore from Renton, Wash., capped a busy weekend of competition by earning a $25,000 college scholarship and first place in The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program – “A Constitutional Speech Contest.” Aubrey Jane Moore’s winning prepared oration was titled “Why Freedom of Speech is in Danger.”

Moore started the weekend as one of 52 state or department champions in the 85th annual contest. She advanced to the championship through three rounds of intense competition. She was sponsored by American Legion Post 186 in Seattle.

Knox Andrew Boyd, a senior from Lafayette, Ind., earned a $22,500 college scholarship with a second-place finish, while David Eugene Daniel a 12^th grader from Owensboro, 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, Moore opened with a series of statements from gun policy to immigration that can be considered controversial. “Throughout American history, all kinds of opinions, thoughts and beliefs have been voiced no matter the sentiment because whether or not you approve or hate what I say, you must support my right to say it,” she explained. “This is the power of free speech. And yet in recent years, we have seen a pushback on this fundamental right.”

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 1.6-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 Announces Recipients of 4th Estate Journalism Awards

INDIANAPOLIS (May 14, 2024) – A Minneapolis television station and a Kentucky newspaper will receive American Legion Fourth Estate Awards during the 105^th 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.

The American Legion seeks entries for Fourth Estate Awards in media

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.

An entry form with contest rules can be found at www.legion.org/presscenter/fourthestate. You can also contact kchrisman@legion.org for further information.

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.

The American Legion seeks entries for Fourth Estate Awards in media

An entry form with contest rules can be found at www.legion.org/presscenter/fourthestate. You can also contact kchrisman@legion.org for further information.

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.

Past winners include CBS News, CNN, USA Today, WFTS (Tampa) and the Military Times. The complete list can be found at www.legion.org.

The American Legion seeks entries for Fourth Estate Awards in media

INDIANAPOLIS (January 8, 2024) – The American Legion has announced its call for 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.

An entry form with contest rules can be found at www.legion.org/presscenter/fourthestate. You can also contact kchrisman@legion.org for further information.

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.

Past winners include CBS News, CNN, USA Today, WFTS (Tampa) and the Military Times. The complete list can be found at www.legion.org.

Merry Christmas

Enjoy this final “Finish the Lyric” short for a little Holiday Cheer!

The Department of Florida wishes you a very Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year

! Please keep our troops and their families in your thoughts this season!

Weekly Reports December 7, 2023

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary

Detachment Membership Summary
Squadrons Membership Summary

What’s affected by the government shutdown

During an anticipated government shutdown, due to start Oct. 1 unless Congress acts, critical federal government functions would continue but some important services would be paused.

Of critical importance to the nation and The American Legion is that all members of the military would continue their duties, though they would not receive paychecks. (Earlier this week American Legion National Commander Dan Seehafer demanded Congress find a solution to ensure that servicemembers would be paid during a shutdown.)

Additionally, hundreds of thousands of civilians in the Department of Defense (DoD) would be furloughed, affecting how the department manages its affairs globally. That includes recruiting new members, which has already been problematic for the service branches.

Here is an overview of how Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services, as well as other DoD operations, would be affected — if at all — if the government shuts down.

VA services and operations

“We at VA are preparing for all contingencies, including the possibility that a lapse in funding could occur. A lapse would mean that certain Government activities would cease due to a lack of appropriated funding, and that designated pre-notified employees of this agency would be temporarily furloughed. We’ve prepared a contingency plan to execute an orderly shutdown of activities that would be affected by such a lapse. After the lapse ends, furloughed and excepted employees will receive retroactive pay for the furlough period as soon as possible,” according to a statement from the Deputy Secretary.

Specifically, services that will continue:

• Veteran medical care and critical services within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) will continue, as they are financed with other-than-annual appropriations.

• The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) will continue various benefit functions, such as Education Benefit Claims processing and payments, insurance processing, loan guaranty programs, Veteran Readiness and Employment payment processing, VBA National Call Centers (except for Education), Compensation and Pension Claims processing and payments, Decision Review Operations Centers and management.

• The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) will continue to inter veterans and eligible family members, schedule burials and determine eligibility, process applications for headstones and markers, and update electronic files to ensure timely termination of benefits and next of kin notification of possible entitlement to survivor benefits.

• The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) will continue to render appellate decisions on veterans’ benefits cases and hold hearings to consider arguments and evidence related to those cases.

• VA compensation and pension benefits and education benefits are funded with other-than-annual appropriations, and the processing of appeals related to the timely and accurate payment of these entitlement benefits to or on behalf of veterans and their dependents is necessary by implication.

• The Veterans Experience Office (VEO) will maintain call center operations for MyVA411 and the PACT Act Contact Center as necessary to prevent disruption to mandatory VA benefit programs and to protect the health and safety of veterans relying on accessible health care through VHA.

Specifically, services that will be paused:

• Certain VBA functions, including the Education Call Center (the GI Bill Hotline: 888-GIBILL-1 or 888-442-4551); The Native American Veterans Direct Loan program (NADL) and the Vendee loan program which offers direct loans will cease. Veteran outreach to include Veteran Readiness and Employment (also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E) and Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG), or VA Chapter 36 will be suspended.

• Permanent headstone or marker installation by NCA employees; grounds maintenance (mowing, trimming, mulching or other landscape management); processing of new Presidential Memorial Certificates (PMC) or pre-need applications; and awarding of new grants as part of the Veterans Cemetery Grant Program.

• VA will close its public-facing regional offices.

DoD personnel

The troops will continue to serve our nation but will not receive their pay unless Congress passes last-minute legislation to ensure they continue to receive a paycheck, something that has been introduced in both the House and the Senate but not yet voted on.

Essential DoD civilian employees would also have to continue working without pay. About half of the Pentagon’s civilian workforce that handle areas such as recruiting and global affairs would be furloughed.

The military is automatically guaranteed pay — and would receive any backpay once a shutdown ends — but money cannot be dispersed until there is an agreed upon spending bill. If the government shuts down Oct. 1, the first payday that would be missed would be Oct. 13. Federal contractors would not receive backpay.

DoD military families

Servicemembers, especially those with young families, will face challenges if there is a shutdown.

“A shutdown would be detrimental for the department,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said earlier this week. “Troops would go without pay. Military families would be impacted, of course. For folks that are not getting paychecks, that impacts how and when [they] can buy groceries, child care, all of these things. We’re hoping that Congress can reach a deal to avert a shutdown. But we are planning for that or taking steps to plan for that, should a shutdown occur.”

Commissaries will be closed on most bases in the continental U.S. Others overseas and in certain remote U.S. locations where no other sources of food are reasonably available for military personnel would remain open.

DoD operations

While servicemembers will continue safeguarding our nation and overseas interests, military training is expected to be compromised. The Pentagon will still be able to make purchases and fund new technology to maintain defense, however, a shutdown would create a lag time in doing so.

Tampa: Wreaths Across America Community Event

Saturday, December 16, 2023 – The American Legion “U.S.S. Tampa” Post 5 invites the community to its holiday memorial event, Wreaths Across America. This is a family-friendly event to show support for our military’s sacrifices.

The ceremony begins at 12:00 p.m. (arrive early for parking and seating) at the American Legion, “U.S.S. Tampa” Post 5 located at 3810 W. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33609. Terry Doan (American Legion member) will be presiding over the ceremony under the coordination of Post Commander Chris Man-Son-Hing and Cemetery President Alyse Duffy. All branches of the military will be represented, as well as the remembrance wreaths announcement. Designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, Merchant Marine and POW/MIA will be placed during the ceremony that will be coordinated simultaneously at over 4,000 participating locations across the Country (including Arlington) and abroad.

The cost of our programs is paid by individual wreaths sponsors. Sponsor a wreath for $17.00, any donation will be delivered to Wreaths Across America officials. This can be done on the Post 5 website http://www.post5tampa.org/WreathsAcrossAmerica.html or https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/17901/Overview/?relatedId=15625

We hope to be included in your holiday event schedules to make the community aware of this event, which provides a venue for all ages to give thanks for our military’s sacrifices. The significance of the cost our soldiers have come to bear to preserve our freedoms granted will never be forgotten.

Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization whose mission: Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and abroad. Their mission is to spread the important message of remembering our fallen heroes, honoring those who serve, and teaching our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve our freedoms. This event is made possible by thousands of volunteers who organize local ceremonies, raise funds to sponsor wreaths, and participate in the events. We receive no government funding for the project.

For directions or to sponsor a wreath please call (813) 870-0505 or visit www.post5tampa.org

Download Flyer

Florida Legion Riders both honor POW/MIAs and their families while educating public on the issue

The American Legion
SEP 20, 2023 ~ Three years ago, Florida’s American Legion Riders started their Seven Bridges POW/MIA Remembrance Day Ride & Ceremony. Around 160 riders and 40 passengers took part in the ride, which starts at Adamec Harley-Davidson in Jacksonville, traverses the Seven Bridges of Jacksonville that cross the St. John’s River and finishes at the National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum for a ceremony.

A similar ride took place in 2022 on the Saturday after National POW/MIA Recognition Day, with more than 200 motorcycles taking part. And this year’s ride, which took place Sept. 16, blew those numbers out of the water: 248 motorcycles and a total of 361 participants.

But as happy as he is to see participation continue to grow, Department of Florida POW-MIA Chairman Denny Luke – a Legion Rider and member of Dewitt B. Tilden Memorial American Legion Post 316 in Atlantic Beach – it’s the impact of the ride’s mission that really hit home for Luke.

He shared a message he received following this year’s ride from one of its participants:

“Dear sir,

This is our first time to participate in this ride of remembrance for our POW and MIA servicemembers. My husband is a Vietnam veteran, and I am a Gold Star Daughter (of a Vietnam War KIA). He was MIA for a short time, and it seemed like an eternity of living hell, of not knowing and hoping. Thank you so much for honoring the POW/MIA daddies, and especially the dad of mine and my siblings.”

“It makes you very emotional,” Luke said. “There were a lot of people on the ride or at the ceremony who were POWs or are relatives of POWs/MIAs. Any of us who have worn the uniform … we’ve sat down and had a meal with a (fellow servicemember, watched them walk out the door, and the next time we’d see them would be in a flag-draped coffin.

“I can’t imagine the heartache of watching your buddy walk through the door and never return. I cannot imagine the strife that family members have when they get the message that their loved one is MIA. To me, that’s unimaginable, and I’m honored to honor their sacrifice.”

Department of Florida Commander Michael Raymond, American Legion Auxiliary Department President Dee Bell and Sons of The American Legion Detachment Commander Gerard Sambets were among the Florida Legion Family leadership who attended the event, with Raymond and Bell riding on the back of motorcycles.

During the ceremony that took place at the National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum, attendees heard from Meghan Wagoner, the daughter of former U.S. Navy pilot Scott Speicher. Shot down on the first day of Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Speicher was missing in action until his remains were found by U.S. Marines in Iraq in 2009.

“She gave a very emotional and moving rendition of everything they went through,” Luke said of Wagoner’s address. “They had about 18 years of not knowing.”

Luke said the purpose of the ride and ceremony isn’t just to honor U.S. POWs and MIAs and show support for their families. It’s about educating the general public that more than 80,000 servicemembers remain unaccounted for since World War II.

“We put out that the (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) needs DNA samples from any relatives of servicemembers who are MIA,” Luke said. “If we can get the word out, quite possibly the remains that have been found but not identified can be identified and brought home. We put this ride on to inform the public the hunt is not over, and they can help by either volunteering, or if they’re a relative of an MIA they can submit a DNA sample, and hopefully we can repatriate some of these souls.”

Weekly Reports September 21, 2023

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary

Detachment Membership Summary
Squadrons Membership Summary

URGENT: Tell Congress to Support the Veterans Service Recognition Act

The American Legion has long supported immigrants seeking citizenship through service. We have advocated on behalf of those who seek a legal path toward naturalization through honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States.

Today, we are asking you to reach out to your representatives in Washington, D.C., and ask them to support the Veterans Service Recognition Act.

Take Action Now

As background, the Veterans Service Recognition Act would support more than 24,000 active duty men and women of other nations serving honorably in America. In addition, there are tens of thousands more veterans who have completed their service, yet have not been awarded the citizenship they were promised.

The Veteran Service Recognition Act would allow noncitizen service members to apply for naturalization during basic training, establish a review process for those who are in removal proceedings, and provide an opportunity for noncitizen veterans who have been removed or ordered removed and who have not been convicted of serious crimes to obtain legal permanent resident status.

Please ask Congress to stand with Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) and The American Legion on this important legislation!

Palou leaves no doubt in Portland

(CoForce photo)

The American Legion ~ Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou needed to only finish third or higher in Sunday’s BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland to clinch his second NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship in three years. But that wasn’t enough for the 26-year-old driver.

“He likes to win,” Ganassi said in a post-race interview. “I told him, ‘Hey, let’s wrap this up today.’ He said, ‘I’m going to wrap it up with a win.’ He called his shot.”

That Palou did, and again in dominant fashion, taking the lead on lap 22 and leading 69 of the final 88 laps, winning by 5.4353 seconds over runner-up Felix Rosenqvist. Driving the No. 10 American Legion Honda featuring the Be the One message, he wrapped up the series championship with one race remaining – the first driver to do so since 2007. CGR teammate Scott Dixon finished third and clinched second in the points race.

“That’s what we wanted,” Palou said. “It was an amazing weekend overall. We had really fast cars. We knew we had to go for it, and we just raced how we’ve been doing all season. Super proud to be here in victory lane and super proud of the second championship.

“And it’s extra special for The American Legion’s Be the One. It’s (Suicide Prevention Awareness Month), so hopefully that helps a lot of people now.”

Palou’s championship was Ganassi’s third in the past four seasons and 15th overall. Palou became just the fifth driver in the history of the sport to win multiple championships at 26 or younger. In addition to his title, Palou and CGR also earned $10,000 for his victory as part of the PeopleReady Force For Good Challenge; $5,000 goes to The American Legion as Palou’s chosen charity.

With one race to go, Palou has an average finish of 3.75 this season and has finished in the top 10 in every race. He is the first Chip Ganassi Racing driver to win five races in a season since 2009.

“I never thought that I would be an INDYCAR champion, and to be a two-time INDYCAR champion feels amazing, like a dream,” Palou said. “Thank you to The American Legion and Parkland for all your support this year. It’s been an amazing year, and we still have one to go.”

Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Marcus Ericsson, who also featured American Legion branding on his No. 8 Huski Ice Spritz, moved up three spots from his starting position to finish the race seventh. Ericsson has 14 top-10 finishes in the season’s 16 races.

“First of all, massive congratulations to all of Chip Ganassi Racing on the championship and then, of course, Alex on his win and his championship,” Ericsson said via CGR media. “He’s been the class of the field all year, and it’s hard to get a more deserving champion than that. I’m really happy for him and the whole team.

“For me, it was a tough race. A lot of pushing and shoving and getting pushed off, pushing people off. But in the end, we fought all the way through and ended up at a P7 finish. I think we did well to get there after a tough race. We wanted more, but a good day for the team and I’m happy for everyone.”

In the INDY NXT by Firestone GP of Portland, CGR developmental driver Kyffin Simpson started the race in the second row, but contact between two cars right behind him caused what would be a nine-car accident. Simpson would end up 13th in the race.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will wrap up the 2023 season with the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Sept. 8-10.

Navy Veteran from Beaver Dam, Wis., Elected National Commander of The American Legion

Photo by Hilary Ott/The American Legion

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Aug. 31, 2023)– Daniel J. Seehafer was elected national commander of the nation’s largest veterans organization today in Charlotte, N.C., during The American Legion’s 104^th National Convention. Seehafer likes to say, “It’s personal,” when it comes to The American Legion’s mission of serving veterans and their families. He is continuing the theme of “Be the One,” The American Legion’s initiative to prevent veteran suicide.

An ordained minister from Wisconsin, he earned his American Legion eligibility through service in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve, where he served as a military chaplain. A member of American Legion Post 157 in Horicon, Wis., Seehafer served in a number of American Legion offices at every level, including national chaplain and commander of the Department of Wisconsin.

Born and raised in Merrill, Wis., he lettered in cross-country while in high school and later received a bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry from Concordia University and a Master of Divinity at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Seehafer was installed as assistant pastor of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Horicon in 1997 and continues to serve as administrative pastor of the church and its school. His American Legion post was recognized for “100 percent” and “All-Time High” in membership during his terms as commander and adjutant. Other honors include district commander’s new post achievement award, Silver Brigade, and Post 157 Legionnaire of the Year.

In 2023, Seehafer earned an Outstanding Heroism Award for administering the Heimlich Maneuver to a choking victim at an American Legion dinner.

Seehafer and his wife, Stacey, who is a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 157, live in Beaver Dam, Wis. Dan’s son, Jacob, and daughter, Emma, are also members of the Post 157 family.

Legacy Run Day 3: Stage 4 pancreatic cancer doesn’t stop Florida Legion Rider from being on ride

Photo by Hilary Ott /The American Legion

During The American Legion Department of Florida convention in June, Legionnaire Tim Morris remembers a couple coming up to him and asking him if he was OK. Morris had been physically active and had lost some weight, so he didn’t think much of it.

But then jaundice started to kick in. “I saw it in my eyes, and I started seeing it show up in my palms and in my feet,” said Morris, a member of American Legion Post 117 in Palm Bay, and the Department of Florida’s ALR sergeant-at-arms. “So as soon as I got back from convention … I went to the doctor and did labs at the VA.”

After getting results, Morris said the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare provider called him right away and told him to go straight to the hospital. That’s when Morris got the news: he had Stage 4 pancreatic cancer that had metastasized to his liver. After his condition slightly improved, he was able to do his first chemotherapy treatment in August. And he’ll do the next one, though it will have to be the first week of September, after the Legacy Run veteran completes this year’s ride.

Morris had participated in six previous Legacy Runs and had registered for this year’s ride. Though he knew he couldn’t ride it, both for himself and the safety of others around him, he still wanted to be a part of it. That’s when Department of Florida Commander Michael “Gambler” Raymond offered his commander’s vehicle to Morris to drive with the ride.

“It’s just life itself. It’s just me,” Morris said. “This is my family. Everyone here, I look forward to seeing just as much as I look forward to seeing my kids. I miss them the whole time we’re gone. When we get back together and see each other, it’s the most awesome feeling.

“(Before the ride) I was really questioning myself if this was a great idea. Michael Raymond … offered me to drive his car … which made it all possible. Without that, I’d have been stuck. But that gave me motivation, when he told me the news that I could do that. That picked up my spirits. Then I was, ‘Oh yeah, let’s go for it.’”

Morris wasn’t sure how he’d fit in with the ride while driving an SUV. But Legacy Run Chief Road Captain Mark Clark made arrangements for Morris to travel with the ride’s advance team. But that wasn’t enough for Morris.

“I decided if I was going to travel with the advance team, I was going to work with the advance team,” said Morris, who has assisted with directing the motorcycles when they park or pull in for a gas stop. “And I feel better every single day because I’m doing it.”

Morris said working with the advance team has given him “a whole new perspective and respect for the guys and gals that are the advance team. People don’t realize that when we ride up, they’re standing at the pumps … setting all that up takes a lot of work. (Advance team leader Devin Bright) does a fantastic job getting there and scoping the project out.

“That team is fantastic. They all work together. Everybody covers each other’s back.”

Morris said it’s always difficult to say goodbye to his fellow Riders at the conclusion of the ride. This year it may be a little tougher. “It’s going to suck. It’s going to suck,” he said. “It’s going to be a hard day, because I also know I may never see them again. I don’t feel that’s going to happen, but I know that’s the perception in my mind that this may be the last time I get to see everybody. So, I’m making every day the best that I can. Every day’s a blessing.”

Leaving Ohio on a Generous Note. At the stop at American Legion Post 371 in Wellston, Ohio, more than $6,000 was donated to The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, bringing the total to the half-million-dollar mark. Of that, $4,760 came from the hosts — $2,000 in a donation, and another $2,760 when the post donated back to the ride the check it had received to provide lunch.

“It’s just giving back, paying it forward,” Post 377 Commander Bruce Conley said. “This is what we’re about here in Wellston.”

Conley said being asked to host a stop on the ride was “at first a bit overwhelming. And then they came rolling in this morning, and it was overwhelming. But it is an honor and a privilege. We couldn’t be happier. As long as we can do for our fellow veterans, we’re happy to do it. That’s what our thing is here.”

During the stop, Clark also relayed a story one of the Riders had shared with him. One of the workers at a hotel hosting the ride had presented the Rider with a donation. The reason: that worker’s child was a Legacy Scholarship recipient and had earned a degree in engineering.

“It’s a small world,” Clark said. “We don’t know the lives that we are touching or dreams that we are helping make come true.”

Welcome to West Virginia. The Riders made a grand entrance into the Mountain State in grand fashion, crossing the Ohio River on the 2,800-feet Silver Memorial Bridge into the state. Construction of the bridge started in 1968 downstream from the former Silver Bridge, which collapsed in 1967 under the weight of rush-hour traffic and took the lives of 46 people.

The Riders then made multiple elevation changes in route to American Legion Post 177, where pizza, wings and swag bags were waiting for them. A letter from Sen. Joe Manchin was read, while Department of West Virginia Commander Matt Sampson was on hand to greet the ride.

“We arranged for the most pleasant riding weather possible,” Sampson told the Riders. “Thank you all for making this trip in support of The American Legion Legacy Scholarship (Fund). This means a lot to all those students out there.”

During the stop at Post 177, nearly $10,000 was donated, bringing the total into Day 4 to $510,139 – what Chief Road Captain Mark Clark said was a three-day Legacy Run record. A donation of $6,000 was made by Fairfax, Va., American Legion Post 177, Chapter 177 and an individual donor.

Florida Legion Riders help bring early Christmas to boy with terminal cancer

Gabriel Bostwick, a 12-year-old who is in home hospice care while battling terminal cancer, wanted a chance to see Santa Claus and feel the holiday spirit one more time. His community, including multiple American Legion Riders, were more than happy to accommodate his wish.

On July 21, more than 70 motorcyclists joined with more than 200 other area residents to bring Christmas to Gabriel and his parents at their home in Navarre, Fla. Legion Family members from American Legion Post 382 in Navarre and Post 378 in Gulf Breeze were among the contingent, which sang Christmas carols, delivered presents, and provided a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as some other North Pole inhabitants.

Ashley Correa, who works at the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart and is a member of the American Legion Family at Post 378, learned about Gabriel’s wish and that an event had been planned. She contacted Post 382 Commander Jason Skobel, the past ALR director at the post, to share what was planned.

“He knows we do the ‘Ride for the Claus’ during Christmas, and she said this family was wanting to do a Christmas in July for (Gabriel),” said Skobel, who also serves as District 1 first vice commander and Department of Florida Western Area ALR chairman. “I put the word out there in our district with our Riders, and … we had overwhelming support for this kid.”

Skobel said there were around seven different motorcycle organizations involved, including at least four American Legion Riders chapters. “When we arrived there, there already were some members of the community and neighbors lined up along the street,” he said. “But when they saw 75, 100 motorcycles pull up in front of their house, just seeing the look on the parents’ faces and that kids face, just goosebumps, hair standing up all over. It was just, there were really no words to describe it.

“Just seeing that little kid smile and his dad pushing his wheelchair just to take a look at all the bikes lined up on the street – I just kind of stood in the back for awhile and was watching all the riders. It’s funny to see all these older, big gentlemen – the burly riders – flipping their sunglasses down so you can’t see the tears coming out of their eyes.”