June 2025 Meeting Minutes 📝
COMMANDER’S COALITION MEETING
June 4, 2025, 10 A.M.
American Legion Post 13
Minutes/Notes
Attendees: Ed Hood, John Folsom, Frank Roycraft, Courtney Thomas, Amanda Daughtry, Dan Paasch, Katie Birmingham, Tom Napier, Charles LeCroy, Berline Belizaire, Gail Ernst, Fred Ingley, Alex (Butch) Topicz, Earnest (Ernie) Reed, Johnnie Roberts, Roxann Dressel, Sarah Parker-Pike, Tony Minichiello, Rob Winchester, Dennis Hall, Tina Caldwell (Spears), Mary LaBatt, Craig Benner, Dan Hendrickson, Marc Dickieson, Akin Akinyemi, Valencia Scott, Omar Guzman-Toro, Cindy Myers, Liz Crawford, David Wilson, Chris Wilson, Michael Mann, Sean Golder, Robert Ponder, Gary Futrell, Nicole Dempsey, Eugenia Simmons, Nell Hewitt, Rodney Keener, Brian Caldwell, Sharon Weeden, Alex Marinelli, Derek Hubbell, Shawn Schwartz, L.J. Stuckey, Kaitlyn Grimes, Eric Smith, Tom McCluskey, M.H. Allen, and Marianne Trussell.
Frank Roycraft, Commander, VFW Post 3398, led attendees in a salute to the American Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag to open the meeting and a salute to the American Flag to close the meeting. He asked Eric Smith to deliver a prayer to open the meeting and Ernest Reed to close the meeting. Frank explained that there will be a different leader of the meeting each month at Ed Hood’s suggestion. Frank welcomed everyone, reminded everyone to sign in, to speak up, identify themselves and their organization, to silence their phones, specifically reminded everyone that there are to be no politics or personal attacks, and invited Brooklyn Enders to begin. See comments below.
Brooklyn Enders, Local Veteran’s Employment Representative, CareerSource Capital Region. Works with veterans and others find a job.
Marc Dickieson, Commandant, Marine Corps League Chapter 472. The Marine Corps League meets on the third Thursday of every month at Chow Time at 1800 hours. A monthly fundraiser is held at the Ace Hardware in Killearn where Krispy Kreme donuts will be sold on the first Saturday of the month. Please buy your donuts. Contact him for more information.
Alex (Butch) Topicz, FRA Branch 34, CVMA 20-12. Vet Events Tally is looking for the oldest non-combat veteran. Contact John Patoja.
Earnest Reed, Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 34 AmVets; American Legion. Over 2,000 flags were laid for Memorial Day. Tried to cover all of Wakulla County.
Johnnie Roberts, AMVETS. No report.
Eric Smith, Big Bend Honor Guard. Reporting for Chuck Howell. The Big Bend Honor Guard (BBHG) performed military honors at 13 interments in May at the Tallahassee National Cemetery (TNC). The BBHG also served at three Memorial Day Services at the TNC, Oakland Cemetery with American Legion Post 13, and Westminster Oaks. The BBHG reported approximately 261 volunteer hours to the Veterans Administration in the month of May. Since the TNC opened the BBHG has performed 1,375 interments.
Akin Akinyemi Leon County Property Appraiser. Thank you for all you do. His office will be there on Friday, June 13.
Valencia Scott, Akin Akinyemi, Leon County Property Appraiser’s Office. Thank you for all of your support. The Property Appraiser’s Office will be at the FLHSMV event on June 13. The Property Appraiser aims to provide a valuable service to veterans.
Omar Guzman-Toro, Paralegal, Veterans’ Legal Collaborative, Legal Services of North Florida. Legal Services has hired a veteran services attorney. Cindy will introduce herself.
Cindy Myers, Attorney, Legal Services of North Florida. No report. Full time to meet veteran needs.
Liz Crawford, Owner, Team Leader, Sport Clips, Tallahassee. April’s Dream Flights was a success. Looking at November as a possibility. The biplane tours are a big hit. Call her if interested.
David Wilson, AmVets, Vet Events Tally, et als. MOAA would like you to know the following: We have another exciting speaker lined up for our June 16 dinner, everyone is welcome to attend. Our speaker will be long time FSU Hall of Fame football coach Jim Gladden (now retired), innovator of the “FSU Block Party” (punt, field goal, and extra point block) made famous in the 1980’s. His kick block innovations contributed to many FSU victories during his four decades at FSU. (70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 00’s) He changed college football. His innovations caused opposing coaches to change their formations and kick protections used at the High School, College, and NFL levels. He also coached many All American edge pass rushers as well as first round draft choices. Jim is an outstanding speaker who was in great demand on the football speaking circuit when he was actively coaching.The registration window is open and will close Sunday, June 8. Please use the link to register. Dinner cost covers happy hour, dinner, and speaker. $28 for members, $30 non-members.
https://tallahassee-moaa-dinner-jim-gladden.cheddarup.com/
We will gather at the Elks Lodge, 276 N. Magnolia Drive, with doors opening at 5 pm. Dinner is at 6 pm, immediately followed by our speaker. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Tony Minichiello, American Legion Post 49, Monticello. The Camp Gordon Johnston Museum is on Hwy 98 and needs your help raising funds. Young people don’t know history and need to visit the museum. Rob’s job is to raise funds.
Rob Winchester, Camp Gordon Johnston. He is looking for a professional fund raiser for capital improvements that are needed – approximately $2,000,000 at a minimum. He would like to meet with three representatives from the senators’ and congressional offices right after the meeting.
Kaitlyn Grimes, Tallahassee Police Department, Community Relations Dept. Tuesday, June 10, is the Second Tuesday Luncheon being hosted by the Tallahassee Police Dept. Dennis Hall will give you the details.
Chris Wilson, Major Morale. You or your organization can raise funds and receive $5 for every subscription to Major Morale sold. His email address is on the top right-hand corner of every issue.
Ed Hood, Communications Coordinator, Commanders Coalition. The Commanders Coalition is for veteran organizations to share information. In the spirit of unity, each month, a different Commander will lead the Coalition meeting. VFW Post 3308 Commander Frank Roycraft was asked to lead the June meeting. Next month another VSO Commander will do the same. He later gave another report.
Michael Mann, Commander, Sons of the Legion, American Legion Post 13 and Commander District 2 . The last meeting of the Sons of the Legion was on May 22 and was a success. The next meeting will be on July 31 (the fifth Thursday) at Post 13. Anyone who has a parent or grandparent who has served is eligible to be a member of the Sons of the Legion.
Sean Golder, VFW, Commander, District 2, Crawfordville VFW 4538. They have a trailer full of lots of supplies for communities affected by storms. Call 850-210-2586 if you need help. The Salute to Vets is not just for Wakulla County, there will be health officials, etc. there. June 27 (9-1) and June 28 (9-3).
Robert Ponder. No report
Courtney Thomas, Mayor Dailey’s Office. The next meeting of the City Commission will be June 10 at 5:30 at the St. Peters Anglican Church.
Mary LaBatt, DAR, Caroline Brevard Chapter. No report.
Fred Ingley, MOAA, Tallahassee Chapter. Social for MOAA is Monday. June 16 at 5.
Gail Ernst, Air Force Association, MOAA. No report.
Dan Hendrickson, President, Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative. Every Thursday a legal clinic will be held at American Legion Post 13 from 3-5pm. Set up begins at 2 pm. Please be there to help. Mentors are needed. Please help as veterans would love to have someone to talk to. There will a Drug Treatment Court at 3 pm this Monday, June 9. The legislature is back in town. See Dan for details. They have a new website: TallahasseeVeteransLegal.com
Tom McCluskey, American Legion Post 13. No report.
Gary Futrell, American Legion Post l3, Social Media Specialist. Connecting veterans.
Nicole Dempsey, Department of Veterans Affairs, Communication Engagement and Partnership Coordinator. There will be a meeting following this meeting at 12 noon of the North Forida South Georgia Wellness Coalition. Transitioning from the military to civilian life.
Tina Caldwell (Spears), Quality Care Manager, Right at Home. No report.
Eugenia Simmons, Director, Tallahassee National Cemetery. She thanked all who attended and participated in the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Tallahassee National Cemetery (TNC) and those who placed flags at headstones and removed the flags after Memorial Day. The TNC staff is small. Everyone is appreciated. Eugenia then told everyone that she will be retiring. In the interim Melissa Sheridan will be temporary acting director. Until a new director is appointed by VA.
Craig Benner, Veteran Advocate, Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Next Friday, June 13, is the FLHSMV Annual Veterans Recognition Day at 12 noon. Tables can be set up by VSOs at 11 am; there is some availability. Flyers were available. If you have questions or are not on his email list and want to be, please call or see him. 850-617-3420.
Nell Hewit, President, American Legion Unit l3. June is Girls’ State; the District 2 President is Debra Mann. The Department Convention for District 2 will be June 12 she has a conflict.
M.H. Allen, K9’s for Warriors. Service animals are provided for veterans and station dogs are provided to Fire Departments. On Saturday, July 12 from 11-3 there will be held “Dog Days of Summer” an event to benefit K9’s for Warriors at the Harley Davidson at 1745 Capital Circle NW in Tallahassee. Special guests include John Tappen and his service dog Henry. Flyers were made available.
Shawn Schwartz, Gold Star Mother. Her daughter is a veteran and died in 2022. She is from Decatur County, Georgia; she is here to gather information and pass on information. She attends every Gold Star meeting every other month. Went to the TNC for Memorial Day and offered her heartfelt thanks to Eugenia Simmons for her speech and remarks. She can be reached at GaGoldMom@gmail.com.
L. J. Stuckey American Legion Post 502. Retired veteran from Decatur County. Trying to get information to veterans in the area.
Sarah Parker-Pike, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Suicide Prevention Coordinator. 988 is operational!! There have been no changes. See flyer.
Amanda Daughtry, Case Worker, Congressman Neal Dunn’s Office. Give her a call if you need help with veteran issues or any issue.
Dan Paasch, Office of Senator Ashley Moody. The application process for service academies is ongoing. Please see him if you need help or an application.
Katie Birmingham, NWFL District Director, Office of U.S. Senator Rick Scott. Veterans and others are encouraged to reach out to the office (850-760-5151). Service academy applications are available. Reach out to her.
Tom Napier, Honor Flight Tallahassee. This year 168 veterans and guardians went and 168 came home. WCTV went also; they were as tired as the veterans as they went everywhere. They did a very nice job! Next year’s flight is yet to be scheduled.
Charles LeCroy, American Legion Post l3. Thank you for all you do for veterans. It’s good to see everyone. Get involved; help others.
Roxann Dressel, Commander, American Legion Post 114, Crawfordville and 1st Vice Chair of American Legion District 2. Come to the Crawfordville.
Berline Belizaire, VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator. No report.
Rodney Keener, American Legion Post 13. The US Army and the US Navy will be celebrating their 250th anniversary. The US Army exceeded its quota earlier than ever.
Dennis Hall, Army National Guard, Big Bend Honor Guard. The 2nd Tuesday lunch in June will be hosted by the Tallahassee Police Dept (TPD). The 2nd Tuesday Lunch will be held on June 10; lunch is at noon (arrive 11:30 or so for announcements) at the National Guard Armony at the corner of Capital Circle SE and Easterwood Drive. TPD will be hosting and doing the cooking. The meal will consist of chicken, green beans, potato salad, rolls, banana pudding, tea, and water. Everyone is welcome, especially veterans.
Brian Caldwell, Big Bend Hospice. No report.
Sharon Weeden, Owner and Administrator, Right at Home. Veteran preferred provider; ask your physician. It is the first provider as a Medicare benefit. Flyer made available.
Alex Marinelli, Community Educator, Big Bend Hospice. Proud partner of veterans.
Derek Hubbell, Family Promise of the Big Bend. No report.
John Folsom, American Legion Post 13, Chaplain for AL District 2. Thank you to Senator Scott for sending someone from his office to attend the 1st Wednesday Commander’s Coalition meeting. VFW articles are on page 7 of Major Morale newspaper.
Frank Roycraft, Commander, VFW Post 3398. Channels 6 and 27 were there and did a fine job. Mike Terhune presented a flag to DAR.
Marianne Trussell, Chair, Support Committee for the Tallahassee National Cemetery, Inc. The next meeting of the Support Committee will be Tuesday, July 15 at 5 pm at the TNC conference room. The meeting usually lasts 1 hour and everyone is welcome. Final Salute (held quarterly) will be held on Wednesday, June 25 at 3 pm. Please be there; everyone is welcome.
The meeting ended with a prayer by Earnest Reed and Frank Roycraft leading a salute to the Flag.
The next Commander’s Coalition Meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 10 am at the American Legion Post 13 at Lake Ella.
