Meeting Minutes 📝
6 Dec 2023
COMMANDER’S COALITION MEETING
December 6, 2023, 10 A.M.
American Legion Post 13
Minutes/Notes
Attendees: Barry Walker, John Folsom, Earnest Reed, Alex (Butch) Topicz, Dan Hendrickson, Susan Caplowe, Johnnie Roberts, Frank Roycraft, Henry Lowery, Roxann Dressel, Stuart Scott, Marc Dickieson, Tom Carney, Craig Benner, Gordon Lightfoot, Brooklyn Enders, Lori Fitzpatrick, Valencia Scott, David Wilson, Lena Lewis, Doyle Combs, Melissa Sheridan, Tammy Moulton, Jay Monismith, Gary Futrell, Ed Hood, Jeremy Murray, Lew Wilson, Nell Hewitt, Richard Junnier, Jonathan (Jon) Cruze, Paula Hubert, John Dailey, Keisha Washington, Eddie McMillian, Craig Benner, Joe West, Michael Mann, and Marianne Trussell.
Barry Walker, Commander, American Legion Post 13 led attendees in a salute to the American Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag to open the meeting. He introduced Earnest Reed who presented the invocation. He then asked Frank Roycraft to begin and reminded everyone to speak up, state their full name, and state what organization they are with.
Frank Roycraft, Commander, VFW Post 3308. Thanked everyone, especially Chris Wilson for his work on Major Morale. Reported on ongoing efforts of Toys for Tots; tonight (Wednesday, December 6) at 5:00 pm there will be a Toys for Tots event at Goodwood. All are welcome. He also reported that Wreaths Across America will hold its event at the Tallahassee National Cemetery on December 16 at noon. Arrive early. VFW Post 3308 has its own cemetery.
Lew Wilson, AmVets. Announced the blanket and sock drive for veterans is going on until December 19. Items may be dropped off at American Legion Post 13 or at the 4th Quarter Bar and Grill.
Gordon Lightfoot, Commander, AmVets Post 1776. The date of the AmVets Golf Tournament has been set – it’s April 22. Working on details this month. The AmVets monthly meeting will be held tomorrow night (December 7) at Glory Days. He hopes to see all members there.
David Wilson, AmVets, Vet Events Tally, Air & Space Forces Association. Tomorrow night at 6 pm the Jefferson County will vote on the petition to rename Highway 59 for Major Haynes, who recently passed away.
Stuart Scott, Third District Commander, American Legion. There are a number of bills filed and being tracked.
Henry Lowery, United States Marine Corps, AmVets Post 1776. Tomorrow (Thursday, December 7) at 2 pm at the Big Bend Hospice there will be a Pearl Harbor Ceremony with small snacks provided after the ceremony.
Joe West, President, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 96. On December 16 at 9 am at Oakland Cemetery there will be a Wreaths Across America Ceremony; the Rickards Jr. ROTC and Combat Vets will be supporting the ceremony. There will then be a ceremony at Roselawn. The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 96 will hold its annual social on December 21, at 6:30 pm.
Gary D. Futrell, Veteran. A recent member of American Legion Post 13. No report.
Tom Carney, Air & Space Forces Association. The next quarterly meeting will be held January 9 at 6 pm at Chow Time.
Ed Hood, Florida Executive Vice President Air & Space Forces Association, IT Dept chair Florida Legion Post 13. He asks that when submitting events to him to send out that times and locations be included. He would like feedback on emails he sends out – are they helpful? Word is spreading among veterans as to what is happening. All notices re events should be sent to him at edwardhood at USAirForce . vet He uses the platform chosen because of its privacy. He will hold a Hanukkah Ceremony tomorrow (December 7) at 4 pm at American Legion Post 13 because of the rise in antisemitism. The ceremony will be videoed.
Susan Caplowe, Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative. Thank you for all who voted for the Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative (TVLC). They will find out this evening if the TVLC is one of the top three vote receivers and will be awarded a grant. The TVLC continues its food distributions especially Vet Village.
Dan Hendrickson, President, Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaboration. He reiterated Susan’s thanks. He promoted the Veterans Court and reiterated that those veterans who need the most help do not have mentors. Please become a mentor. Veterans (5-7) of the programs will graduate at a ceremony on December 18 at the Leon County Courthouse, Rm 2E.
Richard Junnier, Attorney, Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative. No report.
Jonathan Cruce, Veteran. No report.
Valencia Scott, Akin Akinyemi, Leon County Property Appraiser’s Office. No report.
Lori Fitzpatrick, Director of Quality Care, Right at Home. Veteran preferred provider. Serving Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla Counties. Talk to her for further details. Home for the Holidays flyers were distributed.
Johnnie Roberts. No report.
Earnest Reed, President, Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 34. Late notice, but he just found out today that will be a ceremony at 2pm in Panama City honoring Mr. Sims. He and Mr. Roberts are going.
Alex (Butch) Topicz, FRA Branch 34, CVMA 20-12. No report.
Jeremy Murray. No report.
Jay (Joseph B.) Monismith, Operations Officer, Tallahassee VA Outpatient Clinic. He’s a 30-year retired Army veteran. A new primary care doctor, new dermatologist, and a new chiropractor have all been hired by the Clinic. Flu shots are available at the Clinic Monday and Friday from 1-3 pm. Covid clinics are offered on Tuesday and Thursday from 1-3 – appointments are required. RSV shots are available for veterans 65+ with other existing breathing issues; the veteran must go through his/her primary care doctor. Volunteer services are always in need of volunteers and drivers are needed to take veterans to Lake City or Gainesville.
Tammy Moulton, Acting Director of Tallahassee VA Outpatient Clinic. No report.
John Dailey, Mayor, Tallahassee. Thanked Joe and others for the great job they did on the Veterans Day Parade; the County also deserves big thanks for the excellent job they did with the breakfast and Operation Thank You. The City documentary on Honor Flight was recently awarded an Emmy in Ft. Lauderdale.
Paula Hubert, Vice President, Women Veterans Unite. No report.
Roxann Dressel, Commander American Legion Post 114, Crawfordville. No report. Merry Christmas to all.
Nell Hewitt, President, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 13. They have been collecting coats and warm jackets for veterans at Vet Village. Extras will be donated to Operation Home Front.
Brooklyn Enders, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist, Career Source Capital Region. Thanks to all. There will be a Partner Resource Fair (previously announced) this Friday from 9:30-11:30 am at the TCC Center for Workforce Development, 444 Appleyard Drive. Registration is preferred but walk-ins are welcome. Flyers were handed out.
Melissa Sheridan, Tallahassee National Cemetery. The Wreaths Across America will be held at noon on Saturday, December 16. Please arrive early and be patient. This is always a very well attended event; chairs will available, but seating is limited. Volunteers who registered online have been told to be there at 9:00; the time may be changed to 9:30 or 10:00. Volunteers are requested to use the entrance directly across from the Dollar General, and not the main entrance to the cemetery. Thanks to everyone for help in reaching the goal in purchasing wreaths for the Tallahassee National Cemetery (TNC). A new director, Eugenia Simmons (previously a program manager at the TNC) has been selected and will begin her duties at the TNC on January 16.
Lena Lewis, Survivor Outreach Services Support Coordinator. The Volunteer 344th Engineer Company will hold a veteran event on Saturday, December 9 from 8:30-12 at 4307 Jackson Bluff Road, Tallahassee.
Keisha Washington, 211 Big Bend. She is currently working on a 6-month project to honor first responders limited for now to Madison and Jefferson Counties. If anyone can help monetarily or otherwise a young man obtain his CDL please contact her.
Eddie McMillan, Veteran Coordinator, 211 Big Bend. No report.
Craig Benner, Veteran Advocate, Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Held a Toys for Tots event this morning. Veterans sponsored coffee and donuts with Santa. Attendees brought toys. Good event.
Marc Dickieson, Commandant, Marine Corps League Chapter 472. The Chapter meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month at noon at Post 13. Toys for Tots is in full force.
Doyle Combs, Commander, American Legion District 2. No report.
Michael Mann, Commander, Sons of the Legion. There will be a meeting of the Sons of the Legion at the end of January. More info to come.
John Folsom, American Legion Post 13. Thanked Chris Wilson for his efforts in keeping Major Morale available and current. Be sure to send Chris information you would like included or to John Folsom. He also thanked Ed Hood for his efforts and the Commandant, Barry Walker, and volunteers for setting up for today’s meeting.
Barry Walker, Commandant, American Legion Post 13. There is a lot going on at the American Legion. There is a $400,00 pending bill for a proposed new addition in the back to create a meeting and storage space for veteran organizations that have no permanent “home”. Call Cory Simon or Allison Tant or everyone and anyone who can help. There will be a Christmas party at the American Legion on December 9 at 3 pm.
Marianne Trussell, Chair, Support Committee for the Tallahassee National Cemetery, Inc. The next meeting of the Support Committee will be held on Tuesday, January 16, at 5 pm at the Administration Building of the Tallahassee National Cemetery (TNC). Marianne thanked Melissa Sheridan and others for their announcements regarding the Wreaths Across America ceremony. The ceremony will be at noon on December 16 and will be in the same location as last year which is in front of the bell tower. As Melissa mentioned, please arrive early. She also thanked others who mentioned the Honor Flight Reunion dinner being held tomorrow evening at 5:30; there will be a super program featuring Brig. General Richard Coffey as guest speaker. Eugenia Simmons is welcomed as the new director of the TNC – welcome back Gina. On behalf of Chuck Howell, Marianne proudly reported on the Big Bend Honor Guard (BBHG). The BBHG participated in 22 interments in November, 153 this calendar year, and 1,106 since they started participating in interments in 2016. They deserve our gratitude for their dedication and thankless hours. In fact, their work constitutes 440 volunteer hours for the month of November and 22,120 volunteer hours since the BBHG began doing Honors for veterans at the TNC.
The next Commander’s Coalition Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 10 am at the American Legion Post 13 at Lake Ella.