Meeting Minutes 📝
December 2024
COMMANDER’S COALITION MEETING
December 4, 2024, 10 A.M.
American Legion Post 13
Minutes/Notes
Attendees: Ed Hood, John Folsom, Tom Napier, Jim Hart, Courtney Thomas, Nell Hewitt, Frank Roycraft, Paul Rogerson, Eugenia Simmons, Gail Ernst, Fred Ingley, Andy Janacek, Meghan Poskey, Sarah Parker-Pike, Rob Winchester, Mattie Ward, Omar Guzman-Toro, Jeremy Matlow, Curtis Richardson, Chris Wilson, Edwin (Ed) Rodriguez, Alex (Butch) Topicz, Johnnie Roberts, M.H. Allen, Cindy Laskowski, Amanda Daughtry, Terri Hookfin, Susan Caplowe, Dan Hendrickson, Tony Minichiello, Chuck Howell, Eric Smith, Mary LaBatt, Gordon Lightfoot, David Wilson, Paula Hubert, Lori Fitzpatrick, Henry Lowery, Michael Mann, and Marianne Trussell.
Ed Hood, Communications Director, Commanders Coalition, 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 a prayer to close the meeting. Ed welcomed everyone, reminded everyone to speak up, identify themselves and their organization, to silence their phones, reminded specifically reminded everyone that there are to be no politics or personal attacks and to sign in, and invited Eric Smith to begin. John Folsom indicated that he had invited City and County Commissioners (only one has appeared so far) to give them an opportunity to view the pulse of the veteran community. See other comments below.
Eric Smith, Big Bend Honor Guard. No report.
Jim Hart, Sons of the Legion. No report.
Tom Napier, Vice Chairman, Honor Flight Tallahassee. On Saturday, December 7, from 5-7 pm there will be an Honor Flight Reunion for all Honor Flight attendees and guardians. Two hundred fifty (250) are expected. If you have not registered, show up anyway. Mission BBQ will be providing the food. Saturday, April 26, 2025, will be the next Honor Flight (Number 11).
Paul Rogerson, AmVets. No report.
Sarah Parker-Pike, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Suicide Prevention Coordinator. No report.
Frank Roycraft, Commander, VFW Post 3308. THE VFW is doing very well. The VFW for District 2 will be dedicating the VFW monument at the Tallahassee National Cemetery on December 16 at 10:30 am.
David Wilson, AmVets, Air Force Association. The POW/MIA monument at the Tallahassee National Cemetery will be dedicated sometime in late January. He will keep everyone advised.
Henry Lowery, United States Marine Corps, Marine Corps League, AmVets Post 1776. No report.
Terri Hookfin, Aide to Council-Person Jack Porter. No report.
Gail Ernst, American Legion Post 13. The American Legion Auxiliary’s oratorical contest is about to close – December 15 is the last day to enter. The contest itself will be on January 5, 2025, time to be determined. The national winner receives a $25,000 scholarship.
Fred Ingley, MOAA. MOAA received a grant from National. The money will be used for updating two bathrooms at vet village.
Andy Janacek, Representative, Akin Akinyemi, Leon County Property Appraiser’s Office. Last month property bills went out. If you have questions call him.
Meghan Poskey, Director of Exemptions, Akin Akinyemi, Leon County Property Appraiser’s Office. She processes property tax exemptions. There is one point of confusion regarding refunds as there are two options. She is always accessible, as is Andy Janacek.
M.H. Allen, K9s for Warriors. $46,450 was raised at the fundraising event on November 20. That takes care of more than one dog and one veteran. She thanked Ed Hood.
Jeremy Matlow, City Commissioner. He is learning about veteran issues.
Tony Minichiello, Commander, American Legion Post 49, Monticello. No report. He wanted everyone to know that at Christmas there is a banner at the Monticello Courthouse and this year his oldest son, Scott is there.
Gordon Lightfoot, Commander, AmVets Post 1776. He just received a letter from the VA that the December 16 date and time are approved. He thanked all of the helpers for the success of the Turkey Shoot. Mission BBQ was there. Ken Swords won the raffle. In April there will be the Annual AMVETS golf tournament. More to come later. He later mentioned that he forgot to acknowledge the success of the Military Heritage Trail program spearheaded by a group of homeschoolers from Monticello which included the 9-11 Beam memorial erected at the Red Cross on Easterwood Drive. Rocky Hanna has said that he wants to put notice out to all Leon County schools.
Curtis Richardson, City Commissioner. He is the proud parent of two from the Naval Academy. He was an Honor Flight Guardian and is looking forward to 2025. The city is proud to be a partner with veterans.
Amanda Daughtry, Case Worker, Congressman Neal Dunn’s Office. Call 850-891-8610 if you have questions or need help.
Susan Caplowe, Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative. Legal collaborative meets every Thursday from 3-5 pm and will be here at Post 13 tomorrow December 5. Legal Collaborative gets calls from all over the state. Veterans are also doing Farm Share today in the Lake Ella parking lot.
Dan Hendrickson, President, Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative. Help is still needed. Legal Clinics are held every Thursday at America Legion Post 13 from 3-5. Set up begins at 2 pm. With the retirement of Judge Aikens, Judge Nina Ashenafi-Richardson will be a temporary judge for Drug Treatment Court. After training, the newly elected LaShawn Riggins (a former JAG) will become permanently assigned to the Drug Treatment Court next year.
Rob Winchester, Member with Board of Directors, Camp Gordon Johnston Museum. He is a Marine and is here to obtain help to expand the Camp Gordon Johnston Museum in Carabelle, Franklin County, Florida.
Mattie Ward, Attorney, Tallahassee Veterans’ Legal Collaborative, Legal Services of North Florida. Come to Post 13 on Thursdays from 3-5 for veteran issues with homelessness, family matters, landlord tenant, etc.
Omar Guzman-Toro, Paralegal, Tallahassee Veterans’ Legal Collaborative, Legal Services of North Florida. No report.
Michael Mann, District 2 Commander Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 13 Commander, The next meeting will be January 30 at 6 pm at Post 13.
Dennis Hall, Army National Guard, Big Bend Honor Guard. There is a luncheon at 1225 Easterwood Drive at the National Guard Armory every second Tuesday at 11:30; the next luncheon will be December 10. Lunch begins at noon and ends about 1:00. A small donation is requested, but even if you can’t donate you can still join in the luncheon. Please bring a hygiene item that will be given to a veteran at vet village. Merry Christmas.
Edwin “Ed” Rodriguez, Air Force veteran, Marine Corps League. He is here today for Marc Dickieson and Toys for Tots. Volunteers are needed to pick up boxes and sort, collect, and bag toys. Please volunteer. Next year please get the word out to organizations, events, etc. to sponsor a Toys for Tots collection drive. You can contact Marc Dickieson at 850-296-5555. Merry Christmas.
Chuck Howell, Big Bend Honor Guard. The Big Bend Honor Guard (BBHG) provided military honors at 16 interments in November. That amounts to approximately 150 volunteer hours for the month. The BBHG has an average of 10 members attending at each interment. So far this year they have provided services at 167 veterans’ interments at the Tallahassee National Cemetery.
Mary LaBatt, DAR, Caroline Brevard Chapter. No report.
Paula Hubert, Vice President, Women Veterans Unite. She attended a service for a veteran with no family (Robert Platt) at the Tallahassee National Cemetery, whom she did not know. Those attending numbered 50-60 people (someone said 150).
Nell Hewitt, President, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 13. Thank you to all who helped with poppies at the Veterans Day Breakfast. Call her if you are interested in a trip to the Florida State Hospital veterans. Two veteran families have been adopted from the Christmas Connection. Girls State letters are going out now.
Courtney Thomas, Office of Mayor John Dailey, Tallahassee. This Saturday is Winter Fest. Wednesday, December 11 is the last commission meeting of the year.
Johnnie Roberts. No report. He congratulated everyone and every organization on the help each is doing for veterans Great Job! Congratulations and Thank You.
Alex (Butch) Topicz, FRA Branch 34, CVMA 20-12. There is a Toys for Tots motorcycle ride this Saturday at the Walmart on Apalachee Parkway. The ride starts at 1:30.
Eugenia Simmons, Director, Tallahassee National Cemetery. She is very proud of the turnout at the service for Robert Platt on Tuesday at the Tallahassee National Cemetery (TNC). The support was tremendous. The Wreaths Across America service at the TNC is December 14 at noon. The TNC made 17% more than its goal. The Final Salute for those previously interred at the TNC but did not receive military honors will be held at the TNC on December 18 at 3 pm. The dedication of the VFW monument at the TNC will be December 16 at 10:30 am. There are 5-6 requests for monuments at the TNC and asks that everyone be patient. Need help or have questions regarding benefits, call the office. Next week there will be inspections at the TNC; it’s been 5 years since the last one. Last time the TNC received a National Shrine Designation and hopes to attain the designation again. The TNC has also been designated as one of the top places to work
Lori Fitzpatrick, Senior Director, Covenant Care Foundation. They make veteran wishes come true. Must be a service a veteran organization or a civilian service organization to nominate a veteran. See mywish.org for the nomination form. She can be contacted at 850-433-2155. They recently facilitated the fixing of a broken-down motorcycle owned by a veteran who wanted to attend a motorcycle rally.
Cindy Laskowski, Commander, American Legion, Post 13. December 14 is the Army/Navy game. It will be televised at Post 13. Entry is a $15 donation which includes appetizers and 1 drink. There will also be a cash bar. Post 13 is raffling a generator – tickets are $5 or 5 for $20. You need not be present to win. Go online to www.floridalegionpost13.org to donate money or email adjutant@floridalegionpost13.org
Chris Wilson, Major Morale Newspaper. If you don’t know about page 10 you have been living under a rock. There are 4 pages of information from people who want to get the word out and a few who do not. Handed newest paper to all and filled the Post 13 stand.
John Folsom, American Legion Post 13, Chaplain for AL District 2. He expounded on the Post 13 baseball team. 50% of professional baseball players played American Legion baseball. This year all games were away games because there is no American Legion field for Post 13 to play on. A field is needed as traveling becomes a struggle. Please help.
Ed Hood, Commanders Coalition Communications Director. Holidays for Heroes. Vietnam Vets agreed to the use of their parking lot; special thanks to Joe West and Jon Pantoja. There are still 30-35 trees to be given away this Saturday. Bring VA or veteran ID or DD214. He has also started working on an Afghanistan War memorial. Anyone interested in committee involvement, please get with him.
Marianne Trussell, Chair, Support Committee for the Tallahassee National Cemetery, Inc. She thanked Eugenia Simmons for mentioning the Wreaths Across America ceremony on December 14 at noon (arrive early) at the Flag Assembly Area and Final Salute on December 18 at 3 pm. Thanks to all who purchased wreaths as the goal was reached with over a week to spare. The next meeting of the Support Committee is January 21 at 5 pm in the Administration Building at the TNC. Thank you to Eugenia Simmons and Paula Hubert for mentioning the outpouring of support for the veteran without a family (Robert Platt) this past Tuesday. While I was thrilled at the showing of support, my first thought was “where are these people at Final Salute” which is quarterly and is barely attended. Final Salute is quarterly and always on a Wednesday at 3 pm. Final Salute is offered to all veterans who were previously interred at the TNC to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of all unclaimed or unaccompanied veterans as well as veterans who were laid to rest without the rendering of Military Honors. As mentioned above, the last Final Salute of 2024 will be on December 18 at 3 pm. Next month’s report will contain all dates in 2025 for Final Salute. Maya Sargent of WTXL TV interviewed Melissa Sheridan of the TNC and Ed Hood of the American Legion about Wreaths Across America. While I was told the airing would be on this coming Monday but someone told me they saw it this morning. Sure enough, it was their interviews. I was told I would be sent a link to the story the night of December 5.
The meeting ended with Ed Hood leading a salute to the Flag and a closing prayer by Eric Smith.
The next Commander’s Coalition Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 10 am at the American Legion Post 13 at Lake Ella.