Weekly Report 🗞️
Meeting | MOAA | Suicide Prevention Month | TVLC | VSO Calendar
We will be having our monthly meeting this Wednesday, 10AM, at American Legion Post 13 in Tallahassee, Fl. If you are wondering why this report is delayed, it’s because people are still sending Veterans news and events to my personal email. As a reminder, please send ALL Veteran related news to hq@commanderscoalition.org
Military Officers Association of America- Tallahassee
Our September dinner and social is just around the corner, on Monday, September 16. Please mark your calendars and RSVP back to me by return email, or a call or text to 850-212-7009.
We have an exciting agenda for you with two speakers!
The first of our two speakers will be Skip Smelko, with Altrua Global Solutions. He and his wife Melody work closely with VetEvents Tallahassee to honor local 'hometown heroes'. Each year, one veteran is selected to ride prominently on a float in the parade and is then recognized in a ceremony following the parade. Our very own Major John Haynes was the Hometown Hero in 2021, and CWO5 Henry Lowery was Hometown Hero in 2022. Another MOAA chapter member has been selected for 2024. This distinguished honor and congratulations go out to COL Curtis Earp, this year's Hometown Hero. Be sure to congratulate him when you see him at the meeting.
Our second speaker will be Russell Daws, President and CEO of the Tallahassee Museum. He is widely knowledgeable about our local and military history, and will be bringing some historical military memorabilia for you to browse during the social hour between 5-6:00 p.m.
We will open the doors at 5 pm and start the business meeting at 6 pm. Please RSVP no later than Sunday, September 8, so we can coordinate meals with the Elks Lodge on Magnolia. Member dinner costs are $28 per person, non-members are $30.
I look forward to seeing you in a few weeks. Bring a guest, and come make my day!
Respectfully,
Cheryl
MOAA Tallahassee President
September is Suicide Prevention Month
Although each day is important for Suicide Prevention, the month of September is officially designated as Suicide Prevention Month. Every year, the Department of Veterans Affairs organizes a campaign to help spread the word. The following link will take you to the site to access helpful tools, such as social media posts, press releases, and videos. Supporting Veterans | Spread the Word | Don't Wait. Reach out. (va.gov) Please feel free to share with others that may be interested in also accessing this information to help promote the resources.
Thank you!
Nicole
Nicole Dempsey, LCSW (she/her/hers) | VISN 8 Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator | VHA North Florida South Georgia | Nicole.dempsey@va.gov | 904-719-2522
I cover the following counties: Miller, Mitchell, Decatur, Grady, Jackson, Calhoun, Gadsden, Liberty, Gulf, Franklin, Wakulla, Leon, Jefferson, Madison and Taylor counties
Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative ⚖️
Special shout out to AMVETS Tallahassee Post 1776 🤝
From Dan Hendrickson,
https://www.tvlc.legal/
”Greetings, Team GREAT NEWS- Gordon Lightfoot called after clinic to announce the AmVets group not only approved funding for TVLC, but increased the original $1000 request to $2500, to cover the pending Driver’s License Reinstatements. ALSO, early this morning ABC-TV ran a great news story about TVLC’s clinic the reporter filmed and edited last week! Veteran Winger and Mattie were articulate! Maya couldn’t edit everyone’s interviews in, but several of us got Cameo’s, Jeremy, Susie, John L, Wayne, Delores, Glen, Randy, etc. plus allies Brooklyn, Andy & Valencia from Akin’s office…and she encouraged viewers to help volunteer. SEE HOW: Free legal services help veterans in NW Tallahassee; how you can get involved”
Greetings, Team What a month! The hurricane canceled our clinic August 8, and we are combining reports here for both following weeks’ Clinics, August 15th (14 Veterans assisted by team of 17, including 5 attys) and August 22nd (15 Vets, team of 18, including 6 attys).
Special thanks to Jeremy Mays, Glenn Gifford and Wayne Sprague for participating two days with the UPHS non-profit agency’s TALLAHASSEE BEER FESTIVAL August 10 at the Tucker Civic Center (our modest fundraising by our volunteers again).
And KUDOs to the Food Distribution Team, Ginny and Emily organized the trip this past week (see photos attached), following Leonard Bell, who drove to Quincy the first week of the month & delivered food to Vet Village and Homefront!! Leonard Barrington continues to help, and Ricardo and Bell have now completed their community service for the Veterans Treatment Court.
Speaking of which, the next graduation will likely celebrate the success of Jeremy Mays, Leonard Bell, George Smith, and Ricardo Versaint!! Monday, Sept 23 in Courtroom 2E, Leon County Courthouse. JUDGE AIKENS’ LAST GRADUATION CEREMONY.
(Vet Ct is still needing additional Veteran Mentors for Veterans entangled in the criminal justice system. Veterans who are Attorneys and non-attys, please inquire! If you want to observe, come to the next Court session is Monday, Sept 9 at 3 pm..)
Meanwhile, Congratulations to newly elected Commander at the American Legion Post 13, Cindy Laskowski. And for the first time, the Legion served as an Election Site last week for the Leon County Primary Elections. Volunteer Pollwatchers included Charles Robinson and Wayne Sprague.
And lastly, at the Legion Hall, we just sponsored the Theater and Suicide Prevention weekend organized by Mattie Ward (and hosted by Post 13 Vice Commander Rodney Keener). More than 15 of us participated each day, and Mission BBQ donated a great spread for Sunday lunch! Waytogo, Mattie, for arranging the event for Veterans as part of the week featuring the inspiring story, film and teaching by Veteran and filmmaker Anthony Mendes, who flew out from California to donate his week to Tallahasseeans. (see photos)
The work TVLC is doing in our Veteran community is making waves across the nation. Veterans from all over the country are calling and visiting to receive free legal counsel. The services offered to veterans are at no cost, but as you know, the nonprofit does have expenses that must be covered. If you’re looking for an excellent nonprofit that provides Veteran legal services on a weekly basis, please consider financially supporting their team!
Veteran Service Organization Calendar | POC’s 📅
Special thanks to David Wilson for putting this together
