Weekly Report 🗞️
Riverside Recovery | Veterans Month | Office Joe | Commanders Coalition Medals | Thanksgiving | Holidays for Heroes | Vehicle Show
Veterans Appreciation Month 🪖
November is Florida Veterans Month thanks to legislation signed by Governor Ron DeSantis earlier this year. CS/HB 357, which passed the Senate and House with unanimous support. It ensures that each November is “Veterans Appreciation Month” . According to committee notes: “Each year, about 250,000 service members end military service as Veterans and either reenter the civilian workforce or enroll in higher education. Florida is home to 20 major military installations and 65,159 active-duty military personnel with 37,833 more in the National Guard or in reserve. Florida is also home to the nation’s third-largest veteran population with 1,430,000 veterans.
Wreaths Across America 🪦
TALLAHASSEE NATIONAL CEMETERY: Please remember to order your wreaths from Wreaths Across America as soon as possible. As of October 28, the Tallahassee National Cemetery (TNC) had achieved just over 50% of its goal (51.9%). Please order as many as you can afford so every deceased veteran interred at the TNC can receive a wreath on December 14. The last day to order wreaths is December 3, 2024. Overview - Wreaths Across America
We look forward to seeing you on December 14 at noon at the TNC (arrive early).
The mission of Wreaths Across America is “To Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.”
Election Day 🗳️
Voting is a right sealed in blood. We fought for it. Please exercise it. VOTE on Tuesday November 5th!
Toys For Tots 🧸
MISSION: The basic mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas.
GOAL: The primary goal of Marine Toys for Tots is, through the gift of a new toy, help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America's less fortunate children.
FOUNDATION OVERVIEW: The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity which was created at the behest of the U. S. Marine Corps in 1991.
97% of every donation goes directly to providing toys to children.
FIND A TOY DROP OFF LOCATION NEAR YOU
Commanders Coalition Community Partner Medal
Coordinating the monthly meetings and putting together this newsletter requires many hours each month. In recognition of that time and effort, I have created the Community Partner program. This program provides benefits to not only the sponsoring organization but also the 4000+ readers who engage with this newsletter each month.
The medal serves as a website badge which shows an organizations support for the coalition. The actual medal is smaller so it fits nicely at the bottom of a website. Community Partner medals are limited to businesses and/or organizations who provide goods/services which directly affect Veterans but are not considered a VSO.
Veteran Service Organizations can place the Commanders Coalition Bronze Seal, directly on their website at absolutely no cost. (Don’t use this image) I’ll send you a high resolution image. VSO’s, please email hq@commanderscoalition.org to receive the bronze seal.
New American Legion Comedy Show 📺
Legionnaires have written, directed and produced the new series that covers the challenge veterans face as they hang up their fatigues and return to the civilian world.
The American Legion makes its modern-day television comedy debut when “Office Joe” is released Nov. 8. Featuring an all-star cast of military-affiliated entertainers and entrepreneurs, the six-episode series is written and directed by Army Infantry officer veteran Nick Palmisciano.
“Office Joe,” is an adult comedy that covers the challenge veterans face as they hang up their fatigues and try to make their way into the civilian world. While the laughs are many, there is a serious undertone as Joe transforms from GI Joe to Office Joe, which leads him on a path to find the new tribe and purpose he needs to be successful and happy.
The comedy is produced by Kevin Alexander Heard, a former Air Force pilot. The series follows the journey of Joe Hauser, who leaves the infantry and drives across the country to start his dream job and become a graphic designer.
Both Palmisciano and Heard are members of American Legion Post 6 in Chapel Hill, N.C. They have assembled a who’s who of famous veterans to lead the ensemble cast, including UFC fighter and television star Tim Kennedy.
“This is an opportunity for the veteran community to break some barriers and preconceived stereotypes and show how funny veterans can be," said Kennedy, an Army veteran.
Jarred Taylor, an Air Force veteran is co-founder of Black Rifle Coffee. “It has never been more important than now for us to show the modern military veteran that transition obstacles are perfectly normal, and the best possible way to do that is through comedy,” he said. “Not only is it crucial for our transitioning GWOT veterans to be able to laugh and joke about their challenges, but ‘Office Joe’ also shows the next generation of vets that coming together and tackling massive creative projects is incredibly therapeutic!”
Austin von Letkemman (aka MandatoryFunDay of Instagram) is a perfect fit for the comedy show. “First of all, it’s so cool to be able to make my television debut alongside veterans who I have looked up to for years,” said the stand-up comedian and active-duty Army officer. “But maybe even cooler, is that The American Legion gets showcased as Joe’s support structure. Even though he is going through it, he has a place to go.”
Other contributors include former American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast co-host Ashley Gutermuth, an award-winning stand-up comedian and Air Force spouse; Mayans MC star Vincent "Rocco" Vargas, an Army veteran; and actor and writer Jack Mandaville, a Marine veteran.
Palmisciano points out that “Office Joe” underscores The American Legion’s primary mission, Be the One, which aims to reduce the number of veterans and servicemembers who die by suicide. By promoting awareness of the issue, fostering camaraderie and empowering everyone to ‘be the one’ to save the life of a veteran who may be in crisis.
“In Office Joe, there is a lot that goes wrong, but our rule is that when Joe is in the Legion or talking to a Legionnaire, the advice is always sound and the place is always safe,” Palmisciano said. “Everything else might be going south, but the Legion is always his life preserver. We are showing the idea of ‘Be the One’ without overtly saying it. But make no mistake, our message is that the Legion is there for you.”
This isn’t Palmisciano’s first foray into the world of cinema. Palmisciano, Heard, Kennedy, Mandaville and Taylor created “Range 15” in 2016, an over-the-top zombie comedy that has the distinction of being the first independent film ever to top the charts on Amazon and iTunes. And while Palmisciano is hoping for similar success with “Office Joe,” he’s quick to underscore a distinction.
“Range 15 is unapproachable to the average person. It’s a dark comedy that was made for the military community and only that community. Office Joe is very different. It’s light-hearted and can be appreciated by anyone. While it pushes the envelope of comedy here and there, you’re going to fall in love with Joe and root for him on his journey.”
The series will be available on Amazon, Apple TV and Google Play.
39 Christmas Trees remain to be claimed
To reserve a Christmas tree, please see below.
To claim a tree, please email a copy of your Veteran’s proof of service to hq@commanderscoalition.org. Please specify if you would like a small or medium sized tree. First come, First served basis.
All images received to validate Veteran status will be deleted from our email system after the event.
The distribution will take place at the Vietnam Veterans of America Parking lot beside Lake Ella on November 30th between 9AM to 12PM. Look for the Helicopter
We still need VSO’s to donate towards the Holiday’s for Heroes to cover the cost of the Christmas trees.
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 96, Marine Corps League Tallahassee, American Legion Sauls-Bridges Post 13, Disabled American Veterans Tallahassee, Big Bend Honor Guard, AMVETS Post 1776, VFW Post 3308, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Fleet Reserve Association Branch 34, Combat Vets Motorcycle Association, Air & Space Forces Association Bud West Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Honor Flight Tallahassee, MOAA Tallahassee, Sauls-Bridges Unit 13 Auxiliary, Sauls-Bridges Squadron 13 Sons of the American Legion, Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative, K9’s for Warriors, Women Veterans Unite, American Legion Post 49, American legion Post 114, American Legion Post 340, Tallahassee Veterans Outreach, Veteran Events Tallahassee AND ANYONE ELSE WHO WANTS TO DONATE
IF EVERY VSO DONATED, IT WOULD COST LESS THAN $100 PER VSO.
Let’s make this happen!
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 96 will be the nonprofit cutting the final check. Please make checks payable to VVA96 and in the MEMO line put Christmas Trees.
More information will be shared at our November meeting.
Thanksgiving 🦃
This post was brought to you by Community Partner Riverside Recovery
Riverside Recovery of Tampa stands as a distinguished member of the Veterans Affairs’ Community Care Network (CCN), offering top-tier services. The VA facilitates access to exceptional health care for Veterans by directly connecting them with local providers, guaranteeing high-standard treatment.
Our approach at Riverside Recovery of Tampa emphasizes the importance of a supportive community for Veterans participating in our programs. This supportive network is crucial not only during the initial detox phase but also plays a significant role in their ongoing path to achieve and maintain lasting sobriety.