2022-2023 District Committees
6th District Americanism Chairman
Joe Marcheggani (10)
321-443-3338 - FLD6CDR@gmail.com
Americanism is an unfailing love of country, loyalty to its institutions
and ideals, eagerness to defend it against all enemies, individual
allegiance to the flag, and a desire to secure the blessings of liberty
to ourselves and our posterity.
Our forefathers laid the foundation for a civilization that is the
envy of the world. It has brought us greater spiritual and material
wealth than any people has ever known. This is our heritage. The many
activities of the National Americanism Commission of The American Legion
are designed to acknowledge and preserve that heritage, recognizing all
of the inalienable rights of man. For additional information regarding
the various Americanism Programs offered through The American Legion,
contact the 6th District Americanism Chairman.
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6th District Baseball Chairman
Dirk Scott (55)
352-516-3678 - busmoke@gmail.com
The American Legion has sponsored a nationwide youth baseball program since 1925. During these past seven decades, millions of young players have enjoyed playing baseball.
The American Legion and their 2.8 million members have raised millions
of dollars each year for players to learn the importance of teamwork,
discipline, leadership and good sportsmanship. The American Legion
sponsors American Legion Baseball to give players an opportunity to
develop their skills, personal
fitness, leadership qualities, and to have fun. This is part of
our devotion to help develop a brighter future for our nation, through
the mentoring of youth. For more information regarding the Legion’s
Baseball Program, please contact the 6th District Baseball Chairman.
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6th District Blood Donor Chairman
Donald Morrison (242)
407-491-9221 - MarineDon@yahoo.com
The American Legion's Blood Donor Program officially began in 1942 and over the years has provided a great and continuing humanitarian opportunity for all concerned. A community service of the highest order, the Blood Donor program which meets an ever-present need. This program shows the community the depth of your Post's concern for the well-being of your fellow citizens. People have held blood drives and given blood since community service became an American value. It's only natural that The American Legion - with community service as one of its pillars - be heavily involved in blood donation efforts.
It's impossible for patients and their immediate families alone to bear the burden of blood needs. The constant and critical need for blood can only be met by a system of voluntary donations throughout your community.
Is there a regularly scheduled collection of blood in your community?
By a "regular schedule," we mean one which calls for a bloodmobile visit
or a group trip to a blood collection center every 8 weeks. If such a
program does not exist, your American Legion Post is the logical focal
point for its establishment. If there is an ongoing blood donor program
in your community, it can be made just that much better through your
Post's cooperation and participation. The American Legion takes pride in
significantly promoting and contributing to this life-saving cause.
Posts interested in donating blood or hosting a blood drive should
contact their 6th District Blood Donor Program Chairman.
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6th District Boy Scout Chairman
Anthony Hall (10)
407-414-7114 - anthony.g.hall314@gmail.com
American Legion Scouting Program gives all Legionnaire members the opportunity to touch the lives of the youth of our Nation and to share with them the skills necessary to build a generation of young people ready to serve God and Country. In today's society, young people more than ever before need to know groups like the Boy Scouts stand by basic principles and values, many of which are among Legionnaires' bedrock beliefs. Since its earliest days the Boy Scouts of America have cultivated leadership and good citizenship, a service that has been recognized since its establishment. Boy Scouts have been an integral part of our country ever since.
At the American Legion’s first National Convention in Minneapolis in 1919, the American Legion gave approval and support to the Boy Scout movement. Posts began to sponsor Boy Scout units following the convention, but organized guidance and cooperation did not take place until 1922 when the Boy Scout program was included in the activities of the Americanism Commission.
American Legion chartering of Boy Scout units has steadily increased over the years. On average, Legion Posts have either chartered or sponsored approximately 2,500 scouting units (Cub Packs, Boy Scout Troops, Varsity Teams, and Venturing Crews) nationwide on an annual basis, totaling over 79,000 BSA registered members.
District Scouting activities are driven programs by the local Boy Scouts of America Councils. The American Legion Scouting program encourages support, charters and sponsors Scout units and promotes activities that reinforce the Americanism principles that is embedded in everyone of us. Awards that selected District Scouts can pursue include the American Legion Department of Florida Eagle Scout of the Year award that could earn them academic scholarship monies ranging from $2,500k to $500. Department’s Eagle Scout of the Year is then endorsed to be considered for National American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year selection process that can increase his academic scholarship with an additional $10k to $2,500k.
The American Legion Department of Florida Boy Scout Camporee is open to
any American Legion chartered or sponsored Boy Scout Troop within the
state of Florida. For additional information regarding the Scouting
Program please contact the 6th District Boy Scout Chairman.
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6th District Boys State Chairman
Kurt Gies (63)
407-701-9416 - KurtGies@gmail.com
American Legion Boys State Program. Boys State is a comprehensive
one-week leadership course in state and local government, developed to
offer youth a better perspective of the practical operation of
government and to show that the individual is responsible for the
character and success of government. Delegates who are selected to
attend this program will "learn by doing" as they progress through the
various phases of government. Florida American Legion Boys State is a
"leadership action program" where qualified male high school juniors
take part in a practical government course. It is designed to develop a
working knowledge of the structure of government and to impress upon
each delegate that our government is what we make it. They will have the
opportunity to learn the political process. Each level of government
will be run by those delegates who are elected to serve. Instruction
will be presented on the law and court system, legislative procedure,
and Florida political history. One participant who must be a descendant
of an American war veteran will receive a $1,000 scholarship and will be
eligible for up to a $20,000 from money provided by the Samsung
Corporation. Tallahassee Community College and Florida State University
also offer four year (2 years at TCC and the next 2 at FSU) scholarships
to the top five delegates expressing a desire to attend TCC and FSU.
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6th District Children and Youth Chairman
Anthony Mathis (409)
407-252-6200 - AvalonParkPost409@gmail.com
American Legion Children and Youth Programs consist of topics related
to Teen Suicide, Gateway Drugs, Indoor Safety, Outdoor Safety, Child
Abuse and Abduction, National Family Week, Immunizations, Juvenile
Delinquency, Drugs and Alcohol Warning Signs, Parents: For Your
Information, and Halloween Safety. These activities are supported by
information pamphlets and a local representative that can assist through
guidance and support projected to the families and their children. For
more information regarding these activities, please contact the 6th
District Children and Youth Chairman.
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6th District Disaster Preparedness Chairman
Joe Marcheggiani (10)
321-443-3338 - FLD6CDR@gmail.com
American Legion Disaster Preparedness Program addresses a tiered response based on specific types of weather conditions based on the available resources needed to render logistical support for American Legion Posts around the state of Florida.
Each District is responsible for coordinating the emergency needs of
all organizations within the District and works to establish mutual aid
agreements with other Districts in the area to render emergency
assistance. Implement a broad-based public awareness, education, and
information program designed to reach all members of the District
through their Posts. Support the emergency needs of District Posts and
be prepared to request external support through the Department Disaster
Preparedness Chairman when necessary. For additional information
regarding this vital program, please contact the 6th District Disaster
Preparedness Chairman.
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6th District JROTC / Shooting Sports Chairman
Tom Finnimore (243)
407-389-9651 - Tom19913@gmail.com
The American Legion Department of Florida now offers a Junior Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Cadet of the Year Scholarship for high school JROTC cadets who are in their senior year. The winner receives $2,500, 2nd $1,500, 3rd $1,000 and 4th - 5th receive $500.00. Further information regarding this program can be requested from the 6th District JROTC /Shooting Sports Chairman.
The American Legion's Junior Shooting Sports Program is a national activity administered through Post sponsored Junior Shooting Clubs. The program exists to provide gun safety and marksmanship training for young people, ages 14 through 20, as well as offering opportunities for competitive shooting which includes an annual national tournament.
The American Legion recognizes the fact that guns are a part of society and probably always will be. Proper instruction in the safe handling of firearms serves as a means of protecting youth and adults alike. Shooting is an attraction for all, and target shooting is not only safe and fun, it is a legitimate athletic discipline. The national network of American Legion Posts, provide a vehicle to conduct club operations, while Districts and Departments are encouraged to promote and supervise the overall operation of the program.
The American Legion conducts a Junior Three Position Air Rifle Tournament which provides the shooters with an opportunity to test their marksmanship ability in competition with other junior shooters from throughout the nation. Both the state and qualification phases of the tournament are postal matches whereas the National Championship is a shoulder-to-shoulder competition. The State Championships and the Qualification Round will be conducted in accordance with the Official Match Program (OMP) and NRA Position Air Rifle Rules.
If interested in this unique program, please contact the 6th District
JROTC/Shooting Sports Chairman for additional information.
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6th District Law & Order Chairman
Ken DeMello (347)
860-305-3835 - Kenneth.DeMello1942@gmail.com
In the Preamble to the American Legion Constitution, which we recite at the beginning of every meeting, we pledge ourselves to ten purposes, among which are: (1) to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; (2) to maintain law and order; (3) to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; (5) to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state, and nation; and (8) to promote peace and good-will on earth.
To this end, we strive to maintain law and order in our homes, Posts and communities. We also honor those "unsung heros" of our lives - the paid and unpaid law officers, firefighters, EMT’s and paramedics - who give unselfishly of themselves every day that we might have freedom and protection from harm. The hours that they give are often "above and beyond the call of duty", and frequently they are not compensated at a fair market value. Their families also give of themselves in this effort, as many hours are spent away from home in their professional dedication to their fellow man.
Each Post or a group of Posts are encouraged to hold an Awards Ceremony
(and Dinner, if possible) to honor the Law Enforcement, Firefighter, EMT
and Paramedic personnel, and their families, who live and work in your
community. These professionals may be paid or volunteer employees. EMT’s
and Paramedics should be honored locally. Law Officers and Firefighters
also have an opportunity to be selected for American Legion Department
of Florida recognition. In order to be submitted to Department, he/she
must be a Florida certified Law Officer or Firefighter. Complete the
form provided “forms and applications” and send it to the 6th District
Law and Order Chairman by the due date.
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6th District Oratorical Chairman
John Lasky (10)
321-402-3277 - jlasky2009@gmail.com
The purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program “A Constitutional Speech Contest” is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of American citizenship.
The subject to be used for the Prepared Orations in the Oratorical Contest must be on some phase of the Constitution of the United States which will give emphasis to the attendant duties and obligations of a citizen to our government. The same subject and oration used in the Department Contest must be used in the National Contest. The prepared oration must be the original effort of each contestant and must not take up less than eight minutes or more than ten minutes for delivery. It must be delivered in the English language.
In the Prepared Oration, as well as in the Assigned Topic discourse, quotations must be indicated as such. Where quotations are more than ten words in length, the author's name must be given in the manuscript and cited orally.
The Assigned Topic discourse must not consume less than three (3) minutes or more than five (5) minutes for delivery. The purpose of the Assigned Topic discourse is to test the speaker's knowledge of the subject, the extent of his research, and the ability to discuss the topic as related to the basic principles of government under the Constitution. All Contestants at each contest level are required to speak in the English language on the same Assigned Topic.
Those contestants who make it to the final round at the Department of Florida level are awarded the following scholarship awards:
- First Place - $18,000.00
- Second Place - $16,000.00
- Third Place - $14,000.00
For additional information, forms, and schedule contest dates please
contact the 6th District Oratorical Chairman.
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6th District School Medals Chairman
Joan Bray Taylor (63)
407-257-6482 JeBray2@aol.com
The Award Medal represents the educational symbolism of the School Award Medal Program and associates it with The American Legion and its purposes. The medal is applicable for award to either boys or girls in the graduating class of elementary, junior and senior high schools, and colleges.
American Legion School Medals Program promotes better Citizenship and
Americanism. The official American Legion School Award Medal is
presented by Posts to a vast number of boys and girls in graduating
classes of public and private schools. Recipients best represent
outstanding qualities of character and ability are awarded based on
Courage, Honor, Leadership, Patriotism, Scholarship and Service, which
if cultivated, result in better citizenship. For additional information
on how your local school can promote this program, please contact the
6th District School Medals Chairman.
