Americanism: Chair – Loren King, Co Chair – John Brann
To promote an understanding and appreciation of American government, the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship, and activity in the American way of life through youth activities, community service, instruction of prospective citizens and legal immigrants, education and educational facilities, and protection of the U.S. flag from physical desecration.
Blood Drive: Chair – Loren King
The American Legion Blood Donor Program has existed officially since 1942. Legionnaires participate by giving blood and reporting it to their posts, which mark the donation on their annual Consolidated Posts Reports.
A healthy donor may donate red blood cells every 56 days or double red blood cells every 112 days, according to the Red Cross. Platelets can be donated as few as seven days apart but a maximum of 24 times a year. Platelets are essential for patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or kidney transplants and have weakened immune systems. Donors are given a brief health screening prior to giving blood. The results of it are always kept confidential.
Children & Youth: Chair – John Brann
Assure care and protection for the children of veterans, Improve conditions for all children and youth with due concern for maintaining the integrity of the family home, Prevent social and physical ills of children and youth where possible, utilizing services of and cooperating with sound organizations and agencies for children and youth and Maintain a balanced program that provides for their physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs.
Historian/Social Media: Chair – Tim Ellenbecker
Responsible for collecting, documenting and preserving the history of the Post. Representing the Post in a historically accurate annual yearbook to Department. Ensuring accurate and timely information is disseminated to the membership.
Law & Order: Chair – Pedro Rosario
The true intent of the Law and Order program is to demonstrate appreciation to those men and women who swore an oath to protect our communities. These first responders, whether they be police officers, deputy sheriffs, federal and state officers, and agents, firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and others, put their lives on the line on a daily basis. The Law & Order program serves as a conduit to recognize the valiant efforts by these young men and women who support our community.
Legion Riders: Chair – Mike Owens
American Legion Riders chapters are well known for their charitable work, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local children’s hospitals, schools, veterans homes, severely wounded servicemembers and scholarships. Since 2006, Riders nationwide have participated in The American Legion Legacy Run to annually raise money for the Legacy Scholarship Fund, established to provide scholarships to children of U.S. military personnel killed since Sept. 11, 2001.
Disaster Preparation: Chair – Mike Phelps
Post disaster preparedness and response with successful outreach to the community, will greatly enhance our post’s visibility and commitment to service in the area. By reaching out to the public, the media, youth and other community groups, we will be signaling to everyone – including veterans and potential members of our post, Auxiliary Unit, ALR or Sons of The American Legion Squadron – our commitment to making a difference for the better in our community. The committee works with local, county and state emergency managers to keep the community informed and assist where needed.
Public Relations: Chair – Tim Ellenbecker
Educate, motivate and inform The American Legion Family of the mission and programs of The American Legion for the purpose of making them promoters of and participants in the activities and aims of The American Legion.
Build awareness of and support for the primary mission and purpose of The American Legion, especially among individual citizens, the United States Congress, media, national and local government agencies and corporate America; develop and execute effective membership and fundraising campaigns
POW/MIA: Chair – Andrea Turner
The American Legion is committed to achieving a full accounting of all POW/MIAs from the Gulf War, Vietnam War, Cold War, Korean War and World War II. This means returning living POWs, the repatriation of their remains, or finding convincing evidence why neither of these is possible.
The American Legion supports the continued declassification of all POW/MIA information, the strengthening of joint commissions with Russia, North Korea and China, and adequate resourcing of investigative efforts and field operations to resolve POW/MIA issues. The American Legion has also worked continuously with both Congress and DoD to improve the policies and programs for the accountability of missing persons. This includes urging the president and Congress to fully fund the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Office (DPAA) for its current and future mission of ensuring the accountability of U.S. servicemembers. The American Legion will continue to speak out and exert maximum pressure on both the administration and on Congress to fully account for America’s POW/MIAs.
JROTC: Chair – Pedro Rosario, Co Chair – John Brann
During the 2000 Spring Meetings, the Legion’s National Executive Committee passed Resolution No. 20, which encourages Legion departments to establish Outstanding JROTC Cadet of the Year programs. And Resolution No. 11, passed during the 2006 Spring NEC Meetings, urges Legion departments, districts and posts to present American Legion ROTC medals to requesting colleges and high schools in their states. The chair is responsible for being the liaison between the Post and the JROTC programs in the area. The chair will coordinate with the Commanders of these JROTC programs to recognize the outstanding Cadet of the Year and the outstanding Scholastic Cadet of the Year.
Jr Shooting Sports Program (JSSP): Chair – Mike Owens
The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports Program is a gun safety education and marksmanship program that encompasses the basic elements of safety, education, enjoyment and competition. Shooters use the .177 caliber air rifle. Both males and females can participate, through Legion sponsorship; disabled youth are encouraged to join, as competitive shooting is a sport that creates an equal playing field for all competitors.
Wreaths Across America: Chair – Aux Member Sue King
This program is not yet an official American Legion program however, our Post Family is dedicated to its success. Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,500 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad. Join us by sponsoring a veterans’ wreath at Deltona Memorial Gardens, volunteering, or donating to our Post so that we can ensure that all veterans interred at the cemetery receive a wreath for the holidays. Post 255 Wreath Sponsor Link