June 2026 Meeting Minutes 📝
COMMANDER’S COALITION MEETING – June 3, 2026, 10 A.M.
229 Lake Ella Dr. Tallahassee FL 32303
Minutes/Notes
Attendees: Frank Roycraft, John Folsom, Eric Smith, Liz Crawford, Marc Dickieson, Dan Hendrickson, Tony Minichiello, Berline Belizaire, Amanda Daughrty, Ben Parsons, Craig Williams, Tom Napier, Sean Golder, David Wilson, Gordon Lightfoot, Shawn Harkey, Tim Griffith, Juan Gonzalez, Tom Carney, Fred Ingley, Gail Ernst, Earnest Reed, Alex “Butch” Topicz, Ritaann Schultz, Paula Hubert, Brooklyn Enders, Melissa Sheridan, Craig Benner, Eric Evans, Dennis Hall, Rodney Koener, Mary Ann Conner, Lea Bouchart, Kandy Crowe, Courtney Thomas, Mary LaBatt, Derrick Sykes, Doug Ingram, Ashley Evard, Dan Paasch, Kaitlyn Grimes, Cindy Myers, Michael Shawn Cloud, Valencia Scott, Michael Mann, and Marianne Trussell.
Frank Roycraft, Commander, VFW Post 3308. led attendees in a salute to the American Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag to open the meeting and led a salute to the Flag to close the meeting. Frank welcomed everyone, reminded everyone to speak up, identify themselves and their organization, to keep it brief and to keep it veteran business only, no personal business, politics, or personal attacks. Frank then asked Tom Carney deliver an opening prayer. Frank then handed the microphone to Liz Crawford to begin he meeting.
Liz Crawford, Owner, Team Leader, Sport Clips, Tallahassee. Dream Flights. No report.
Craig Benner, Veteran Advocate, Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. He is looking for a veteran who needs an electric wheelchair – free. June 12 will be Veteran Appreciation Day at his agency. Booths (tables) open at 11:00 am. Service begins at noon and Jay Collins will be the speaker. If you have questions please see him. There was a bill in the legislature regarding a Naval Academy plate. Someone must contact him by June 12; he has been unsuccessful in finding someone, he needs help, and time is running out.
Marc Dickieson, Commandant, Marine Corps League Chapter 472. The Marine Corps League meets on the third Thursday of the month at the Elks Lodge at 6:00 pm. A monthly fundraiser (depending on weather) on the first Saturday of the month is held at the Ace Hardware in Killearn where Krispy Kreme donuts are sold. Stop by and please buy donuts.
Earnest Reed, Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), Branch 34. FRA represents the Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard. They put out 2,000 flags in Wakulla and Leon. Flags are expensive. He will leave the report to Butch Topicz.
Alex (Butch) Topicz, Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Branch 34, CVMA 20-12. The Fleet Reserve Association is in the final stages of fundraising to build a monument at the Tallahassee National Cemetery. A sketch of the monument is available if anyone is interested. Approval is need from the Veterans Administration. A raffle is being held (drawing on July 18) with chances for $5 apiece or $20 for 5 chances. The prize is a Custom Crafted Corn Hole Game. Flyers were made available previously.
Tim Griffith, Family Promise of the Big Bend, American Legion Post 13. Vet Village is closing down and his organization has reduced the number of veterans living there from 52 to 31; reduced because Family Promise has found them other living accommodations. They are still in need of donations.
Juan Gonzalez, Vice Commander, Commanders Coalition. The paperwork for Major Haynes has been completed and is in the hands of the family. This will be his last meeting as he is moving up north with his family.
Tom Carney, Bud West, Air & Space Forces Association Chapter 419. No report.
Gordon Lightfoot, Commander, AmVets Post 1776, American Legion Post 13, Fleet Reserve Association. AmVets meets on the first Thursday of the month (tomorrow) and will install newly elected officers at tomorrow’s meeting. He will leave the discussion of the monument to be built at the Tallahassee National Cemetery to Butch Topicz.
David Wilson, AmVets, Air & Space Forces Association. No report.
Tony Minichiello, American Legion Post 49, Monticello. David is a great speaker. No report.
Shawn Harkey, Business Development Manager, Comfort Keepers. Provides non-skilled home care to veterans (and others). Asks veterans if they are established with the VA and if not puts them in touch with someone who can.
Sean Golder, Commandant, District 2, VFW Post 4538. He is the National Chair of the State side of the legislature and Commander of VFW Post 4538 in Wakulla County. Flyers were available about the Salute to Veterans at the Wakulla County Community Center on June 26 and 27 from 9 am to 3 pm. Direct inquiries and questions to asalutetoourveterans@gmail.com Don’t forget that there is another Vet Village in Ft. McCoy!
Valencia Scott, Leon County Property Appraiser Akin Akinyemi. Akin Akinyemi sends his regrets; he thanks all of you. They are always available to help with Property Tax exemptions and other veteran issues. The office helped veterans at Stand Down.
Ashley Evard, Brookdale Senior Living. No report.
Fred Ingley, MOAA. The next meeting of the Military Officers Association of America will be on Monday, June 15 at the Elks Lodge on Magnolia. Doors open a 5 pm for social hour with dinner at 6 pm. the cost is $28 for members and $30 for non-members
Gail Ernst, MOAA. No report.
Tom Napier, Vice President, Honor Flight. Here to thank you for your support for Honor Flight which took place on April 18! No date has been set for 2027, but it is hoped that it will be sometime in April.
Derrick Sykes, Big Bend Hospice. No report. Veteran volunteers are always needed to sit with veterans; they also have a veteran ceremony.
Mary LaBatt, DAR, Caroline Brevard Chapter. No report.
Berline Belizaire, VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator. No report. Get referrals from the Veterans Crisis Line.
Rob Winchester, Camp Gordon Johnston. They held a Navy Veterans service; the family was moved. Flyers were made available for the Freedom Truck that is part of the 250th birthday celebration. Camp Gordon Johnston will host the Freedom Truck on December 4-6, 2026.
Brooklyn Enders, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist, Career Source Capital Region. Veterans come to them with all sorts of needs.
Cindy Myers, Attorney, Legal Services of North Florida. Over the past 6 months helped over 2,000 veterans. Mental health issues are a biggie; they give out information.
Paula Hubert, Vice President, Women Veterans Unite (WVU). WVU is holding two fundraisers thanks to Tallahassee Parrot Heads Club. The first is June 3 (tonight) from 6-8 pm at Hobbit on Capital Circle and the second is at Corner Pocket Bar and Grill on June 17 and like the fundraising activities at the Hobbit will include gift baskets you can win.
Ritaann Schultz, National Chair, Traumatic Brain Injury, member American Legion Post 340. She has been a survivor for 11 years. She is the National Chair Person for Traumatic Brain Injury. She raised $6,101 which will all go to help Florida veterans. Thank you everyone. Floridians are lucky as there is a brain injury center in Tampa which is 1 of only 5 in the nation. American Legion Post 340 and At Ease will hold a meet and greet from 6:00 pm tomorrow, June 4, which is free for veterans and spouses. On Saturday, June 6 there is a breakfast buffet from 8-10 am. On July 4 starting at 5 pm there will be food, music, fireworks, etc.
Courtney Thomas, Office of the Mayor, Tallahassee. No report.
Eric Smith, Big Bend Honor Guard. The Big Bend Honor Guard (BBHG) in May performed 12 interments at the Tallahassee National Cemetery (TNC). During the month of May approximately 229 volunteer hours were reported to the Veterans Administration. This number includes services at the TNC and at the American Legion Post 13. The BBHG has performed 1,559 interments thru the end of May 2026 since the TNC opened in 2015.
Melissa Sheridan, Administrative Officer, Tallahassee National Cemetery. Thank you to everyone for all the help with flag placement, the Memorial Day Ceremony, and flag removal. The next Final Salute is June 24 at 3 PM. The US Army monument will be dedicated on June 10 at 10 am.
Eric Evans, FL Cares, Inc. This organization is a non-profit that works on accessibility issues (ramps, half steps, etc.) for veterans and spouses and children of veterans and others in Wakulla, Gadsden, Leon, and Jefferson Counties. It is a 100% volunteer organization. Constructs exterior accessibility. Volunteers and projects are always needed. Special build on June 27 with a volunteer food pantry. Call or text him at 850-347-5156.
Dennis Hall, Commander American Legion Post 13, Army National Guard, Big Bend Honor Guard. There is a luncheon at the National Guard Armory at 1225 Easterwood Drive every second Tuesday at 11:30 (this coming Tuesday, June 9). Lunch begins at noon and ends about 1:00. On Tuesday, June 9, the menu will consist of chicken, potato salad, salad, and Peach Betty. A donation is accepted.
On July 4 at 11 am – 3 pm (it will not interfere with the Tom Brown celebration) there will be free hot dogs (not all you can eat) corn hole games, a children’s fishing tournament, etc. Post 13 will hold its general meeting tomorrow night at 6:30 pm. (yes, it was moved). There was a 7.5% increase in membership over last year. Become a member. PS: No one does more for veterans than David Wilson.
Rodney Keener, American Legion Post 13. No report.
Dan Paasch, Senator Ashley Moody’s Office. He covers the Tallahassee Office. Part of the case worker team. Contact him for applications for high school seniors to apply to the Service Academies.
Michael Shawn Cloud, Executive Officer for ROTC at FAMU/FSU. No report.
Dan Hendrickson, President, Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative. Veterans still need legal and other assistance. Mentors are badly needed. The TVLC will be here at Post 13 tomorrow and every Thursday from 3-5 pm. Walk ins are welcome. Send your notices and reports to Ed Hood who will send out posts (the TVLC does).
Amanda Daughtry, Congressman Neal Dunn’s Office. Call if you need help! She introduced Ben Parsons, an intern for the summer!
Craig Williams, Congressman Neal Dunn’s Office. Neal Dunn sends his regards and a big Thank You to all veterans for what you do. Reach out to him or Amanda if help is needed. Congressman Dunn is working on a Right to Repair Bill and funding to get the VA to take it on.
Michael Mann, Commander, Sons of the American Legion. The next meeting is in July on the fifth Thursday of the month at 6 pm at the American Legion Post 13. Recruiting is always ongoing.
Kaitlyn Grimes, Tallahassee Police Department, Community Relations. Call her if you live within the city limits of Tallahassee to set something up. 850-891-4251. That is the main line for the community relations unit.
Doug Ingram, Blinded Veterans Association, National Board Secretary. Blinded Veterans was established by Congress after WW II. He travels around the state. He is also with 93.3 radio and the Greg Tish Show. Several veterans have been on his program from 8-8:30 on Mondays. The guest talks about his or her program. Over 50,000 audience. It’s a great connection.
Mary Ann Conner, Pillow Pals. Thank you (whomever) for announcing the dedication of the US Army monument. No report.
Lea Bouchart, Pillow Pals. No report.
Kandy Crowe, Pillow Pals, co-leader. Once a week they get together at the First Methodist Church in Monticello to make pillows for cancer patients. Every month they deliver pillows to the Cancer Center in Tallahassee. She then showed examples of the types of pillows they make and their uses. They seek donations of fabric and bedsheets. Have any? Members pay for thread and stuffing; sometimes they need financial aid.
Frank Roycraft, Commander, VFW Post 3308. On Memorial Day the VFW had a ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. at its cemetery (one of only a few VFW Posts with its own cemetery). WCTV was there and had good coverage; there was a good crowd; the bad weather held off. It was a good day! Help each other!
John Folsom, American Lesion Post 13. Thanks to all of you. Sean Golder good luck on your trip to Pennsylvania. Please sign in. Ernie Reed and I are scheduled for surgery.
Marianne Trussell, Chair, Support Committee for the Tallahassee National Cemetery, Inc. The next Quarterly Support Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 3 pm at the Administration Building Conference Room at the Tallahassee National Cemetery. Elections for Treasurer and Vice Chair will be at the October Support Committee meeting. Please come and share your nominations or nominate yourself. The next quarterly Final Salute will be on June 24, 2026 at 3 pm. Please attend!! Melissa, thank you for mentioning Final Salute on June 24 at 3 pm and the dedication of the Army monument on June 10 at 10 am.
Frank Roycraft led a salute to the American Flag and asked Chaplain Earnest Reed to provide the closing prayer.
The next Commander’s Coalition Meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 10 am at the American Legion Post 13 at Lake Ella.