May 2026 Meeting Minutes
COMMANDER’S COALITION MEETING – May 6, 2026, 10 A.M.
229 Lake Ella Dr. Tallahassee FL 32303
Minutes/Notes
Attendees: Alex “Butch” Topicz, Dennis Baker, John Folsom, David Johnson, Sam Kerce, Olivia Thomas, Tristan Thomas, Frank Roycraft, Ritaann Schultz, Chuck Howell, Hell Hewitt, Eric Smith, Marc Dickieson, Susie Caplowe, Dan Hendrickson, Tony Minichiello, Ed Gifford, Berline Belizaire, Charles LeCroy, Amanda Daugherty, David Wilson, Juan Gonzalez, Tom Carney, Col. Ronnie “Mike” Michael, Dan Stafford, Paula Hubert, Craig Benner, Dennis Hall, Roxann Dressel, Bill Ferris, Berline Belizaire, Rick Minor, Nic Zateslo, Mary LaBatt,Sonya Pace, Derrick Sykes, L J Stuckey, Althamese Smith, Akin Akinyemi, Michael Mann, Debra Mann, and Marianne Trussell.
Dennis Baker, Fleet Reserve Association Branch 34 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. Dennis 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. Dennis then asked Eric Smith to deliver an opening prayer. John Folsom handed the microphone to David Johson to begin.
David Johnson, veteran, Kiwanis. Kiwanis supports families, children, andveterans. Call them for help.
Sam Kerce, Kiwanis. Thanked David Johnson. Bob Asztalos is honorary Race Director (Pia Woodley is involved) of the Firecracker 5k & 1 mile Sparkler Run, July 4, 2026, starting at 7:30 am at Cascades Park in Tallahassee. Register at: www.TallyFirecracker5k.com Handouts were available.
Olivia Thomas, Clover Medical Solutions. Services to US veterans. VA approved vendor. They offer pain control, socks for neuropathy, and many otherbenefits.
Tristan Thomas, Clover Medical Solutions. No report.
Frank Roycraft, Commander, VFW Post 3308. On Memorial Day the VFW will have a ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. at its cemetery (one of only a few VFW Posts with its own cemetery). After the ceremony at the VFW Post there will behamburgers and hot dogs with the band 1105 playing from 3-6. On May 21 therewill be a Sip, Paint & Shop event; for $25 you can do your own art! See him for details.
Craig Benner, Veteran Advocate, Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. June 12 will be Veteran Appreciation Day at his agency. VSOs and veterans are welcome to set up a table. Booths (tables) open at 11:00 am. If you have questions please see him.
Marc Dickieson, Commandant, Marine Corps League Chapter 472. TheMarine 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 aresold. Stop by and please buy donuts.
Ed Gifford, Commander, American Legion Post 49, Monticello. Memorial Day will be celebrated on May 25 starting at 11 am. There will be a raffle and the guest speaker will be David Wilson. After the ceremony there will be BBQ chicken. If it rains, the event will be held inside the Post.
Tony Minichiello, American Legion Post 49, Monticello. Raffle tickets are $5. The prizes are Reugers.
Juan Gonzalez, Vice Commander, Commanders Coalition. The Commanders Coalition is now a 501c(19) not for profit organization. The Commanders Coalition changed from .com to .org
Tom Carney, Bud West, Air & Space Forces Association Chapter 419. The next meeting is in July. On behalf of Gordon Lightfoot, Amvets raised $8,000 from their annual golf tournament. The next meeting of Amvets will be held on Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 at the Elks Lodge.
Akim Akinyemi, Leon County Property Appraiser. No report.
David Wilson, AmVets, Air & Space Force Association. There will be a dedication program at the Woodville School on May 19 at 9 a.m. The program will honor (7) men who went to the Woodville School and who died in war. Their plaque burned in a fire in 1980. A new plaque will be dedicated to their memory on May 19. Handouts were provided.
L. J. Stuckey, Adjutant, American Legion Post 502 in Bainbridge. Here to take advantage of good information. For more information, please call her at 505-651-6334.
Bill Ferris, CVMA 20-12. Veteran suicide is still a problem. Be there for a veteran. No report.
Roxann Dressel, Commander, American Legion Post 114, Crawfordville;Commander, American Legion District 2. The District 2 (DCC) meeting is Saturday, May 26 in Sneads at Post 241. Memorial Day in Wakulla County will be held at 10 am. The 3rd Thursday of each month (May 21) there will be a “Veteran’s Meetup” at the Main Meeting Room of the Wakulla County Public Library from11:00 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. Handouts were made available.
Derrick Sykes, Big Bend Hospice. No report. Veteran volunteers are needed to sit with veterans; they also have a veteran ceremony.
Mary LaBatt, DAR, Caroline Brevard Chapter. No report.
Paula Hubert, VP, Women Veterans Unite. No report. Happy Mother’s Day!
Sonja Pace, DAR. No report.
Robert “Bob” Asztalos, Fleet Reserve Association. No report. Thank you.
Chuck Howell, Big Bend Honor Guard. The Big Bend Honor Guard (BBHG) in April performed 14 interments at the Tallahassee National Cemetery (TNC). During the month of April approximately 264 volunteer hours were reported to the Veterans Administration. The BBHG has performed 1,546 interments thru the end of April 2026 since the TNC opened in 2015.
Nell Hewitt, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 13. The Auxiliary will give out Poppies at various locations in Tallahassee. Please stop by. Unit 13 proceeds stay local (75%) and 25% to the veterans who make them.
Dennis Hall, Commandant 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, May 12. Lunch begins at noon and ends about 1:00. On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the menu will consist of ham or turkey, salad, and Peach Betty. A donation is accepted. A new procedure has been established regarding procedure for attendees. You will not be required to sign in. Please be patient. Post 13 will hold its general meeting on May 14. May 15-16 is the Stand Down. Underwear (men’sand women’s) is needed. Post 13 is a collection point. On Memorial Day, May 25,there will be a ceremony at Tallahassee’s Oakland Cemetery at 11 a.m.
Eric Smith, Big Bend Honor Guard; DAV, Chapter 5. No report.
Ritaann Schultz, National Chair, Traumatic Brain Injury, American Legion Post 340. She is the National Chair Person for Traumatic Brain Injury. 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 6-30 with a free fish fry on Thursday, May 7.
Althamese Smith, Coordinator for Stand Down, Tallahassee Veterans Outreach. May 15 and 16, 2026, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm are the dates of the North Florida Homeless /At Risk Veteran Stand Down at the FAMULawson Center, 1800 Wahnish Way, Tallahassee. No children are allowed at the event!! Handouts were available. Go to: www.Tallahasseeveteranorganization.org for details, services offered, and information. Pre-registration is required, ID must be presented, and veteran status must be verified. Free transportation is provided for those without means to get to the Stand Down. Showers will be available. Men and women underwear is needed.
Susan (Susie) Caplowe, Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative, Clinic Volunteer Coordinator. Thank you to everyone. Every Wednesday the volunteers go to Quincy to come to Lake Ella to give food stuff away to veterans. The Legal Collaborative starts every Thursday at 3.
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. Monday, May 18 will be the graduation of the Veteran’sTreatment Court in the courthouse. Thank you for all of your letters to the governor’s office; keep them coming.
Rick Minor, Represents District 3. However, anyone can call with issues. Veterans can contact him or Ben Bradwell.
Nic Zatelso, visitor. AI Policy.
Berline Belizaire, VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator. No report. Heather Stephens says thank you.
Amanda Daughtry, Congressman Neal Dunn’s Office. Call if you need help!
Colonel R.D. “Mike” Michael, Commanding Officer & Professor of Naval Science.
The ROTC Scholarship application for academic year 2027 has been open since April 2026 for Navy and Marine Corps. Please encourage rising high school seniors to apply. Four-year National Scholarship benefit, application checklist, and general requirements can be found at this link: Four-Year National Scholarship. Contact the local Navy or Marine Corps Recruiters for assistance with completing the application. The Marine Corps Ball will be held on Friday, November 13, with time TBD.
Dan Stafford, 3rd Battalion USMC. The Marine Corps wants to establish a new
unit in Tallahassee.
Charles LeCroy, Past Commander Post 13. Thanks to all of you. Get involved.
Keep On Keepin’ On. Get involved and stay involved!
Michael Mann, Commander, Sons of the Legion. John Folsom gave his report.
Debra Mann, American Legion Post 13, President District 2. Theresa Briggs was elected President of District 2; she will assume her duties on June 14, 2026. Nell Hewitt was elected to represent the district at the national convention in Louisville, Kentucky. The District 2 moto is “small but mighty”. Debra dispersedhandouts on behalf of DAV.
Dennis Baker, Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Branch 34. No report.
John Folsom, American Lesion Post 13. Thanks to all of you. The America Legion Memorial Day Ceremony is Monday at 11 am at Oakland Cemetery in Tallahassee. The Sons of the Legion has 3 units in District 2. The Sons arestarting to branch out.
Alex (Butch) Topicz, Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Branch 34, CVMA 20-12. The Fleet Reserve Association is fundraising to build a Navy memorial at the Tallahassee National Cemetery. 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.
Marianne Trussell, Chair, Support Committee for the Tallahassee NationalCemetery, 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. The next quarterly Final Salute will be on June 24, 2026 at 3 pm. Please attend!! Melissa could not be here due to a conflictand sends her regrets. She asked me to share with you the following dates and times regarding Memorial Day at the Tallahassee National Cemetery: the Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 23 at 10 a.m. with flag placement on Thursday, May 21 at 3 p.m.* and flag removal on Tuesday, May 26 at 3 pm*. *means Weather dependent. A Memorial Day flyer created by the TNC was given to Juan Gonzalez for forwarding to Ed Hood.
Dennis Baker led a salute to the American Flag and asked Chaplain Eric Smith to provide the closing prayer.
The next Commander’s Coalition Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 3,2026, at 10 am at the American Legion Post 13 at Lake Ella.
FLYERS WILL BE IN THE WEEKLY REPORT ON SUNDAY