DISCLAIMER—these minutes are late because of me, Edward Hood, and not Marianne Trussell. I recently got a new phone and had to transfer security over to the new device. My sincere apologies and hopefully no meetings or events have been missed in the interim.
COMMANDER’S COALITION MEETING
September 2, 2026, 10 A.M.
229 Lake Ella Dr. Tallahassee FL 32303
Minutes/Notes
Attendees: Frank Roycraft, John Folsom, Liz Crawford, Roxann Dressel, Marc Dickieson, Dan Hendrickson, Tony Minichiello, Tim Griffith, Danny Burke, Rob Winchester, Tom Napier, David Wilson, Tom Carney, Alex “Butch” Topicz, Ritaann Schultz, Robert “Bob” Asztalos, Paula Hubert, David Hubert, Brooklyn Enders, Rebecca Berentsen, Tulie Taylor, Melissa Sheridan, Craig Benner, Dennis Hall, Dan Paasch, Charles LeCroy, Cindy Myers, Michael Shawn Cloud, Whitney Scott, Tina Caldwell, Andy Janacek, Debra Mann, Michael Mann, and Marianne Trussell.
Frank Roycraft 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 asked Tom Carney deliver an opening prayer. Frank then handed the microphone to Tim Griffith to begin the meeting.
Tim Griffith, Family Promise of the Big Bend, American Legion Post 13. He introduced Danny Burke.
Danny Burke. Family Promise reduced the number of veterans living at Vet Village from 52 to 31 as other living accommodations were found. However, Vet Village will shelter veterans. They are now renovating units and accommodations are available for female veterans. They expect renovations to be complete by October 1. Eligibility is determined like before; homeless or unhoused and the VA checks eligibility.
Liz Crawford, Owner, Team Leader, Sport Clips, Tallahassee; Dream Flights. Dream Flights will place in October but no specific dates (they are shooting for October 29) have been provided yet.
Craig Benner, Veteran Advocate, Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. September 18 will be their POW/MIA ceremony. Hope to see you there.
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 is held on the first Saturday of the month at the Ace Hardware in Killearn where Krispy Kreme donuts are sold.
Alex (Butch) Topicz, Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Branch 34, CVMA 20-12. The FRA’s paperwork to build a monument at the TNC is in the hands of the Veterans Administration. The Combat Vets Dice Run is December 7; it is for motorcycles and cars. Flyers were provided regarding the FRA essay contest for students in grades 7-12. The deadline is December 1, 2026; other details were provided in the flyer including the grand prize of $1,500.
Tom Carney, Bud West, Air & Space Forces Association Chapter 419. On behalf of AmVets the AmVets Turkey Shoot will be held on November 7. Flyers were provided regarding the AR 556 Ruger Rifle fundraiser; tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. The drawing will be held at the Turkey Shoot. In response to a question, he believes there is no limit upon the purchase of raffle tickets, but he will confirm.
David Wilson, AmVets, Air & Space Forces Association. No report.
Tony Minichiello, American Legion Post 49, Monticello. On September 7 starting at 8 am there will be a free breakfast for everyone. Bricks are still available; see him for details.
Charles LeCroy, Past Commander Post 13. Thanks to all of you. Get involved. Everything has not been invented. He is very grateful.
Robert “Bob” Asztalos, Florida Department of Veteran Affairs; Fleet Reserve Association. They are partnering with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD); flyers with a business card attached were made available regarding the grand opening of the Graham Air Base History Museum Room in Marianna at Sunland for the ribbon cutting on Wednesday, September 30 at 11 am Central time. RSVP by September 30.
Rebecca Berentsen, San Luis Chapter DAR. No report.
Tulie Taylor, San Luis Chapter DAR. No report.
Andy Janacek, Leon County Property Appraiser Akin Akinyemi. Akin Akinyemi sends his regrets; he thanks all of you. September 11 is the deadline if you have questions or find mistakes in the TRIM notice. They are always available to help with Property Tax questions and issues.
Whitney Scott, TMH Memory Care. They are funded by Elder Care. Memory care is needed by veterans and their families.
Tina Caldwell, Right at Home. They provide care for veterans.
Tom Napier, Vice President, Honor Flight. Lots of dates: Car Show on October 17 from 9 to 12; they already have 65 registered. November is Veterans Day – Honor Flight will be in the parade and will have a truck. The Reunion for pats Honor Flight guardians and veterans will December 7 from 5-9 at the National Guard Armory. The 2027 Honor Flight will be on April 24.
Rob Winchester, Camp Gordon Johnston. Flyers were made available last month for the Freedom Truck that is part of the 250th birthday celebration. He has more if anyone is interested. Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum will host the Freedom Truck on December 4-6, 2026.
Brooklyn Enders, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist, Career Source Capital Region. As a veteran she comes with a flyer about a Marine who lost everything in a fire. As a Career Source representative she helps veterans who need a job find a job and employers who need an employee and she helps find a veteran.
Cindy Myers, Attorney, Legal Services of North Florida. She will visit Jefferson and Franklin County Institutions veterans who are being released. She will talk to Danny Burke after the meeting about unhoused veterans. They will be in the Veterans Day parade.
David Hubert, Navy veteran. No report.
Paula Hubert, Vice President, Women Veterans Unite. No report.
Ritaann Schultz, Commanders Coalition National Chair, Traumatic Brain Injury, member American Legion Post 340. She is the National Chair Person for Traumatic Brain Injury and will be attending a two-day summit in Tampa. She will give a report next month. American Legion Post 340 and At Ease Campground will hold a meet and greet from 6:00 pm tomorrow, September 3, (the first Thursday of every month) which is free for veterans and spouses.
Melissa Sheridan, Administrative Officer, Tallahassee National Cemetery. Thank you to everyone. Flyers were made available for the 9/11 Day of Service on 9/12 from 10 -12. Carry the Load is sponsoring the event and registration is required. See the flyer for registration information. There is no formal 9/11 ceremony at the TNC. The POW/MIA will be on September 18 at 8 pm. The ceremony will be held in Committal Shelter #1. The next Final Salute is September 30 at 3 pm. Please park at Committal Shelter #2; leaving parking at Committal Shelter #1 for family. Wreaths Across America is on Saturday, December 19. It is still a CAP event and the TNC is at 44.8%; more than halfway to go. Order!!
Roxann Dressel, Commander, American Legion Post 114, Crawfordville; Commander, American Legion District 2. Cards were made available for ordering Wreaths for the Tallahassee National Cemetery. FYI the Wakulla Library will be closed from September 14 thru 28 because it is moving and will reopen on September 29.
Dennis Hall, Commander American Legion Post 13, Army National Guard, Big Bend Honor Guard. The Big Brother/Little Brother Mentoring in conjunction with America Legion Post 13 will give away hygiene and food on 9/11 from 2-4. There is a luncheon at the National Guard Armory at 1225 Easterwood Drive every second Tuesday at 11:30 (this coming Tuesday, September 8 (the day after Labor Day). Lunch begins at noon and ends about 1:00. On Tuesday, September 8, the menu will consist of pasta with meat sauce salad, Italian bread, and Peach Betty with ice cream. A donation is accepted.
Dan Paasch, Senator Ashley Moody’s Office. He covers the Tallahassee Office. September 11 is the deadline for applications for high school seniors to apply to the Service Academies.
Michael Shawn Cloud, Executive Officer, Navy ROTC at FAMU. Save the Date - November 13 is the Marine Corps Ball. Tickets are not available yet,
Dan Hendrickson, President, Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative. Veterans still need legal and other assistance. The TVLC will be here tomorrow and every Thursday from 3-5 pm. Walk ins are welcome. Monday, September 14 will be veterans court at the courthouse.
Debra Mann, Women Veterans Unite. No report.
Michael Mann, Commander, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 13. The next meeting is on the Thursday, October 29 at 6:30 pm at the American Legion Post 13. Recruiting is always ongoing. District 2 exceeded its goal for renewed memberships.
John Folsom, American Legion Post 13. Thanks to all of you. No report.
Frank Roycraft, Commander, VFW Post 3308. On September 11 at the 9/11 Beam on 1115 Easterwood Drive (the Red Cross Building) there will be a ceremony at 8:30 am. Come one - come all. It is the25th anniversary of September 11. They are remodeling Post 3308.
Marianne Trussell, Chair, Support Committee for the Tallahassee National Cemetery, Inc. The next Quarterly Support Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 3 pm at the Administration Building Conference Room at the Tallahassee National Cemetery. Elections for Treasurer and Vice Chair will be held at that time. Please come and share your nominations or nominate yourself. The next quarterly Final Salute will be on Sepember30, 2026 at 3 pm. Please attend!! Melissa, thank you for mentioning Final Salute on September 30 and the other dates mentioned. The TNC now has its own Facebook Page. The existing page was changed to the “Support Committee for the Tallahassee National Cemetery”. Chuck Howell cannot be here so I will give the Big Bend Honor Guard report for August 2026. There were 20 interments, 379 volunteer hours, and 1,611 interments as of the end of August since the TNC opened. Order your wreaths now from Wreaths Across America. Go online or call. Everyone is very helpful! The ceremony is December 19 and the TNC is less than half way to fulfilling its goal.
Frank Roycraft led a salute to the American Flag and asked Tom Carney to provide the closing prayer.
The next Commander’s Coalition Meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 10 am at the American Legion Post 13 at Lake Ella.