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Veterans Network
<<Scouting continued from page 12 opportunity to young people and families
A]A]ancoheh,\rfueransAffiirs&Rehabilitation
order) Post 78 (Milton in District 1 ), Post nationwide. As costs on many daily goods
var@Ieqionmail.ora 273 (Madeira Beach in District 16) and Post and services continue to rise dramatically,
With the Department
Convention recently 356 (Lynn Haven in District 1 ). The three the BSA has worked to keep its membership
behind us our new posts received a Department of Florida fee as low as possible. However, these
leadership and chair plaque acknowledging this achievement external pressures continue to have an
team has picked up for display at the post. effect, and the annual membership fee
the mantle and hit the must be increased to address the fiscal
ground running. We wish Scouts BSA Troop 53 Support to realities necessary to continue delivering
them all every possible Benevolent and Protective Order of a safe and quality Scouting program. To
success and continue to Elks flag Day Ceremony: On June 14, ensure the organization has the resources
pledge our support. One 2022, Scouts BSA Troop 53, chartered to to fulfill the promise of Scouting, the
new addition is Deanna American Legion Post 139 in Tampa, FL, following national membership fee
Hall, our new Women Veteran's Chair. She structure will take effect August 1, 2022.
has already conducted what was a successful provided support to the annual Flag Day
Woman Veterans Forum and several more ceremony sponsored by the Benevolent If your post charters a Cub Scout pack,
are already in the planning stages. Her and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) Tampa Scouts BSA troop, Venturing crew andl
vision is to reach out and offer a helping and Lodge 708. The Benevolent and Protective or Sea Scout ship, please work with the
welcoming hand to as many of our sister Order of Elks is the first and only fraternal Chartered Organization Representative
veterans throughout the state as possible. body to require formal observance of assigned by your post to that BSA unit to
``Flag Day." ln July of 1908, the Grand
ensurethatthosescoutfamiliesthatmay
I'm proud to announce that we once again Lodge of this Order assembled in Dallas, have difficulty accommodating the fee
conducted the Department's Post Service Texas and directed the annual nationwide increase have as much support as your
Officer class, graduating a total of 74 Post observance of''Flag Day"on the 14th of post can provide.
Service Officers, many of whom have June in each year by making it mandatory
stepped up to this invaluable position for for each Subordinate Lodge of the Order. • $75 for cub scouts, Scouts BSA,
the first time. I've begun work on creating a Pictured with the Troop 53 representatives Venturing and Sea Scouts participants
PSO network within each district so that no
veteran will have to wonder where to go for are Tampa Elks Lodge 708 Officers Rita ($3 increase)
Smith (Exalted Ruler) and Camden Lynn • $45 for Exploring participants (no
help.
(Esteemed Leading Knight). change in cost)
Some important pieces of information for all: • $30forcouncil-paid memberships (no
The PACT Act, referring to Burn Pit Exposure change in cost)
has, with tremendous support and effort, • $45 forall adultvolunteers (no change
passed through Congress and awaits the in cost, includes cost of background
President's signature. It is estimated that as check)
many as 20% of ALL living veterans will be • $100 fora unitcharter/affiliation fee
able to benefit one way or another from this ($25 increase)
landmark legislation. • $25 one-timejoining fee for new
Regarding legislation, we're asking that you program participants in Cub Scouts,
contact your elected representatives and ask Boy S€outs of America National ScoutsBSA,Venturingand Sea
for their support with H.R 1282, the Major Membership Fee Increase: The value of Scouts (Not pro-rated, no change in
Richard Starr Act. This bill was introduced Scouting is undeniable for those within the cost)
by Florida's own Rep. Gus Bilirakis and program and the greater public, and the • $15 forscout Life magazine;this is
addresses concurrent receipt issues that face Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is committed the first price increase since 2005 ($3
so many military retirees here in Florida. to continuing to offer this unmatched increase)

In cooperation with the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline network, at-risk veterans
It seems that the VA has finally recognized ln closing this month's article l'd like to take
can now dial a 3-digit number..988..and
instantly be connected to one of over 200 what we've known for quite awhile..that this opportunity to thank everyone for their
crisis centers to receive help that can often Florida is one of 4 states that has the fastest unselfish cooperation and hard work. I look
growing veteran population. With that said, very much forward to the coming year and
get between the veteran and suicide.
the VA has begun evaluating how best to what we'Il be able to accomplish together.
shift their resources to better serve veterans.
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