We arrived on Wednesday evening to meet with Detachment Commander Bill Kelly, Department Commander Fletcher Williams and Department President Diane Rousseau and many more members of The Florida American Legion Family. Ron Van Wie of Squadron 252 made it a point to introduce me to some of the Squadron members. Most of the work was done by time we arrived, but it gave us a chance to get checked into our hotel before heading out to dinner.
Dinner was awesome - We ate at good seafood restaurant in Reddington Beach called the Conch Restaurant with Detachment Commander Bill and his girlfriend Barbara, Department President Diane and her husband Chuck.
Thanksgiving Day we arrived at Post 252 to begin our day. About 1130 or so the buses from the Bay Pines VAMC started showing up. Department Commander Fletcher, Detachment Commander Bill and I along with other Legion Family members greeted them as they arrived. I swear there were about 275+ veterans that came. My daughters along with several young SAL members were serving soft drinks and water to them all. Dinner was served buffet style and for those who couldn't go through the line, dinner was brought to them.
I had an opportunity to visit with each table of veterans to speak with them, thank them for all they have done for us and make sure they had everything they needed. I had some great conversations with our veterans.
My thanks to The American Legion Family of Post 252 in Seminole for the invitation to come over and be a part of this event. I hope that I will get the opportunity to get the invitation to return next year.
This was the experience of a lifetime for me being able to serve those who served our country. It was a great day being your National Commander.
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