Hurricane Ian: Disaster Relief
Twelve weeks after Category 5 Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida, I was assigned to cover the cleanup and relief efforts on behalf of The American Legion National Headquarters.
Don't Forget about us
The American Legion Family supported one another in the days following Hurricane Ian. The damage was extensive, widespread and there is still much to do. In the face of such overwhelming devastation, Floridians beg to not be forgotten.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Amongst battling with their insurance company and applying for assistance from FEMA, Legion Family Members Scott and Debbie Huizenga speak about their experience after receiving National Emergency Fund grant assistance from The American Legion. Feeling very fortunate, the Huizenga's home was barely spared by the storm that nearly wiped Pine Island, and Matlacha off the map.
SErvice above Self
Team Rubicon Greyshirts assisted American Legion members and other Florida residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. American Legion Post 103 stepped in to serve as a basecamp for their operations, and as a drop-off point for vital supplies needed to continue the mission towards recovery.
A Well-Deserved Celebration
Just over two years after Hurricane Ian left Post 303 underwater with "fish on the walls" in Bonita Springs, the Post celebrated its reopening with a Veterans Day event that drew Legion Family from across the state of Florida.
Bonita Springs Aisle of Flags a symbol of resiliency for Florida community
The American Legion Family from John F. Murphy Post 303 sets up a patriotic flag display at Riverside Park for the Bonita Springs, Fla., community each Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
On Veterans Day in 2024, the flags - replacements for those destroyed when Post 303 was deluged with floodwaters from Hurricane Ian in 2022- served not only as a tribute to those veterans but also as a representation of the resiliency of the post and the community as they rebuilt after the storm.