Shelli Romeu has made herself truly indispensable as the Department of Florida begins planning for its obervance of the Legion’s 100th Anniversary. The Army veteran and seven-year Legionnaire was first elected department historian in 2014, and has also been named department Centennial chair. It’s a role Romeu takes very seriously – she single-handedly started the vast majority of post shells on the Centennial Celebration website, ensuring that every post in Florida is represented. Romeu talked with The American Legion on what drew her to the multiyear project, what’s been accomplished and what’s being planned, and how posts and departments can start getting ready right now. When and how did you first hear about the 100th Anniversary? I first heard about the 100th Anniversary three years ago, when it was announced that Ted Roosevelt IV was going to lead the Legion’s Centennial effort. This was exciting to me, as his grandfather was one of our first founders of The American Legion after World War I. What excited you the most about the project? Celebrating the 100th Anniversary is really meaningful, as The American Legion has served so many of our fellow veterans throughout the years and continues to provide an avenue for veterans to serve with and for other veterans. I am also a bit of a family genealogy hobbyist, and I have several family members who have served throughout our country’s wars; some of these family veterans have been members of the Legion after it was founded. To uncover and relearn the history of where the Legion has been and what it has done gives me insight into why my relatives joined as well. How did you get involved with Florida’s planning? What is your role now? I first became involved when PNC Clarence Hill asked for volunteers to help with a committee to help plan Florida’s 100th Anniversary. I was elected as 2014-2015 Department Historian, and it seems that the department history plays so well into the Centennial, both past and present. Currently, I am the historian for 2015-2016 as well as the 100th Anniversary Chair for the Department of Florida. How many posts’ shells did you personally start? How many do you have oversight of right now? Florida has a total of 297 posts, all on the Legion Centennial website under the Florida index. Of these, 280 post shells were created by me – some with more history than others – but as I find information or travel to different posts and get pictures, etc., I add this information to the post’s information. Of these 280, five posts have taken ownership of their own site (of which I am truly thankful – it is a large task to update all of these myself). Seventeen posts started their own shells and therefore manage their own. How is Florida’s committee made up? Florida is still working on setting up and finalizing a formal committee, but there are several individuals who are willing to get involved. So at Florida’s next Fall Conference, there will be a session where I will start brainstorming ideas for the Centennial and hopefully solicit enough interest from others to establish a more formal committee and plan forward. What has been the easiest and hardest part of organizing so far? The easiest part of the Centennial is the general interest and excitement – 100 years is a long time and is a fantastic milestone achievement. The hardest part seems to be getting commitment for the “tasking and organizing part” for the actual celebration. What sorts of events are you planning? Although we do not have events formally planned yet, some ideas that have been generated include: a dinner/dance/banquet type event set to a World War I theme; a possible parade in Orlando near our headquarters; commemorative anniversary coins; and an in-state Legion Riders run between the first 25 posts founded in 1919 (or those that wish to participate). I’m sure other ideas will be generated as we go along and get other ideas more in development. What would be your advice to someone just getting a department (or post) committee off the ground? Start with the basics – your post’s and department’s charter date and namesake. Get your historians involved – and any others even just interested in the history of The American Legion or even a specific post. Use the Centennial Workbook – this can also help in developing a post’s or department’s history if one has not been established. If your post or department has historian files/books, look through them to get more information. Talk to the elder generations – they have great stories! Find photos. Check with your local library as well – it is sometimes surprising how much information people submit to a local public library rather than directly to a post. There are also newspapers and other artifacts that could have information mentioned about The American Legion in your area – especially the older years, as the Legion had a big impact on many townships. Most of all, keep a great attitude to make this fun and not seem like “work” – that will inspire others to want to enjoy this celebration more as well.