June 24 2019 Department of Colorado convention Tony recieved the Department Legionnaire of the year. Tony was also a canidate for Dept Sr, Vice Commander the first since the early 70's. Here is Tony's BIO with in the Legion. Although the race was very tight, Tony lost, His service of 16 years to the Department of Collorado was conitious is some sort of fasshiopn or another, but always made time to support the Post , District, and Department.
I. The American Legion - Post position
A. Post 15 Loveland, Position:
2001-02: Sgt @ arms
2002-03: Jr vice Commander
2003 Graduate from The American Legion College
2003 -: Sr vice Commander
August of 2003: Interim Post Cmdr (previous cmdr moved out of state)
2003-present Legion awareness chairmen
2004-05, 05-06 Elected Post 15 Cmdr
2009 -12 assist Adjutant (membership & reports)
2011- Present: Post Historian, Web Site admin, FB (Face Book) admin,
2013-Present: Post Adjutant, Centennial chairman,
1. Presently the longest continuous active serving member in Post 15. Most notable in the Post as being a key and instrumental person in making 100% plus membership goal every year except for 2011 for the past 19+ years. (Records not available any further back)
B. Department of Colorado - District 4 offices held:
2004-05 Sgt at Arms
2005-06 Dist. Sr. vice
2007-08, 08-09 Dist. CMDR
2015-17 DEC for Dist. 4
2013- Present: Maintains District 4 FB admin
C. Department of Colorado - Department Offices held
2007-08, 08-09, 09-10 Assist. Sgt at arms
2013: Dept. (Back up) Photographer (during State Convention)
2017-18, / 18-19 - Dept. Jr Vice Cmdr
1. Department Committees /Clubs:
2003-08 Membership committees,
2005-07 Dept Legion college course committees
2015-16 Strategic Membership Committee
2014-Present Dept Community Services Chairman
2017 - Public Relations Committee
2017 - 19 Colorado American Legion Press Association (CO-ALPA) Founder.
2019 – present PCC (Past Commander club President) President
D. Notable accomplishments:
2003 “Gold Brigade” award.
2003 American Legion College graduate
Started a Legion Post in Indianapolis, recruited new members door to door.
2004 Revitalized Squadron 15 SAL from turning in the charter of 7 mbrs
Only to increase its membership to over 100 within 2 years, to and assisted in it
attaining an All-time high of 170 in 6 yrs
2006 Started a 2nd Legion Post, Berthoud, CO. Post 67
(after its hibernation of more than 15 yrs)
2012: Started a 3rd Legion Post in Loveland, Co. Post 2000 (Robb Smith)
2016: Started a 4th Legion Post in Ft Collins @ 1879 CSU Ft. Collins (Robb S)
2017 – present: Created a on the road training for Post level adjutants / Visited local post in Dist 3,4,5,7
2017: Revitalized Peetz post 134 achieving 130%+ in membership
2018: Created Dept. CO-ALPA, elected President by 28 initial paid members
2018: Started a 5th Post 176 Wellington, Co.
2019: Started a 5th Legion Post in Wellington, Post 176
National Appointments
2011/ 2017 present: National American Legion Press Association
2008 -11 National Distinguished Guest Commission
2014 –Present: National Security Council
2018- present: National American Legion Press Assoc. Area 4 Director
Courses completed:
2002 American Legion Institute course
2003 National American Legion College
2015 American Legion Institute course. Revised edition 1
2016 American Legion Institute course Revised edition 2
2017 American Legion Basic Training course
American Legion Awards:
2003 - Golden Brigade awarded 2003, (54 members)
2003 - 100% Post membership 2000-2019 (except for 2011)
2005 - Revitalized Post 67 Berthoud, dormant for more than15 years.
2012 - Awarded the Pioneer Award for Post 2000
2016 - Silver brigade 32 members (unofficial)
2005 - Present: National Commander Incentive membership awards
2015 - Awarded Pioneer Award for Post 1879 CSU Ft Collins
2016 - Certificate of recognition for Dist 4 Revitalization Programs
2016 – Post Legionnaire of the Year award (not been awarded in over 20+ years)
2017 – Dept. Commanders Award recognition for District 4, 5, & 6 Revitalization
2019 - Department of Colorado Legionnaire of the Year
Community
I am a true believer in making it known where my roots are and who I represent “The American Legion” when I am working with the Community organizations.
2002: Assisted and participated with bringing the Vietnam wall to Loveland
2002-05: Loveland Veterans Memorial Committee, committed to bring Loveland its first Veterans memorial for all Veterans to include a sculpture. In a community with over 300 sculptures ONLY one now stands that signifies any relationship to the Veterans, 2005 the Veterans Memorial was dedicated and raised over $75,000 dollars.
2004, Brought together over 300 WWII veterans in the local area in honor of the National WWII Memorial dedication to coincide with the unveiling in Washington DC. Sent a WWII veteran and his spouse on an all expensed paid 3-day trip to DC unveiling. Single handedly raised over $7,000.00. after I was told “we can’t do this - we don’t have the money” by Post 15 members
Worked with the City of Loveland and Larimer county Sheriff dept. who provided a 14 mile police escort of WWII veterans and a afternoon outdoor event to include WWII reenactment bring together today kids with yesterday warriors and more.
2005- 2014, Chaired as the organizer for Veterans Day in Loveland, able to turn 4 block parade to a one-mile parade. Nationally recognized event with over 1,200 children who line the route and a mile-long parade, multiple veteran organizations from around the state, along with schedule of events that last from 4am-10pm
2005/06: Chaired the Home remodeling for Chris Haun a Marine return with an amputee leg. I worked with other veterans organizations and charitable companies. More than 500-man hours and well over $30,000 in refurbishing, repair, and new material and appliance were provided.
2011; Loveland City Mayor Cecil Gouteriez sought me out - request me to chair and bring the Traveling Memorial wall to Loveland after seeing it on the news in Southern Colorado. It was noted by the Mayor I completed this with no cost to the city by raising over $5,000.00
2007-15: Personally, sought out by the Loveland Police chief Luke Hecker on various Veterans Issues in the community
2009-13: Received the Veterans Day “Regional Site of Observance” by the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington D.C. Loveland is the only City in Colorado that holds this distinction to date and one of about 48 in the Nation.
2014-15: Single handedly worked on the “Veterans Heart” for city of Loveland Heart Project, $8,000.00 project now located on Hwy 287 and 3rdst street for public display.
2014 & 2015; Sought out by the City of Ft Collins to organize & MC the main event of the Veterans Plaza Memorial Day for a 3-day event.
Community Awards:
2009: Loveland who “Make a Difference” Award, City of Loveland Annual award recognizes 5 individuals of 65,000 citizens who make a difference in the community.
2010: “Larimer County Youth Advocate of the Year Award “presented for my work and passion to help special kids and at risk in the community
2010: Awarded certificate of Achievement by the Alzheimer’s Association for support.
2011: Appreciation letter from the Mayor of Loveland, CO. for my active role as a leader in the community for veterans and the community events
2012: Awarded the Governor’s Commission on Community Service, from Colorado State Lt Governor Joseph A. Garcia for my work with Veterans.
Presently continue my activity with:
2003- Present: Maintain tow (2) large “City of Loveland” American flags along Hwy 34 for proper display. (I got tired of the city not lowering or raising it when they should be)
2009- Present: Chairman for the City of Loveland Veterans Memorial.
2011-present: Member of the Larimer County Veterans Advisory Board
2012- present: Member with “Pathways Hospice Veterans Program”
2013-present: Direct link between American Legion Post 15 and Heart & Horses veterans Program.
2013- 2017: Therapy Dog handler, both Ruger and I wear American Legion logos when visiting to include on a TV commercial for UC Health that aired in spring 2015 for 4 months.
2014-Present: Chairman for Loveland Remembers Pearl Harbor Day.
2015- 2017: Loveland Housing Authority for Homeless veterans in transition housing program
