Florida Service Coalition Celebrates Lady Lake American Legion Post 347 for Winning National Color Guard Championship

Coalition highlights the importance of keeping local posts strong so service, tradition, and community programs can continue.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Service Coalition today congratulated American
Legion Post 347 in Lady Lake, Florida, for being named the overall champion of the
2026 National Color Guard Contest at The American Legion’s 107th National
Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. The post retained its championship title from 2025
and will again serve as the National Commander’s Color Guard at the 2027 national
convention.

Florida’s American Legion presence was also recognized through a strong showing by
Post 57 in Lake City, which placed in two national competition categories. Post 57
earned fourth place in Advancing/Retiring of Colors and second place in the Military
Class competition, further demonstrating the strength, discipline, and commitment of
Florida’s local posts.

The achievement reflects the dedication, discipline, and pride that define American
Legion posts across Florida. Color guard and honor guard programs are among the
many ways local posts preserve tradition, mentor members, strengthen community ties,
and continue a mission of service long after military service ends.

“Post 347’s national championship and Post 57’s strong national showing are
tremendous points of pride for Florida and powerful reminders of what our local posts
represent,” said Stuart Scott, Legislative Chair of the American Legion, Department of
Florida. “These programs take commitment, practice, leadership, and a strong local post
behind them. When we talk about protecting charitable fundraising, we are talking about
keeping posts open and making sure programs like this, along with veteran support,
youth programs, scholarships, and community service, can continue for the next
generation.”

Across Florida, American Legion posts, VFW posts, AMVETS posts, Moose lodges, and
other service organizations provide critical support for veterans, families, youth
programs, disaster response efforts, civic education, emergency assistance, and local
communities. These programs depend on active local organizations with the resources
to maintain facilities, support volunteers, and continue serving their communities.
Charitable instant bingo is one important fundraising tool that helps many local posts
and lodges sustain their missions. The Florida Service Coalition is working to modernize
Florida’s charitable bingo laws during the 2027 Legislative Session so service
organizations have clear rules, can fundraise responsibly, and can continue supporting
the programs and traditions that strengthen communities across the state.
“Florida’s service organizations do far more than gather inside a building,” Scott added.
“They teach service. They honor our flag. They support veterans and families. They give
young people opportunities to learn leadership and citizenship. To keep that work going,
we need laws that recognize the value these organizations bring to Florida
communities.”

The Florida Service Coalition joins the American Legion, Department of Florida, in
congratulating Post 347 and Post 57 for their national achievements and continued
representation of Florida’s veterans and service organizations on the national stage.
To learn more about the Florida Service Coalition or to get involved, visit
www.floridaservicecoalition.com.

About the Florida Service Coalition

The Florida Service Coalition is a statewide alliance of veteran service organizations
and fraternal organizations working to preserve and strengthen charitable fundraising
opportunities in Florida. Our members provide millions of dollars in charitable services
and volunteer countless hours each year to support veterans, families, youth programs,
disaster response efforts, and local communities. We believe Florida’s laws should
reflect the important work these organizations perform and provide clear guidance that
allows them to continue serving responsibly.