Navy veteran presented award during organization’s national convention in Tampa.
The American Legion honored one of its own when it presented Florida Legionnaire and Gov. Ron DeSantis with the 2025 James V. Day “Good Guy” Award during the organization’s 106th national convention Aug. 25.
DeSantis, a Navy veteran who served in Iraq’s al Anbar Province, is a member of American Legion Palm Valley Post 233 in Ponte Vedra, Fla.
“We are grateful that he has been able to support and utilize American Legion posts that have operated as relief centers and shelters when hurricanes have come to this state,” American Legion National Commander James A. LaCoursiere said at the award luncheon. “Sometimes, it is just a visit by a governor that can lift the morale and hope for people working so hard to rebuild their homes or help their neighbors.”
“I’m honored to receive this award,” DeSantis said. “James Day was a good guy (and) a great American, not just for this service in World War II but for all he did for The American Legion.”
Since DeSantis’s election as the state’s 46th governor in 2018, Florida has been hit by three major hurricanes. “The two things I know will be there for us,” he said. “American Legion and Waffle Houses.”
The governor also pitched Florida as “the number one state for veterans,” and a state that is deeply patriotic. “We are leading among all 50 states in building up to next year’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. And if you look over recent years, you’ve seen a lot of cities and states tear down commemorations and statues of our founding fathers. I just want to let you know in Florida, we’re not tearing them down. We’re putting up new statues and new remembrances of the foundations of this country.”
DeSantis introduced Lt. Gov. Jay Collins to the luncheon audience and called him “the Chuck Norris of Florida.” Collins re-qualified as a deployable Green Beret and served an additional five years on active duty after his leg was amputated due to combat injuries in Afghanistan. He was appointed lieutenant governor by DeSantis on Aug. 12.
“Florida is the only state in the country where both the governor and lieutenant governor are military veterans,” DeSantis said.
The James V. Day Good Guy Award is named after a World War II veteran and prominent Legionnaire. Past recipients include NASCAR legend Richard Petty, performer Dolly Parton, former college football coach Lou Holtz and MLB Hall of Famer Johnny Bench. It is presented by The American Legion Past Department Commander’s Club (PDCC), a group composed of past and current state and regional commanders of The American Legion.
- Convention