John Baker receives the Legionnaire of the Year award from Florida State Commander Eunice Butts. PHOTO PROVIDED

At the recent American Legion State Convention in Orlando Post 90 in Cape Coral won six awards, beating out all other Florida posts.

Post 90 won Best Post Shooting Sports Program, Outstanding Post Scouting Program, and Best Post JROTC Program. Post 90 also won runner-up awards for Membership, World War II Chaplains Memorial and Public Relations.

However, the most prestigious award was given to John Baker as Legionnaire of the Year. Baker, the second vice commander for Post 90, was surprised and pleased to receive the award.

“I am delightfully surprised and honored,” he said. “Post 90 works hard all year on community and veterans’ programs.”

Commander Keith Berres said, “John Baker has dedicated much of his time to the American Legion and deserved this recognition.”

Interestingly, this is the second year one of the Post 90 officers has received this prestigious award.

The American Legion Department of Florida hosted its 104th statewide convention on June 15-18 at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista. Approximately 3,000 American Legion members were in attendance. The American Legion Department of Florida has more than 130,000 members with more than 300 Legion posts statewide. During this event, the department convention also conducts its annual business, electing new leadership, celebrating successes, and recognizing outstanding individuals and posts.

For more information about Post 90, which is at 1401 S.E. 47th St. in Cape Coral, and membership requirements, please call 239-540-8128 or contact alpost90cape@yahoo.com or the Legion First Vice Commander Ted Clark, tedclark12@gmail.com, 845-527-7948.