Cedar City 4-generation military family among those who welcome American Legion national commander

ST. GEORGE — Four generations of the Robison family from Cedar City and other Southern Utah leaders greeted the national commander of the American Legion Vincent “Jim” Troiola during his visit to Utah on March 16 at the Southern Utah Veterans Home in Ivins.

Floyd “Blackie” Robison, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific, shares his thoughts with the National Commander of the American Legion Vincent “Jim” Troiola, Ivins, Utah | Photo by Stephanie DeGraw, St. George News

“I am very proud to be a fourth-generation soldier, and I’m very proud of my family,” PFC Ryan Robison, Army National Guard, told St. George News.

Robison is stationed in St. George, serving in the National Guard, Unit 213. His grandfather, Dennis Robison, who served in the U.S. Air Force in the Vietnam War, said he is very proud of Ryan. However, he added that Ryan’s grandmother and his mother were “not thrilled” with the idea of Ryan signing up at age 17, as they worry about his safety.

“It’s an honor for our family. Ryan has heard stories from his great grandpa and then stories from me, his grandpa,” Dennis Robison, who served in the U.S. Air Force, said. “He’s also heard the stories that his dad Keith told and it’s one thing he’s wanted to do right from the start. It was never a question. So, the day turned 17, Ryan was looking for the recruiter to sign the papers.”

Dennis’ father Floyd “Blackie” Robison served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific. Blackie is 97 years old and pleased to have his family serve in the military. He enjoyed meeting Troiola, who is visiting small towns across the country to commend them on their activities in the American Legion.

In Utah, his agenda included the Southern Utah Veterans Home in Ivins, Post 90 members in St George, Cedar City Senior Center for dinner and meet and greet with Post 74 Cedar City. Then he traveled to see the Fillmore Post 61. The Provo Commander Randy Edwards picked up Troiloa and his aide from Fillmore then toured the Bennions Central Utah Veterans home in Payson and the Veterans Medical Center in Orem. The day ended with dinner at Utah Country Historic Courthouse Ballroom.

Troiola spoke, gave out awards and accepted gifts from the Department Executive Committee of Utah’s American Legion.

“I want to go to small Legion posts in small communities,” Troiola said. “I want to acknowledge and recognize what they do. Because we have a lot of really big posts and they get all the recognition they want. But you got a post in a little town with maybe 20 or 50 members.”

Troiloa said these members are “pillars of their communities.” He enjoys visiting them, discussing the Legion’s priorities and thanking them for their service and what they do in their current areas.

Floyd “Blackie” Robison, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific, talks with his great-grandson Ryan Robison, Ivins, Utah | Photo by Stephanie DeGraw, St. George News

“I thank them for what they did in the service; it was the best thing in the world,” Troiloa said. “It is such a good feeling when they tell you about it and there’s a lot of pride.”

Another reason for the national tour is to promote one of the American Legion’s newer programs nationwide to prevent veterans’ suicide. The initiative is called “Be The One To Save a Life.”

“We’re finding that there’s a stigma amongst veterans where they won’t come forward. And we need to fix that,” Troiloa said. “So we have all these Legion posts, thousands all across the world and we make resource centers out of them. And we started a peer-to-peer program where one veteran talks to another veteran, trying to build trust between the veteran and that person. And once you build that trust, it’s because you’re talking the same language.”

The “Be The One To Save a Life” experience helps identify at-risk veterans. Then the American Legion provides resources within that community to help veterans who may be depressed or suicidal. It enables the veterans to have a support system in case they are waiting online for an appointment with the Veterans Affairs office, which can take time.

“If you can get veterans instant help in the community, that’s the way to go,” Troiloa said. “And then the person identifies that veteran and becomes a buddy. We call it like a ‘Battle Buddy.’ So if something goes wrong, that veteran can still come forward and say, ‘Hey, can you help me with this and help me with that?'”

The American Legion is committed to raising awareness about potential veteran suicide issues. Troiloa confirmed they will be sponsoring the Jimmie Johnson race car again for 2023. Troiloa said it’s been so successful in raising awareness about veterans’ suicide that they are reinvesting it this year. Johnson drove car No. 84 Chevrolet in the Daytona 500 in February and will race in the inaugural Chicago Street Course in July.

According to the organization’s website,  the American Legion is built on a promise from men and women who swore to defend and protect the United States through military service. The promise begins at enlistment, grows through training and discipline in the U.S. Armed Forces and continues after discharge, as veterans in service to community, state and nation.

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