December 2023 Edition of the Forward March Veterans' Newsletter

Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs sent this bulletin at 12/15/2023 10:30 AM EST

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www.FloridaVets.org

December 2023

Welcome to the December edition of the Forward March Veterans’ Newsletter. ‎We ‎‎appreciate the 54,000 subscribers who look to us for the latest news ‎impacting our State’s 1.5 million Veterans, their families and survivors.‎

We begin and end the month with two World War II anniversaries. On Dec. 7, we commemorated Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in Florida and saluted our State’s 14,000 living World War II Veterans. We were honored to host Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis at our Veterans’ Home in Panama City as they met with seven World War II Veterans on the 82nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In addition, on Dec. 16 we commemorate the 79th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge Day and reflect on that important battle that resulted in the ultimate German defeat in the European Theatre during World War II.

We also salute two prominent Florida Veterans who passed away since our last newsletter. Retired Marine Corps Maj. John Haynes and retired Army Sgt. Maj. Ray Quinn were two patriots whose lives were selflessly devoted to helping Veterans and their families. Both of these fine gentlemen worked with our agency for decades in promoting Veterans issues and were deservingly inducted in prior years into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame. They will both be missed, and we extend our condolences to their families and friends.

As you’ll see in this issue, First Lady Casey DeSantis recently announced an expansion of her Hope Florida initiative to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. We’re supporting Veterans by connecting them to services, earned benefits ‎and community resources through Hope Navigators, who are coordinating with FDVA’s Veterans’ Claims Examiners to assist Veterans in navigating their benefits. Next week, we’ll be participating in a series of Hope Florida Roundtables to introduce the initiative to our Veterans’ community. We’ll feature highlights of our outreach in the January issue.

The 2024 Florida Legislative Session begins on Jan. 9. In preparation for the 60-day session, the legislature has been meeting this fall in a series of Interim Committee Weeks, discussing key legislation which may impact our state’s Veterans. My senior staff and I have spent the past several weeks testifying before committees responsible for Veterans issues in Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ 2024 Focus on Florida’s Future Budget proposal to the legislature funds critical programs for our State’s Veterans and their families. You’ll see details regarding his key recommendations later in this issue.

You can follow the week-to-week discussions of Veteran-related issues by visiting our website at www.FloridaVets.org and clicking on “Veteran Legislation.”

If you need help as we approach the holidays, please contact one of our Veterans’ Claims Examiners ‎at (727) ‎‎‎319-‎‎7440 or via email at FDVA.VSO@FDVA.FL.GOV. ‎We provide our services to you at no charge. You can also learn more about Veterans’ issues by following us on Twitter (X), Facebook and LinkedIn. A free Mobile App is also available by visiting https://floridavets.org/download-the-fdva-app/.

Please share this newsletter with others and have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We’ll see you in 2024.

Governor's 2024 Budget Provides Vital Funding to Florida’s Veteran ‎Community

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Ron DeSantis’ 2024 Focus of Florida’s Future Budget provides timely and essential services and support to the State’s Veterans, their families and survivors through the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA). ‎

FDVA is ‎a ‎constitutionally chartered ‎department ‎responsible for serving the Nation’s ‎estimated second largest Veteran ‎‎population. ‎Operating as the premier point of entry for Florida’s ‎‎nearly 1.5 million Veterans, FDVA ‎‎operates a ‎‎network of State Veterans’ Homes and ‎provides statewide outreach to connect ‎‎Veterans ‎‎with earned services, benefits ‎and support. ‎

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First Lady Announces Hope Florida Initiative Expansion to Serve Florida Veterans

TALLAHASSEE - First Lady Casey DeSantis announced an expansion of Hope Florida to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA). Hope Florida – A Pathway for Patriots will support Veterans by connecting them to services, earned benefits ‎and community resources through Hope Navigators. Unique to this expansion, Hope Navigators will coordinate with FDVA’s Veterans’ Claims Examiners to assist Veterans in navigating their benefits. FDVA serves the nation’s ‎third-largest veteran ‎‎population and ‎operates as the premier point of entry for Florida’s ‎‎1.5 million Veterans.

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The Division of Benefits and Assistance graduated its last Accreditation Course for 2023, held at FDVA Headquarters in Largo, Fla., Dec. 4-7. This course is required by law for all new Veteran Claims Examiners to access VA systems for claims counseling.

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez greets World War II Veterans in the library of the Clifford C. Sims State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Panama City, Dec. 6. Following an exchange of stories of military service, she presented each Veteran with a personalized dessert and thanked them for their service as part of the Greatest Generation.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis addresses residents and staff members at the Clifford C. Sims State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Panama City, Dec. 6. He met with seven World War II Veterans and their families and thanked them for their service to the Nation as part of the annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day observance.

Veterans Florida's leadership team and board members met with Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez at the Capitol, Nov. 15. They discussed her "LG on Mission" outreach initiative to ensure Florida remains the most Veteran-friendly State in the Nation. Veterans Florida leaders also met in November with legislative leaders including Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and Senators Jay Collins and Gayle Harrell.

A joint Junior ROTC Color Guard from Leon County Schools advances the ceremonial wreath at the Florida Capitol on Dec. 4, as part of the annual Wreaths Across America commemoration.

The men and women of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs salute the late retired Marine Corps Maj. John Haynes of Monticello, left, and retired Army Sgt. Maj. Ray Quinn of St. Augustine on a lifetime of noteworthy and honorable service to Florida’s Veterans, their families and survivors.

Veterans’ Claims Examiners from FDVA stand ready to support Florida Veterans and their families. Connect with us today by calling 727-319-7440 or via email at FDVA.VSO@FDVA.FL.GOV.

Weekend and night shift health care job opportunities are available at our State Veterans' Homes! If you’re looking for a fulfilling new role or extra hours, visit our jobs page to view the open positions. bit.ly/FDVAJobs