May 2024 Edition of the Forward March Veterans' Newsletter

Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs sent this bulletin at 05/22/2024 03:52 PM EDT

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www.FloridaVets.org

May 2024

Welcome to the May 2024 edition of the Forward March Veterans’ Newsletter. ‎‎We ‎‎appreciate the nearly 60,000 subscribers who look to us each month for the latest news ‎impacting Florida’s more than 1.4 million Veterans, their families and survivors.‎

Operating as the premier point of entry for Florida Veterans, the ‎Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs ‎‎operates a ‎‎network of nine State Veterans’ ‎Homes and provides statewide outreach to connect our ‎‎Veterans ‎‎with their earned ‎services, benefits and support.

We observe Memorial Day on Monday. All Floridians will have the opportunity to honor the selfless service and sacrifice of those who preceded us so that we may retain the freedoms we cherish today. As you see the flag at half-staff on Monday morning, remember that freedom is not free.

I have the distinct honor of being the keynote speaker Friday at the Memorial Day Observance at the Orlando VA Medical Center’s Amphitheater at Lake Nona. On May 27, I’ll also be speaking briefly at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, where I’ll have the honor of introducing my friend and former VA Deputy Secretary Tom Bowman. I encourage you to participate this weekend in one of the many observances in your local community.

In addition to the many scheduled events, Governor DeSantis has waived admission for all visitors to Florida State Parks for Memorial Day weekend. As a Navy Veteran, the governor spearheads our effort to ensure Florida is a national leader in honoring and supporting our Veterans.

As part of Memorial Day, FDVA is the proud co-sponsor of the 2024 PBS special, “National Memorial Day Concert,” which ‎will air live in all nine Florida Public Broadcasting markets on the ‎evening of May 26. We’ll honor our more than 460,000 Vietnam Veterans with the airing of our public service announcement prior to the opening titles. Join us beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Congratulations to the men and women of the Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans’ Domiciliary Home in Lake City on their 34^th anniversary this Sunday. The 150-bed assisted living facility under the leadership of Administrator Lucille Bowers is providing a community of loving care for our residents and I’m greatly appreciative.

I also want to congratulate our staff at the Alwyn C. Cashe State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Orlando for passing the recent VA Certification Survey. We are now admitting additional Veterans into the skilled nursing facility, including those with Alzheimer's or dementia. We’re proud of the hard work poured into this facility and congratulate both residents and staff.

Earlier this month, I had the honor of addressing County and State Veterans’ Service Officers at their biannual training conference in Safety Harbor. By Florida Statute, FDVA trains and annually accredits these Veterans who serve statewide as your direct link to earned services, benefits and support. If you seek no-cost advice or counseling regarding Veterans issues, please contact one of our State Veterans’ Service Officers ‎at (727) ‎‎‎319-‎‎7440 or via email at FDVA.VSO@FDVA.FL.GOV.

Our team of Hope Navigators is also hard at work connecting Veterans and their families with information and resources to improve their quality of life. Contact them via email at HopeNavigators@fdva.fl.gov or call (850) 300-HOPE. Our Hope Navigators joined FDVA senior staff and local officials in distributing fresh food to low-income Veterans impacted by three tornadoes in Tallahassee on May 10. I appreciate everyone’s efforts to help improve the quality of life of our Veterans.

‎You can learn more about statewide Veterans’ issues by following us on X (formerly known as Twitter), 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 thanks for your support.

Governor DeSantis Awards $2.3 Million to Florida’s Military Communities

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced May 13 the awarding of $2.3 million through the Defense Infrastructure Grant Program. The awards will bolster Florida’s military communities by supporting infrastructure projects and economic development of their surrounding communities.

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Governor and First Lady Recognize Florida’s Heroes During the Florida Heroes’ Reception

Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis welcomed heroes from across the state of Florida to the Florida Governor’s Residence on April 29 to recognize them for their contributions to others and for exhibiting exceptional courage, compassion and resilience in the face of adversity. Emergency Medical Technician and FDVA Hope Navigator Zayn Ahmed was one of those honored. He witnessed a vehicle crash into a tree and quickly jumped into action, assisting responding law enforcement officers with CPR and utilizing their AED to provide further treatment until EMS arrived on scene.

Seventy-five Florida heroes were honored at the annual ceremony, including first responders, doctors, veterans, law enforcement, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, parents, and innovators who have all exhibited bravery and self-sacrifice. Also honored were members of the community who have dedicated themselves to helping others overcome adversity through nonprofit efforts, adoption and foster care, careers in education, and advocacy.

Read more

FDVA Suicide Prevention and Research Specialist Victoria Swaine reviews a Florida Governor’s Challenge pamphlet on May 8 during a break at the Florida Governor's Challenge All Team Meeting in Tallahassee. The Governor’s Challenge supports the use of evidence-based practices to prevent suicide among service members, veterans, and their families.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell join former Florida Comptroller Bob Milligan in a CFO conference room named in his honor during a ceremony at the Capitol, May 6. Milligan, a retired Marine Corps Lieutenant General, was FDVA interim executive director in 2010-2011.

Retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James S. Hartsell honors 105-year-old World War II Army Veteran John Skeen on the ice at Amalie Arena prior to the Tampa Bay Lightning playoff game with the Florida Panthers, April 27 in Tampa. Skeen is a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient.

Senior leaders from the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs join volunteers from Hope Florida, the Florida Veterans Foundation and Second Harvest of the Big Bend in distributing food items May 15 to storm victims at Tallahassee Veterans Village and The Home Front. Three tornadoes slammed into Tallahassee on the morning of May 10, knocking out power for several days in much of the city. The volunteers joined State Sen. Corey Simon and State Rep. Allison Tant and their staffs in getting much need fresh food into the hands of local veterans.

FDVA Home Administrator Marlies Sarrett celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans' Nursing Home in Land O Lakes, April 27. The staff of her 120-bed skilled nursing facility hosted an open house with residents, family members and the local community.

VA Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Nursing

Bay Pines VA’s Associate Director for Patient Care Services, Carrie Hawkins, has earned the Secretary of Veterans Affairs’ top recognition for nurse executives.

Hawkins’ selection marks the third-consecutive year a Bay Pines VA leader has been selected as a recipient of the Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Nursing.

The Veterans Florida Expo in Tampa includes a career fair and networking event and connects you with expert advice about SkillBridge, careers, and entrepreneurship opportunities. Get your free tickets now. veteransfloridaexpo.org

The 2024 edition of the Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide is now available for shipping. Order your individual or bulk copies today! For details, visit: https://floridavets.org/resources/va-benefits-guide/

June 7 is the final deadline for Class of 2024 Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame nominations. For more information on guidelines and nomination forms, click here.

With a recent pay raise for all state employees and a new competitive pay structure with sign-on bonuses for our direct care staff, working in one of Florida’s nine state veterans’ homes can be rewarding. Click on the graphic above to visit our position openings or visit https://bit.ly/3AuWCED.

Since November 2023, FDVA Hope Navigators have assisted more than 434 Veterans through the Hope Florida initiative.

The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center, also called VA Health Connect, will celebrate its fifth anniversary this year as it continues to provide virtual urgent care around the clock to hundreds of thousands of Veterans. The center continues to experience significant growth in its service capabilities, technological advancements, and staffing levels.