Welcome to the July 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.

In addition to the Independence Day celebration, we reached a significant milestone earlier this month. FDVA was founded on July 1, 1989, following the passing by Florida voters in 1988 of a Constitutional Amendment establishing a State Agency responsible for advocating with purpose and passion for Florida Veterans, their families and survivors. Thank you for making Florida the most Veteran sought after and appreciated State in the Nation. We are honored to serve you.

On July 10, I had the honor of joining Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez in Tampa to highlight the recent signing of Veteran-related legislation by Governor Ron DeSantis and highlight our agency’s budget in support of Florida’s more than 1.4 million Veterans. Her ‘LG on Mission’ initiative is highlighting the contributions of our Veterans and their families to our great State, and I’m proud to join her in this effort. You’ll see our coverage of her press conference later in the newsletter.

Last week, I had the honor of representing you at the annual conference and trade show of the Florida Health Care Association in Orlando. The administrators of our State Veterans’ Homes came together for annual training and the sharing of best practices. Our Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home in St. Augustine was recognized with an award during the conference, as you’ll see later in this issue. As you may remember from last month, the Lassen Home was also recently honored by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. You can see more on the FHCA conference and a group photograph of our Veterans’ Home Administrators who attended later in this issue.

I also want to thank the Military Order of the Purple Heart for holding their annual national convention in Orlando this month. FDVA Deputy Executive Director Bob Asztalos was honored to address the delegates during their opening ceremonies. The timing of their convention couldn’t be better as the Florida Legislature unanimously passed legislation in 2012 establishing August 7 ‎as Florida Purple Heart Day to recognize recipients of our nation's oldest award given to combat-‎wounded Veterans. ‎Many local communities and organizations are sponsoring events to honor our Purple Heart recipients, so be on the lookout for observances in your area.

I was also honored this month to participate in the grand opening ceremony of the new Lakeland VA Clinic. The larger clinic will offer additional health care services to area Veterans.

If you seek no-cost advice or counseling regarding Veterans issues, please contact a State Veterans’ Service Officer ‎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.

‎You can learn more about statewide Veterans’ issues by following us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and LinkedIn. A free Mobile App is also available by visiting https://app.floridavets.org.

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WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - First Lady Casey DeSantis awarded $1,000 bonus checks to all Hope Navigators through the Hope Florida Fund, with $2,500 bonus checks going to six Navigators, who were recognized for their outstanding performance helping people in need. Hope Navigators unite communities from the non-profit to faith-based entities to help people identify and serve immediate needs while setting and accomplishing long-term goals. Aaron Pelone, a Hope Navigator at the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs and one of the six recipients honored by the First Lady, helped nearly 100 veterans access services to clear trees and debris from their property during Hurricane Idalia. He quickly develops trust and rapport with participants, allowing them to connect and share deep personal concerns and goals. Recently, Aaron assisted a U.S. Air Force Veteran and Hope Florida participant who had been struggling with mental health issues. He connected the participant to the Fort Freedom program, where he received timely and effective treatment, leading to a remarkable turnaround. The participant is now thriving because of the treatment, finding a new purpose in helping other veterans with Aaron's crucial support.