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Welcome to the February 2025 edition of the Forward March Veterans’ Newsletter. We appreciate the more than 62,000 subscribers who look to us for the latest news impacting our State’s 1.4 million Veterans, their families and survivors. Serving 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.
I had the honor on Feb. 7 of meeting some of our State’s most outstanding citizens during the Class of 2024 induction ceremony for the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame. These men and women are truly inspirational, and I enjoyed meeting them and hearing their stories. Several of our inductees received their honors posthumously, and I was grateful to hear of their contributions to our State from family members and friends in attendance. I also appreciate Florida Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly for hitting the right tone with his keynote address.
Another honor I had this month was visiting, along with members of American Legion Riders Post 108, a patriotic young cancer patient in central Florida who loves both the military and motorcycles. Lots of positive thoughts and love were shared with this young man, who was delighted to see us with our flags and leather jackets. We made his day as he made ours.
The 2025 Florida Legislative Session begins March 4, for a scheduled 60-day session. My staff and I have been working diligently behind the scenes during the Interim Committee Weeks to advocate on your behalf with our legislators and their staff members. You can find a list of previous year’s Veteran-related bills and the status of proposed Veteran-related legislation in the current session by visiting our website at https://floridavets.org and clicking on “Veteran Legislation.” We’ll update the list weekly.
If you seek no-cost advice or counseling regarding Veterans’ issues, please contact one of our 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 one of our Hope Navigators today at HopeNavigators@fdva.fl.gov or call (833) GET-HOPE.
You can also learn more about Veterans’ issues in Florida by following us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and LinkedIn. A free Mobile App is also available by visiting https://app.floridavets.org.
Thank you for making Florida the most Veteran-friendly, appreciated, and sought after State in the Nation. Please share this newsletter with others. We are honored to serve you.
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 TALLAHASSEE - Twenty Florida Veterans were formally inducted into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame during ceremonies here, Feb. 7. The Class of 2024 is the 12th class of inductees to enter the Hall of Fame.
TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Ron DeSantis’ 2025 Budget provides the nation’s highest premier services and support to the state’s veterans, their families and survivors through the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA).
“We are the premier destination for our nation’s veterans and their families, thanks to the powerful leadership and bold advocacy of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis,” said retired Marine Corps Major General James S. Hartsell, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “As a Navy veteran, Governor DeSantis spearheads our efforts to ensure Florida is a national leader in honoring and supporting our 1.4 million veterans. He and his administration have committed hundreds of millions of dollars to our department, helping to ensure a positive future for our nation’s heroes.”
TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Ron DeSantis announced earlier this month his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. The proposed “Focus on Fiscal Responsibility” Budget for the State of Florida totals $115.6 billion with $14.6 billion in reserves, providing a significant reduction over last year’s spending while still leaving ample resources for unforeseen economic issues.
 FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell provides an agency update to the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security, Feb. 18. The state agency, which serves 1.4 million Veterans, celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2024.
 FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell welcomes military Veterans from the Florida Legislature at a breakfast at the Capitol, Feb. 18. The annual event, hosted by the Florida Veterans Foundation, is an opportunity to bring key Veteran advocates together prior to the upcoming legislative session.
 FDVA Communications and External Affairs Director Steve Murray joins leaders from Orcutt | Winslow in presenting an update on the planned Collier County State Veterans’ Nursing Home to delegates at the Winter Conference of the National Association of State Veterans Homes in Washington, D.C., Feb. 11. The 120-bed skilled nursing home under development is also scheduled to feature a 40-Veteran Adult Day Health Care facility on campus.
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100-year-old retired Army Staff Sgt. Felix Lopez celebrates his birthday with family and friends at the Alwyn C. Cashe State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Orlando, Feb. 17. He enlisted in 1943 and served in World War II, Korea, and the Vietnam War.
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Jack Kump and Joan Wheeler, philanthropists from Ormond Beach, are making a profound impact on the lives of 15 deserving Florida Veterans by donating mobility scooters to those unable to afford or access one through medical care. The donation honors their service while addressing daily mobility challenges. For the past decade, Jack and Joan have partnered with The American Legion, Department of Florida, to identify deserving Veterans and have generously donated a total of 92 life-changing scooters, including this year’s contribution. The scooters are being examined, right, during a ceremony at American Legion headquarters in Orlando, Jan 30. |
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 From left, Blue Star Families Tampa Chapter Director Suzanne Malloy, FDVA Director of Hope Navigators Holly Bernardo, FDVA Hope Navigator Rachel Hall and Blue Star Families Tampa Chapter Program Manager Mickia Freeman pose following the Hope Florida Military Spouse event at the Tampa Garden Club, Feb 12. Blue Star Families was founded by military spouses in 2009 to strengthen military families by connecting them with their neighbors – individuals and organizations – to create vibrant communities of mutual support.
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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced it will provide Veterans additional time to transition to a new online login system that lets them more quickly and securely access information about their VA health care and benefits.
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 Runners depart from the Florida Capitol on Feb. 7 for the three-day, 176-mile Florida Run for the Fallen. In its fifth year, the participants honor and remember Florida’s fallen heroes and Gold Star Family members enroute to the Veterans Memorial in Jacksonville.
Veterans Florida and the University of Florida have partnered for a paid six-month program that provides industry-driven courses and hands-on learning in hardware security. Veterans participating in the program have the opportunity to acquire hardware security skills, collaborate with mentors from industry partners, and find pathways into careers such as semiconductor manufacturing. |
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Nominations for the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame Class of 2025 have been extended through April 1, 2025. If you know a Veteran who has made a significant civic, business, or public service contribution to the state of Florida, nominate them today. For more information on guidelines and nomination forms, click here. |
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To contact FDVA from anywhere in the State, call (727) 319-7440 or send an email to FDVA.VSO@FDVA.FL.GOV. A reminder that all services provided by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs are free to the client. |
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Hope Florida brings together the vast resources of our community to create a seamless network of support. When you call (833) GET HOPE, you’ll be connected to a caring Hope Navigator, ready to guide you on an individualized pathway to achieve prosperity, economic self-sufficiency and hope. Hope Florida serves our state’s Veterans among many others. |
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Serving our nation’s heroes in one of Florida’s nine state veterans’ homes can be very rewarding. Click on the graphic above to visit specific position openings in health care or support services or visit bit.ly/48g5lLy. |
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