April 2025 Edition of the Forward March Veterans' Newsletter

Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs sent this bulletin at 04/25/2025 04:00 PM EDT

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www.FloridaVets.org

April 2025

Welcome to the April 2025 edition of the Forward March Veterans’ Newsletter. ‎We ‎‎appreciate the nearly 64,000 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.

State legislators are in Tallahassee considering important legislation and crafting a balanced budget during the final weeks of the 2025 Florida Legislative Session. I’m confident our agency’s budget will be voted on favorably and several pieces of key Veteran-related legislation will make it to a final floor vote. We’ll have a comprehensive update in the May issue of the newsletter. In the meantime, you can find the status of Veteran-related legislation in the current session by visiting our website at https://floridavets.org and clicking on ‎‎“Veteran Legislation.”‎

We had an outstanding gathering on April 2 at the second annual Military and Veterans Day at the Capitol. Hosted by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the outreach event for the public brought together more than 20 Veteran Service Organizations to salute Florida’s Veteran community. I thank all who joined us.

This is National Volunteer Month. I appreciate the many volunteers, many of whom are former service members, who dedicate countless hours to selflessly serving Veterans at our State Veterans’ Homes. Sometimes our volunteers constitute the only primary source of social interaction for our elderly residents. They are making a difference, and we appreciate their time and effort.

I want to thank the motorcycle riders from Flags of Honor Escorts who visited our network of State Veterans’ Homes this month and met with residents and staff. I had the honor of riding with them on April 12 beginning in Hillsborough County and paying respect to our Gold Star Families during multiple stops including the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes and ending at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

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 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.

Florida Veterans Foundation Launches Statewide Veterans Dental Program

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Veterans Foundation (FVF) launched its statewide Veterans Dental Program on April 17, during ceremonies at the Capitol. The groundbreaking initiative expands access to vital dental care services for eligible Veterans across Florida. FVF’s comprehensive network of selected 501c3 nonprofit organizations will deliver no-cost services to qualifying Veterans, including routine exams, cleanings, fillings, and other necessary dental procedures. The program will address the gap in dental care services for Veterans who are not fully covered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Florida Senate President Ben Albritton visits with Veterans' advocates during Military and Veterans Appreciation Day at the Capitol, April 2. FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell commemorated the event by presenting him with his agency’s challenge coin.

FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell presents his agency’s challenge coin to VA Secretary Doug Collins following an executive briefing and tour of the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa, April 15. Collins, who was sworn in as the 12th secretary of Veterans Affairs on Feb. 5, 2025, spent two days in Florida visiting with VA staff and Veteran leaders in Orlando, Tampa and St. Petersburg.

The West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System renamed its medical center in West Palm Beach to the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center during ceremonies, April 4. Thomas H. Corey was a nationally renowned Veteran, best known for his unwavering advocacy on behalf of those who served and his dedication and role in the establishment of the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center.

FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell joins Sen. Gayle Harrell and other key Florida legislators in unveiling a Veterans Museum touch screen kiosk at the Capitol, April 8. The virtual Veterans Museum obtains, preserves, recognizes and honors the stories, histories and legacy of Veterans and their families. For more information, visit https://vetsmuseum.org/what-we-do/our-kiosks/.

Flags of Honor Riders visit with residents and staff at the Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans’ Domiciliary Home in Lake City on April 5, and the Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Daytona Beach on April 6, as part of the statewide Gold Star Families Memorial Ride.

VA Sunshine Healthcare Network Releases Annual Report

VISN 8 announces the release of its 2024 Report to the Community. 2024 Putting America's Veterans First. VISN 8, known as the VA Sunshine Health Care Network, is the nation’s largest system of hospitals and clinics serving a population of more than 1.4 million Veterans spread across 79 counties in most of Florida, South Georgia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Tampa VA leader recognized as Trailblazer in Health Care Technology Innovation

James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Chief of Innovation Dr. Indra Sandal was awarded the Federal Excellence in Healthcare Management Award as part of the 29th annual Joint Federal Sector Awards.

Announced last month at the American College of Healthcare Executive 2025 Congress in Houston, the award highlights federal health care leaders who demonstrate exceptional leadership, mentorship, ethical standards, and a commitment to professional and community development in health care management.

FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell will provide the Class of 2025 afternoon commencement address at Saint Leo University on May 7, at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. His late son, Evin Hartsell, graduated from Saint Leo with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in business. A link will be posted on the day of the ceremony at https://www.saintleo.edu/ to access the livestream.

To contact a State Veterans’ Service Officer from anywhere in Florida, 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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Operating as the premier point of entry for Florida’s 1.4 million Veterans, FDVA ‎‎operates a ‎‎network of State Veterans’ Homes and ‎provides statewide outreach to connect ‎‎Veterans ‎‎with earned services, benefits ‎and support. ‎Click on the graphic (above) to join our award winning team by visiting bit.ly/48g5lLy.