May 2025 Edition of the Forward March Veterans' Newsletter

Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs sent this bulletin at 05/23/2025 02:56 PM EDT

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www.FloridaVets.org

May 2025

Welcome to the May 2025 edition of the Forward March Veterans’ Newsletter. ‎We ‎‎appreciate the nearly 66,000 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.

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. Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the annual Memorial Day in Florida proclamation, which you’ll find later in this edition.

As part of Memorial Day, FDVA is the proud co-sponsor of the 2025 PBS special, “National Memorial Day Concert,” which ‎airs live in all nine Florida Public Broadcasting markets on the ‎evening of May 25. We’ll honor our more than 423,000 Vietnam Veterans in Florida with the airing of our public service announcement prior to the opening titles. Join us beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Several Veteran-related bills have cleared the legislature and will be sent in the coming days and weeks to the Governor’s office for consideration. The proposed budget for our agency is also making its way through the legislative process, and I’m confident our agency’s budget will be voted on favorably. 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’ll have more to report in next month’s edition.

I want to thank the administration of Saint Leo University for giving me the honor of being their commencement speaker for the afternoon graduating class on May 7. It was an honor to return to the campus where my late son, Evin, received his higher education.

Congratulations to the men and women of the Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans’ Domiciliary Home in Lake City on their 35th anniversary. 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 very appreciative.

On May 5, I had the honor of addressing County and State Veterans’ Service Officers at their spring training conference in Orlando. 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 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.

As we approach the Memorial Day weekend, I 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.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signs The Evin B. Hartsell Act into law during ceremonies at the Capitol on May 21. The Evin B. Hartsell Act, also known as the "Disability History and Awareness Instruction" bill, aims to enhance education about disabilities in Florida's public schools. The act mandates that during a two-week period each year, students receive intensive instruction on various topics related to disabilities, including the history of disability, the disability rights movement, and the contributions of individuals with disabilities. The legislation was carried in the Senate by Sen. Jay Collins (SB 540) and in the House by Rep. Michelle Salzman (HB 447). Standing with the governor are Evin’s parents, James S. and Melisa Hartsell.

On the 80th anniversary of V-E Day, 106-year-old U.S. Army Platoon Sgt. John Skeen is honored by the Republic of France with the Knight of the Legion of Honor for his contribution to the liberation of France. It is the highest decoration of the French Republic. FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell was a guest speaker during ceremonies hosted by the Consul General of France in Miami on May 8 and posed with Skeen following his presentation at Lakewood Rance in Bradenton.

105-year-old Hugo Riva, a World War II Veteran of the 8th Air Force and resident at the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Port Charlotte, is flanked by FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell and Home Administrator Jocelyn Wurster on his birthday earlier this month. He was enjoying his pasta lunch and wanted to blow a kiss to whoever saw this picture.

FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell presents Navy Veteran Nelson Fields with an award honoring him as the State Veterans’ Service Officer of the Year during opening ceremonies at the Spring 2025 FDVA and County Veteran Service Officer Association Conference in Orlando, May 5. He assisted more than 4,300 Veterans and their families and filed 1,249 claims in Fiscal Year 2023/2024. Fields, who works in Jacksonville, has been with FDVA since 2014.

FDVA State Veterans’ Service Officer Maylin Castellanos assists Veterans with earned services and benefits at the South Florida Military and Veteran Benefits Workshop hosted by the Wounded Warrior Project on May 13, in Coral Gables.

VA Deputy Secretary Dr. Paul Lawrence meets with members of Honor Flight Tallahassee at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on April 26.

Florida Division of Emergency Management Urges Preparation for Hurricane Season

TALLAHASSEE – With the start of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season on June 1, the Florida Division of Emergency Management urges preparation to protect lives, property and communities across the state of Florida. Floridians should ensure their disaster supply kits are fully stocked, update and finalize their emergency plans and understand the weather hazards their home may be vulnerable to. Each Atlantic Hurricane Season averages about 14 tropical storms, with about half strengthening into hurricanes and about three classifying as “major hurricanes,” meaning Category 3 or higher. To read more, click here.

VA Announces Major Survivor Benefits Reforms

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced on May 5 a three-pronged approach to eliminate barriers and streamline the process for how eligible survivors and dependents of deceased Veterans and servicemembers apply for and receive VA benefits and services. To read more, click here.

The Major John Leroy Haynes Florida Veterans’ History Program collects, preserves, and shares the stories of Florida’s Veterans and the State of Florida’s military contributions throughout the nation’s history. By documenting Veterans’ personal narratives, the program ensures their firsthand experiences remain accessible to the public and future generations. For more information, click here.

The Veterans Florida Expo in Tampa offers support and networking for separating or retiring military, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and their spouses. This event focuses on easing military transitions, accessing benefits, and launching or growing businesses. Visit https://veteransflorida.org/expo/ to learn more and register.

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.