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Welcome to the August 2025 edition of the Forward March Veterans’ Newsletter. We appreciate the 67,000 subscribers who look to us for the latest news impacting our State’s nearly 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 join Florida’s Veteran community in welcoming former State Senator Jay Collins as Florida’s new Lieutenant Governor. You’ll see in this issue he is a highly respected combat Veteran and selfless servant of the people. He has been a champion for Veterans’ issues as a senator and is continuing that role as lieutenant governor. My team and I look forward to advancing Veterans’ issues in the Sunshine State with this humble patriot. Florida is the only state in the country where both the governor and lieutenant governor are military Veterans.
I had the honor to spend the week at the Tampa Convention Center at the invitation of the American Legion to participate in their 106th National Convention. I joined many dignitaries from around the country in speaking before the delegates, and came away with a strong feeling that Veterans’ issues are being properly considered by those both elected and appointed to office. I congratulate the American Legion for a successful national conference and look forward to their choosing Florida for a future convention.
During a trip to the panhandle on Aug. 21, I had the honor of visiting the University of West Florida’s new Office of Military Services. It combines the university’s ROTC programs and Military and Veterans Resource Center to better serve the campus’ military and Veterans community. I salute UWF Interim President Manny Diaz Jr. for his superb initiative.
Later in the day I met with State Rep. Michelle Salzman to discuss a new Santa Rosa County Veterans Resource Center in Milton, which will be opening soon. It’s a collaborative partnership combining local Veterans’ resources and will be a great location to connect Veterans and their families with earned services and benefits.
I’m on my way early next month to Cheyenne, Wyoming, to represent Florida at the annual conference of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs. It’s an opportunity to talk with fellow State leaders and top VA officials on a variety of topics impacting our Nation’s Veterans and their families. Our goal is to share best practices, look for gaps in services, and look for future trends impacting future generations of Veterans. I’m a past president of this association and can vouch for the usefulness of these conversations and resulting positive impact on policies impacting our Nation’s Veterans. I’ll give you an update in the next issue upon my return.
For no-cost 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 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.
I appreciate all Floridians for making the Sunshine State 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 - Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Aug. 5 the appointment of Bob Asztalos to serve as the Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
“Bob has dedicated his career to serving others, including his leadership at the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis. “I’m confident he will work hard to improve the lives of Floridians with unique abilities.”
Asztalos had served as Deputy Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs since 2021, overseeing Florida’s eight state veterans’ nursing homes and one state veterans’ domiciliary.
 TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Convention Center served as host for the 106th American Legion National Convention, which took place the week of Aug. 25-28, 2025. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, top, accepted the James V. Day “Good Guy” Award during a luncheon with former American Legion national commanders and top officials. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, center, spoke to delegates about his military service, noting that he and the governor are the only military Veterans in the top leadership roles in the 50 States. FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell, a retired Marine Corps Major General, welcomed the thousands of delegates to the Tampa on behalf of Florida’s nearly 1.4 million Veterans.
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 Tom Payton, project manager with Grace Design Studios, discusses the planned 120-bed Collier County State Veterans’ Nursing Home with FDVA Communications and External Affairs Director Steve Murray, at the National Association of State Veterans Homes summer conference in Louisville, Kentucky, Aug. 9. A groundbreaking ceremony for the Veterans’ campus in Naples is planned for the second half of 2026.
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 The State Veterans’ Homes Committee of the Florida Women Veterans Advisory Council visited three state veterans’ nursing homes July 22-24, to gather information and foster relationships. Top left, committee members meet Paula Twitty, administrator of the Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Daytona Beach, bottom left, committee members meet with Tiffany Coffee, administrator of the Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home in St. Augustine, and right, Lucille Bowers, administrator of the Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans’ Domiciliary Home in Lake City, greets committee members at her Lake City facility.
FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell and FDVA State Veterans’ Service Officer Supervisor Duncan Ratcliff discuss State and Federal Veterans’ resources with Allison McCoy, Mission BBQ Community Ambassador, at the Aug. 1 Veterans Resource Fair at the University of South Florida’s Research Park in Tampa, hosted by Congresswoman Laurel Lee.
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Ginny O'Hare, who serves as activities director at the Clifford C. Sims State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Panama City, is retiring after 22 years with the veterans’ home. She was there when the facility opened on Aug. 21, 2003, and is seen at Sims on the facility’s 22nd anniversary with FDVA Deputy Legislative and Cabinet Affairs Director Mitch McCombs, left, and FDVA Communications and External Affairs Director Steve Murray. |
Laquita Green, a certified nursing assistant, and Air Force Veteran Jeanette Harris dance in celebration Aug. 4 during festivities recognizing the three-year anniversary of the Alwyn C. Cashe State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Orlando. The 112-bed skilled nursing facility in Lake Baldwin opened in 2022.
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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced grants to educational and research institutions to memorialize Veterans interred in VA national cemeteries as part of the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program initiative. The grants support the creation of documentaries, lesson plans, instructional aids and other educational materials regarding the lives and accomplishments of Veterans.
Seven grantees, including the University of Central Florida, were selected nationally following a rigorous review process. The UCF project worth $274,439 will extend the memorialization of Veterans interred in National Cemeteries in Florida, with a focus on Cape Canaveral National Cemetery.
 Did you know you can display your Navy pride and support Florida Veterans simultaneously? When you buy a Florida U.S. Navy specialty license plate,100% of the proceeds directly benefit Veterans residing in our State Veterans’ Homes. More than 27,400 Floridians have one. Our residents and staff thank you for your patriotism and support. To learn more visit:http://bit.ly/4fatAyc.
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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 nearly 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.
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