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Welcome to the September 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 met with VA Deputy Secretary Dr. Paul Lawrence earlier this month while representing Florida at the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs annual conference in Cheyenne, Wyoming. We discussed Veterans’ access to earned health care, wait times for claims and services, and reducing Veterans’ homelessness, among many topics. I appreciate his eagerness to step up to the plate and discuss issues in common to all of us. He’s already been to Florida once and has pledged to return in the near future.
My senior staff and I met recently with our new Lieutenant Governor, Jay Collins. We discussed additional outreach opportunities to connect more Florida Veterans and their families with earned services, benefits and support. You’ll hear more about this collaborative effort in the coming months, especially with the approach of the 2026 Florida Legislative Session. He is a highly respected combat Veteran and former Green Beret who championed Veterans’ issues as a State Senator and is continuing that role as lieutenant governor. I am grateful for his service to our Nation and heartfelt support of our Florida Veterans.
On. Sept. 20, I had the honor of serving as keynote speaker during the POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony at the National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum located at Cecil Commerce Center near Jacksonville. Large crowds of patriot Americans spent their Saturday with us as we recalled that freedom is never free and insisted on a full accounting of those service members missing or unaccounted for. In Florida, we are reminded of this full accounting as the POW/MIA flag is flown daily over the Florida Capitol, rest areas along Florida’s Interstate Highways, at Florida’s State Parks, and our network of State Veterans’ Homes to honor those classified as Prisoners of War or Missing in Action. Never forget.
I delivered closing remarks Wednesday at the Fifth Annual Florida Veterans Workforce Summit, sponsored by FloridaCommerce. The event in Tampa brought together workforce partners, businesses, and industry professionals to understand how best to serve Florida’s Veterans and their families. Employment services for Veterans and their families are offered through the CareerSource Florida network. You can learn more about employment services for Veterans by visiting the Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide.
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.
Sunday is Gold Star Family Day in Florida. We owe a lasting debt of gratitude to those who gave their lives in the service of our Nation. On this day and every day, let’s honor our Gold Star Family members who have earned universal respect and admiration as they share the memories of their fallen loved ones with us. Never forget.
Please share this newsletter with others. We are honored to serve you.
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The FDVA Awareness Survey is designed to gather feedback from Florida Veterans and their families about their awareness and use of state, federal, and local services that are available to them. Also, to ensure the voices of Veterans and their families guide future planning and improvements around the state of Florida. By completing the FDVA Veterans Awareness Survey, you’re helping shape programs and services that support Florida’s Veteran community.
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 FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell, center, participates in a group photograph at Tyndall AFB near Panama City, following the completion of the Florida Base Commanders’ Meeting, Sept. 12. The Base Commanders’ Meeting provides an opportunity for the commanders of the 20 largest military installations across Florida to meet with state-level executive leadership to preview their installations’ missions and highlight any issues or projects of concern.
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Dr. Natacha Delince, FDVA’s Deputy Director of Service Operations, speaks before a capacity crowd Sept. 18 at Florida’s Old Capitol during the 2025 Government Productivity Awards ceremony, sponsored by Florida TaxWatch. FDVA received an award for its initiative, “Established Peer Mentorship Program to Retain Nursing Staff.” As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog, Florida TaxWatch works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government.
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FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell, a retired Marine Corps Major General, kneels beside 100-year-old Marine Corps Veteran Thomas Sakezles during his birthday party in Tampa, Sept. 22. Sakezles is a World War II Veteran fought in several Pacific campaigns and was wounded in February 1945 during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
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 FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell reviews plans for the 120-bed Collier County State Veterans’ Nursing Home with Tom Payton of Grace Design Studios, while attending the annual conference of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Sept. 8.
Lieutenant General William J. Bowers, Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, joins retired Marine Corps Major General James S. Hartsell, FDVA Executive Director, on a tour of the lobby of the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes, Sept. 15. Baldomero Lopez, a Marine Corps First Lieutenant, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his selfless service and sacrifice during the Battle of Inchon on Sept. 15, 1950.
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 Did you know? Proceeds from the sale of the U.S. Air Force license plate go into a trust fund for the operation and maintenance of Florida’s nine State Veterans’ Homes. More than 28,000 Floridians have one. Help us break the 30,000 mark. Our residents and staff thank you for your patriotism and support. To learn more, visit: http://bit.ly/4fatAyc.
 Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is inviting wounded veterans to apply for upcoming Operation Outdoor Freedom hunting and fishing trips. Led by the Florida Forest Service, Operation Outdoor Freedom provides recreational and rehabilitative opportunities to wounded veterans on state forests, agricultural lands, and private lands throughout Florida at no cost. Wounded veterans can apply online today for spots on upcoming Operation Outdoor Freedom events. Participants will be drawn at random prior to the event and will be notified by email. Since its inception in 2009, Operation Outdoor Freedom has hosted more than 970 events and served over 6,800 wounded veterans. For information on upcoming events click here.
Shyrell Copas, daughter of the late Ardie R. Copas, views an art piece created in her father’s honor by World War II and Korean War Veteran Calvin Heathman during a ceremony at the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home, Aug. 29. The event in Port St. Lucie, billed as Ardie R. Copas’ 75th birthday celebration, honored the life of Army Sgt. Ardie R. Copas, who died in 1970 at age 19, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his selfless service and sacrifice during the Vietnam War. Photo courtesy Hometown News.
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FDVA Communications and External Affairs Director Steve Murray receives the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs during their annual conference in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Sept. 7. Murray chairs the association’s State Veterans Homes Committee.
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FDVA Chief of Staff Al Carter, second from right, poses for a group photograph following his keynote address to attendees at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Aspire Health Partners’ 6th Anniversary Celebration in Tampa, Sept. 22. Joining him are retired Brig. Gen. Michael Fleming, Senior Manager Community Relations for Cohen Veterans Network, Karen Blanchette, Clinic Director for Cohen Clinic at Inspire, Donna Cameron Cepeda, District 5 County Commissioner in Hillsborough County, Babette Hankey, President/CEO of Aspire Health Partners, and Todd Dixon, Associate Vice President of Development and Community Relations at Aspire Health Partners.
A new SUV purchased by the Florida Veterans Foundation for use in transporting Veterans to and from their appointments with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the Miami area is now in use. An identical SUV destined for the Disabled American Veterans is awaiting shipment to Tampa for use with appointments with the VA.
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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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