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Welcome to the December 2025 edition of the Forward March Veterans’ Newsletter. We appreciate our 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.
We begin and end the month with two key World War II anniversaries. On Dec. 7, we commemorated Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in Florida and saluted our State’s 3,700 living World War II Veterans. On Dec. 16, we commemorated the 81st anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge and reflect on that important battle that contributed to the fall of the Third Reich in May 1945.
In early December, I was in Highlands County attending the opening of a new VA Clinic in Sebring. The state-of-the art facility is twice as large as the facility it replaces and offers Veterans additional services. We also salute Highlands County Veteran Service Officer Denise Williams for her years of dedicated service to the local community.
I had the pleasure of meeting virtually last week with VA Deputy Secretary Dr. Paul Lawrence during an hour-long conversation with State and Territory directors of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Lawrence communicates regularly with us, and we are appreciative of his time and attention as we jointly address key issues and concerns impacting our Nation’s Veterans and their families.
The 2026 Florida Legislative Session begins on Jan. 13. In preparation for the 60-day session, the legislature has been meeting this fall in a series of Interim Committee Weeks, discussing key legislation which may impact our state’s Veterans. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ 2026 Floridians First Budget proposal to the legislature funds critical programs for our State’s Veterans and their families. You’ll see details regarding his key recommendations later in this issue. You’ll see details regarding his key recommendations later in this issue. You can follow the week-to-week discussions of Veteran-related legislation by visiting our website at https://floridavets.org and clicking on “2026 Veteran Legislation” in the rotating banner.
For no-cost benefits counseling, connect with our State Veterans’ Service Officers at (727) 319-7440 or via email at FDVA.VSO@FDVA.FL.GOV. Contact information for all State and County Veteran Service Officers can be found online at https://www.floridavets.org/locations/. Don’t forget our team of Hope Navigators is also hard at work connecting Veterans and their families with resources to improve their economic quality of life. Contact one of our Hope Navigators today at HopeNavigators@fdva.fl.gov or call (833) GET-HOPE.
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. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family from all of us at the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Be safe during the holiday season. We’ll see you in 2026.
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TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Floridians First Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 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).
FDVA is a constitutionally chartered department responsible for serving the Nation’s estimated second largest Veteran population. 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.
“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 provides a clear vision and effort to ensure Florida remains a national leader in honoring and supporting our Veterans. Working together toward a positive future for Florida Veterans and their families, Florida continues to be the most Veteran friendly and sought after state in the Nation.”
The Governor’s Budget invests $8.6 million for maintenance and repairs necessary to provide FDVA’s State Veterans’ Home residents with a safe, compassionate state-of-the-art facility that meets their needs.
The budget invests $3.1 million in cybersecurity, and hardware and software infrastructure updates, to support FDVA’s round-the-clock operations.
The budget also invests $2.3 million to support enhancing safe and secure medication management for residents in its State Veterans’ Homes.
Lt. Gov. Jay Collins visits with residents at the Alexander “Sandy” Nininger State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Pembroke Pines during the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 26.
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The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Collier County will host a Property Dedication Ceremony for the planned 120-bed Collier County State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Naples on Jan. 9, 2026, at 1 p.m. The outdoor ceremony will be held near the corner of Golden Gate Parkway and Collier Boulevard. A reception will follow at VFW Post 7721 at 800 Neffs Way in Naples.
Despite a steady rain that cancelled the 2025 Wreaths Across America ceremony in the courtyard of the Florida Capitol, ceremony organizers gathered Dec. 8 on the Plaza Level of the Capitol to dedicate the official wreath and remember those patriots who are no longer with us.
State Rep. Michelle Salzman joins local and state officials to cut the ribbon opening a free, one-stop hub that supports Veterans, active-duty service members, and their families during a ceremony in Santa Rosa County, Nov. 21. The new VetCV Mission Next Center is located on the Pensacola State College Milton campus. Photo courtesy of the Pensacola News Journal.
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FDVA State Veterans’ Service Officer Carmelo Mora poses with Gen. Bryan P. Fenton, 13th Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, in front of the newly established FDVA Benefits and Assistance Office at MacDill Air Force Base, Dec. 3. |
Kat Perry Huff, second from left, administrator of the Alwyn C. Cashe State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Orlando, receives resident holiday gifts from representatives of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Dec. 4.
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Kerri McKenna, RN Staff Educator (middle), poses Dec. 10 with four new Certified Nursing Assistants following completion of their training at the 120-bed Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes.
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Nominations are open for the Class of 2026 Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame. If you know a Veteran who has made a significant civic, business, or public service contribution to the state of Florida, nominate them today. Nomination forms are available at: https://bit.ly/4oMjerG
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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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The Florida Veterans Brain Health & Suicide Prevention Program is made possible through a partnership between The Mac Parkman Foundation and the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs. The program provides vital resources and information aimed at enhancing brain health, improving quality of life, and preventing suicides among those who have served our country. There are no costs or out-of-pocket expenses for any qualified Veteran. To read more, click here. Visit the program’s website at https://florida.mpfact.org/.
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