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Welcome to the February 2026 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.
State legislators are in Tallahassee considering important legislation and crafting a balanced budget during the final weeks of the 2026 Florida Legislative Session. I’m confident our agency’s budget will be voted on favorably and important Veteran-related legislation will make it to a final floor vote. I greatly appreciate my staff for strongly advocating behind the scenes for our Veterans and their families during this session. You can follow the progress of Veteran-related legislation by visiting our website at https://floridavets.org and clicking on “2026 Veteran Legislation” in the rotating banner.
We had an outstanding gathering in Tallahassee on Feb. 3-4 for the annual Military and Veterans Appreciation Days at the Capitol. Hosted by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the outreach event for the public brought together several key Veteran Service Organizations to salute Florida’s Veteran community. I thank all who joined us. We also honored our state legislators who are military Veterans during a legislative breakfast and thanked them for their continued service.
You can connect with our State Veterans’ Service Officers at (727) 319-7440 or via email at FDVA.VSO@FDVA.FL.GOV. Contact information for State and County Veteran Service Officers is 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. Please share this newsletter with others.
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 FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell and Florida Senate President Ben Albritton pause in the Old Capitol Building on Feb. 3, following the unveiling of an interactive exhibit of George Washington, marking the start of Florida’s commemorations for the 250th anniversary of the United States.
 LEFT – FDVA Deputy Executive Director DJ Reyes greets Lorraine Holland of the Military Officers Association of America on the 2nd Floor Rotunda of the Florida Capitol during Day 1 of Military and Veterans Appreciation Day at the Capitol, Feb. 3, in Tallahassee. RIGHT – Aaron Pelone, director of FDVA’s Hope Florida initiative, provides a copy of the Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide to a visitor as part of Military and Veterans Appreciation Days at the Capitol.
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WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Jan. 29, new leadership appointments to the Federal Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services, including FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell. Alzheimer’s disease currently affects nearly seven million Americans and is projected to affect more than 20 million by 2050. Established in 2011 under the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), the Advisory Council meets quarterly to advise the Secretary on reducing the burden of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Michelle Branham, Secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, was named Chair of the council. To read more, click here.
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Veterans’ advocates pose at the Capitol for a photograph following the annual FDVA-sponsored Legislative Breakfast, Jan. 29. From left to right: FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell, State Sen. Keith L. Truenow, State Rep. Yvette Benarroch, State Rep. Jeff Holcomb, State Rep. Bill Conerly, and FDVA Legislative and Cabinet Affairs Director Roy Clark. All are Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
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FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell delivers opening remarks at a meeting of the Florida Veterans Council, held Feb. 3 during Military and Veterans Appreciation Day at the Capitol.
Runners depart from the Florida Capitol on Feb. 6 for the 6th Annual Florida Run for the Fallen, sponsored by Honor and Remember. The 170-mile, three day run to Jacksonville aims to honor the fallen and Gold Star Families.
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FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell, far left, joins Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie and other state and emergency management leaders in announcing the grand opening of Florida’s new State Emergency Operations Center, in southeast Tallahassee, Feb. 24. Designed for the future of emergency management, the facility enhances real-time collaboration and statewide response efforts that support communities when disaster strikes.
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FDVA Communications and External Affairs Director Steve Murray, far right, receives an update on the future Collier County State Veterans’ Nursing Home from leaders with Grace Design Studios while attending the National Association of State Veterans Homes Mid-Winter Conference in Washington, D.C., Feb. 3. From left, Senior Associate and Project Manager Tom Payton, Associate and Interior Designer Morgen Woodford and Managing Partner Mike Kolejka. A groundbreaking ceremony for the 120-bed skilled-nursing facility is planned in Naples later this year.
 FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell honors State Veterans’ Service Officer Carmelo Mora with the Executive Director’s Award for Superior Accomplishment, while surrounded by his colleagues at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa, Jan. 30.
Paula S. Twitty, administrator of the 120-bed Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home and holding the No. 2 balloon, joins her Daytona Beach staff in celebrating a full resident census of 120 residents on Feb.12.
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VA Under Secretary for Health John Bartrum visits the Alwyn C. Cashe State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Orlando, Feb 12. During the visit, Under Secretary Batrum, FDVA Deputy Executive Director DJ Reyes and Home Administrator Kat Perry Huff spent time speaking with resident Guy Sulfaro, enjoying a warm and engaging conversation.
The nomination deadline for the Class of 2026 Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame is March 30. If you know a Veteran who has made a significant civic, business, or public service contribution to the state of Florida, nominate them today. More information and nomination forms are available at: https://bit.ly/4oMjerG
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The 2026 edition of the 32-page Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide is available for free shipping. Order your individual or bulk copies today. Visit: https://bit.ly/450Lakh
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Contact a State Veterans’ Service Officer by calling (727) 319-7440 or via email at FDVA.VSO@FDVA.FL.GOV. All services provided by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs are free to the client.
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The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs operates a network of State Veterans’ Homes and provides statewide outreach to connect Veterans with earned services, benefits and support. In addition, we are able to effectively double our sign-on, retention and merit bonuses to eligible direct-care staff. 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 no-cost vital resources and information aimed at enhancing brain health, improving quality of life, and preventing suicides among those who have served our country. To read more, click here. Visit the program’s website at https://florida.mpfact.org/.
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