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www.FloridaVets.org

March 2026

Welcome to the March 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. I salute Florida’s more than 406,000 Vietnam War Veterans as we commemorate Vietnam War Veterans Day in Florida. As I write this, my staff and I are participating in events throughout the State to honor these men and women for their service and to welcome them home. Earlier this month, I had the honor of representing Florida at the mid-winter conference of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C. We shared best practices among the states and territories and discussed the latest policies and procedures for providing earned benefits and services to our Nation’s Veterans and their families. Florida is extremely respected and a national leader in its outreach to Veterans, and we continue to explore ways to connect more Veterans and their families with federal and state services they have earned. State legislators this spring are considering key policy measures and finalizing a  constitutionally required balanced budget for the state. I’m confident our agency’s budget will be voted on favorably. Veteran-related legislation from the 2026 Florida Legislative Session is now set and awaits transmittal from the legislature to the governor’s office for action. You can follow pending Veteran-related legislation by visiting our website at https://floridavets.org and clicking on “2026 Veteran Legislation” in the rotating banner. 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’ll end by remembering the late Army Reserve Major Cody Khork, who was buried with full military honors at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on March 23. He was killed in an Iranian drone strike on a U.S. base in Kuwait earlier this month. I joined VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Samuel Brown at the cemetery in front of a capacity crowd to honor his life and pay respect to his family and friends. 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.

In recognition of National Medal of Honor Day on March 25, FDVA is launching a 30-day naming campaign for the planned 120-bed Collier County State Veteran’s Nursing Home in Naples. Vote today to name the home after an eligible Florida Medal of Honor recipient. https://wkf.ms/3MDvkWN

Orlando VA Hospice & Palliative Medicine Team Receives National Circle of Life Award

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando VA Hospice and Palliative Team has been named a 2026 Circle of Life Award winner by the American Hospital Association recognizing the organization’s exceptional commitment to compassionate, Veteran-centered care of those facing serious illness. The award honors innovative programs that demonstrate excellence in caring for patients with serious illness and supporting their families. To read more, click here.

FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell provides welcoming remarks at the dedication ceremony of the First Amphibious Assault Memorial at Fisher Family Pier in Pompano Beach, March 14. The 20-foot, 17,000-pound monument stands as the only monument in the Continental United States dedicated to the Battle of Nassau — and the southernmost monument to any American Revolutionary event in the Continental U.S.

Residents at the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes use an interactive video projection system, March 3. The system, part of a donation from the Florida Veterans Foundation as part of their Operation Noble Endeavors initiative, is designed to enhance residents’ quality of life.

FDVA State Veterans' Service Officer Derrick Moore conducts an informative outreach event during “Coffee With Comrades” at Seagrass Village of Fleming Island, March 26. Attendees received valuable information on earned services and benefits, followed by a question-and-answer session to enhance understanding.

FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell recognizes retired Marine Corps Maj. Matt Murray during First Responders Appreciation Night at the Tampa Bay Lightning game against the Minnesota Wild on March 24, as featured on the Benchmark International Arena’s jumbotron. The Independence Fund presented Murray with an all-terrain Trackchair.

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.

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.

HereNOW Help is a free mental health platform for Florida Veterans, created in conjunction with the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs. It offers confidential support through 24/7 helplines, self-assessments, community features, and wellness resources. Veterans can download the app and enter access code 154026 to get started.

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/.