|
Welcome to the April 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.
This is National Volunteer Month. I appreciate the many volunteers, many of whom are former service members, who dedicate countless hours to selflessly serving Veterans at our State Veterans’ Homes. Sometimes our volunteers constitute the only primary source of social interaction for our elderly residents. They are making a difference, and we appreciate their time and effort.
Congratulations to the men and women of the Alexander “Sandy” Nininger State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Pembroke Pines on their 25th anniversary. The 120-bed skilled nursing facility under the leadership of Administrator Larry Militello is providing a community of loving care for our residents and I’m very appreciative.
The residents and staff of the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Port Charlotte also observed their 22nd anniversary this month. We appreciate Administrator Jocelyn Wurster and her team for providing loving care to her residents.
State legislators will meet May 12-29 to finalize the state of Florida’s budget for the coming fiscal year. In the proposed budget are items to improve our agency’s operations and increase the quality of life for the residents in our network of State Veterans’ Homes. I’m confident our agency’s budget will be voted on favorably. In addition, Veteran-related legislation from the 2026 Florida Legislative Session is 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 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.
|
 TAMPA, Fla. - Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 249 on April 2, redesignating Florida’s official state flagship as the S.S. American Victory, replacing the schooner Western Union. The S.S. American Victory, built in 1945, delivered supplies to U.S. forces in World War II and continued service through the Korean and Vietnam Wars. It is permanently docked in Tampa as a museum and memorial.
|
|
|
TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 246 into law April 10, directing the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to establish eight new specialty license plates, including those honoring the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy. The new law takes effect Oct. 1, 2026.
FDVA Deputy Executive Director DJ Reyes and staff from the Alwyn C. Cashe State Veterans’ Nursing Home honor World War II Veterans Theodore Trousdale (left) and Hector Feliciano (right) at their Orlando Veterans’ Home, April 4.
|
|
|
FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell poses with Women Veterans Ignited CEO and Founder Dee Quaranta and COO Courtney Griffin in front of their Jacksonville location on April 10. The organization provides critical services to women who have served in uniform. There are more than 172,000 Women Veterans in the state of Florida.
Dream Flights on April 16 provided Veterans’ Home residents in the Tampa area with 15-minute thank you flights in a restored World War II-era Boeing Stearman biplane. Among those who participated were John Dzierzynski, 80, an Air Force Sergeant, and Jose Torres, 82, an Army Purple Heart recipient, from the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes. The experience offers Veterans a meaningful and uplifting opportunity, reminding them that some of life’s most memorable moments can still lie ahead.
 FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell addresses a capacity crowd at The Vanguard concert venue for the 5th Annual High School Enlistee Recognition Ceremony in Orlando, April 22. The event was sponsored by Our Community Salutes, a national, non-profit organization helping communities recognize, honor and support high school seniors who plan to enlist in the U.S. Armed Services after graduation.
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Steve Murray, Communications and External Affairs Director for the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs since 2006, has been selected by The News Service of Florida as one of Florida’s 50 Over 50 leaders for 2026, honoring his significant contributions to the Sunshine State.
Todd Jefferson, storekeeper at the 120-bed Alwyn C. Cashe State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Orlando, is excited to receive a pallet of Girl Scout cookies for residents and staff. The assorted cookies were donated by Mark Van Trees, Director of Support the Troops, a nonprofit organization based in Wesley Chapel that ships care packages to military personnel serving overseas and returning from deployment.
 |
|
FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell joins 100-year-old Arthur J. Fuxan Jr., following his appearance as the national anthem guest prior to Game 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs in Tampa, April 21. Fuxan, who served as a Private First Class in the Army Air Corps during World War II, is a resident of the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes. The Tampa Bay Lightning went on to defeat the Montreal Canadiens, 3-2.
|
Operation Senior Shield is a free alert system committed to keeping Floridians alert, informed and secure. The free alert system, launched by Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Michelle Branham, provides real-time updates on scams like calls, texts, emails, and in-person schemes, and shows how to safeguard your information. For more information, click here.
|
FDVA State Veterans’ Service Officer Gloria Myers (left), poses with Tina Schafer of the American Legion (right), while supporting Veterans participating in the Southeast Florida Honor Flight on April 11 at Palm Beach International Airport. |
|
 |
BAY PINES, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced the appointment of David J. VanMeter as the new executive director of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, which serves approximately 111,000 Veterans annually and has an operating budget of more than $1.5 billion. More than 5,100 employees provide services at nine sites of care, including a level 1A complexity medical center in Bay Pines, and eight community-based clinics located in Bradenton, Lee County, North Pinellas, Naples, Port Charlotte, Sarasota, Sebring, and St. Petersburg.
Did you know? The Florida Veterans Foundation is donating $15,000 to each of Florida’s Honor Flights to help support the cost of flying World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War Veterans on a same-day flight at no expense to Washington, D.C. to see the various memorials built in their honor. Here’s the April 20 check presentation to Collier-Lee Honor Flight.
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.
HR-2571, Controlled Ketamine Therapy for Veterans, sponsored by Representative Daniel Alvarez, was approved in Florida’s FY 2025–2026 budget. The program’s primary purpose is to provide treatment and collect outcomes data that help validate the effectiveness of ketamine therapy for veterans experiencing traumatic brain injuries (TBI), mental health conditions, and substance use challenges who have not benefited from other treatment modalities.
Untreated repetitive blast exposure (RBE) and service-related head trauma remain major, but often under-recognized, contributors to mental health decline and suicide risk among Florida veterans. Too often, brain injury screening and evidence-informed treatment modalities are not consistently integrated into traditional behavioral health care. This initiative helps address that gap by screening veterans, enrolling appropriate candidates into treatment, and referring others to additional care options when indicated.
Reported outcomes after six treatment sessions (4–6 weeks) include: Nightmares decreased by 30%, Concentration improved by 50%, Anger and mood swings decreased by 35%, Emotional withdrawal decreased by 50%,Sleep disruption decreased by 60%,
The broader impact on Florida veterans has included: improved family relationships, Increased employment stability, Reduced emotional volatility, Greater engagement in daily life, Stronger protection against suicide risk.
Veterans interested in participating are encouraged to enroll by visiting The Mac Parkman Foundation website: https://www.mpfact.org/veteran-brain-health/florida-impact.
|
|
|
|
|
