May 2026 Edition of the Forward March Veterans' Newsletter

Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs sent this bulletin at 05/22/2026 03:05 PM EDT

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www.FloridaVets.org

May 2026

Welcome to the May 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.

We observe Memorial Day on Monday. All Floridians will have the opportunity to honor the selfless service and sacrifice of those who preceded us so that we may retain the freedoms we cherish today. As you see the flag at half-staff on Monday morning, remember that freedom is not free. Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the annual Memorial Day in Florida proclamation, which you’ll find later in this edition.

Congratulations to the men and women of the Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans’ Domiciliary Home in Lake City on their 36th anniversary. The 150-bed assisted living facility under the leadership of Administrator Lucille Bowers is providing a community of loving care for our residents and I’m very appreciative.

State legislators are meeting this month in Special Session to finalize Florida’s budget for the coming fiscal year. In the budget are items to improve our agency’s operations and increase the quality of life for the residents in our State Veterans’ Homes. I’m very 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. Follow pending Veteran-related legislation by visiting our website at https://floridavets.org and clicking on “2026 Veteran Legislation” in the rotating banner.

On May 4, I had the honor of addressing County and State Veterans’ Service Officers at their spring training conference in Orlando. By Florida Statute, FDVA trains and annually accredits these Veterans who serve statewide as your direct link to earned services, benefits and support. Contact information for Veteran Service Officers is online at https://www.floridavets.org/locations/. You may also contact a State Veterans’ Service Officer by calling (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 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.

As we approach the Memorial Day weekend, I thank you for making Florida the most Veteran-friendly, appreciated, and sought after State in the Nation. Please share this newsletter with others. We are honored to serve you.

Memorial Day events planned at Florida National Cemeteries

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will host Memorial Day ceremonies this weekend at VA national cemeteries across the country, including Florida's nine national cemeteries. All events and parking are free of charge and open to the public, and will feature wreath-laying ceremonies, commemorative speeches, the playing of Taps, and other patriotic events to honor America’s interred service members.

All 157 VA National Cemeteries will be open throughout Memorial Day weekend. View the complete list of official VA National Cemetery Memorial Day events and visiting hours at a location near you.

Paul Kimbel, program director with the Florida Veterans Foundation, and FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell take questions from a capacity crowd at the Spring 2026 County Veteran Service Officer Training Conference, May 4, in Orlando.

FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell speaks with retired dentist Dr. Sol Brotman during the Florida Mission of Mercy Veterans Dental Event at the Prime Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville, May 14. Sponsored by the Florida Veterans Foundation, the event provided comprehensive no-cost dental care to more than 140 eligible Veterans.

FDVA Director of Legislative and Cabinet Affairs Roy Clark congratulates a graduate of Leon County's Veterans Treatment Court at the Leon County Courthouse, May 18.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation launched its "Steel Across America" tour earlier this month to commemorate 25 years since 9/11. A beam from the wreckage of Ground Zero arrived in Land O' Lakes on May 17, providing an unforgettable experience for visitors to the Let Us Do Good Village. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (left) and FDVA Executive Director James S. Hartsell applaud after listening to remarks from Lt. Gov. Jay Collins.

Residents and staff from the Alwyn C. Cashe State Veterans’ Nursing Home had the opportunity to attend Armed Forces Day at SeaWorld Orlando on May 16 and enjoy the Orca Encounter show. The special outing hosted by SeaWorld Orlando provided residents with an enjoyable experience and an opportunity to honor and celebrate our nation’s military community.

Veterans Florida was proud to sponsor the Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative Veteran Business Summit on May 14, in Orlando. The event brought together veteran entrepreneurs, industry leaders, investors, and community partners from across Central Florida for a day focused on innovation, collaboration and business growth. Veterans and military spouses had the opportunity to connect with valuable resources, gain insights from successful business owners, and build relationships that will help drive future success.

As Orlando continues to emerge as one of Florida’s premier markets for technology, defense, healthcare, aerospace, and entrepreneurship, the summit highlighted the tremendous impact veteran entrepreneurs are making across the region. Visit Veterans Florida to discover entrepreneur resources available to Florida’s Veterans, servicemembers, and military spouses, and to stay informed about upcoming events.

FDEM Calls on Floridians to Prepare Ahead of 2026 Hurricane Season

TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Division of Emergency Management is calling on Floridians to prepare ahead of hurricane season as the state recognizes May as Florida Hurricane Preparedness Month. The division highlights practical steps residents can take now to protect their families, pets and property, urging Floridians to be proactive and make a plan before a storm threatens. The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1 and continues through November 30 with peak activity typically occurring from mid-August through mid-October. For more information click here.

Orlando VA Expands Primary Care West and Women’s Clinic to Better Serve Female Veterans

ORLANDO, Fla. — Executive leadership at the Orlando VA Healthcare System announces the expansion of its Primary Care West and Women’s Clinic, a significant step forward in enhancing care for Central Florida’s growing population of Women Veterans. The new space welcomed its first patient on May 13. For more information, visit www.Orlando.va.gov.

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 offer various 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.