June 2026 Edition of the Forward March Veterans' Newsletter

Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs sent this bulletin at 06/24/2026 04:10 PM EDT

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www.FloridaVets.org

June 2026

Welcome to the June 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.

With the end of the legislative session, our agency’s annual budget is on the Governor’s desk for review prior to the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. We’ll follow up with more on our budget in next month’s edition. I'm confident our agency's budget will be one to be proud of. I commend the Governor and Legislature for their steadfast commitment to the health and wellbeing of our State’s Veterans.

I had the honor of leading Florida’s 10-member delegation to San Antonio, Texas, earlier this month for the inaugural Military Veteran Transition Academy, hosted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and SAMHSA. We joined delegates from Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas in focusing on the challenges transitioning service members and their families face while adjusting to civilian life. Our continuing goal is to address many of the hurdles standing in the way of a seamless transition, such as employment, health care and affordable housing. Many of the delegates will meet again in Tallahassee next month to continue the dialogue.

We observed Women Veterans Recognition Day in Florida on June 12. Governor DeSantis established the day to commemorate the anniversary of the 1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which opened military careers to women. I salute FDVA State Women Veterans’ Coordinator Vanessa Thomas and her team for hosting a well-attended three-day summit in Tampa, June 5-7, featuring Women Veterans from throughout the state. I was honored to address the delegates and appreciate their invitation. Similar events were conducted throughout Florida to celebrate the Sunshine State’s more than 172,000 Women Veterans. I appreciate all who supported those efforts.

Florida had the honor of hosting the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. 89th National Convention in Tampa. I was honored to address the delegates from around the country on June 18 and visit with many familiar faces from our state who represented their loved ones at this event. Honor our Gold Star Families and never forget the service and sacrifice of their loved ones.

I also had the opportunity to speak in Orlando with delegates at the State conferences of the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans. Connecting Veterans with earned benefits and services is a common theme, and these organizations are among the best at supporting our Veterans and their families. I appreciate their invitations to address their delegations.

I ask you to honor our State’s more than 36,400 Korean War Veterans on June 25 as we commemorate Korean War Remembrance Day in Florida, the 76th anniversary of the invasion of South Korea by North Korea. More than 100 Floridians remain unaccounted for from that war, and we honor and remember their service to our Nation.

If you seek no-cost counseling regarding Veterans’ issues, please contact one of our State Veterans’ Service Officers ‎at (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 Hope Navigators today at HopeNavigators@fdva.fl.gov or call (833) GET-HOPE.

You can also 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 close this month’s newsletter by wishing all U.S. Army soldiers, past and present, a very happy 251st birthday. We salute you for your selfless service to our Nation.

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. We are honored to serve you.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the 120-bed Collier County State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Naples is scheduled for July 10 at 10 a.m. The $114 million skilled nursing facility will feature an on-site Adult Day Health Care center, outpatient therapy and a community wellness center. Construction of the 115,000 square foot hardened facility is scheduled to take approximately two years.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 199 into law on June 11. The legislation, which strengthens Florida’s robust network of Veterans Treatment Courts, gives judges greater authority to place eligible Veterans and servicemembers into treatment-focused court programs. The law goes into effect July 1, 2026.

FDVA Chief of Staff Al Carter addresses delegates at the Military Veteran Transition Academy in San Antonio, Texas, June 3. The two-day national conference, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, focused on the experiences of service members transitioning from active duty to civilian life and steps to make the transition experience less stressful for all involved. Florida was one of six states invited to send delegates in this first-ever academy.

Delegates from the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs pose for a photograph in front of the Gold Star Family Memorial at the Hillsborough County Veterans Memorial Park in Tampa, June 17. The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs hosted NASDVA leaders from the southeast United States for two days to share best practices and receive updates on Veterans’ issues at both the federal and state levels.

Retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James S. Hartsell, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, addresses a capacity crowd at the Marion County America 250 Gala in Ocala, June 20. Proceeds from the evening are targeted to local Veteran organizations and initiatives serving those who have served our nation.

Participants of the 2026 Florida Statewide Women Veterans’ Summit pause for a group photograph during their Tampa gathering, June 5. The two-day summit provided valuable information on earned services, benefits, and resources available to Women Veterans. Organizers, led by FDVA State Women Veterans’ Coordinator Vanessa Thomas, appreciated everyone who contributed to the event and to the continued support of Florida’s 172,000 Women Veterans. Click here https://womenveterans.floridavets.org.

FDVA Deputy Executive Director D.J. Reyes met with residents and staff of the Clifford C. Sims State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Pamana City, June 11. While touring the 120-bed skilled nursing facility, he recognized Admissions Intake and Activities team members with an FDVA Challenge Coin in appreciation of their outstanding service and unwavering commitment to Florida’s Veterans.

FDVA State Veterans’ Service Officer Joseph C. Wilkerson assists a delegate at the annual American Legion Department of Florida Conference in Orlando, June 6. During the conference, Wilkerson helped Veterans file disability claims and appeals, answered questions regarding earned benefits, and provided information about available federal and state programs and services.

Veterans Florida team members supported the 11th Annual Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Veterans Recognition Day in Tallahassee, June 12. The event recognized the service and sacrifice of Veterans and featured Florida Lieutenant Governor and retired U.S. Army Green Beret Jay Collins, upper left, as the keynote speaker. Martin Tripp was recognized for completing his Veterans Florida SkillBridge internship with the Florida Highway Patrol, highlighting the program’s role in helping transitioning service members gain civilian work experience and career opportunities in Florida.

There is a new scam targeting Veterans. The latest tactic involves sending fraudulent postcards claiming you (or your spouse) are entitled to “extra VA benefits” or additional payments, including CHAMPVA, TRICARE, and dental coverage, regardless of a VA disability rating. Don’t fall for it. To read more, click here.

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.

The Mac Parkman Foundation is sponsoring the 3rd Annual International Repetitive Brain Trauma Summit in Tampa, Sept. 16-17. The summit convenes leading researchers, clinicians, policymakers, Veteran advocates, youth sports leaders, and families working to address the long-term consequences of repetitive brain injury. Keynote Speaker is retired Army Gen. Bryan P. Fenton, former commanding officer of U.S. Special Operations Command. Register at https://subconcussivesummit.com/.

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.