For 24/7 counsel, call the National Veteran Crisis Hotline at 988, Press 1. You may also call the Florida Veterans Support Line at 1-844-MyFLVet (1-844-693-5838) or dial 211.

News

Governor Scott Issues Proclamation for Patriot Day

September 11, 2015

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –  Governor Rick Scott issued the following proclamation recognizing September 11, as Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance, and directed the flags of the United States of America and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset, at all local and… READ MORE »


FDVA Field Services Outreach Schedule

August 28, 2015

FDVA Claims Examiners regularly attend events throughout the state to help veterans with questions about their earned benefits and assistance. Find out about the upcoming events that are going on from benefits presentations to town hall meetings across Florida and get your questions answered. Click here to download the latest schedule.  … READ MORE »


2015 Purple Heart Day Resolution

August 7, 2015

On August 7, 1782, General George Washington issued general orders for the Badge of Military Merit. Later, in 1932, the Badge of Military Merit was resurrected into the Purple Heart. Continuing the tradition of honoring those wounded in battle, Governor Rick Scott has signed the 2015 Purple Heart Day Resolution, honoring Florida’s Purple Heart… READ MORE »


Governor, Cabinet Sign 2015 Memorial Day Resolution

May 12, 2015

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet signed the state’s official Memorial Day Resolution during the May 5 Cabinet Meeting at the Capitol.  During the presentation, Governor Scott also remembered Florida’s Gold Star Families and the sacrifices their family members in uniform made to the perpetuation of American… READ MORE »


Florida is for Veterans, Inc. Brands as Veterans Florida

April 24, 2015

Florida is for Veterans, Inc. Brands as Veterans Florida ~ Organization starts to take shape ~ TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida is for Veterans, Inc. Executive Director, Bobby Carbonell, today announced the selection of Veterans Florida as the organization’s new brand name.  The board of directors voted unanimously to do business as… READ MORE »


Nominations Open for 2015 Class of the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame

April 3, 2015

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame Council is currently accepting nominations for the third annual class of inductees into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame.  The nomination period is open until May 30, 2015.  Anyone is permitted to nominate a military veteran. The Florida Legislature established the Florida… READ MORE »


Florida Honors Vietnam Veterans

March 27, 2015

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet have signed the annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Resolution, honoring the Sunshine State’s nearly 500,000 Vietnam Veterans.  More than 58,000 service members, including more than 1,900 from Florida, made the ultimate sacrifice during the war. One in three Veterans in Florida… READ MORE »


Governor Scott Proposes $7.4 million for Three New State Veterans Nursing Homes

January 27, 2015

ST. AUGUSTINE – Governor Rick Scott announced Jan. 26 proposed funding for three new state veterans nursing homes as part of the 2015-2016 “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget.  One of the new homes, the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home, has already been approved by the Florida Cabinet to be… READ MORE »


State Names New Veterans’ Nursing Home For St. Lucie County Medal of Honor Recipient

January 13, 2015

TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s newest state veterans’ nursing home will be named in honor of a Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War — Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County native Sergeant Ardie R. Copas.  The announcement was made at the Capitol during today’s Cabinet Meeting by Florida Department of… READ MORE »


2014 Battle of the Bulge Day Proclamation

December 10, 2014

Florida honors the servicemembers currently residing in the Sunshine State who were involved in the battle fought in eastern Belgium and northern Luxembourg during World War II between December 16, 1944 and January 25, 1945. Thank you for your service to our nation as we commemorate this day and honor… READ MORE »


2014 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Proclamation

December 5, 2014

Florida honors the servicemembers currently residing in the Sunshine State who were stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. Thank you for your service to our nation as we commemorate Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. View the proclamation here.… READ MORE »


Florida Issues Veterans Day Resolution

November 10, 2014

To commemorate Veterans Day in Florida, the Governor and Cabinet have signed a resolution honoring the Sunshine State’s more than 1.5 million veterans.  Thank you for your service. Click here to view the resolution.… READ MORE »


Governor Scott: November is Hire a Veteran Month

November 10, 2014

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Rick Scott has proclaimed November as Hire a Veteran Month in Florida. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), CareerSource Florida and the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs encourage businesses and community leaders to recognize the value of hiring veterans this month for their competent skills, education, leadership,… READ MORE »


Veterans Day Freebies

November 4, 2014

In honor of Veterans Day, businesses across the country are offering veterans discounts on November 11. Veterans and military personnel are generally required to show proof of his or her veteran or military status. Click here for a comprehensive list of offered discounts.… READ MORE »


Florida is for Veterans, Inc. Takes Inaugural First Step to Help Veterans

October 31, 2014

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida is for Veterans Board of Directors held their initial organizational meeting on Oct. 20 in the Florida Senate Office Building. Florida is for Veterans, Inc. was established by the legislature in 2014 as part of the Florida GI Bill to serve as an innovative corporation to… READ MORE »


St. Lucie County Chosen as Site of Seventh State Veterans’ Nursing Home

September 23, 2014

TALLAHASSEE – St. Lucie County will host the site of the next state veterans’ nursing home, following a unanimous vote in today’s Cabinet Meeting at the Capitol. The decision was made following a presentation on the site selection process by Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Executive Director Mike Prendergast. The… READ MORE »


National POW/MIA Recognition Day

September 15, 2014

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Rick Scott has signed the 2014 National POW/MIA Recognition Day proclamation honoring and remembering Florida’s brave men and women considered mission in action or prisoners of war and their families this September 19, 2014. More than 83,000 servicemembers remain unaccounted for from past conflicts.  Download the proclamation here.… READ MORE »


Gold Star Families Exhibit Art Work in Capital

September 5, 2014

TALLAHASSEE – The Gallery for Innovation and the Arts at the R.A. Gray Building is hosting a public exhibition of art work created by Florida Gold Star Families during the month of September.  The exhibition has been created by the mothers, fathers and spouses of active duty members who have… READ MORE »


Korean War Armistice Day

July 22, 2014

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Rick Scott has signed the 2014 Korean War Armistice Day Proclamation, commemorating the 61st anniversary of the signing of the cease-fire.  More than 7,800 American servicemembers remain missing from the war, which was fought from 1950-1953.  Download the Proclamation here.… READ MORE »


Second Annual Paychecks for Patriots Hiring Events to Take Place Statewide

July 15, 2014

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Rick Scott, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), and the Florida National Guard will partner July 16 with Dollar General and nearly 500 participating employers throughout the state to connect Florida’s veterans and… READ MORE »


Korean War Remembrance Day

June 25, 2014

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Rick Scott has signed the 2014 Korean War Remembrance Day Proclamation, honoring the Sunshine State’s Korean War veterans.  More than 294,000 Floridians were in uniform during the war from 1950-1953. Florida currently has more than 163,000 Korean War veterans. Download the Proclamation here. # # #… READ MORE »


Governor Scott Signs Legislation Honoring Florida Veterans

June 12, 2014

TALLAHASSEE — Governor Rick Scott has signed House Bill 559, which further honors and recognizes Florida’s veterans for their service and sacrifice.  House Bill 559 changes statutory references from the Korean Conflict to the Korean War and Vietnam Era to Vietnam War, a change requested by veterans to more accurately… READ MORE »


Governor Scott: It’s Your Money Tax Cut Budget Supports Florida Veterans

June 2, 2014

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Rick Scott today highlighted investments in the It’s Your Money Tax Cut Budget that support Florida veterans and their families. Governor Scott said, “The It’s Your Money Tax Cut Budget invests in critical programs and priorities important for Florida’s veterans and their families.  As the nation’s most… READ MORE »


FDVA Releases Veterans’ Home Site Selection Submittal List

May 15, 2014

LARGO, Fla. – The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs announces that six Florida counties have submitted site selection submittal packages for a seventh state veterans’ nursing home.  The counties are Marion, Putnam, Polk, Collier, Manatee and St. Lucie. Click here for attachment County Submissions for State Veterans Nursing Home The announcement was… READ MORE »


Gov. Scott Honors 137 Veterans with Governor’s Veterans Service Award

February 27, 2014

DAYTONA BEACH — Governor Rick Scott, joined by Brig. Gen. James O. Eifert, assistant Adjutant General of the Florida Air National Guard and Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Retired Army Col. Mike Prendergast, awarded 137 Florida veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Award on Feb. 25… READ MORE »


FDVA Releases 2014 Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guides

February 21, 2014

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs has released the 2014 edition of the Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide.  FDVA is the premier point of entry for Florida veterans to access earned services, benefits and support.  The 24-page guide, sponsored by the Florida Veterans Foundation, provides information about earned federal and… READ MORE »


VA Names Two New National Cemeteries in Florida

February 18, 2014

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced the names of two new VA national cemeteries planned in Florida – the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Scottsmoor and the Tallahassee National Cemetery in Tallahassee. “These two new cemeteries are a priority for the growing Veterans’ community in… READ MORE »


FDVA Executive Director Updates Governor and Cabinet on Recommendation to Build More State Veterans’ Nursing Homes

February 7, 2014

TAMPA – Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Executive Director Mike Prendergast briefed the Governor and Cabinet on the results of an independent study recommending the construction of additional veterans’ homes in Florida.  The presentation during the Feb. 6 Cabinet Meeting at the Florida State Fairgrounds discussed the formal process necessary… READ MORE »


Call for Nominations for 2014 Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame

January 28, 2014

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame Council is currently accepting nominations for the second annual class of inductees into the recently established Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame. The Florida Legislature established the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame in 2011 to honor and recognize military veterans for their post-military… READ MORE »


Gov. Scott Honors 142 Veterans with Governor’s Veterans Service Award

December 20, 2013

PANAMA CITY – Governor Rick Scott, joined by Adjutant General of Florida National Guard Major General Emmett R. Titshaw, Jr. and Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Retired Army Colonel Mike Prendergast, awarded 142 Florida veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Award for their service to Florida… READ MORE »


2013 Battle of the Bulge Day Proclamation

December 13, 2013

Florida honors the servicemembers currently residing in the Sunshine State who were involved in the battle fought in eastern Belgium and northern Luxembourg during World War II between December 16, 1944 and January 25, 1945. Thank you for your service to our nation as we commemorate this day and honor… READ MORE »


Fraud Alert!

November 25, 2013

FRAUD ALERT! Veterans should be aware of a scam targeting callers trying to reach the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Call Center or GI Bill Call Center. A marketing company has established two fraudulent numbers that differ from the two official VA call center numbers by one digit. If… READ MORE »


Governor Scott Honors Five Veterans Turned Teachers with Shine Awards

November 19, 2013

TALLAHASSEE – During today’s meeting of the Florida Cabinet, Governor Rick Scott recognized five educators who formerly served in various branches of the military with the Governor’s Shine Award for their service to our country and their contributions to Florida’s students. Governor Scott said, “It is an honor to thank… READ MORE »


Hire a Veteran Month

November 1, 2013

Governor Rick Scott has signed the 2013 Hire A Veteran Month proclamation for the Sunshine State. Veterans offer Florida businesses the benefits of competent skills, education, leadership, maturity and dedication. View the proclamation here:… READ MORE »