With more than 1.6 million veterans living in the Sunshine State, there will be a lot of ceremonies honoring them across Florida on Thursday as the nation celebrates Veterans Day.
Political junkies may want to focus on Jacksonville -- no surprise since the city remains, in many ways, a Navy town, shaped by NAS Jax and Mayport. Incoming Gov. Rick Scott, a Navy vet himself, will be marching in the veterans parade in Jacksonville --while his fellow Republican, retiring U.S. Sen. George LeMiuex, will serve as grand marshal of the parade.
On Veterans Day, we honor the brave men and women who have served our country near and far, protecting our freedom and security, said LeMieux on Wednesday. Florida is home to more than 1 million veterans, and across the state and the nation, communities will gather to honor the men and women who have committed themselves to this nation by answering the call to duty.
I encourage every American to take a moment to thank those who have worn our nations uniform, added LeMieux. Let us not forget their commitment, as well as remember that the freedom we so greatly cherish was granted to us by those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, those recovering from grievous wounds and those who continue to fight to keep us free. As we pay tribute to our veterans, let us not forget their families and loved ones that stand with them. On Veterans Day, let us also remember those service men and women who are currently fighting for our freedom. Their absence is not forgotten on this Veterans Day, and we continue to pray for their safe return.
Scott and LeMieux are not the only Florida Republicans honoring veterans on the First Coast.
A week after winning his sixth term in Congress last week, Republican U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, a member of the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, held an event at the Navy base at Mayport honoring 145 veterans last week.
Nov. 11 was designated to not only honor the World War I peace agreement, but to pay tribute to all veterans who have stood watch and fought for the preservation of freedom and independence, said Crenshaw on Wednesday. I stand in awe of all of their selfless dedication to the task at hand on behalf of our country.
The story of Americas fight to win and protect its independence through the decades is the story of extraordinary men and women, who have fought with intensity, determination, and perseverance, added Crenshaw. Their service and their stories are woven into the fabric of our history and the history of other nations that they have aided in the struggle for independence.
During the darkest periods for many countries, the American soldier shouldered much of the responsibility for protecting efforts to achieve democracy, noted Crenshaw before reflecting on current events. Today, in Afghanistan and Iraq, Americas finest are helping these countries fight against extremists who promise terror. And, they remind the world of the peace that comes after the storm.
Florida politicians unveiled a new program on Wednesday to help veterans utilize their benefits. More than a week after losing the gubernatorial race to Scott, state CFO Alex Sink announced a new program to better connect veterans in Florida to the benefits they are entitled to.
The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA) has information on only 700,000 veterans in the state -- something Sink hopes will change with the new program.
At the Capitol on Wednesday morning, Sink talked about Florida Vets Connect which will let Floridians identify their veteran status when they apply or renew their driver licenses. The information willthen be passed on to the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA) which will keep the veterans informed of their benefits.
Sink said that the new program was set up in July and has already helped almost 30,000 veterans across the Sunshine State at no cost to the taxpayers.
The success of this initiative is a testament to the commitment of our state to honor our veterans with the benefits that theyve earned, said Sink. Every day of the year, but especially on the eve of Veterans Day, its important to recognize the sacrifice of our veterans and their families.
I commend CFO Sink and her team for the idea and for facilitating implementation of 'Florida Vets Connect,' said Julie Jones, the executive director of the state Department of Highway and Safety Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) which will gather the information. The initiative uses the departments existing resources to help more veterans gain access to benefits they have earned through their military service, and DHSMV is proud to partner with FDVA.
The government officials stressed the important role played by the late Admiral LeRoy Collins Jr. in creating the program. Collins, son of Gov. LeRoy Collins, was killed in an accident earlier in the year.
We also acknowledge the superb efforts of the late LeRoy Collins Jr. in implementing this worthwhile initiative, said Bob Milligan, interim executive director of the FDVA.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
