New Veterans Bill in Florida May Put Us At Number Two

About the Orlando VA Medical Center

The Orlando VA Medical Center, serving an area of more than 90,000 veteran patients in East Central Florida, is one of seven members of the VISN 8 Healthcare System. The Orlando VA Medical Center includes the Orlando VA Medical Center, the Community Living Center, the Residential Rehabilitation Program, the Viera Outpatient Clinic, the Daytona Outpatient Clinic, and four Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Clermont, Kissimmee, Leesburg, and Orange City.

The East Central Florida veteran population is slated for a new hospital in 2014. This much needed facility will make it easier for east central Florida veterans to access VA’s world-class medical center and relieve the burden of traveling long distances for their inpatient care.

As for right here in Central Florida

Central Florida is home to nearly 400,000 veterans, 90,000 of whom are seen at the current Orlando VA Medical Center every year. Comprised of a Nursing Home Care Unit, the Domiciliary and Rehabilitation Program, the Viera and Daytona outpatient clinics, and three Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Leesburg, Kissimmee, and Sanford, the VA Center provides a wide range of services to veterans throughout the region.

With new veterans bill, Florida aims to be 'most military-friendly state'
By Scott Travis
(Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Sun Sentinel
Published: May 10, 2014

Florida is determined to be on the front lines when it comes to recruiting more veterans to the state.

This year, the state legislature passed the "Florida G.I. Bill," which "makes Florida the most military-friendly state in the nation and supports the brave men and women who protect us at home and abroad," Senate President Don Gaetz said.

Among its provisions, the bill:

Guarantees honorably discharged veterans in-state college tuition, even if they have lived here less than a year.

Pumps about $22 million into initiatives that benefit the military and veterans, including funding to buy land near military installations to give them buffer zones and money to renovate Florida National Guard armories.

Provides funding for deployed National Guard members to receive a four-year bachelor's degree through online courses.

Expands which veterans get preference in public employment to include members of the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves and the Florida National Guard.

Waives fees for professional licenses for 60 months after honorable discharge, up from the current 24 months.

Creates "Florida Is for Veterans, Inc.," a nonprofit to promote Florida as the place for veterans to live.

Authorizes the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs to sell memorial bricks that will be used for a Florida Veterans' Walk of Honor and Memorial Garden in Tallahassee.
read more here

Florida has the third largest veterans population in the country. There is always something for veterans to do here and that is a wonderful thing considering only 7% of the general population belong to the military family.

Today I am heading out to the Orlando Nam Knights Clubhouse for a huge fundraiser.

Nam Knights of America and Semper Fidelis of America 3rd Annual Fund Raising Dinner – Sat May 10 – A 3 course dinner professionally catered by Le Cordon Bleu with live music. $100 per couple. 1451 N. County Rd 13, Orlando/Bithlo, 32820. (East side) Proceeds go to Homes For Our Troops – this year for USMC Sgt Anthony McDaniel www.nkorlando.org and www.semperfidelisamerica.org

Here is just a sample of what else is going on right here in Central Florida for veterans this month.

Florida also has one of the largest veterans reunions in Melbourne. This is the Vietnam Memorial Wall Escort.
It looks like if this bill does what lawmakers think it will, Florida should take the number two spot for veterans in the nation!