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!

Homes for Our Troops volunteers building Utah vet a new home

Charity organization, volunteers building Utah vet a new home
May 5th, 2009
By Jed Boal
HERRIMAN -- U.S. soldiers wounded in war often face big challenges in recovery, but one Iraq War veteran in Utah is starting the next chapter of his life with the help of the community.

Specialist Bryant Jacobs can hardly believe what's happening in his life. "Words can't describe it. It's just an amazing feeling," he said.

A Build Brigade is underway in Herriman to build Jacobs his very first home, at no cost. "I have somewhere to call home. I'm not running. I don't have to worry about my lease coming up," he said.

Jacobs showed us around amid the clamor of construction. Homes for our Troops, a national nonprofit organization, is leading the charge. In three days, volunteers and professional builders will frame the home; install windows, doors and a roof; and build in special features for the injured veteran.
go here for more
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=6387242

Billy Joel's Christmas in Fallujah sales to be donated to Home For Our Troops

Net proceeds generated from downloads of "Christmas in Fallujah" will be donated to Home for Our Troops, a nonprofit that builds specially adapted homes for severely disabled veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Billy Joel in Iraq State of Mind
by Josh Grossberg
Fri, 7 Dec 2007 12:29:43 PM PST

Billy Joel took on the Vietnam War in "Goodnight Saigon." Now the Piano Man has emerged from semiretirement to tackle Iraq.

Sort of.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's latest single, "Christmas in Fallujah," premiered Tuesday on iTunes Dec. 4.

But not only is the track pianoless, it's also devoid of Joel's vocals. Instead, the pop legend has passed singing duties to Cass Dillon, a 21-year-old upstart singer-songwriter from his native Long Island.

On his Website, Joel said the song was inspired by letters he received from soldiers who have taken solace in his tunes during their tours in the war-torn country. He combined their sentiments with his own impressions of the battle.

"We came with the crusaders to save the Holy Land," goes one verse. "It's Christmas in Fallujah, and no one gives a damn."

click post title for the rest

I used his song "Goodnight Saigon" for my video Nam Nights Of PTSD Still because it was such a powerful reminder of what the Vietnam veterans went through. They are still fighting a battle against the enemy in their minds. As with all wars, some came home fine, but others came home with Vietnam hitching a ride. With all the focus on the newest generation of warriors, we cannot forget the Vietnam veterans in any of this, or any combat veteran. The Vietnam vets paved the way for what has been done with PTSD so far and we have a very long way to go. They reach back to make sure no one has to battle any of this on their own and to make sure no one comes home feeling alone the way they did. To me, the Vietnam veterans are the greatest generation.
You can watch the video on the right side of the blog or go here
Nam Nights Of PTSD Still
9 min - Nov 17, 2007
PTSD Still...Vietnam Vets are being pushed to the back of the line with the new veterans needing so much help. We need to help all of
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3981582536481542706

Brevard County Vets taking on the wounds of PTSD

Our view: Helping our heroes

Improved federal benefits mixed with state proposal can aid Florida vets

The latest numbers on Iraq and Afghanistan veterans needing help for mental-health problems show how extensive the crisis has become:


Mental illness -- including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, and drug and alcohol dependency -- is now the second biggest injury for which new vets seek treatment with the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to USA Today.


Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans seeking treatment for PTSD jumped by 20,000, or almost 70 percent, in the 12 months ending June 30, the VA reported.


Total mental health cases among those war vets rose from 63,767 on June 30, 2006 to 100,580 a year later, a 58 percent jump.

Those figures don't reflect thousands of other new vets treated at storefront VA centers around the country, or active-duty personnel already diagnosed with PTSD.

PTSD sufferers, along with other wounded troops, can require lengthy and costly aid -- more than overwhelmed federal and state agencies can currently provide.
click post title for the rest

This piece also said that the Brevard county veterans have teamed up with Massachusetts based Home For Our Troops to help a serverly wounded veteran. This is what is best about our veterans. They continue to serve their brothers and sisters!