About Us
Mission Statement
Rules of Conduct
 
Name:
Pswd:
Remember Me
Register
 

Ask a Vet
Author: TriSec    Date: 11/15/2022 00:47:25

Good Morning.

We're still here in sunny Florida. Leaving the family compound about 1pm today and headed up to visit with Javi in the wilds of Disney World.

So what does this fine red state, with a fully-committed Republican governor have to say about the population of veterans here? Surely, it must be paradise!


Well, optimistically - there's a story here about what kind of support and services are available for those Florida veterans.


(The Center Square) – Calling Florida the “most veteran-friendly state,” Gov. Ron DeSantis says state agencies and partners are committed to caring for its 1.5 million veterans through a range of programs and resources. Throughout Military Family Appreciation Month, Attorney General Ashley Moody is also highlighting the state’s efforts to protect them from scams targeting those in the military.

“Florida’s veterans have made countless sacrifices to protect our freedoms, and in return we are working hard to ensure they have the resources and support they need to be successful and take care of their families,” DeSantis said. “My administration will continue to invest in our veterans in the same way that they made sacrifices to invest in the freedom of our nation.”

DeSantis, who was resoundingly reelected to his second term, is one of only seven governors who’s a U.S. veteran. Moody’s eldest son is serving in the U.S. Army.

Florida has the third largest veteran’s population behind California and Texas.

Retired Marine ?Corps Major General James ?Hartsell, who leads the state’s Department of Veteran’s Affairs, says Florida “offers unique benefits for its veterans,” including in-state tuition rates for veterans and their families, “several layers of property tax exemptions, expanded veterans’ preference, ?and extensive benefits, licensure and fee waivers for many activities and occupations.”

The state in the last few years has prioritized new and/or expanded programs to help active-duty service members and veterans.

One includes the Hometown Heroes Housing Program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time, income-qualified home buyers. It’s recently helped 581 active military, veterans or surviving spouses purchase a home, or 36% of all finalized loans administered through the program.

Through a separate program, DeSantis also recently awarded $1.5 million to provide transitional housing for Floridians and veterans recovering from substance abuse through the Recovery Housing Program.

A new initiative launched last year through the state Department of Education enables qualified veterans to obtain a temporary teaching certificate while they earn their bachelor’s degree. Veterans can apply to the program through a new website.

DeSantis also said the legislature would consider an expanded recruitment initiative next year to hire retired military veterans and first responders as teachers.

Another new program, Continue the Mission, launched by First Lady Casey DeSantis, recruits veterans and military spouses to be child protective investigators, mentors, and case managers. Since it launched in June 2022, dozens of job fairs have been held for veterans with more than 450 people applying to participate in the program.

“This initiative is an incredible opportunity to introduce our veterans, their spouses and retired law enforcement to the many rewarding career paths that are available to protect and serve Florida’s children,” the First Lady said in October when the program expanded. “We hope these opportunities provide a continued sense of purpose for those who have already done so much for our great communities, state and nation.”


Can it be true? It's Governor DeSantis after all. But the story does note that he's one of just 7 active governors with a child in the military. Perhaps there is something to that. After all, Republicans generally don't give a fuck about anything unless it personally affects them.

But I do presume the reality is much different. I did scrum around a bit looking for local veteran's news. It was just veteran's day after all, and the south Florida feeds are all full of "thank you for your service" and a lengthy list of discounts and free meals to 'honor' those who served.

But what happens in a week, or a month, when it's not VETERAN'S DAY and actual peoples usefulness as political props are diminished?
 

2 comments (Latest Comment: 11/15/2022 14:27:23 by Scoopster)
   Perma Link

Share This!

Furl it!
Spurl
NewsVine
Reddit
Technorati