Supporting Florida’s Veterans

Several cities assist local heroes and their families

by Kelli Gemmer, Florida League of Cities

Cities, towns and villages across Florida are committed to supporting, engaging and advocating for our nation’s veterans and families. The unemployment and homelessness rate for veterans had been declining nationally, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought record unemployment rates across every community. In response, several Florida cities have taken additional steps to specifically help Florida’s veterans and their families during these challenging times.

More than 1.5 million veterans live in Florida, making up 12% of the state’s adult population. With the third-largest population of veterans in the nation, veterans and their families are an important part of Florida and the cities they call home.

PORT ST. LUCIE DONATES HOME

The City of Port St. Lucie partnered with Synergy Homes and St. Lucie County Veterans Services to build and donate a single-family home to a local veteran or Gold Star Family, relatives of military members who have died in the line of duty.

Heintz with Synergy Homes representatives and youngest son, Dominik, at the lottery drawing.

The Gold Star/Veterans Home Giveaway was approved by the City Council after the city developed the plan and gained a commitment from Synergy Homes to lead the construction project. The home was built on a lot of land donated by the city. The construction kickoff event took place in December for the 1,800-square-foot home valued at $265,000.

The St. Lucie County Veterans Services helped advertise and co-select the recipient based on qualifying criteria and applications. Earlier this year, a random drawing took place live on the city’s Facebook page announcing the Gold Star Family that won the home giveaway.

Port St. Lucie Gold Star/Veterans Home Giveaway Winner Lisa Heintz holds a photo of her late son, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Joshua Allen Reinwasser.

The family received the keys to the home along with a payment-free, 25-year forgivable mortgage at a ceremony. During the ceremony, the Port St. Lucie Police Department’s traffic unit conducted a dignified transfer of remains for the veteran and his surviving family beginning at the family’s current residence and arriving at their new home. In the yard stood a flagpole waving the U.S. Air Force flag and the American flag, a welcome home gift donated by Councilman David Pickett.

Addressing the family at the keys ceremony outside the new home, Mayor Gregory J. Oravec said that while many may not have known the veteran personally, the City of Port St. Lucie will always remember him and support the family. “I am incredibly grateful to be part of a city council, city organization and community that strives to honor its heroes with not just words but with actions,” he said. To view the keys ceremony, visit bit.ly/3bCHmKz.

Port St. Lucie City Manager Russ Blackburn speaks at the Keys to Home ceremony.

Photo courtesy of City of Port St. Lucie

JACKSONVILLE HOLDS HOMELESS VETERANS EVENT

The City of Jacksonville’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department held its 18th annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down event earlier this year at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds. This two-day event provided access to services, resources and opportunities to veterans in need.

The event began with the Homeless Veterans Job Fair and Support Services Day, which provided homeless and atrisk veterans with information on employment, shelter and housing as well as medical and dental screenings. It concluded with the Homeless Veterans Stand Down. Named after the military term that describes returning from war and concentrating on personal matters, the present-day Stand Down provides homeless veterans with the same opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being. The Military Affairs and Veterans Department staff and volunteers provided free food, clothing and hygiene kits to nearly 100 veterans. Mayor Lenny Curry said, “Jacksonville is a proud military community, and this is just one of many annual events that demonstrates our steadfast commitment to, and gratitude for, the men and women who serve or have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.”

Graphic courtesy of City of Jacksonville

ORLANDO HELPS FEED VETERANS

The City of Orlando helped feed hundreds of veterans in a fall event. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and his Veterans Advisory Council volunteered with Orlando’s Soldiers’ Angels to honor the city’s veterans and support those who are struggling during the pandemic. Soldiers’ Angels is a global network of volunteers that provides aid and food assistance to the military, veterans and their families.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we made the difficult decision to cancel the city’s annual Veterans Day parade last year. However, we felt it was crucial to honor and recognize Orlando’s veterans and active military and decided to focus on a service project, to not only recognize veterans but also help provide needed support and supplies,” said Dyer. “I am grateful we were able to partner with Soldiers’ Angels in feeding 300 veteran families.”

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and his Veterans Advisory Council volunteered with Soldiers’ Angels to feed 300 veteran families in need.

Photo courtesy of City of Orlando

Each family received 75 pounds of groceries that were distributed by appointment through a contactless drive-thru. The city also donated $4,000 that would have been used to administer the annual Veterans Day Parade directly to Soldiers’ Angels. This donation helped ensure that each family would receive a Thanksgiving turkey in addition to the nonperishable items, dairy items, fresh meat and produce.

DUNEDIN BECOMES HIDDEN HEROES CITY

Earlier this year, the City of Dunedin became the fifth Hidden Heroes City in Florida, joining a network of more than 160 communities nationwide committed to identifying, supporting and empowering local military and veteran caregivers. Dunedin joins the cities of Gainesville, Jacksonville, St. Petersburg and Winter Springs in having this designation.

The Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties program was established in 2016 by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to inspire participation in a resolution passed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors encouraging cities to increase resources for military and veteran caregivers. Through this program, cities joined participating communities across the nation to streamline services and share best practices for addressing the needs of caregivers at a local level.

The City of Dunedin’s Parks and Recreation Director Vince Gizzi, left, and U.S. Military Veterans Advisory Committee Chair the Rev. Robert Swick, right, with Jennifer Henius, the citizen who brought the initiative to the committee at a City Commission meeting.

Photo courtesy of City of Dunedin

Commissioner John Tornga said, “It’s such a salute to not only our country but to how we perceive and how we wish to take care of our veterans and their caregivers.”

Municipalities interested in becoming a Hidden Heroes City can visit bit.ly/3bGJ0uF for more information.

Kelli Gemmer is the assistant editor for the Florida League of Cities.

FLORIDA CITIES RECOGNIZED FOR SUPPORTING VETERANS

Several Florida cities recently ranked among the best cities for veterans to live in, according to a report compiled by WalletHub. The 2020 report compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across key indicators of livability, affordability and veteran-friendliness. Florida cities ranked in the top half with the City of Orlando at No. 1, the City of Tampa at No. 3, the City of Jacksonville at No. 14, the City of St. Petersburg at No. 16 and the City of Hialeah at No. 38.

NATIONAL INVEST IN VETERANS WEEK

Earlier this year, the Village of Palmetto Bay recognized National Invest in Veterans Week to support veterans and veteran-owned businesses. The village highlighted a retired U.S. Marines colonel who has been a Palmetto Bay resident and veteran business owner for 50 years by sharing a spotlight of the citizen through email and social media.