Veterans and Military Retirees

Recent Events

At the midpoint of this year’s Session of Congress, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with an update on some of my activities both in Washington and Florida on behalf of veterans and in support of veterans’ issues. 

Over Memorial Day, I was honored to participate in a number of local events.  My Memorial Day started at Heroes Park in Palm Coast where I was pleased to join Palm Coast Mayor Netts and others honoring veterans and their families—especially those service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

The Palm Coast event was followed by recognition of veterans at the Flagler County Administration Building.  I also joined another group for a larger gathering at Veterans’ Memorial Park in Sanford.  Unfortunately, many events on Memorial Day are planned which limits the number of veterans commemorations in which I can participate.  However, it was an honor to speak at several tributes this year in Flagler and Seminole Counties.  This year’s Memorial Day concluded with a special get together with some Central Florida veterans’ leaders including Florida American Legion Department Adjutant Emeritus Dyke Shannon and other distinguished veterans.  I am always impressed by the dedication of our veteran leaders to our country, and nationally our dedication to our military.

What Is Being Done to Improve Veterans Health Care?

In our current FY2009, the VA will receive $72.9 billion in funding which represents an $8.2 billion increase over last year.  In addition to this funding, the stimulus will provide the VA an additional $1.4 billion for programs, grants and projects to serve our deserving veterans.  This additional support is intended to give a needed boost to veterans care programs, both for our older veterans and our newly returning heroes. 

In Congress, progress is being made on the 2010 Veterans Administration appropriations bill.  For the coming year, the House of Representatives recently approved $77.9 billion for the VA’s FY2010 budget.  While this funding must still be agreed to by the Senate, the VA will most likely receive another substantial increase in funding.

There are several important new developments for our Florida Veterans relating to medical services.

Lake Nona Orlando VA Medical Center:

One of the most important projects for our Central Florida Veterans is the progress being made on the new Lake Nona Orlando VA Medical Center.  On May 8th, the VA advertised the first bid package for the new facility.  This is an important milestone for the projected Fall 2012 opening of this 134-inpatient bed, 120-bed community living center and 60-bed residential rehabilitation medical center.  Additionally, a yet undetermined portion of the stimulus funding will be used to fund the construction of this facility.

The new VA medical center will be located in the area known as “Medical City”, surrounded by the new University of Central Florida Medical School, the Burnham Institute for Medical Research and Nemours Children’s Hospital.  With over 2,100 employees serving an estimated 113,000 veterans annually, the new Orlando VA Medical Center will set a new benchmark in veteran health care.  We are all eager to see this facility completed, and please know that I will continue to do all within my power to make sure this project remains on track.

Veterans Transportation Launched:

Just as important as the larger VA medical facilities serving our area, are the smaller VA clinics that provide day-to-day treatment to our vets.  Last year, the VA made the decision to relocate the small and sparsely staffed Sanford Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) to Orange City.  While this relocation added and improved services for our veterans, the relocation left some veterans without transportation to the new facility.  With this inconvenience, particularly to some who require frequent treatment, I was pleased to work with LYNX, Seminole County veterans organizations and other local leaders to help bring about new transportation service for veterans who needed transportation to the Orange City clinic.

Veterans can now call for ride assistance or take LYNX bus (Link 46 or Link 34) to the Central Florida Regional Hospital, 1401 West Volusia Boulevard, Sanford, where they will then be met by a VA van to be transported to the new clinic.  To contact the Orange City VA clinic for more information on this transportation service or for general information, please call (386) 456-2080.  With the van provided by Lynx and volunteer drivers, we hope to expand future service for North Seminole and Southwest Volusia County veterans. 

Future Putnam County Clinic:

I am also pleased that the VA is still committed to opening a veterans clinic in Putnam County to serve the estimated 10,000 veterans in that area.  The search for a suitable facility of approximately 10,000 square-feet is underway to provide veterans with examinations, basic diagnostic work-up and ongoing management of their diseases, illnesses and medical conditions.  Veterans medical services will include care for hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and mental health needs.

While the VA has experienced some difficulties locating an adequate location, we are closely working with the VA, County and City officials and local business leaders to site and build this important medical facility as soon as possible.  A request for proposals has been issued by the VA and the VA staff will conduct a market survey of properties offered for lease.  Interested offerors (owners, brokers, or their legal representatives) should submit two (2) copies of specific information concerning their properties to Todd Pappas by mail, fax, or e-mail no later than 4:00 p.m. EDT on August 14, 2009, at the following address: Department of Veterans Affairs, Contracting(90F), ATTN:Todd Pappas, 1601 SW Archer Rd Gainesville, FL 32608 Telephone:352-374-6007 FAX:352-374-6117 E-Mail: todd.pappas@va.gov.

Homeless Veterans:

A national issue receiving additional federal and local attention is the problem of homeless vets.  I firmly believe that we must reach out to homeless veterans in our community and am pleased that the VA is sponsoring an event for homeless veterans in our area in the month ahead.  The Homeless Stand Down event will be held in Orange County on September 26th. 

These events offer medical care, VA benefits, tax assisted dental care, showers, clothing, employment, haircuts, food and shelter information.  There will also be transportation to and from both locations.  Be assured that I am working to expand this programs and provide similar services throughout the District.  If you would like further details regarding transportation to the event and the services that will be offered, please contact Heather Gallager of the VA at (321) 397-6614. 

Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home:

As our veteran population ages, we are reminded of the importance of adequate nursing home facilities.  Our district will have the privilege of hosting two veterans’ nursing homes.  The Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home was opened in 1993 and proudly serves our expanding veterans population.  This 120-bed facility is located at 1920 Mason Avenue, Daytona Beach and can be reached by phone at (386) 274-3460.

St. Johns County Cyde E. Lassen Veterans Nursing Home:

It has been an honor to work with VA, state and local leaders to insure the completion of the Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home in St. Augustine.  Construction is well underway and the walls of this new 95,508 square-foot facility are up and ready for trusses.  The Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home is due to be completed in the summer of next year with the first residents moving in Fall of 2010. 

Jacksonville National Veterans Cemetery:

Progress also continues on facilities at the Jacksonville National Veterans Cemetery.  This solemn resting place serving our North Florida and South Georgia veterans is located north of the Jacksonville International Airport and approximately five miles from Interstate 295 at 3461 Lannie Road in Jacksonville. 

We broke ground on this important project on September 21, 2008, and the first phase of the 526-acre Jacksonville National Cemetery is open.  As of July 15, 2009, 786 veterans have been laid to rest in this hallowed ground.  Phase 1B is planned to start construction in September.  This phase will include renovations on existing facilities throughout the cemetery, an administration and public information center, a maintenance complex, a flag assembly area, a memorial walkway, two committal service shelters, as well as a columbarium.  For additional information on this facility, you may contact the cemetery at (904) 766-5222 or visit their website at http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/jacksonville.asp.

Working with U.S. Representative Ander Crenshaw, Chairman of the Jacksonville National Cemetery Advisory Committee Dan Hughes and state and local officials, we hope to improve vehicular access to the Jacksonville National Veterans Cemetery.  In legislation recently passed by the House of Representatives, the Federal Highway Administration will receive $800,000 to determine how to establish alternate access to the new Jacksonville National Cemetery.