March 2023 Veterans' Resources Newsletter

Dear Neighbor,

Last month in Florida's Third Congressional District, our office presented our 2022 Veteran of the Year Award to Mr. Ansil Lewis during a small ceremony. Sergeant Major Lewis is a decorated hero and has been an active member of North Central Florida's veterans' community for many years. It was an honor to present this award to Mr. Lewis for his distinguished service.

Additionally, with March brings the United States Navy Reserves' Birthday! On March 3rd, 1915, the Navy Reserves was established in response to the outbreak of World War I. To all our Navy Reserve Sailors, thank you for all our do to defend our nation from the sea.

As always, we welcome your feedback about what you read here, and if there are any events or announcements you’d like to see featured, reach out to us by clicking here. You can also check our website for new updates on our Veterans' Services tab. And as always, if you’re a veteran in FL-03 in need of assistance with any veterans-related issues, please call our Gainesville office at 352-505-0838.

With all that’s happening this Congress, it is my greatest honor to represent you and hear from you about the issues that matter most. You can stay up to date with us here, on our website, and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

In Liberty,

Congresswoman Kat Cammack
Proudly Serving Florida’s Third Congressional District
 

Presenting 2022 Veteran Of The Year Award To Sergeant Major Ansil Lewis 

Last week in Florida's Third Congressional District, we presented our 2022 Veteran of the Year Award to Mr. Ansil Lewis. Sergeant Major Lewis serves as the president of the Veterans Council of Clay County and has been an active member of North Central Florida's veterans community for many years. It's always a special moment for us to thank one of our FL-03 heroes, and we hope you'll join us in honoring Mr. Ansil Lewis for his distinguished service.

You can watch a short video of the ceremony here.

Renewing Your Military Identification Card

The Defense Department issues identification cards to service members, their dependents and others to prove their identity and their connection to the DOD. These military ID cards are issued through Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System sites and give you access to military services and programs.

If your status changes in some way — you leave active duty, for example, or your card expires in the next 90 days — you'll need to have your ID reissued. Additionally, military retirees are required get the new military ID care by December 31, 2025.

To make an appointment at a specific military installation, click here or the button below.

VA Home Loans & Benefits

The VA helps servicemembers, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners. VA Home Loans are provided by private lenders, such as banks and mortgage companies. The VA guarantees a portion of the loan, enabling the lender to provide you with more favorable terms.

The VA may guarantee part of your loan for the purchase of a home, manufactured home, or condominium. In addition, veterans with conventional home loans now have options for refinancing to a VA guaranteed home loan as a result of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008. The VA also provides grants to veterans with certain permanent and total service-connected disabilities to help purchase or construct an adapted home, or modify an existing home to accommodate a disability.

You can learn more about VA home loans here or by clicking the button below.

Post-Secondary Tuition Fees For Florida Veterans

Florida waives out-of-state tuition and fees for all honorably discharged veterans who reside in the state and who are enrolled in Florida public, post-secondary institutions, through the "Congressman C.W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Act." The out-of-state tuition and fee waiver is extended to spouses and dependent children receiving educational assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and who reside in Florida while enrolled in Florida public, postsecondary institutions.

You can learn more tuition fees for veteran here or by clicking the button below.

Presumptive Disability Benefits For Veterans

The VA automatically presumes that certain disabilities were caused by military service. This is because of the unique circumstances of a specific veteran's military service. If a presumed condition is diagnosed in a veteran within a certain group, they can be awarded disability compensation. 

If you are diagnosed with a chronic disease within one year of active-duty release, you should apply for disability compensation. Examples of chronic disease include: arthritis, diabetes, or hypertension.

You can learn more about presumptive disability benefits here or by clicking the button below.

Compensation For Service-Connected Disabilities

Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to veterans who are determined by the VA to be disabled by an injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated during active military service. These disabilities are considered to be service connected. To be eligible for compensation, the veteran must have been separated or discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Monthly disability compensation varies with the degree of disability and the number of eligible dependents. Veterans with certain severe disabilities may be eligible for additional special monthly compensation (SMC). 

You can learn more about eligibility for service-connected disability compensation here or by clicking the button below.

National Guard Disaster Response In 2022

With approximately 450,000 members, the National Guard plays a role in every element of the National Defense Strategy, including defending the homeland. Over half of its members were involved in lifesaving natural disaster responses in 2022.

Throughout the year, 142,000 Guard members responded to wildfires across 19 states, 18,000 to floods across eight states, 12,000 to winter storms across 19 states, 1,700 to tornadoes and 1,000 to severe weather and volcanic activity.

You can learn more about the National Guard's disaster response in 2022 here or by clicking the button below.

Did You Know? Presidents Who Have Served In The U.S. Military

Did you know?—Of the 46 U.S. Presidents to date, 31 served in the U.S. military, and only 15 had no prior military service. The three presidents to hold the highest military ranks were: George Washington, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Ulysses S. Grant, respectively. President Teddy Roosevelt earned the Medal of Honor, the highest honor in the military. The only enlisted president who didn't become an officer was James Buchanan. 

Learn more about our nation's veteran U.S. presidents here or by clicking the button below.

Upcoming Virtual Women Veterans Symposium

The VA will be hosting a Virtual Women Veterans Symposium on Thursday, March 9, 2023 from 1:00-4:00pm ET. This symposium will feature speakers who will provide information on benefits, services, and resources available for the women veteran population and those family members, caregivers, survivors, as well as individuals and organizations who support and advocate for them. 

The symposium will also educate and empower leaders from women centric organizations, non-profits, and community organizations with benefit and service knowledge that they can utilize to assist our nation's veterans.

You can learn more about upcoming event here or by clicking the button below.

Veterans' Services Tab On Rep. Cammack's Website

The Veterans' Services tab of Rep. Cammack's website has information on a wide variety of topics, including news from the VA, resources for veterans, and more. These pages are consistently updated so our FL-03 veterans have the most updated information. Additionally, should you need assistance with the VA, our team can help you by opening a case and contacting the VA on your behalf.