April 2023 Veterans' Resources Newsletter

Dear Neighbor,

Last month in Florida's Third Congressional District, our team came together to discuss our veterans' experiences and concerns over the past year. While many of these concerns are legislative in nature, we remain committed to supporting our veteran community in a variety of ways. Just recently, I was proud to honor one of our heroes from Florida's Third, Major General James O. Eifert, Adjutant General of Florida at Camp Blanding. 

Additionally, on March 25th, we honored our FL-03 Medal of Honor recipients on Medal of Honor Day. The Medal of Honor is the highest military award given to the most courageous servicemen and servicewomen in the United States. Please join me in thanking these men and women for their sincere valor and dedication to serving our great nation.

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 Major General James Eifert With Flag In Honor Of His Service To Florida 

Last month, I was proud to honor one of our heroes from Florida's Third, Major General James O. Eifert, Adjutant General of Florida at Camp Blanding. For over 40 years, General Eifert has served our nation dutifully and has been the recipient of numerous awards for his continued leadership for the Sunshine State and the U.S. I presented him with a flag flown over the Capitol in honor of his distinguished service as he leaves his Florida National Guard post this spring. 

Upcoming Service Academy Day For Prospective Applicants

We're hosting an information day for prospective applicants interested in attending one of our nation's service academies! If you know a high school student or recent high school graduate who is interested in attending West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, or Merchant Marine Academy, this event is a great opportunity for them to speak with representatives from each of the five academies and learn more about the nomination process.

To RSVP to this event, email Dorothy Richardson at Dorothy.Richardson@mail.house.gov. You can learn more here or by clicking the button below.

Recognizing National Medal Of Honor Day

On March 25th, we honored our FL-03 Medal of Honor recipients on Medal of Honor Day. The Medal of Honor is awarded only to U.S. military personnel by the President of the United States in the name of Congress for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.

There are three versions of the Medal of Honor: one for the Army, one for the Navy, and one for the Air Force; Personnel of the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard receive the Navy version. Since its creation, 3,468 Medals of Honor have been awarded to the country's soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and coastguardsmen.

You can learn more about the Medal of Honor here or the button below.

Did You Know? Famous American Vietnam Vets

Of the nearly one million Americans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War era (1964-75), many were or went on to become famous in diverse fields such as politics, entertainment, sports, and journalism.

The young Navy pilot John McCain, son of a four-star admiral, spent five-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam before going on to become a longtime U.S. Senator from Arizona and a Republican presidential candidate. Oliver Stone, who served in an infantry division in Vietnam for 15 months, drew on his experience in the war for films like Platoon (1986) and Born on the Fourth of July (1989), both of which earned him Academy Awards for Best Director. These men are just two of the most famous American veterans of the Vietnam War.

You can learn more about famous American Vietnam veterans here or by clicking the button below.

How Are Pension Benefits & Disability Compensation Different?

How are pension benefits and disability compensation different? These VA benefits have different eligibility requirements and criteria for determining payment amounts.

Pension benefits are for veterans who served during wartime. Eligibility is based on financial need. 

Disability compensation is for veterans with service-connected disabilities who served during wartime, peacetime, or both. 

You can learn more about eligibility for pension benefits and disability compensation here or by clicking the button below.

VBA Annual Benefits Report 2022

The Annual Benefits Report (ABR) summarizes the benefit programs delivered by VBA, identifies the current level of program participation, and profiles the beneficiaries. The report is intended to accomplish the following:

• Present a clear and data-driven picture of how veterans and their dependents use these benefits, and;
• Provide insights into the nature of the benefit programs.

You can read the VBA Annual Benefits Report for Fiscal Year 2022 here or by clicking the button below.

Meeting With The VFW Department Of Florida

Last month, I met with representatives from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department of Florida to discuss legislation relating to military and veterans issues. The Florida VFW represents 80,000+ veterans from all branches of the military in 160 Posts across all 67 counties in the state. I spoke with Commander Ronald Mills and Eric King, Director of Legislative Affairs, who serve our FL-03 veterans.

I will always support our men and women in uniform, and I’m grateful to the VFW for all they do to serve our nation's heroes.

VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center

The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center is a service of the VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8) - providing 24/7, virtual care and support to Veterans enrolled for VA Health Care in Florida, South Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Veterans who receive care in the network can call 1-877-741-3400 around the clock to get their health questions or concerns answered from the comfort and convenience of their home, or wherever they may be.

You can learn more about the VA Sunshine Healthcare Network here or by clicking the button below.

The Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park

The Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park is in the center of Ocala and serves as a lasting memorial to all veterans who served, fought, and died for our freedoms. The structure is comprised of more than 5,000 bricks, 200 benches, and 100 plaques, allowing visitors to appreciate the history of our veterans. The park is staffed with a group of volunteers, many of whom are veterans and share first-hand recollections of the wars they fought.

The memorial park was rededicated in 2005 and continues to be a treasure to our FL-03 community. It features a Medal of Honor monument, a presidential monument, and war memorabilia. 

You can learn more about the park 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.