Dear Neighbor,

To every veteran who answered the call to serve our country, thank you. Your courage and sacrifice helped protect the freedoms we cherish and made a lasting difference in the lives of so many. I am deeply grateful for your service and for the sacrifices your families made alongside you.

As a veteran, your thoughts and opinions matter. Your First Amendment rights include the freedom of speech and the right to petition your government, and I want you to use them with me. As your representative for Florida's 3rd Congressional District, I believe grassroots voices matter, especially those of the veterans who call our district home. When I consider legislation that affects you and your fellow veterans, I need to hear directly from you: the positive, the negative, and how you believe I should vote. Your feedback ensures that decisions are shaped by the people we represent, and it gives you a real hand in shaping the future for veterans.

You can record your opinion with my office online at cammack.house.gov, or by contacting any of our offices listed on the back page.

For the Republic,

Congresswoman Kat Cammack                                                                                Proudly Serving Florida's Third Congressional District

Service Academy Nominations

Uncle Sam is looking for highly motivated young men and women interested in one of our military service academies. The academies offer an academic program comparable to an Ivy League university, with an entirely different mission, lifestyle, and structure. Acceptance rates run near 10 percent, which makes admission as competitive as any top-tier university. Selection weighs academic excellence alongside leadership and physical fitness, and many applicants arrive with national academic honors already in hand.

If you know a young person looking for a first-rate education and a path to serve, a service academy may be exactly what they need to prepare for life's journey. Applications for a nomination through our office are due Thursday, October 15, 2026. For more information, visit cammack.house.gov and click the Service Academy Nominations link under the Students tab, or call Laura Miner at (352) 505-0838.

It was an especially meaningful experience for him, and he was deeply honored to be chosen as one of the veterans to participate in the laying of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Terry was well known and highly respected throughout the veteran community. His commitment to his fellow veterans, his compassion, and his friendship will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him. A celebration of life was held September 19 at the Korean Baptist Church of Gainesville. He will be truly missed.

Rest in Peace, Terry.
Your service, kindness, and legacy will never be forgotten.

Burn Pits Now Recognized as "Instrumentalities of War"

Veterans who were medically retired after burn-pit exposure may be entitled to a benefit they were previously denied.

On March 6, 2026, the U.S. Army settled Smoke et al. v. Driscoll, a class-action lawsuit brought by the National Veterans Legal Services Program in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The case was resolved by agreement, without a trial or verdict.

The Settlement: The Army agreed to settle the lawsuit rather than proceed to trial.

The Agreement: The Army agreed that open-air burn pits in combat zones qualify as "instrumentalities of war." That designation matters: under federal law, veterans medically retired for combat-related conditions are entitled to tax-free disability retirement pay. The Army had been denying that designation to veterans whose conditions were presumed to be caused by burn pits under the PACT Act. The Army has also agreed to review the records of other veterans previously denied under the old policy.

If you were medically retired for a condition linked to burn-pit exposure, talk with your accredited representative or a Veterans Service Organization about whether this settlement affects your retirement pay or your eligibility for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC).

No-Cost Dental Care for Florida Veterans

Last year, the Florida Veterans Foundation launched its statewide Veterans Dental Program, an initiative designed to expand access to dental care for veterans across Florida. The program delivers no-cost services to qualifying veterans, including routine exams, cleanings, fillings, and other necessary dental procedures.

The program addresses a real gap. Most veterans are not fully covered for dental care by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and this program was built for them.

For more information or to enroll, call (850) 782-4305 or email fvf@fdva.fl.gov.

Our office recently helped a district veteran whose dental claim was denied because his condition had been coded as mental health rather than dental. After review by VA Central Office, he is now receiving care. If you've hit a similar wall, contact us.

Skip the Phone Line:
Manage your VA Care Online

We hear it constantly: the phone system at the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System and its clinics is a source of steady frustration. The feedback is consistent, and it is a problem that needs fixing.

In the meantime, the VA has given you a way around it. You can manage your VA health care in the same place you manage your other VA benefits and services. Sign in at VA.gov to use My HealtheVet. Through the portal you can message your treatment team privately and receive a timely response, manage appointments and prescriptions, order medical supplies, and review, download, or print your medical records, including lab and test results.

We hope you find the portal faster and more effective than the phone.

Honor Flight Program

Honor Flight organizations provide veterans with the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., at no cost to visit the memorials dedicated to their military service. These trips are designed to provide veterans with recognition, gratitude, and, for many, the "Welcome Home" they so richly deserve. Earlier this year, veterans from Florida's Third Congressional District participated in this unforgettable experience through First Coast Honor Flight. The opportunity to stand before the memorials honoring their service, and the service of those who came before them, is an experience that leaves a lasting impression on every participant.

The next First Coast Honor Flight departs for Washington on October 3, and Congresswoman Cammack has written a letter for each veteran making the trip.

Veterans interested in applying for an Honor Flight or locating a departure location closer to home are encouraged to visit: https://www.honorflight.org/

Your Voice Matters

As a veteran, your First Amendment rights include freedom of speech and the right to petition your government. As your representative in Congress, I believe those voices should always be heard when decisions affecting veterans and their families are being made. The experiences you share with our office help ensure that legislation is informed by those who have firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing the veteran community.

Whether your experiences have been positive or negative, your feedback helps identify opportunities for improvement and ensures that veterans remain at the center of every discussion. I encourage you to continue sharing your thoughts, concerns, and recommendations through our official constituent contact page. Your voice matters, and together we can continue working to improve the programs and services our veterans have earned.

Share your feedback by contacting any of our offices listed below, or at: cammack.house.gov.

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