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March 21 - 22, 2025 | Daytona Beach, FL Florida Mission of Mercy (FLA-MOM)  is the state's largest dental clinic that provides dental care to any patient at no cost to them, with the goal of serving the under-served and uninsured in Florida - those who would otherwise go without care.

Presentation by Colonel Ben Findley, USAF-Retired December 14, 2024 Thank you Captain Newman, Buster, and my other Wreaths Across America friends. It is my privilege to be here today for this Wreaths Across America Ceremony and to lay wreaths here to honor our heroes. Thank you both for what you do. It has been 55 years since I volunteered for my 30 years of military service and took the Commissioning Oath: · to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign & domestic, and · to bear true faith & allegiance to the same. This Oath of Allegiance is more than a formality for commissioning or a promotion ceremony, it provides the foundation of our military and our nation as a whole... and our freedom. Those laid at rest here took that Oath and made the ultimate sacrifice to DEFEND OUR COUNTRY against all enemies, as they promised. Sadly, some of my friends and yours in arms took this Oath and sacrificed their lives for our great country and this Oath and our freedoms, like so many here did as well. If I could put today's ceremony in ONLY 3 WORDS, it would be REMEMBER, HONOR, and TEACH. Today, not only here in Pensacola, but all across our United States of America, we show national unity as we Remember the Fallen, Honor those Who Serve, and Teach our children and others The Value of Freedom. This is also the MISSION of Wreaths Across America TO: 1) Remember the FALLEN, 2) Honor those WHO SERVE, and 3) Teach the NEXT GENERATION the value of freedom. Like some of you, I have visited Newark, OH, Galveston, TX, Stillwater, OK, Prescott Valley, AZ, Ft. Pierce, FL, and even here in Pensacola. All of these cities have about 50,000 net civilian population. Can you imagine if each of these cities and their citizens were gone? What a terrible tragedy! Well here are some facts for you. There are well over 50,000 INTERMENTS of heroes on the 95+ ACRES here at Barrancas, including 4 MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS (one each from the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air force), about 700 UNION and CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS, the WIFE OF APACHE CHIEF GERONIMO from 1887, and several casualties from the Second Seminole War of 1835. Plus so many more brave men & women from many wars & conflicts. Here at Barrancas for this NATIONAL Wreaths Across America Day, we join the almost THREE MILLION VOLUNTEERS and SUPPORTERS who will gather today to Remember, Honor & Teach at about 5,000 participating locations, Cemeteries, and Memorials IN ALL 50 STATES, at sea & abroad. This program has been granted permission to place Wreaths at Normandy in France to honor those who died during World War II's D-Day invasion. We place Remembrance Wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes, in memory of those who served and serve in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, Reserve components, and servicemen and women whose last known status was as a prisoner of war or missing in action. THANK YOU for attending and participating in this honorable, respectful, and patriotic event. Quoting our 40TH UNITED STATES PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.” MOMENT OF SILENCE My fellow Americans, please join me in a MOMENT OF SILENCE to Remember the fallen, the prisoners of war, the missing in action, and to Honor those who have served and are serving our great nation’s armed services. THINK ABOUT THE MESSAGE A WREATH PROVIDES The traditional and simple message for a Wreath, like in a memorial ceremony, is: · May your HEART & SOUL FIND PEACE AND COMFORT, · May you REST IN PEACE & IN OUR LOVING MEMORY, and · GONE FROM OUR SIGHT, BUT NEVER FROM OUR HEARTS. FREEDOMS WE ENJOY COME WITH A PRICE The precious freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. Lying here before us and in cemeteries throughout our nation are men and women who GAVE THEIR LIVES SO THAT WE CAN ENJOY OUR LIBERTY, LIVE IN FREEDOM, and WITHOUT FEAR. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE: Such Simple Words, But so honorable and very meaningful. Many of you here are veterans of wars and conflicts that America has had to fight to protect the innocent and oppressed. America has always been the first nation to stand up for the freedom of people from around the world. Many of you here today have answered that call and served your country well. You have VOLUNTEERED TO REPRESENT ALL OF US and left loved ones for various periods of time for a greater good, our nation and its freedoms. We are here today to say “Thank You” and we are honored to know you. Such simple words, but they carry a grateful message and a deep meaning of honor and respect. When you see or meet a veteran or an active duty member of the armed services, take a moment to say "Thank You." I know myself as a retired military veteran that it means a lot to me. And the simple gesture of wearing an American Flag pin proudly communicates so much to veterans... the respect and honor to those who have served. Our heroes at rest here served under that flag with pride & honor. When I get a thanks, I always respond with "YOU ARE WORTH IT." Remember, that wreaths and flag pins are tangible symbols of gratitude, honor, and respect... and a visible public reminder of freedom and liberty for Americans. They recognize all military lives lost in defense of our national freedoms... and all those who NOW serve our country. They are real Americans with families, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, rather than just statistics. These heroes have and are VOLUNTARILY standing in your shoes to represent you. Let this ceremony remind us of the TRUE COST OF FREEDOM and how FOREVER FRAGILE it is... and inspire us to live in a way that honors the memory of these heroes and MAINTAINS OUR CONSTANT VIGILANCE and COMMITMENT to preserve it. I have been a member of the Sons of the American Revolution for 58 years and at every meeting we say the AMERICAN'S CREED: It is our duty to those heroes and to our country: 1) To Love it 2) To Support our Constitution 3) To Obey its Laws 4) To Respect our Flag, and 5) To Defend it against all Enemies. Let us never allow the memory of their service to fade and our commitment to waiver. To all those who attend today, volunteer their time, efforts and money to Wreaths Across America, its Mission, and all the Veterans' causes to help preserve the freedoms of our nation, WE AND OUR GRATEFUL NATION THANK YOU! AND SALUTE YOU! (Hand Salute rendered.) Dr. Ben Findley, Colonel, USAF- Ret Colonel Ben is a retired Colonel in the U.S. Air Force with 30 years of service, including experience as the Reserve Provost at Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, where he taught at Air War College and other schools there. He is the author of the first Air Force Supervisor's Course at Air University. As a Psychological Operations Staff Officer with HQ, U.S. Special Operations Command, Ben wrote the Department of Defense book "Psychological Operations," used by all military departments. Colonel Ben received a teaching excellence award as a PSYOP instructor at the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School at Hurlburt Field, FL. Ben was selected by Florida's Governor and Cabinet for the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame in 2023. He was awarded the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Outstanding Counselor award for Academy liaison officers where he served as Deputy Commander for NW FL & AL. He was also awarded the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Tallman Outstanding Leadership/Service Award & the Department of Defense's Legion of Merit medal. He is a Vietnam Era, Persian Gulf War Era, Somalia, Bosnia, and Kosov War Era veteran. Ben helps veterans by serving on the FL Department of Veterans Affairs' Ambassador Council, the Florida Veterans Foundation Board, the FL Veterans' Hall of Fame Society Board as President, the Sons of the American Revolution Pensacola Chapter as President, the Veterans Memorial Park, Pensacola, Board- 2023, and other veterans' organizations. Ben's doctorate degree is in Business and Education. He taught financial and human resources management, serving as Dean of the College of Business and Professor of Management at the University of Sarasota. He retired from Pensacola State College FL where he served as Dean of the School of Business, Human Resources Director, & Director of Legal Affairs & Risk Management.

FLA-MOM is a first come, first served clinic.  We can ONLY take pre-registration appointments for the Veterans Dental Event (Veterans’ First Initiative) during the afternoon of Thursday, May 30, 2024 beginning at 2pm.  Veterans can register via the QR code listed on the Save the Date Veterans Dental Clinic Flyer, or by calling 800-877-9922.  Patients at the Veterans’ First Initiative will arrive at their appointment time and begin the registration process at the clinic but they will NOT receive treatment at this appointment.  The appointment will allow the veteran to complete all necessary paperwork and visit with the following departments: Medical triage Radiology Dental triage Routing – a dental treatment will be presented at this time Veterans will need to return at 6:30am on Friday, May 31 to begin treatment. If a veteran is not able to attend the Veterans’ First Initiative during the afternoon of May 30, they may still receive dental treatment at the clinic, but they will need to arrive with the general public and will be seen on a first come, first served basis on Friday, May 30 and Saturday, June 1.  The clinic doors will open at 7am on May 30 and June 1.  The clinic will treat patients until capacity is met.  Patients are encouraged to arrive early and plan on being at the clinic for several hours.  Complete information can be found at www.FLAMOM.org  Patients are encouraged to click on the blue “Patients FAQs” button.  Additional information can be obtained by calling 800-877-9922.

Meet the Florida Veterans' Foundation's Military Legislators of 2023 to 2024. Meet the Military Veteran Legislators 2023 – 2024 Florida Legislature Series The FVF is proud to honor the military veterans serving in the 2023 Florida Legislature by kicking off the “Meet the Military Veteran Legislators 2023-2024 Florida Legislature Series.” We welcome the members of the 2023-2024 Legislature who have or are currently serving in the United State Military. We are especially gratified that six members are currently serving in uniform as Reservists or members of the Florida National Guard. We encourage you to share this background so that Floridians know the military heritage that exists in the Legislature and how some legislators are serving their country in two ways, by being a legislator and a service member. Bryan Av ila Florida Army National Guard, Currently Serving First Lieutenant READ BIO Danny Alvarez BIO COMING SOON READ BIO Dean Black United States Air Force 125th Fighter Wing, Florida Air National Guard READ BIO Danny Burgess Florida Army National Guard Currently Serving Captain READ BIO Joseph A. Casello United States Airforc e Noncommissioned Of fi cer READ BIO Jarrid "Jay" Collins United States Army Special Forces READ BIO Wyman Duggan United States Marine Corps Commissioned Office r READ BIO Lisa Dunkley United States Army Veteran READ BIO Mike Giallombardo Florida Army National Guard, Currently Serving Warrant Officer READ BIO John Albert BIO COMING SOON READ BIO Jeff Holcomb United States Navy Reserve, 2006-Present Lieutenant READ BIO Bill Conerly BIO COMING SOON READ BIO Thomas Patterson "Pat" Maney United States Army Brigadier General READ BIO Fiona McFarland United States Navy Reserve Lieutenant, Drilling Reservist READ BIO Yvette Bennarroch BIO COMING SOON READ BIO Tom Keen United States Navy Naval Flight Officer READ BIO Michelle Salzman United States Army Specialist READ BIO David Smith United States Marine Corps (Retired) Colonel READ BIO John Snyder United States Marine Corps Corporal READ BIO Keith Truenow United States Air Force Airman READ BIO

To serve, support, and advocate for Florida veterans to improve their quality of Life! The Florida Veterans Foundation serves as the statewide lead organization for Florida veterans and their families by providing direct services and partnering with state and local governments, veteran service organizations, and educational institutions to improve their physical, financial, mental, emotional, and social well-being. About Florida Veterans Foundatio n Misson Statement To serve, support, and advocate for Florida veterans to improve their quality of Life! The Florida Veterans Foundation serves as the statewide lead organization for Florida veterans and their families by providing direct services and partnering with state and local governments, veteran service organizations, and educational institutions to improve their physical, financial, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Supports the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs’ mission of advocacy; and, advocates for Florida veterans through local and statewide outreach to educate the public and governmental entities, increasing awareness on veteran-related issues. CODE OF ETHICS TEAMWORK The Florida Veterans Foundation team is one of the hardest working veteran advocate teams in the state of Florida. We are composed of a volunteer Chairman and Board of Directors. The majority of the Foundation Directors are retired, military disabled veterans who donate over 40 hours per week of their time to assist and help guide Florida’s veterans through a myriad of issues veterans face today. Whether it’s access to healthcare, education, jobs, VA benefits or the like, our Directors are here to help. Several Directors are trained Veteran Service Officers who know the extent, the meaning and the application of laws that have been passed by Congress in the interests of veterans and their dependents. Our Directors know the rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Veterans Affairs to clarify and implement those laws. Chief Operating Officer – Raymond Miller USMC Veteran Latest News 2025 Florida Mission of Mercy Dental Stand Down | Daytona Beach, FL Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Barrancas National Cemetery Save The Date: 2024 Florida Mission of Mercy Dental Stand Down FINANCIALS The Florida Veterans Foundation was founded in 2008 by the Florida Legislature and is supported by individual and corporate donations, grants, fundraisers and direct public support to help us faithfully execute our mission of providing emergency and support services and programs for Veterans and their families across the state of Florida. VIEW REPORTS FLORIDA VETERANS FOUNDATION, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Email: fvf@fdva.fl.gov Phone: 850-782-4305

The Florida Veterans Foundation serves as the statewide lead organization for Florida Veterans and their families by providing direct services and partnering with state and local governments, veteran service organizations, and educational institutions to improve their overall well-being. ABOUT OUR FOUNDATION Our team at the Florida Veterans Foundation is passionate about serving Florida Veterans and their families. We are committed to the mission, and all funds received are used to support our five initiatives to serve our Veteran community. Veteran Assistance Information Volunteer Now Gadsden Flag License Plate Honor A Veteran VA Pension Aid & Attenda nce Veteran's Crisis Care Network Fraud Prevention & Registry Veterans' Initiatives NO FLORIDA VETERAN LEFT BEHIND Interested in learning the history of the Gadsden flag and its significance to our Veterans? Check out Colonel Ben Findley's USA Carry article: "The "Don't Tread on Me" Gadsden Flag: Supports Freedom, Liberty, and Our Veterans". CLICK HERE I'M A VETERAN If you're a Florida Veteran in need of financial assistance, please reach out to your Florida Department of Veterans Affairs county office. CLICK HERE HELP A VETERAN If you want to partner with FVF to help our Florida Veterans, click below to get involved. I WANT TO HELP HELP OUR HEROES Help the Florida Veterans Foundation mission of “No Florida Veteran Left Behind” By donating now! Your contribution will help fund the Florida Veteran’s Foundation’s mission to educate and bring public awareness to support Pre and Post 911 Veterans through our initiatives that will help Florida Veterans in need. Honor someone you may know or make a donation on behalf of someone! DONATE