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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.

Saturday, February 24, 2024 8:00 a.m. | Lake Leon Pavilion at Tom Brown Park Proceeds benefit the Florida Veterans Foundation. Join Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez for the Race for Our Heroes 5K on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. EST at Tom Brown Park. Start and Finish Line Activities will take place at the Lake Leon Playground Pavilion in Tom Brown Park (off Conner Boulevard). Bring the family and your four-legged friends to run, walk or ruck with us and help honor Florida's military Veterans, first responders and their K-9s! Registration Pre-registration closes Friday, February 23, at 5:59 p.m. EST The first 100 registrants are guaranteed a T-shirt. - $25: Pre-registration with T-shirt (First 100 registrants are guaranteed shirt) - $35: Onsite Registration Challenge Coins will be awarded to the top three male/female runners, walkers, ruckers and K-9s. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Florida Veterans Foundation, which serves Florida Veterans and their families.

​​ The Veterans Day event held for Point Brittany V:eterans was the first official event for this retirement community. They are an association but have not received their full certification so they are operating under the Lakewood Ranch Association of Veteran and Military Supporters charter. There are roughly between 60-70 Veterans living within this community from WWII era thru Vietnam era Veterans. We presented eight medals during the ceremony: 2 Korean War Vets; 1 WWII Vet; and 5 Vietnam Vets. Their names are: Airmen 1st Class Michael Bonavia, Captain John Davison, Seaman 3rd Class Fonseca, Staff Sgt Robert Francis, Dr. John Lanigan, Seaman 1st Class Schwartz, 1LT John Stoeffler, and Airman Bill Thompson. I presented 14 coins to Veterans that were from conflicts after the Vietnam War after the formal ceremony. Also gave a coin to Ms. Rebecca Westfall and her husband for their work on putting together this event and for their support to the Point Brittany Veterans. Sequence of events are below: 1. Wait for everyone to arrive & be seated. “Thank you everyone for coming to today’s event. We are grateful to have all of you here today to help celebrate the Veterans of Point Brittany. Can we have everyone silence their phones and stand for the posting of the colors & the National Anthem which will be sung today by Mr. Terri Orr.” 2. Color Guard march in prior to song. with military flags & stand at position of attention. Terri Orr will sing Nat’l Anthem. CG positions flags, goes to seats. 3. “Please take your seats. Thank Mr. Orr for singing one of the most patriotic songs in history.” 4. “And now I would like to introduce Rev. Margaret Rountree. She is the associate minister at St. Petersburg 1st United Methodist Church and studied at both the University of Florida and Emory University. She will be providing today’s invocation.” 5. Afterwards—"Thank you Rev. Margaret for being with us here today.” 6. “Our guest speaker today is here to talk about SERVICE and HONOR. Alfred (“Al”) Carter is Chief of Staff of the FL Dept of Veterans’ Affairs. He’s a Retired Army Colonel currently appointed as Agency CoS following his retirement of 28 years of military service. He served in U.S. Army command and leadership positions as a Military Police Officer with assignments in over 40 countries including combat tours in Qatar, Afghanistan and Iraq and received over 30 individual, joint and unit medals during his Army career. AL is married to LT. COL. (Retired) Marlené Carter who is sitting up front and they have two children. Thank you for being here today.” 7. Mr. Carter will begin subtext about the Veteran’s Medal and its significance. He will cue me to call members names to come to the front to be awarded. 8. “Now we would like to recognize the individuals who have served, etc. Will the following individuals please report to the stage? Airmen 1st Class Michael Bonavia, Captain John Davison, Seaman 3rd Class Fonseca, Staff SGT Robert Francis, Dr. John Lanigan, Seaman 1st Class Schwartz, 1LT John Stoneffler, and Airman Bill Thompson.” 9. Afterwards presentation, everyone claps. 10. “Gentleman, please remain standing as we want to recognize our other Point Brittany Veterans for their military service. Please stand as I call your name: Read from list. 11. After Vets stand: “Let’s give a hand to ALL THOSE STANDING who’ve made sacrifices to our country.” (Applause). 12. Please be seated as we watch A SHORT VIDEO RECOGNIZING THE VETERANS WHO HAVE STOOD HERE TODAY. (Dave turns off lights and plays video while music plays). 13. Lights on.

Representative Tommy Gregory United States Air Force Retired Lieutenant Colonel Representative Tommy Gregory is a native Floridian who served in the Air Force for 20 years and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retiring in 2014. He began his military career by earning a B.S. in Economics from the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he graduated with Military Distinction. He also deployed to Southwest Asia for Operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. Rep. Gregory received his J.D., with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law and served as a prosecutor for 14 in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps. His career included: Serving as staff judge advocate for the 48th Fighter Wing in England. He supervised a 35-person legal office; oversaw the provision of legal services to 15,000 personnel, the drafting of 6,000 estate planning documents, and prepared 3,500 tax returns; and managed the pre-trial advice, prosecution, and appellate review of 50 felony and 270 misdemeanor cases. Serving as a Senior Counsel for the Air Force Space Command legal office in Colorado, where he managed the daily operations of a 15-person office and oversaw the delivery of 4,200 legal opinions to a four-star commander and headquarters staff, as well as the review of all administrative law issues for ten legal offices around the country. ​ After retiring from the military, Rep. Gregory spent ten months doing missionary work in the Dominican Republic as his house was built in Sarasota. He then established a successful private law practice in Sarasota. He is currently with the Williams Parker Law Firm, where he focuses on litigation and advising clients, commanders, and senior leaders in high-profile, high-pressure situations. ​ The Representative has served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity Sarasota, St. Martha Catholic School, and the Sarasota Republican Club. His wife, Erica, is also an Air Force retired Lieutenant Colonel and a small business owner. They are raising three sons. ​ Rep. Gregory states, “I consider it a great honor to have served our country in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.” He goes on how his military career helps him in the Florida House, “During my career in the Air Force, I was taught and used a decision-making process called the OODA loop — OODA being an acronym for Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. This four-step approach to decision-making focuses on rapidly gathering information, putting it in the historical and current context, deciding appropriate actions, and then executing. It is a powerful tool for quickly zeroing in on the best answer to complicated questions and then repeating the steps as the situation changes. OODA can be applied outside the military.” Florida lawmakers are fortunate to have this military experience help shape policymaking in Tallahassee. << Back to Veteran Legislators

Feature a Veteran in an Upcoming PBS Film This once in a lifetime opportunity will honor a Veteran’s legacy in the new documentary A State at War: Florida During WWII, which will be cherished forever. 3 Donation Levels – your Veteran’s name in the film credits – your Veteran’s name in the film credits with rank, and branch of service or more – your Veteran’s name and photo in the film credits with their name, rank, branch, and years of service Donate Today, and we will include your Veteran’s Legacy in this historical and memorable film, and on the Florida Veterans Foundation Memorial webpage. Millions of people around the world will view the program on PBS stations and other venues in the years to come. Memorial recognition in the film is limited. Honor your Veteran’s legacy through Your donation and help to support Veterans in need through a variety of programs and services provided by the Florida Veterans Foundation. ​ The film is scheduled to be released on Veterans Day 2023 on PBS. $500 $1000 $2000 Preserve Your Veteran’s Legacy In This Historical Film Today 3 Donation Levels – your Veteran’s name in the film credits – your Veteran’s name in the film credits with rank, and branch of service or more – your Veteran’s name and photo in the film credits with their name, rank, branch, and years of service Note: Only a $2000 or more donation is granted a photo submission $500 $1000 $2000 Memorial Day Video Donation Form First name Last name Email Rank Service Organization Enter the amount you wish to pay: $ Donate Thank you for helping us make a difference! Memorial Video Photo Upload If you are donating a total of $2000 or more please upload your photo submission here:

Representative Bryan Avila Florida Army National Guard, Currently Serving First Lieutenant Representative Bryan Avila was born andraised in Hialeah, Florida. Bryan’s parents, Bryan and Rosa Maria came to the United States seeking freedom from Cuba’s communist regime. His parents instilled in him the same principles that allowed them to become proud homeowners and successful citizens in the U.S. ​ In April of 2016, Rep. Avila joined the Florida Army National Guard and is currently serving as a First Lieutenant. He distinguished himself by completing the Adjutant General Basic Officer Leader Course as an Honor Graduate and serving as a Human Resources Officer. He has earned a place on the Commandant’s List and is a Leadership Award Recipient. Additionally, he has, over his four years, earned the Army Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Florida Commendation Medal, Florida State Active Duty Ribbon, Florida Retention Ribbon, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. ​ Rep. Avila graduated from Miami Springs Senior High School in 2002. He has since earned an Associate of Arts degree from Miami Dade College, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Miami, and two Masters Degrees from Florida International University. He was an Adjunct Professor at Miami Dade College from 2009 until 2014. Since then, he has taught at Broward College. ​ First elected in 2014 to represent the district that includes Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Miami Springs, and Virginia Gardens, Rep. Avila has been a champion for veterans’ issues. He most recently sponsored a bill making it unlawful to use uniforms, medals, or insignia to misrepresent military service. During the 2019-2020 Legislative sessions, he chaired the powerful Ways & Means Committee and served on the Appropriations Committee and Gaming Control Subcommittee. In November, he was sworn in as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Florida House of Representatives. An editorial in the Miami Herald noted: “Bryan Avila is probably the only South Florida legislator who was unable to campaign, not because of COVID-19, but because he was deployed by the Florida National Guard to take part in the pandemic response effort.” << Back to Veteran Legislators