A compilation of Veterans Day messages from Florida’s elected officials and politicians —
Governor Rick Scott
As a Navy veteran myself, I am proud to honor our veterans by offering free entry to the best state park system in the nation. Our award-winning state parks offer countless of opportunities for families and friends to enjoy Florida’s natural treasures. This Veterans Day, I encourage all Florida residents and visitors to visit a state park and to recognize our military heroes for their selfless sacrifices.
In celebration of Veterans Day, several parks are hosting special events this weekend:
— Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is hosting Honoring Veterans: Past, Present and Future on Nov. 11, 2017.
— Highlands Hammock State Park is hosting the 32nd Annual Civilian Conservation Corps Festival on Nov. 11, 2017.
— Fort Clinch State Park is hosting History of the American Soldier on Nov. 11, 2017.
— The Barnacle Historic State Park is hosting The Barnacle Under Moonlight Concert on Nov. 11, 2017.
Gubernatorial candidate and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum:
Veterans Day is a day to recognize and honor our nation’s veterans. There are over 1.5 million veterans living here in Florida and the sacrifices they’ve made in order to protect us and our families deserve more thanks than we’ll ever be able to give them. It is on all of us to ensure that the brave men and women who serve in our military come home to a grateful nation and have the support and resources they need.
In 2012, Tallahassee became the first Capital Purple Heart City in the nation. From offering veterans free transportation to and from the VA Clinic, to honoring our Purple Heart recipients every year, I’ve been proud to continue and build on our City’s commitment to our veterans.
And, as Governor, I will continue to do that by ensuring physical and mental health care and job-training opportunities are available for all of our veterans. So, while today is set aside as a special day to honor and recognize all of the sacrifices that veterans made for us, we must continue to fight to make every day like Veterans Day.
Gubernatorial candidate and former Congresswoman Gwen Graham:
As governor, I will welcome and support all those who have served in uniform. I will fight for affordable housing for our veterans and support the state's veteran nursing homes which care for the greatest generation. #VeteransDay https://t.co/E6wZiVtPRp
— Gwen Graham (@GwenGraham) November 10, 2017
Gubernatorial candidate and Miami Beach Mayor Phillip Levine:
https://twitter.com/MayorLevine/status/928980834467672065
Gubernatorial candidate and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam:
Thank you to all those who have served to protect this great country. Please mention a veteran to show them they are appreciated. pic.twitter.com/qIAJm1C5PQ
— Adam Putnam (@adamputnam) November 9, 2017
State Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto:
On this Veterans Day, I urge my fellow Floridians to take a moment to express gratitude to the brave men and women who are serving or have served in the United States Armed Forces. Whether veterans of wartime or of peacetime, those drafted or who volunteered, those who have fallen or those with us today, these American heroes have selflessly put the welfare of our nation above their own.
The Legislature has continued to work hard to make sure veterans in Florida receive the respect, services, and gratitude they so richly deserve. We are committed to continuing Florida’s tradition as the ‘Welcome Home’ state for veterans and their families.
Please join me in thanking our service men and women, as well as their families, for the sacrifices they have made in responding to the call of duty, protecting us from threats to our freedom, and defending our liberty.
State Sen. René Garcia:
Honoring our military veterans who have served faithfully to protect the freedoms we so greatly enjoy. Your invaluable contributions towards maintaining our national security is immensely appreciated, thank you. #VeteransDay pic.twitter.com/LUa4634oVU
— René García (@SenReneGarcia) November 10, 2017
State Sen. Debbie Mayfield:
I hope you will find time this weekend to attend a #VeteransDay celebration and reflect on the service and sacrifice of our veterans. For a list of events happening in our district follow this link: https://t.co/GmHaExjEF9 or look at Sunday's #MayfieldMinute.
— Debbie Mayfield (@debbie_mayfield) November 10, 2017
State Sen. Keith Perry:
Thank you to the men and women who fight, and have fought, for our freedom. Thank you for your service! pic.twitter.com/djsfx7uKCZ
— Keith Perry (@KeithPerryFL) November 10, 2017
State Rep. Cord Byrd:
https://twitter.com/CordByrd/status/928984921489670146
State Rep. Bob Cortes:
Recognizing our vets today and always. As a proud father of 2 brave men serving our country @usairforce @USNavy thank you all for your svc pic.twitter.com/PWQwI21kJf
— Bob Cortes (@CortesBob) November 10, 2017
State Rep. Nicholas Duran:
Thanks to all who have served pic.twitter.com/JCfkaoPlJm
— Nicholas X. Duran (@DuranForFlorida) November 10, 2017
State Rep. Jason Fischer:
Happy #VeteransDay2017! Thank you to all who have bravely served our country. pic.twitter.com/orohkR9Sgw
— Rep. Jason Fischer (@JasonFischerFL) November 10, 2017
State Rep. Manny Diaz Jr.:
Today we honor and say “Thank you” to all of our Veterans! #VeteransDay2017 pic.twitter.com/vuMsqSAPRk
— Manny Diaz Jr. (@SenMannyDiazJr) November 10, 2017
State Rep. Dane Eagle:
On Saturday we celebrate the legacy of men and women who have sacrificed so much in service to America. They are the veterans of America’s armed forces. They have granted us our liberty and continue to do so. These great men and women – our sons, our daughters, our mothers and fathers – have fought for our country with a fearless mindset, going into enemy territories without knowledge of when or if they would ever return. These heroes surrendered their freedoms so that we may keep our own. As the United People of this great country, we must thank those who have served. We must recognize the colossal sacrifice they have made.
Many of our Veterans have suffered physical and mental trials, some even losing their lives in the line of duty, but their sacrifice is not futile, for we, the American people, remember.
We remember the First Army, the soldiers who waged war against the British troops and granted us our independence. We remember the Great American Civil War and our triumph during World War II. We remember the fight against the communist powers during the Korean War and again in the Vietnam War. We remember those who were sent overseas to serve in Afghanistan, leaving their friends, families, and loved ones behind.
Most importantly, we remember those who have perished. We remember the millions and millions of soldiers who have lost their lives in the making of our great country. We remember their courageous acts, the very acts that have made the United States of America the commanding and powerful country it is today. We must never forget what they have done.
Not only do we honor those in our history, but we honor those who continue to serve. Our Veterans uphold characteristics that the people of the United States value. Characteristics such as valor, integrity, humility, strength, and fortitude are qualities that live in the mentality of each and every Veteran, but while our Veterans share the same abilities, they are not one in the same. They come from various backgrounds, upbringings, and circumstances. They are of different religions, race, and economic standing. They mirror the diversity that is the United States of America; they are us.
Veterans Day gives us the opportunity to do something we should do each and every day: give thanks. We should give thanks to the men and women who wear a service uniform. We should give thanks to their families and offer them our thoughts and prayers. Through our words and actions, we should tell the families of injured and fallen veterans their loved ones have the gratitude of our nation, our state, and our communities. For theirs is a noble and lasting legacy that serves as the cornerstone of our American character.
State Rep. Joe Geller
I want to take a moment to honor all of our veterans who have served our great country. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the veterans that have made the ultimate sacrifice so we can live in the great nation that we do, and to all those who served.
State Rep. Bill Hager:
https://twitter.com/RepBillHager/status/929016827950313472
State Rep. Shawn Harrison:
Happy Veterans Day! pic.twitter.com/V2Byd5eGKj
— Shawn Harrison (@ShawnHarrisonFL) November 10, 2017
State Rep. Blaise Ingoglia:
State Rep. Shevrin Jones:
To all who have served our great nation, THANK YOU! #VeteransDay2017 pic.twitter.com/0bH1Gbjwg5
— Shevrin “Shev” Jones (@ShevrinJones) November 10, 2017
State Rep. Wengay Newton:
Freedom isn't Free,
Representative "Newt" Newton pic.twitter.com/uo7W5dnDhW
— Wengay M. Newton Sr. (@NEWTFL) November 10, 2017
State House candidate Ardian Zika: