Governor Ron DeSantis today announced that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service will offer free admission for all families and visitors on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, in recognition of Veterans Day. [Read more…] about Governor DeSantis Announces Free Admission for Florida State Parks in Honor of Veterans Day
Veterans Day
Attorney General Bondi’s Veterans Day Statement
Attorney General Pam Bondi today released the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day:
“This weekend we honor some of the bravest of Americans, those who served in our Armed Forces, who risk their lives for our safety and freedom. In our busy day-to-day lives, it may be easy to forget just how blessed we are for the men and women who are willing to serve and fight so that we can live in a republic. Veterans Day is a reminder that we must never lose sight of these courageous heroes and their sacrifices. Thank you to all our veterans, active service members and the families who support them for everything that you have done and are still doing to protect us and our beautiful homeland.”
Governor Scott Announces Free Admission to Florida State Parks on Veterans Day
Governor Rick Scott today announced that Florida State Parks will be offering free admission for all families and visitors on Veterans Day, November 11th, to honor all who have served and are currently serving in our U.S. military. Florida State Parks offer year-round discounts on Annual Entrance Passes to those who currently serve or have served in the U.S. military, veterans with service related disabilities and surviving spouses of members of the U.S. military who have fallen in combat.
Governor Scott said, “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.”
DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein said, “It is an honor to offer free entry to Florida’s outstanding state parks for all visitors as a sign of appreciation for our veterans. Florida State Parks are home to some of the most special places in the country, and we invite everyone to come out and enjoy these prized natural resources.”
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.
For a full list of events, please visit floridastateparks.org.
Florida State Parks preserve an abundance of historical and cultural sites that provide opportunities for reflection and remembrance. At Orman House Historic State Park in Apalachicola, visitors can pay respect to Vietnam veterans at the park’s Three Servicemen Statue, a bronze replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Learn more about annual entrance passes and discounts here.
*This offer does not include the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. All other use fees, such as overnight accommodations, will be charged as usual on Nov. 11, 2017.
Camp Blanding Veterans Day Ceremony
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: Camp Blanding Joint Training Center will host its annual Veterans Day ceremony
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m.
WHERE: Camp Blanding Museum & Memorial Park, near the main gate – 5629 State Rd. 16 West, Starke, Fla. 32091
The Camp Blanding Museum will host its annual Veterans Day Ceremony honoring those who served our nation. The event is hosted by Colonel Daniel (Matt) Johnson, the Commander of Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, and the featured speakers for the event are Mr. Ken Detzner, Secretary of State of Florida and Brig. Gen. Trey Chauncey, Assistant Adjutant General – (Army) Training, Installations & Programs, Florida Army National Guard.
The ceremony is free and open to the public and will be held in the memorial park. All veterans present will be recognized for their service.
Governor Scott and Florida Cabinet Issue Resolution Recognizing Veterans Day
Recognizes More Than 60 Florida Veterans
with Governor’s Veterans Service Medal
During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet issued the following resolution recognizing November 11, 2017 as Veterans Day. Governor Scott also recognized more than 60 veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Medal for their service to Florida and the nation.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I am proud to issue this resolution recognizing Veteran’s Day as we honor those who have served our great nation. Florida is committed to being the most military and veteran friendly state in the nation. As a veteran myself, I think it is so important to thank our courageous veterans for their service defending our country’s freedom.”
Colonel Glenn Sutphin, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, said, “On this Veterans Day, we ask you to pause, reflect and thank our state’s more than 1.5 million veterans who have defended the principles upon which our country was founded. From our network of award-winning state veterans’ homes to connecting veterans to their earned benefits and services, Florida is the most veteran-friendly state in the nation.”
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, for more than two centuries, individuals from all walks of life have taken up arms and sworn an oath to support and defend the principles upon which our country was founded; and
WHEREAS, throughout our history, courageous men and women have donned the uniform of our Armed Forces and built a noble tradition of faithful and dedicated service to our Nation; and
WHEREAS, Veterans Day has been set aside as both a national and state holiday to honor those American patriots who answered the call of duty, preserving our freedoms and often making the ultimate sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, we can never fully repay our debt of gratitude to those heroic men and women who served, were wounded, or even died in battle; and
WHEREAS, the unwavering commitment of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and Merchant Mariners has preserved our freedoms and saved millions around the world from tyranny; and
WHEREAS, we continue to draw inspiration from the heroism and dedication of those who currently serve and sacrifice for the cause of liberty and justice; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting that all Floridians honor America’s military veterans, including Florida’s more than 1.5 million living veterans, through whose selfless service and sacrifice we enjoy freedom and liberty.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida do hereby recognize November 11, 2017, as
VETERANS DAY
and call upon all Floridians to honor the contributions of current and former members of the United States Armed Services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida encourage citizens to participate in local Veterans Day activities honoring the men and women who have stood watch over America.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida have hereunto subscribed their names and have caused the Official Seal of the State of Florida to be hereunto affixed in the City of Tallahassee on this 7th day of November 2017.
RICK SCOTT
GOVERNOR
PAM BONDI
ATTORNEY GENERAL
JIMMY PATRONIS
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
ADAM. H. PUTNAM
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
Florida Forest Service Offers Military Veterans Free One-Night Stay at All State Forest Campgrounds
This Veterans Day, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Service is honoring active duty and honorably discharged military veterans with a free, one-night stay at any of Florida’s 64 state forest campgrounds when booking a three-night stay. Veterans, active duty and reserve unit members can book their stay between Wednesday, Nov. 8 and Sunday, Nov. 13, to receive a third night free of charge.
To take advantage of this promotion, veterans must use the code FFSVET17 and book a three-night, consecutive campground stay through the Florida State Forests reservations website or call center at 877-879-3859 or TDD 800-373-3851. Upon check-in at the campground, veterans must provide proof of military service.
Additionally, the Florida Forest Service offers reduced rates for campsite reservations and the Florida State Forests Annual Day-Use Entrance Pass to active military and honorably discharged veterans. Honorably discharged United States veterans with service-connected disabilities also qualify for a free Lifetime Military Entrance Pass.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.
