Florida lawmakers file bills declaring November as Veteran Appreciation Month

By Michael Costeines

Published Nov. 7, 2023, 4:15 p.m. ET | Updated Nov. 7, 2023

U.S. Air Force service cap and an American flag, April 27, 2023. (Photo/Wesley Tingey, Unsplash)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, and Rep. Jeff Holcomb, R-Spring Hill, Tuesday filed bills for the 2024 legislative session declaring November as Veteran Appreciation Month.

“If anyone deserves a month to be celebrated for their dedication to keeping us free, it is our precious veterans who served this country,” said Ingoglia in a press release.

“They deserve more than a day. They deserve to be put on a pedestal and cherished for the heroes that they are,” he continued.

House Bill 357 and Senate Bill 346, if passed, would authorize Gov. Ron DeSantis to issue a proclamation recognizing the month.

Represented by both lawmakers, Spring Hill is located in Hernando County on Florida’s Gulf Coast. According to its Supervisor of Elections, the county is home to over 23,000 veterans.

Further, information gathered through the U.S. Census Bureau indicates veterans made up 12.2% of Hernando County’s population, good for 14th in the state. The breakdown includes nearly 8,000 Vietnam War veterans, 1,900 Korean War veterans, and about 730 World War II veterans.

Hernando County was also represented by over 5,500 veterans from both Gulf Wars.

Okaloosa County, located on Florida’s panhandle, accounted for the highest percentage of veterans at 22%. Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, has the highest total number of veterans with over 92,000.

As of 2021, Florida also ranked second in the country with 1.36 million veterans. The state only trailed Texas with 1.4 million veterans while placing just ahead of California.

“The United States of America has the greatest military in the world because we have the best sailors, soldiers, airmen, coasties, marines and guardians,” Holcomb said in the press release.

“They are the most disciplined, best trained and equipped military who have traveled the world keeping the planet safe from dictators and oppressors,” he continued.

If approved, the law would take effect July 1, 2024.

“Floridians deserve a whole month to show their pride for our brave veterans,” Holcomb continued. “We encourage everyone to take the time to thank our veterans and their families for their sacrifice.”