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Meet the Florida Veterans' Foundation's Military Legislators of 2023 to 2024. Meet the Military Veteran Legislators 2025 – 2026 Florida Legislature Series The FVF is proud to honor the military veterans serving in the 2025 Florida Legislature by kicking off the “Meet the Military Veteran Legislators 2025-2026 Florida Legislature Series.” We welcome the members of the 2024-2026 Legislature who have served, 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 Major READ BIO John Snyder United States Marine Corps Corporal READ BIO Keith Truenow United States Air Force Airman 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

Thank you for supporting us! The Florida Veterans Foundation’s mission is to serve, support, and advocate for veterans in need.​ Thank you for supporting us! The Florida Veterans Foundati on’s mission is to serve, support, and advocate for veterans in need. Donate Help us make a difference. First Name Last Name Email Street Address City Region/State/Province Postal / Zip Code & Country Donate in the name of: Enter the amount you wish to donate: $ Donate Thank you for your donation to help our veterans in need! Make checks payable to: Florida Veterans Foundation, 2601 S. Blairestone Rd C300, Tallahassee, FL 32399 Honor A Veteran

Sponsor Benefits Making a Difference By sponsoring the Florida Veterans Foundation (FVF), your contributions will help us connect veterans to life-changing services and support programs around Florida that provide Insert Sponsor "Insert why they sponsor FVF"

Submit a photo of your Veteran family and friends to honor them on our page. In Memory Of . . . Those who have served this great nation . To submit a Veteran to our page, click here. Dennis Maiocchi National Guard Robert Norem USAF Vietnam Veteran Lewis B Wilson Jr. Sergeant, USMC 1942-1945 4th Marine Division, Pacific Islands Buddy White Lee Alfred Jr. U.S. Army Oscar V. Dye USAF George C Brand Jr. National Guard, Company A 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry Brigade Lieutenant Colonel E. Conrad Sittler U.S. Army Wayne H. Coloney Tom Chaboudy USMC April 6th, 2023 Harry L. Fake Jr. U.S. Army Vietnam Norman Gail Woods U. S. Navy, Chief Warrant Officer, World War II POW Larry Lattimer Major, USA, USAF (Ret), Vietnam Melbourne Allan Shepard Jr. USN, Vietnam Veteran Donald E. Wright Airman 3rd Class, USAF, Korea Dale Doss U.S. Navy Veteran, Silver Star Recipient Bernard "Bun" O'Connell Sgt, USMC 5th Marine Division, 13th Marines Colonel Harold E. (Hal) Grant Army Air Corps, USAF, WWII & Vietnam Veteran Robert “Bob” Lee Franklin, Sgt 29th Infantry, US Army Thomas Mabry Ervin Ramon Scott Sgt. Ronald Standiford U.S. Army, Co. C, 4th Batt, 31st Infantry. Vietnam, Purple Heart Virginia Woods Department of the Navy Matt Strong USAF Vietnam Vet Nolan L. Bennett U.S. Navy, NATO and Vietnam Passed on 08/27/2023 Myron Duane Kitt, Sr. USMC, Corporal Kitt Transitioned November 2, 2023 in Tampa, FL Memorial Wall George Wilsey, U.S. Army Dr. Harry K. Taylor Ms. Jessie C. Miller, USAF Ryan Elzie O’Leary Lance Corporal, USMC Tom and Christine R eddaway James Eveland John O'Connor Don Gress Misti Kehoe, Kelly Tepper, Kim Kehoe-Brown Jackie Modica Bob Kehoe Jim Camp & Eva Cline William Poe Radioman/Signal Corp, USA Roger Dale McKenzie U.S. Navy Veteran Megan Healy Dade Institute of Technology Jennifer Grier Dick Reddaway James H. Sutphin Rockledge, FL Josephine "Josie" Haynes Jennifer Grier Dick Reddaway Richard E. Tomlin, Jr. Ed Mullinax Mosquito Joe of Tampa Bay Nahlin Yanez George Diggins US Army, 2002-2023, Purple Heart Recipient Ellert A. Dominick US Navy Leyane Salcedo Army, 2-7IN Chandler Jackson Dawson SPC US Army Passed Dec. 29, 2023 Remembering WWII Veteran and Co-Founder of the Florida Veterans Foundation, Major John Haynes Video courtesy of WCTV. Honor A Veteran Your Name (First & Last) Your Veterans Name (First & Last) Email Please include any additional information you would like such as Branch, Date of Passing, etc. Submit Thanks for submitting! Additionally, to submit a photo of your Veteran please email the photo file to fvf@fdva.fl.gov .

Visit our past event galleries here! Showcased is our 10th Anniversary Gala with Bobby Bowden and our 2023 Legislative Reception. Past Event Galleries 10th Anniversary Gala Military Legislative Reception 2023

Visit our events page to get a look at veteran events across the state. Calendar of Events May 2026 Today Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 27 28 29 30 1 2 2:00 PM HeroFest 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Visit our gallery showcasing our 2023 Legislative Reception! Military Legislative Reception 2023 Load More >> Back to Galleries

Senator Danny Burgess is a father, husband, soldier, lawyer, and public servant. He is a life-long resident of the Tampa Bay area and grew up in Pasco County. Born and raised in Zephyrhills, Danny attended Zephyrhills High School and the University of South Florida. At the age of 18, he was elected the youngest City Council Member in Zephyrhills’s history and the youngest elected official in the State. Senator Danny Burgess Florida Army National Guard Currently Serving Captain Senator Danny Burgess is a father, husband, soldier, lawyer, and public servant. He is a life-long resident of the Tampa Bay area and grew up in Pasco County. Born and raised in Zephyrhills, Danny attended Zephyrhills High School and the University of South Florida. At the age of 18, he was elected the youngest City Council Member in Zephyrhills’s history and the youngest elected official in the State. He served two terms on City Council before going to Barry University School of Law to get his law degree. Senator Burgess served as Mayor of Zephyrhills from 2013-2014 before being elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2014. In 2016 he was re-elected without opposition. He served as Chair of the Insurance and Banking Subcommittee in the Florida House. He was selected by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2018 to serve as the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs and led the agency until June 2020, when he announced his run for the State Senate. The Senator joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 2012 and currently serves as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He is married to Courtney Burgess, originally of Lithia, Florida, and they are the proud parents of three beautiful children: Adeline (6), Daniel III (4), and Eleanor (1). He has attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, located in Zephyrhills, his entire life and is actively involved in various community organizations and local charities. << Back to Veteran Legislators

Representative Black is an eighth generation Northeast Florida native, residing in Duval County with his wife Kim, on their family farm. Together they have five children and two great grandchildren. Representative Dean Black United States Air Force Veteran 125th Fighter Wing, Florida Air National Guard Representative Black is an eighth generation Northeast Florida native, residing in Duval County with his wife Kim, on their family farm. Together they have five children and two great grandchildren. Graduating from the University of Mississippi with a BA in Political Science, Rep. Black is a small business owner, a cattle rancher, a Chairman of the Republican Party of Ducal County and now the Florida Representative for District 15. As a staunch Republican, Rep. Black was a campaign surrogate, official Delegate to the 2020 Republican National Convention for President Trump, and had a leading presence on the campaign trail. Additionally, he is a proud Air Force Veteran and was a member of the 125th Fighter Wing, Florida Air National Guard on Jacksonville’s Northside. Rep. Black states “Northeast Florida needs strong, proven and dependable conservative leaders fighting for our values in Tallahassee. I will be a Representative that stands on a strong America and Florida First agenda: Supporting the Constitution, limited government, the right to bear arms, personal liberty, the sanctity of life, low taxes, school choice and defending our brave men and women in law enforcement.” Those around him say he is a confident leader and a leading conservative voice in the community. << Back to Veteran Legislators

Representative Dunkley was born and raised in Jamaica, moving to Florida in 1995 with her daughter. She has resided in Broward County for over twenty-five years, where she now represents District 97. Rep. Dunkley earned a BBA from Florida Atlantic University, is currently a consultant and has a diverse background including her work at the Florida Department of Transpiration, a former youth director and Middle School PTA president. Representative Lisa Dunkley United States Army Veteran Representative Dunkley was born and raised in Jamaica, moving to Florida in 1995 with her daughter. She has resided in Broward County for over twenty-five years, where she now represents District 97. Rep. Dunkley earned a BBA from Florida Atlantic University, is currently a consultant and has a diverse background including her work at the Florida Department of Transpiration, a former youth director and Middle School PTA president. Additionally, Rep. Dunkley is an Army Veteran having served in Operation Enduring Freedom and in Iraq. She works tirelessly to meet and connect Veterans to the resources and information available to them, strongly believing that no one who has made the incredible sacrifice to serve his or her country should be without the resources they need to live and survive when they return home. As a Board member of the City of Sunrise veterans Advisory Board, a member of American Legion post # 365 and now a Florida Representative she will continue to ensure that the veterans in District 97 are getting the information they need to help them use and apply for their benefits. Rep. Dunkley has been active in part of her community for many years including service as the Vice President of Dunoon Technical High School NE Chapter Alumni Association, a Board Member of the City of Sunrise Veterans Advisory Board, a Consulting Member on the Lights on Girls, Inc. (Non-Profit), a Board Chair for the Caribbean American Veterans Association, a Member of American Legion Post #365, the Chair of the Saints Netball & Cultural Club, Youth Director at New Life Fellowship Center, Board Member at the New Life Child Care & Educational Center and Executive Council Member & Administrator at the New Life Fellowship Center. << Back to Veteran Legislators

Frequently Asked Questions How do I apply for Financial Assistance? We partner with Project:VetRelief to provide emergency financial assistance for veterans in need. To apply for assistance and verify eligibility, click "More Info" and you will be taken to Project:VetRelief's application page. More Info How do I apply for the Veterans Dental Program? We have a user-friendly dental service locator that allows you to see the provider closest to you. Once your county is selected, you will be directed to the service application. To find your provider, click "More info" More info Do you take physical donations? Currently, we only accept monetary donations and do not take physical donations of clothing, food, supplies, etc. We recommend going to your local American Legion post to ensure your donation goes to veterans in need. More info How do I order VA Benefits Guides? For less than 50 guides: Contact Mary.Frazier@fdva.fl.gov For more than 50 guides: Contact LeeAnn.Sferrazzarios@fdva.fl.gov To view a digital PDF of the benefit guide, click here More Info How do I acquire my DD214 online? To get your DD214, you must request it from the National Archives website. To submit a request or learn more, click "More info" More info Do you have a mailing list or online newsletter? Currently, FVF does not maintain an active newsletter. We recommend the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs newsletter, the Forward March. For current and past editions, click "More info" More info Contact us

Representative Keith Truenow is the founder of Lake Jem Farms based in Mount Dora, in addition to being a farmer and rancher who focuses on producing sod sold throughout the State of Florida. Representative Keith Truenow United States Air Force Airman Representative Keith Truenow is the founder of Lake Jem Farms based in Mount Dora, in addition to being a farmer and rancher who focuses on producing sod sold throughout the State of Florida. Following graduation from high school, Keith, at 17 and with parental consent, enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served his country from 1987 until honorably discharged in 1991. Following his military service, he returned home to Lake County and his agricultural roots. After being well-schooled in agri-business, he later founded Lake Jem Farms, based in Mount Dora. He is a farmer and rancher who focuses on producing sod sold throughout Florida. Rep Truenow serves on several local and statewide boards, including; Turfgrass Producers of Florida, Lake County Farm Bureau, and the Lake County Fair Association. He also serves on the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council, appointed by Governor Rick Scott. He is an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. As a longtime businessman and resident of the district, he clearly understands the challenges that constituents face and will take with him to Tallahassee a commonsense approach to problem-solving. Rep Truenow reflected on his military service, “I bring a devotion to duty that was instilled in me first by my parents and then by the United States Air Force. Regarding my value to the legislative process, at a time when Florida’s economy and natural resources are at a critical stage. I believe my background will prove to be invaluable.” Keith’s devotion to his wife of twenty years and their two sons serves as the foundation for his commitment to putting Florida families first. << Back to Veteran Legislators