As we near the observance of Veterans Day, this is the time of year when citizens throughout Jacksonville and the nation honor those who have served and continue to serve our country. It is a time to reflect upon the heroism and patriotism of veterans and their willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. However, while awareness is heightened for many around Veterans Day, the City of Jacksonville Military Affairs and Veterans department has the responsibility and privilege of serving our local heroes year-round.

“The people of Jacksonville pride themselves in being the most military- and veteran-friendly city in the United States,” said Mayor Lenny Curry. “Our Military Affairs and Veterans department at City Hall has a team of dedicated personnel to help veterans get access to their earned benefits, education, training and other resorces. We take our commitment to the men and women of the U.S. Military seriously.”

The Military Affairs and Veterans department works diligently to meet the needs of members of the armed forces, veterans and their families, assisting them with filing claims and applying for social and educational assistance. Consisting of 18 staff members, the department serves more than 8,400 veterans each year. Staff assist veterans, their survivors and their caregivers seeking access to pensions, healthcare, disability ratings, G.I. Bill, and other earned benefits. The department also hosts and sponsors city-wide events to recognize the service and sacrifice of military personnel serving at area installations, as well as the large, growing veteran population in Jacksonville and throughout northeast Florida.

In recent years, the Military Affairs and Veterans department has experienced tremendous growth and success in the services it is able to provide local veterans. In fiscal year 2014-15, the department directly helped 6,050 northeast Florida area veterans to receive $23.5M in new benefit funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Economic development experts conservatively estimate that 20 percent ($4.7M) of that funding stays in the local economy. It costs $1.13M annually to run the Military Affairs and Veterans department, and therefore, it is able to operate at a minimum of a four-to-one cost-benefit ratio for the local economy.

In fiscal year 2015-16, the department directly served 8,456 area veterans, a 39.7 percent increase over the previous year. Additionally, the Military Affairs and Veterans department has placed 280 homeless veterans in jobs and housing over the past several years, including 79 this year.

The City of Jacksonville has a longstanding relationship with the military, with more than one-in-four Jacksonville residents directly connected to the armed services, either as an active duty service member, guardsmen or reservist, retired military member or a veteran. Citizens can learn more about our local military and the work of the Military Affairs and Veterans department by participating in ongoing Week of Valor activities, a series of events to honor and celebrate the contributions of current and former armed forces members and military families. To learn more visit: http://www.coj.net/departments/military-and-veterans-affairs/2016-week-of-valor.

About the City of Jacksonville
The City of Jacksonville is the largest city by land mass in the continental United States, serving approximately 850,000 residents. Located in Duval County, City of Jacksonville leadership includes the mayor and a 19-member City Council. To learn more about the City of Jacksonville, visit COJ.net.