On Veterans Day, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez announced the launch of the second annual ‘Holiday Letters to Heroes,’ inviting Florida’s K-8 students to write holiday messages to deployed members of the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard.
The initiative, part of Nuñez’s LG on Mission program, partners with the Florida Department of Education to gather and send letters of support to service members this holiday season. Letters will be accepted from November 11 through December 11, 2024.
READ: A Tribute To Our Veterans
“The men and women in the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard courageously serve our state every day, sacrificing time away from their families and loved ones, even during the holidays,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “This year alone, our Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard soldiers have bravely stepped up to support Floridians during hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, and ensured Florida remains ready and prepared to get through difficult times. My initiative, LG on Mission, focuses on honoring the courage and bravery of our military and service members and it is my hope that these letters from our students will not only spread holiday cheer, but share our gratitude and appreciation, from one Floridian to another.”
“The Florida National Guard is tremendously proud to support the citizens of Florida. We train year-round so that we can be there when Florida needs us most,” said Major General John D. Haas. “Tokens of gratitude, like letters from students, are always appreciated and remind us of why we serve.”
“Our service members and the Florida State Guard have worked especially hard over the last few months to help Floridians following hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “I encourage all students to send a letter of thanks to the men and women that serve our state and wish them a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.”
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Students are invited to write and submit handwritten letters to the Florida Department of Education, including drawings to capture the holiday spirit. Letters should be mailed to:
ATTN: Holiday Letters to Heroes
325 W Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
All letters must be received by December 11, 2024.
Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has been recognized as one of the most military- and veteran-friendly states in the country. The Florida National Guard includes nearly 12,000 members, and the state’s budget has allocated significant funding to bolster the Guard’s readiness and reduce reliance on federal resources. This year’s budget also included an additional $57 million to support the Florida State Guard, a volunteer force dedicated to emergency response.
Through the ‘Holiday Letters to Heroes’ initiative, Floridians have an opportunity to show their gratitude and support for the state’s dedicated service members during the holiday season.
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