VA Dental Care Expanding: With the recent passage of the Dental Care for Veterans Act, all veterans enrolled in VA health care will gradually become eligible for dental services over a four-year rollout. Starting now, those with service-connected disabilities, Purple Heart recipients, prisoners of war, or those with financial need will be the first to qualify. Each year, new groups of veterans will gain access, with all enrolled veterans expected to have coverage by 2029. The program includes preventive and restorative services, such as cleanings, fluoride treatments, X-rays, fillings, crowns, and dentures. Stay tuned for further news as the rollout advances.
Florida Department of Veterans Affairs: Did you know that the State of Florida has its own Veterans Affairs agency? It is one of the largest state veterans’ programs in the U.S., providing additional services to veterans and enhancing federal VA programs. A great example is the chain of state veteran nursing homes, including one in Orlando. In fact, the Orlando facility was originally a federal VA facility at Lake Baldwin, and when a new VA facility opened up at Lake Nona, the state took over the existing facility, while the VA continues to operate Lake Baldwin as a clinic. There is a new 2026 state guide to veterans’ benefits, available at https://bit.ly/4vk5999.
News media ask the “Draft” question: Our troops are in harm’s way once again, with the campaign of air and missile attacks on Iran that started at the end of February. At least 13 of our military members have been killed, including seven by enemy fire. Dozens more have been wounded. Our hearts go out to their families. At this time of writing, the second of two airmen who ejected from their damaged F-15E over Iran has been dramatically rescued, with rescue forces suffering casualties, but no one was killed in the attempt.
Whenever a new conflict arises, media figures question if the draft should return, sparking debate. Mentioning “draft” often prompts veterans to recall their service from Vietnam, Korea, or World War II. The Vietnam-era draft ended in 1973, and registration resumed in 1980. Today, talk of a draft quickly raises questions about women’s eligibility and whether past exemptions—like those for college or sole surviving sons— would still apply. Though the chance of reinstating the draft seems slim, it would be divisive. For now, we can only hope this campaign winds down and draft discussions fade—until peace is next disrupted.
As always, please send along veteran-related events, issues, or questions to osceolavets@gmail.com.
