According to the National Census Bureau, more than 41 million Americans have served in the U.S. military throughout history. Based on statistics from February 2025, there are approximately 1.31 million active-duty service members, plus 762,000 who presently serve in the reserves and/or National Guard, totaling approximately 2 million uniformed personnel protecting the greatest country in the world, the United States of America.
And, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a whopping 19.1 million veterans live in the United States with more than 1.4 million residing right here in the state of Florida. Not surprisingly, Florida hosts the third-largest population of veterans, behind California and Texas.
Veterans Day, celebrated on Nov. 11, lands on a historical day in our country’s history, marking the end of World War I. The designation was changed to Veterans Day, from Armistice Day in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, when he signed a bill into law officially renaming the holiday to honor all American veterans from all wars.
With Veterans Day just around the corner, I wanted to not only highlight this important observance but also share the extensive programs and initiatives which the Osceola Council on Aging has undertaken to support Central Florida veterans.
One of the OCOA’s most impactful programs to support veterans is managed within our Housing Department. This initiative provides safe and affordable housing for veterans within the Orange and Osceola County communities. Before my role as the president/ CEO of the OCOA, I worked within that department, and my favorite role was overseeing the veteran home refurbishment initiatives. It was personally fulfilling to watch the excitement of those veterans (and often spouses and family members) whose homes were being upgraded by OCOA team members.
In partnership with the Home Depot Foundation, our teams provide home rehabilitation services; primarily to restore independence and increase residential safety for veterans, and those with service-related disabilities.
Titled “Helping Homebound Heroes”, the home improvement program is open to all U.S. military veterans in Orange and Osceola County.
Primary work includes minor home repairs, equipment installation (such as support railings), or adding or replacing window air-conditioning units.
Other projects can include repairing interior walls and ceilings to provide energy efficiency, installing new flooring to prevent trip and fall hazards, or even constructing wheelchair ramps to provide safer and more accessible living options. Each project is designed to help decrease risk, enhance independence, restore security, and in many cases, increase overall safety.
“This program is a perfect opportunity to thank veterans in multiple Central Florida communities for their service,” said Chip Ford, Vice President of OCOA’s Home Rehabilitation Services. “It is easy to say to a veteran, ‘Thank you for your service,’ but this program goes beyond mere words, it physically shows them our gratitude.”
Additionally, the OCOA partners with the VA in providing services to veteran clients and their caregivers. Through the Program of General Caregiver Support Services and the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, we provide additional support to those caregivers taking care of local veterans.
If you are a veteran or know of one who could use residential support, contact the OCOA at 407-846-8532, ext. 1265, 1274, or 1210.
On this upcoming Veterans Day, let us all make sure to thank a veteran for their sacrifice and service. Without those more than 19 million amazing individuals who served and sacrificed, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today.
