In the first week of February, Home Base Florida and Blue Angels Foundation embarked on a significant journey to Tallahassee to meet with several key state leaders and officials. Led by Michael Allard, the Chief Operations Officer of Home Base, and Armando Hernandez, the Senior Director of Home Base Florida, the team had a pivotal mission—to advocate for crucial state support and enhance the visibility of Home Base’s impactful work.  

The primary objective of this mission was two-fold. First, the team advocated for continued support from the state of Florida through the allocation of fiscal year 2024-2025 state funding to Home Base’s critical programs and services. This funding was specifically targeted to bolster crucial areas of support, including Behavioral Health Outpatient Services, Warrior Health and Fitness Programs, Educational Initiatives, and Traumatic Brain Injury support. Furthermore, the expansion of services into Pensacola was a key aspect of this funding request, signaling a commitment to reaching more Veterans across Florida.  

Second, the team sought to increase awareness and recognition of the remarkable work Home Base Florida has been tirelessly pursuing over the past decade. By meeting with key state leaders and officials, they aimed to underscore the importance of our mission and showcase the positive impact Home Base has had on Veterans’ lives and their Families.  

During their visit to Tallahassee, the Home Base team had the privilege of engaging with several influential figures, including Governor Ron DeSantis, Office of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, Senator Jay Collins, Representative Lauren Melo, Senator Doug Broxson, Representative Patt Maney, Office of Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Paul Renner, and Representative Mike Giallombardo. These meetings provided invaluable opportunities to articulate the organization’s needs, share success stories, and build stronger relationships with leaders who are already advocates for Home Base.  

While many of them were already champions of the organization, this visit aimed to deepen those connections and foster continued support as Home Base Florida strives to elevate its impact to the next level. The journey to Tallahassee was not just a routine advocacy trip for Home Base Florida. It was a strategic effort to secure vital funding, expand reach, and solidify partnerships with key stakeholders.  

From the trip at the beginning of the year to our team who recently returned from Tallahassee for the Military and Veterans’ Week at the Capitol on the 19th and 20th of February, our focus remains steadfast on advocating for our Nation’s Warriors, expanding our reach, and solidifying partnerships with key stakeholders. As they return, the team maintains hope that their efforts will yield tangible outcomes, enhancing our ability to serve the brave men and women who have served our nation. We are eager to continue our impactful work across Florida and further strengthen our relationships in Tallahassee.  

Home Base Florida thanks Blue Angels Foundation, Governor Ron DeSantis, the Florida State Senate, and Florida House of Representatives for a collaborative, successful visit.