A veteran of VFW McCullough-Mixson Post 4209 Ocala has won the top award for feature articles in the 2023 Veterans of Foreign Wars National Publications Contest.

Michael P. Mauer, a Desert Storm veteran, won the Grand Award for his article, ‘VFW Motorcycle Riders.’  The submission appeared in the August 2022 edition of the South Hills – Mon Valley Messenger, and placed first in competition after a judges’ review by two non-VFW affiliated journalism professionals.

Mauer wrote the article while assigned as the VFW PA District 29 public affairs officer.  This is his fourth VFW writing award in seven years. Continue reading →

OCALA, Fla. —Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez and Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Michelle Branham were joined by local leaders, advocates, and caregivers in Marion County to celebrate recent budget funding to support Florida’s advancements in service and care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. During the 2023 Legislative Session, Governor DeSantis proposed and secured record funding for Alzheimer’s care.

“With Governor DeSantis at the helm, Florida has put our seniors first when they needed it most,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “The Framework for Freedom Budget included over $65 million for Alzheimer’s support, an increase of more than $12.5 million over the last year. We will continue to fund, support, and fight for those who live with Alzheimer’s disease, their families, and caregivers.”

The state budget, signed by Governor DeSantis in June, included $12.5 million in additional funding to expand the work of the state’s 17 Memory Disorder Clinics and the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative, which assist residents and caregivers affected by the disease. This also includes nearly  $500,000 in support for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Brain Bus, a mobile outreach unit that helps educate Floridians on early warning signs and available resources. Continue reading →