James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Attends 3rd Annual Lakeland VetFest Resource Fair to Support Local Veterans

Hosted by Congressman Scott Franklin, the event took place at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, attracting hundreds of Veterans, their families, and resource partners eager to make a difference.

Congressman Scott Franklin explained, “This is our 3rd annual VetFest. It’s something that we look forward to every year. I started this because I would speak to a lot of Veterans in the community that did not seem to be aware of the services that are available to them. This event brings everything under one roof. It’s kind of a one stop shop for Veterans, anything a Veteran may need, the answers are here and the people that can help them are here.” 

The event was held on the concourse of Joker Marchant Stadium with rows of tents filled with information representing an array of Veteran Service Organizations, Polk County Government resources, and Veterans Health Administration partners. The atmosphere was festive, with the sounds of laughter, camaraderie and supportive voices throughout the concourse, emphasizing the strong sense of community present among those who have served the nation.

Elizabeth Tanski, manager of operations and marketing for the Lakeland Tigers who donates the use of the stadium each year stated, “This is our 3rd year hosting the VetFest and we could not be prouder to be the staple of the home of this fest and honoring Veterans.  As a proud Veteran sister, I love hosting this and can’t wait to see it grow.  We really hope to continue to make a difference in the lives of Veterans.”

James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital was prominently featured at this year’s VetFest, providing attendees with crucial information on healthcare services and mental health support. Staff members were on hand to answer questions and engage with Veterans one-on-one, making sure that each individual left with a clear understanding of the resources available to them.

Voluntary Service Specialist at the Tampa VA, Felicia Mcgrue explained, “It was an honor to participate in Congressman Scott Franklin’s Vet Fest.  It was great seeing the community come together to support our Veterans.  As a Veteran myself, I understand the importance of having someone who can help navigate you through the process of accessing benefits and services. Oftentimes, Veterans have no idea how to start the process.  I was happy to see there were service providers on hand who could assist with that. I was also happy to play a role in offering opportunities for Veterans.”

Corey Shook, program support assistant for eligibility at the Tampa VA expressed, “Helping Veterans has truly been the honor of my life. Providing service to those who have given so much is the best feeling in the world. Outreach events like VetFest are confirmation that VA services are needed now more than ever.”

Tonya Blackman, from the Veterans Benefits Administration spoke on the importance of providing resources and encouraging Veterans. “These events are very beneficial for reaching Veterans who would otherwise not report to VA facilities for one reason or another. Today, we assisted a Veteran who experiences extreme anxiety and informed us he has been avoiding submitting an application for compensation benefits and has refused to report to a VA facility. Today we were able to assist the Veteran with submitting his application.

One Air Force Veteran attending the event, Bernadette Dunn, shared her positive experience. “What it means to come out to a Vet Fest like this is creating new connections and finding out the wonderful benefits that are available and the help that I need to be able to take advantage of all of these benefits.”

Army Veteran Jeffrey Grant agreed, “Today’s event is essential because we have so many Veterans out here who don’t know where to get help. They have really good organizations here like the hospital and various Veteran Posts and many others. I hope that they will continue to do more fests like this in the future.”

As the event concluded, the success of the 3rd Annual VetFest Resource Fair could be measured not just in the number of attendees but in the connections made, the resources distributed, and the stories shared. Participants departed with new knowledge, renewed spirits, and a reminder that they are part of a larger community that values and honors their service.

See the photos here:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/jahvh/albums/with/72177720329114239