DeSantis pitches plan to re-establish Florida State Guard
Gov. Ron DeSantis outlined plans Thursday to ask lawmakers to increase funding for the Florida National Guard, as he seeks to expand the number of armories and re-establish a civilian volunteer force that would be directly under his control.
Tampa's Vila Brothers Park to get 'totally red white and blue' makeover namesakes always wanted
After bombs dropped on Pearl Harbor, Tampa brothers Joe and Willie Vila told their parents they were going to fight for America. All 7 Vila brothers ended up fighting in the war and the park that bears their name is getting an upgrade worthy of their service.
Pentagon chief says National Guard members who refuse vaccine cannot train to maintain status
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has decided that National Guard members who refuse COVID-19 vaccination will be barred from federally funded drills and training required to maintain their Guard status, saying, "Vaccination is essential to the health and readiness of the force."
Biden signs 4 bills aimed at supporting veterans and their families
President Joe Biden signed four bills into law that aim to assist U.S. veterans and their families, including additional funding and support for maternity care.
Life in the foxhole: 97-year-old Villages veteran reflects on D-Day, Battle of the Bulge
Serving in the second world war at age 20, living in a fox hole was Irving Locker’s reality. At 97, he says he’s just lucky he’s still around to tell the stories.
See the pictures: US troops far from home celebrate Thanksgiving across the world
U.S. service members in Kuwait, South Korea, Germany and in other countries are serving up traditional Thanksgiving meals.
Ohio Army National Guard specialist goes missing, didn't report back to unit last month
The Ohio Army National Guard is asking for the public's help in locating 26-year-old Spc. Michaela Nelson after she didn't report back to her unit last month.
Coast Guard offloads 15 tons of seized cocaine, marijuana worth over $500 million in South Florida
The US Coast Guard offloaded nearly 30,000 pounds of cocaine and marijuana seized from drug trafficking ships in South Florida on Monday. Officials said the drugs have a street value of approximately $504 million.
Women to register for military draft under proposed defense spending bill
The $768 billion National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 would require every person to register for the military draft.
Navy sailors who refuse COVID-19 vaccine will be discharged, face other administrative actions
U.S. Navy sailors who refuse to comply with the coronavirus vaccine mandate will be discharged from the service and could also lose education benefits, bonuses and incentive pay. The Navy has reportedly not approved any religious exemption requests.
100-year-old WWII veteran receives almost 800 birthday cards: 'It's been amazing'
Claudia Cantu's daughter Christine Magill tells Fox News that her mother is 'overwhelmed' by the attention.
Military personnel, families can get unlimited visits to Universal Orlando with this special pass
Universal Orlando is welcoming military members and their families with the return of the Military Freedom Pass.
Thousands of military families struggle to put food on the table
As many as 160,000 active-duty military members are having trouble feeding their families, yet an obscure federal rule prevents thousands from receiving food stamps: "It's a shocking truth that's known to many food banks across the United States. This should be the cause of deep embarrassment."
Dad returns from 9-month deployment to surprise daughter at elementary school
Fifth-grader Cailani Martinez-Goins recently got the surprise of a lifetime during an assembly at McMullen Booth Elementary School when her father showed up after a nine-month deployment.
Veteran guitar instructor creating memorial instrument for fallen service members
A Tampa guitar instructor who designs incredible handmade guitars has been working on an extra special project. He's building a custom guitar for one of his students who lost two brothers in Afghanistan. It's been an emotional journey as he crafts this musical memorial.
Tampa veteran anxiously awaits heart transplant
Hector Fernandez says he can't pray for a new heart. That would mean he's praying for someone else to suffer a tragedy. But the Army veteran and father of four says if he does get a new heart, he hopes "to be worth it" and live the best life he can.
B-17 tail gunner reflects on dangers of WWII: 'We had to do our duty'
Whether he’s typing out his daily message to his Facebook friends or carving military vehicles out of wood, at age 99, Meredith Travis’ hands are never idle. Those hands played a pretty big role in winning the second world war.
'Invisible wounds' continue to plague veterans
The number of veterans experiencing homelessness went up in 2020 after declining in recent years. One local Army veteran, who works to help homeless vets find their purpose, said there aren’t enough resources to rehabilitate people.
Bay Area veteran turns to podcast to help other veterans across the globe
Bill Hodges is an Air Force veteran with a professional speaking background. He uses a podcast to help other veterans maximize and understand the benefits due to them after going through his own claim with Veterans Affairs.
Revived GI Bill aims to pay Black WWII veterans' families who were denied full benefits
In honor of Veterans Day, a group of Democratic lawmakers is reviving an effort to pay the families of Black veterans who fought on behalf of the nation during World War II for benefits they were denied or prevented from taking full advantage of when they returned home from war.