35 cents VOL. 5/ISSUE 5 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2016 FDVA seeks more claims examiners Patrick McCallister FOR VETERAN VOICE
[email protected] The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, FDVA, wants to add some staff. That wish is in its 2017-2018 proposed budget that’s starting to make rounds among state House and Senate committees ahead of the upcom- ing legislative session, which is March to May. “I’m asking to get 10 more (Division of Veterans’ Ben- efits and Assis- tance) people,” Glenn Sutphin Jr., executive st director of the Photo by Army 1 Lt. Daniel Johnson state’s veterans department Army Sgts. Logon Ross, left, and Addison Owen, both with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry told Veteran Regiment, walk through the U.S compound at the Qayyarah West Airfield, Iraq, Nov. 1. Owen is an infantryman Voice. “We at the base and is on his second deployment to Iraq. On his first deployment in the city of Basra during 2010- probably could 2011, Owen was wounded when an explosively formed penetrator hit his vehicle. use more, but Glenn Sutphin Jr. you’ve got to be realistic about Battling ISIS -Soldiers man the front line what you can do.” The additional 10 workers would help vet- Wry Humor erans file claims and appeals to the federal Daniel Johnson Department of Veteran Affairs. Those who do DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Owen is known for his wry sense of humor that are usually called veterans service offi- and his calm demeanor. Army Spc. Tyler cers, but Roy Clark, director of cabinet and Smoke rose in the distance from an oil Holt is the second member of Owen’s team, legislative affairs, said they get a different title field set on fire during the battle between and the two can usually be found together at the FDVA.