Click image above or HERE to watch
SARASOTA, Fla.—Today on Veterans Day,Senator Ashley Moody honored more than 50 Vietnam Veterans at a pinning ceremony at VFW Post 3233 in Sarasota. At the ceremony, Senator Moody presented the veterans and surviving spouses with lapel pins commemorating their service and sacrifice to the U.S.
Senator Ashley Moody said, “On Veterans Day, we are reminded that our freedom we enjoy today is not free, it was secured through the sacrifice of those who served in our nation’s armed forces. It was a privilege today to honor more than 50 Vietnam Veterans and surviving spouses in Sarasota. We must never forget the efforts of patriots like these veterans, who fought in faraway jungles and unimaginable conditions. I will continue fighting on our veterans’ behalf in Washington to make Florida the most military-friendly state in the nation.”
Florida is home to more than 1.5 million veterans and their families, including more than 423,000 Vietnam-era veterans. Nearly 9 million Americans served in the military during the Vietnam War-era, including more than 2.7 million soldiers fighting in Vietnam. More than 300,000 were wounded. More than 58,000 soldiers who fought in the conflict died in service to the U.S.
Click here to listen to Senator Moody’s remarks at the ceremony.
Senator Moody is committed to fighting for U.S. military members and veterans. Since becoming Florida’s newest Senator, Moody has:
- Cosponsored the Military Spouse Hiring Act to address difficulties servicemembers’ families face when looking for work;
- Cosponsored the Major Richard Star Act, which seeks to fix unjust disability policies for retired combat veterans;
- Introduced Drone Espionage Act to crack down on spying through video surveillance of military installations;
- Supported the Veterans Education and Technical Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act, which would expand educational benefits for veterans;
- Supported the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025, which would help ensure that only the most dedicated individuals can serve veterans;
- Held a town hall with VA Secretary Collins in Tampa to discuss issues facing veterans
- Requested President Trump to send F-35As to Homestead Air Reserve Base;
- Recognized 200 years of U.S. Navy presence in Pensacola and discussed the critical importance of the Navy and Coast Guard’s presence in the Florida Panhandle; and more.
When Senator Moody served as Florida’s Attorney General, she oversaw the Florida Military and Veterans Assistance Program that assists service members and their families who have been affected by scams. From 2019 and January 2025, when Senator Moody left the Attorney General’s office, MVAP recovered more than $3.7 million from over 2,300 complaints for affected military members and their families.
Watch a Veterans Day message from Senator Moody HERE.
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