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Florida Veterans' History Program

The Major John Leroy Haynes Florida Veterans’ History Program collects, preserves, and shares the stories of Florida’s veterans and the State of Florida’s military contributions throughout the nation’s history. By documenting veterans’ personal narratives, the program ensures their firsthand experiences remain accessible to the public and future generations.

The Florida Legislature established the program through Senate Bill 408, signed into law by Governor DeSantis on June 21, 2024, as Chapter 2024-251, Laws of Florida, and codified as Section 265.8021, Florida Statutes.

A History of Protecting Florida

The Impact of Florida's Veterans

The Stories from Florida's Heroes

WWII Memorial in Tallahassee

Be a Part of the Florida's Military Story

Please take a moment to click through these pages and learn more about our state's military history and the people who helped shape and protect our great state.

We hope that you - or someone you know - will participate in this project to share your stories or the stories that have been shared with you from your veteran loved ones.

Statutory Authority

The Florida Department of State is grateful to the Legislature for entrusting the Florida Folklife Program to perform these duties.

265.8021 Major John Leroy Haynes Florida Veterans’ History Program.—

(1) As used in this section, the term “veteran” has the same meaning as in s. 1.01(14).

(2) The Major John Leroy Haynes Florida Veterans’ History Program is created within the Division of Arts and Culture as a Florida Folklife Program to collect and preserve the stories and experiences of Florida’s veterans and the State of Florida’s military contributions throughout the nation’s history. The division may request assistance with the program from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

(3) In order to collect and preserve the stories and experiences of Florida’s veterans and the State of Florida’s military contributions throughout the nation’s history, the division’s folklorists shall seek out and identify those veterans who are willing to share their experiences. The division or a folklorist may interview veterans or invite veterans to submit written or electronic accounts of their experiences for inclusion in the program.

(4) As provided in s. 265.802, the division may contract with a third-party vendor to fulfill its responsibilities under subsection (3).

(5) The division may adopt rules to implement the program.

Contact Florida Folklife Program

Mailing Address:

Florida Folklife Program
c/o - Florida Division of Arts and Culture
R.A. Gray Building
500 South Bronough Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Phone:

850.245.6780

Email:

[email protected]

Ron DeSantis, Governor
Cord Byrd, Secretary of State

Questions or comments? Contact Us
Submit a public records request.

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

Florida Department of State
Phone: 850.245.6500

R.A. Gray Building
500 South Bronough Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250