BRADENTON — Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan delivered handwritten valentines cards to local veterans at the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Manatee County Commission through his new constituent appreciation program, Valentines for Veterans. He also discussed a new package of pro-veteran legislation he rolled out this week to help improve the mental and physical health of America’s veterans.
“Seeing the smiling faces of our incredible veterans when they were handed a card was the reason I started this program,” said Buchanan. “It was also great seeing such great artwork from our students who put a ton of thought and care into each one of these cards. I’m grateful for our school systems’ participation and their work helping me honor the sacrifices made by our veteran community. Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Buchanan partnered with 26 local schools and youth organizations in Manatee and Hillsborough Counties to create more than 4,000 cards for veterans living in Florida’s 16th Congressional District. There are over 64,000 veterans living within the District and this new program intends to reach as many as possible with a valentines card to thank them for their service.
Schools and youth organizations participating include: Alafia Elementary School, Bayshore Elementary School, Blackburn Elementary School, Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County, Braden River Middle School, Corr Elementary School, Doodle Bugs! Children’s Learning Academy, Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, G.D. Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary School, Gene Witt Elementary School, James Tillman Elementary School, Lakewood Ranch High School, Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, Manatee High School, Nelson Elementary School, Oneco Elementary School, Palm View K-8 School, Palma Sola Elementary School, Palmetto High School, Pinecrest Elementary School, Ruskin Elementary School, Summerfield Elementary School, Thompson Elementary School, Tillman Elementary School, Trail Life Troop and Virgil Mills Elementary School.
In addition to veterans working at the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and with Manatee County, Buchanan and members of his staff personally delivered valentines to: the Bradenton Fire and Police Departments, the East Manatee Fire District, Freedom Village Veterans, the Longboat Key Police and Fire Departments, Manatee County Bob’s Vets, the Manatee County Veterans Council, MOAA Sun City Center, the North River Fire District, the Sarasota Police Department and other veterans organizations.
Buchanan also delivered brief remarks on new legislation he introduced to fight for Florida’s veterans, the Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2025 (H.R. 1289) and the Veterans Mental Health Crisis Referral Enhancement Act of 2025 (H.R. 1290).
“With more than 64,000 veterans in our district, fighting for our veterans and America’s servicemembers has been one of my top priorities since coming to Congress,” said Buchanan. “Our nation’s veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and we must ensure they have access to the nutritious food and mental health care they need to stay healthy.”
The Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2025 offers enhanced nutritional food options to veterans through a “food as medicine” health care approach. The bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out a pilot program to administer medically tailored meals and groceries to eligible veterans.
The Veterans Mental Health Crisis Referral Enhancement Act of 2025 addresses critical gaps in mental health care for veterans. This bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a three-year pilot program to refer veterans experiencing mental health crises to approved non-Veterans Affairs mental health care providers, ensuring timely access to competent care.
Buchanan has fought for veterans and America’s servicemembers throughout his career. In January, he introduced the Veteran Overmedication and Suicide Prevention Act (H.R. 136), which requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to review the deaths of all veterans it treated who died by suicide or from a drug overdose in the last five years.
For more information about the Valentines for Veterans program and any other Congressional events, please reach out to Cara Misiewicz at Cara.Misiewicz@mail.house.gov. Find all photos from the Valentines for Veterans program here.
