Weekly Report 🎖
TVLC | Veteran Legislation | VSO's needed
🗓️ VSO NEEDED FOR FEB - DEC 2026
There are 11 months left in 2026 which means we need 11 VSO’s to lead a coalition meeting. PLEASE EMAIL US TO SECURE YOUR MONTH
The following organizations have yet to lead a meeting and are HIGHLY encouraged to do so. Anyone else not listed can still volunteer to lead a meeting.
Military order of the Purple Heart
Military Officers Association of America
Vietnam Veterans of America
Blinded Veterans Association
Fleet Reserve Association
Combat Vets Motorcycle Association
American Legion Riders
You don’t have to WING it. I will send you a video showing you exactly how to lead the meeting.
In your service,
Edward W. Hood
Good evening, Veteran advocates,
Our TVLC Legal Clinic yesterday at American Legion Sauls Bridges Post 13, featured our volunteer Team of 24, including 7 attorneys, working with 18 Veterans and family walking in and others by phone; Veterans volunteered with set up, intakes, etc. even though their court-ordered community service requirements have already been completed. (Khalid, Leonard). Three other Veterans worked community service for civil or criminal court obligations. Also today, TVLC was given a generous donation by the C2 Global Professional Services, thanks to Career Source!
At least 17 supporters attended the Senate Criminal Justice Committee meeting Monday as Senate Bill 50 passed unanimously, as the companion to General Maney’s House Bill 199 which we supported in its hearings in recent months. Our local VFW and American Legion joined us (see Photo) and the FDVA in advocating the strengthening and likely expansion of participation in the 34 Veteran Treatment Courts around the state. See www.flsenate.gov for info on the two dozen Veteran-related bills proposed this year. Let us know if you want our “tracker” listing of the ongoing status of the bills, which we update daily. Please volunteer to help if you can.
Leon County Veterans Treatment Court was in session Monday and more Veterans earned a promotion; after court, KUDOS to Susie Caplowe and Jim Piche for arranging bicycles for THREE VTC participants refurbished and donated by Jim! He brought 2 of them to clinic today, to help the recipients search and succeed in securing work. Others volunteered with TVLC both yesterday and today. Yesterday’s truck and trailer load of food was delivered to various sites around the county and was worked by Veterans Khalid Shafi, Charles Robinson, John Boyd, David Martinez, Tanya Riley, Linda Broga, Leonard Bell and Eddie McMillian. (See photo)
Don’t miss the next LEON VETERANS TREATMENT COURT session: Monday, January 26, 3 PM in the downtown Courthouse, Courtroom 2E. Please consider coming to observe/ maybe becoming a Veteran Mentor for the Vets working their way through the program and recovery.
And, despite Jeff Richardson’s surgery, we were able to help a Veteran and family sign his will and Power of Attorney in the hospital over the weekend (Thanks, Hagar Mickens, Susie, & law student Andrew Barrineau, who helped us).
Donations to TVLC from various events in recent months and ongoing supporters are helping Veterans successfully reinstate their Driver’s Licenses, sometimes after years of being unable to lawfully drive. The donations also provide gas for the weekly Food Delivery trips to Quincy for the various Veteran housing facilities around the region.
What else?
Thank you,
Dan Hendrickson, for the Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative www.Tallahasseeveteranslegal.com
PO Box 11091, Tallahassee, Fl 32302, 850/ 570-1967
As a reminder, Commanders Coalition exists to AMPLIFY the reach of Veteran organizations. We only exist to help Veteran organizations reach more Veterans. We only share the work YOU are doing. We share what we receive. Send us news, pictures, anything impacting Vets in the Big Bend.
DOING BUSINESS WITH USSOCOM: INDUSTRY PATHWAYS FROM INNOVATION TO CONTRACTING 28 JAN 2026 | 12:00PM ET
Whether you’re new to federal contracting or an experienced DoD partner, this Veterans in GovCon event breaks down how SOCOM identifies needs, works with industry, and transitions innovative solutions into operational use, while offering direct access to speakers at virtual tables for candid Q&A, deeper discussion, and meaningful networking.
This event is open to veterans and civilians alike and is hosted by the Meritorious Foundation, which organizes networking and industry events connecting businesses with the defense and military community.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
How SOCOM works with industry and where your solution fits
The role of SOFWERX in accelerating innovation and lowering barriers to entry
How the SOCOM Small Business Office supports new and existing vendors
Practical insights into eSOF and VULCAN as pathways to engagement
How to prepare for productive conversations with SOCOM stakeholders Interactive virtual networking with direct access to speakers and peers