Appreciation To Military Veterans

Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 1165 to recognize and honor Florida veterans on their drivers license or identification card who honorably served their nation. At a news conference hosted by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles headquarters in Tallahassee today. Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll said the new feature on the drivers license is just one way that the state can show their appreciation to military veterans.

Dan Garza, the founder of the initiative, referred to as “Operation Enduring Gratitude”, with his Director Kevin Hobson have worked tirelessly for the past four years, with four states now recognizing veterans on their official state identification.

An organization referred to as Liberty Manor for Veterans and Connie Blaney is responsible for co-sponsoring the OEG initiative. Garza states that as a result of funding his independently it has result in his homeless state. It is Garza’s hope that civilians, veterans and veterans organizations will begin to contribute to OEG so he can procure discounts from major corporations, retailers and restaurants for veterans who have served their country and deserve to be recognized for their service.

Anyone willing to help OEG can contact Dan Garza (727) 226-0588, Kevin Hobson (813) 479-5947, website www.OP-EG.org.

Featured on photo from left to right: Marilyn Alvarez – VFW Post 3308 Ladies Auxiliary; Mark Alvarez – President VFW District 2; Kevin Hobson – Director OEG; OEG CEO Daniel A. Garza; CEO Connie Blaney – Liberty Manor for Veterans; Exec. Dir Fla Dept of Veterans’ Affairs – Mike Pendergast.

This is a great story for any reporter who might be interested in featuring Dan Garza and one of our WWII veterans getting their drivers license updated with the veterans symbol. We are fortunate that Garza and Blaney are the pioneers of this program and reside in Tampa.