Good Morning!

Remembering our Nation’s Heroes on Veterans Day

In 1921 an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This site overlooks the Potomac River and the city of Washington, D.C. and has become the focal point of reverence for America’s Veterans. Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor. These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month).

The day became known as Armistice Day and officially received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. Twelve years later November 11th became a national holiday by a similar Congressional action. In 1954, Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 11th as Veterans Day for perpetuity.  

In gratitude for America’s heroes, past, present, and future, perhaps President George Washington said it best, “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.”

Celebrating the 248th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps

I would also like to congratulate the United States Marine Corps in the celebrations of their 248th birthday which takes place on Friday, November 10th.

“Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don’t have that problem.” —President Ronald Reagan

On these special days and every day, we appreciate the Marine Corps’ and all branches of the United States Military for their service, honor, courage, commitment, and sacrifice for the safety and security of Americans at home and our allies abroad.

I consider it a great honor to represent District 19. Please share this link with your friends and family so they too, can sign up for the Mayfield Minute.

If you or someone you know needs my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office. My staff and I are here to serve you!

Statewide Update

Governor DeSantis and the State of Florida Deliver a Firm and Unwavering Response to the Horrific October 7th Attack on Israel

In the 30 days since the terrorist group Hamas intentionally attacked the nation of Israel resulting in over 1,400 fatalities of women, children, and the elderly, Governor DeSantis has taken bold, quick, and decisive action to free Americans in Israel and Gaza, while lending support to the Israeli Defense Force and innocent civilians. 

Actions taken by the DeSantis administration include: 

• An immediate call for a special session of the legislature to increase sanctions against the Iranian regime, including broadening the industries named on Florida’s scrutinized companies list, and prohibiting the State from doing business with companies aligned with Iran that could in turn fund terrorist groups including Hamas;
• Numerous public condemnations of Hamas as barbaric and evil attackers against Israelis and affirming that Hamas is an Iranian terror state;
• The signing of Executive Order 23-208 (Emergency Management – Impacts of War in Israel) which specifically enables the FL Division of Emergency Management to bring Floridians home from Israel. To date, over 700 Israeli evacuees have returned to the safety of Florida by state supported charter flight evacuation efforts at no expense to those stranded or their families;
• The signing of Executive Order 23-208 which also allowed for the transport of two cargo planes stocked with 85 pallets of donated supplies including food supplies, clothing items, hygiene products, medical necessities, and children’s toys;
• The recent signage of legislation to prohibit foreign countries of concern from owning agricultural land or real estate near critical infrastructure and from operating schools in Florida;
• The ordering of state colleges and universities to discontinue and ‘shut down’ pro-Palestinian on-campus groups whose national leadership backs Hamas’ attacks on Israel;
• Approval for Florida’s CFO Jimmy Patronis to allow the Florida Treasury to increase the State’s total investment in Israel bonds to $120 million as their nation continues to defend itself in a war they did not want or incite. 

For more information and updates on Florida’s prompt response to the Israeli war against the terrorist Hamas group, click here.

Attorney General Ashley Moody and Florida Departments of Law Enforcement and Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Urge Florida Citizens to Report Suspicious Activity

AG Moody and law enforcement leaders shared their growing terrorism concerns related to the ongoing war in Israel. To continuing ongoing security measures in Florida, AG Moody sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security demanding information about foreign nationals who entered Florida after being released by federal authorities.  

“For nearly three years now, Biden has intentionally and systematically demolished our nation’s border security. This has allowed known and unknown numbers of illegal aliens with unknown intentions to walk across our border with Mexico—and we have no idea where in our country they are living or what they might be planning. We demand that DHS immediately provide information about who is in our state, when they were last contacted by the federal government, and how many of them are ‘special interest aliens’ raising significant public safety concerns,” said AG Moody.

She also cited data from CBP which proved that 169 individuals on the terror watchlist have been encountered on the Southwest border. She further stated her concerns about the high number of “known got-aways” and the tens of thousands of special interest aliens (individuals from countries that promote or protect terrorism or potentially pose a national security threat).

AG Moody is urging Floridians to be vigilant and report suspicious activity following the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, the subsequent war, and openness of the Southern border.  

Be on the look out for:

• Unusual situations, such as a vehicle parked in an odd or prohibited location, or someone acquiring large quantities of items like cell phones, timers or toxic materials;
• Items like packages, backpacks or luggage left unattended;
• Damage to security devices, for example cameras, perimeter fencing or lighting; and
• Prolonged observation and unusual photography of a building, bridge or structure by a suspicious person.

To report unusual activity in Florida, call 855-FLA-SAFE and in an emergency, call 911.

Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Program Attracts New Officers from All 50 States

The Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Program has drawn law enforcement professionals from all 50 states and two U.S. territories, according to an announcement from Governor DeSantis.

The state has awarded more than 3,350 bonuses of $5,000 each totaling $22.5 million to recruit law enforcement officers. Over 917 of the bonuses went to officers who relocated to Florida under the recruitment program.

Governor DeSantis cited the state’s support for police officers and the 50-year low crime rate as the main reasons for law enforcement professionals seeking to move to Florida.

“With a national lack of support for the important work law enforcement officers do daily, Florida has stood up for what is right,” said Governor DeSantis. “We will continue to support law and order and make investments in the people that keep our communities safe.”

For more information about the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program, visit here.

Constituent of the Week

Sergeant Don Pearsall, United States Army

Our Constituent of the Week is Don Pearsall, United States Army who served from 1966-1972. He is currently the CEO and Founder of the Veterans Connections for a New Life, a non-profit agency helping veterans and families adjust to civilian life after their military commitment.

Sergeant Don Pearsall was born in rural Lake Ronkonkoma, on Long Island in New York. He served with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and as an Assistant Chief with the Nesconset Volunteer Fire Department. After moving upstate to the small farming community of Moravia, New York, he volunteered with the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office, and was Captain of the High Angle Rescue Team, helping lost hunters and injured snowmobilers and skiers needing rescue from state parks.

In 1966 he enlisted in the military and after basic training was stationed with the United States Army in Darmstadt, Germany. His job was working as a helicopter crew chief flying missions in support of the U. S. geological team in the mountainous region of Austria.

While on base, he routinely listened to stories of adventure, danger, and risk from returning Vietnam combat pilots, who were then reassigned to more routine, less risk, flights in Europe. He sought out more from his military experience, beyond the ‘mundane’ flying support missions and volunteered to serve in Vietnam. 

He arrived in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam in November of 1966 and due to his Military Occupational Specialty, he was assigned as a combat Door Gunner on a Huey Helicopter Gun Ship serving with the 155th Assault Helicopter Company.

During his back to back tours, Sergeant Pearsall was shot down on February 18, 1968 during the infamous TET Offensive. The TET Offensive occurred as the North Vietnamese and communist Viet Cong forces launched a coordinated attack against a number of targets in South Vietnam. The U.S. and South Vietnamese militaries sustained heavy losses before finally repelling the communist assault.

Sergeant Pearsall also experienced and survived a second horrific helicopter crash on November 2, 1968 due to a mechanical failure.  

Upon returning to the states after six years of service in the U.S. Army, he began a 32-year career as a Lineman and Cable Splicer with NYNEX which is now Verizon.

Sergeant Pearsall is a Gold Star Father, sadly losing his oldest son in action during Desert Storm and Desert Shield in Iraq. His son was guarding Boots & Coots, a Texas fire suppression company hired by the government to extinguish oil well fires.

Sergeant Pearsall is a Certified Professional Life Coach and a Certified National Support Specialist. He has started many initiatives to assist Brevard County Veterans coping with PTSD through his Equine Therapy and Return to Flight programs, among others..

He is also the author of the best selling book, “Back from the Front” which addresses the challenges of military PTSD ailments. “Back to the Front” has been sold in 54 countries and is being utilized by many organizations including as the Israeli Defense Ministry, and the Argentine National Gendarmerie (Border Patrol).

Sergeant Pearsall is married to Dorothy Kiernan Walsh, President of Their Voice of Hope. Together they work on many programs including those specific to women Veterans in need of family services. They reside in Port St. John.

It is a great honor to recognize Sergeant Pearsall’s career of service and sacrifice during his military deployments, and also his and Mrs. Pearsall’s work in supporting service members, Veterans, and their families in reconnecting with their communities and to life after their tours of duty.

District Highlights

Dassault Falcon Jet Melbourne Groundbreaking Celebration

Last week I joined Lynda Weatherman, President of the Economic Development Commission of the Space Coast, Dassault Falcon Jet CEO Thierry Betbeze, Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey, Greg Donovan, Executive Director Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB), and other community leaders to welcome the Dassault Falcon Jet company to the MLB at the company’s Groundbreaking Celebration. 

Dassault Falcon Jet further establishes the Space Coast’s fast-growing international aviation and aerospace cluster, making our community even more competitive with proven resources of a highly skilled workforce, infrastructure, and a solid supply chain. 

Dassault Falcon Jet selected Florida’s Space Coast for their new major maintenance facility which is expected to generate a capital investment of approximately $100 million and the creation of 400 new jobs with an average annual salary of over $86,100.

This project is an example of why and how Florida continues to outpace the nation in both private sector job growth and labor force growth – a consistent trend we have seen for over two years. Florida has made it a priority to invest in our workforce through our colleges and universities to attract companies such as Dassault Falcon to our state. This development has allowed our students to secure rewarding careers right here in their home town.

For more information about the Dassault Falcon Jet project, click here.

Upcoming Events

Veterans Day Events and Celebrations for our Nation’s Heroes

Veterans Day Weekend Open House at Warbird Air Museum

To celebrate Veterans Day, the Warbird Air Museum (6600 Tico Road) in Titusville will offer free admission to Veterans, active duty, family members, and Florida residents on Saturday, November 11th and November 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

Since 1977 the Warbird Air Museum has been a growing airplane museum in Titusville. For over 45 years, groups of aviation enthusiasts, veterans, and pilots have collected historic airplanes (which can’t be found anywhere else in the world) from pivotal times throughout America’s history. Some of the aircraft date back to the early days of human flight. Others are from key moments in world history like World War II and other military conficts.

The events include fly-bys, food and drinks for purchase, memorabilia, model train and plane displays, meet-and-greets with combat pilots, and more activities. For more information, call 321-268-1941.

St. Francis Reflections Foundation DASH in Life 5K

The St. Francis Reflections Foundation will be honoring Veterans with Devotion, Admiration, Service, and Honor at the DASH in Life 5K. The event will take place on Saturday, November 11th beginning at 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center (400 South Sykes Creek Parkway) in Merritt Island. Individuals and teams are invited to “walk, run, march, skip, or run a virtual race” if desired. Following the race, awards will be presented and a special pinning ceremony will be held to honor all Veterans in attendance.

The DASH-Home event supports ongoing special projects for the care of Veterans including palliative and hospice care, homeless Veteran housing, and homelessness prevention of at-risk Veteran families.

To register for the DASH in Life 5K, click here.

City of Palm Bay to Host Veterans Day Parade

Palm Bay will host their Annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 11th at 10:00 a.m. beginning at Palm Bay City Hall (120 Malabar Road), heading East on Malabar Road to Emerson Drive and ending at Copley Street South East. Viewing areas for the public will be available in the medians and along sidewalks on the South side of Malabar Road.  

The Grand Marshal of the Veterans Day Parade will be U.S. Congressman Bill Posey from Florida’s 8th Congressional District.

Malabar Road will be completely closed, in both directions, from Emerson Drive to Minton Road, and Emerson Drive will be closed between Malabar and Grandeur Street until 12:00 p.m. All roadways will reopen as soon as barriers and pedestrians are cleared from the roadway and clean-up is complete.

Brevard Veterans Memorial Center

The Brevard Veterans Memorial Center will host a Veterans Day Ceremony and Pass in Review on Saturday, November 11th beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center (400 South Sykes Creek Parkway) in Merritt Island.

Donn Weaver, immediate past chairman with the Brevard Veterans Council, discussed the Pass in Review.

“There are 17 Veterans organizations that are partners and tenants at the Veterans Memorial Center. We’re asking each of them to get their flags and do a ‘Pass in Review’ with a head color guard, and then everybody else carrying their individual unit flags,” Weaver said.

The event’s keynote speaker will be Col. S Shannon DaSilva, deputy director of Operations Space Systems Command at Patrick Space Force Base. Rear Admiral USN (Ret.) Jim Hart, president of Space Coast Honor Flight, will also provide remarks.

Participants will have the opportunity to tour the Center’s military museum and library. For more information, contact the Veterans Memorial Events Coordinator Dorothy Walsh at [email protected].

Veterans Council of Indian River County

The Veterans Council of Indian River County, which represents approximately 25 Veterans organizations throughout the county including the Vietnam Veterans of America in Vero Beach Chapter 1038 and the American Legion Post 189 in Sebastian, will hold its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday, November 11th at 9:00 a.m. at the Riverside Park Grand Pavilion (U.S. 1 and County Road 512) in Sebastian.

The event is free of charge, open to the public, and organizers encourage all attendees to bring a lawn as seating is very limited.

For more information, contact 772- 410-5820.

National Veterans Homeless Support (NVHS) 6th Annual Homestretch 5K

The NVHS 6th Annual Homestretch 5K will take place in the Eau Gallie Art District (1453 Highland Avenue) in Melbourne on Sunday, November 12th. The schedule is as follows:

6:30 AM – Packet Pickup & Registration Opens

7:45 AM – Packet Pickup & Late Registration for 5K ends

8:00 AM – 5K Start

9:00 AM – Awards Ceremony

The event raises funds and support for homeless veterans in our community The race follows along Indian River with scenic view throughout the course.

Upon registration, participants will receive a race kit that includes a medal, a T-shirt, a goodie bag, a “Free for Veterans” buffet breakfast at Pineapples (1434 Pineapple Avenue) in Melbourne, and an invite to the post-race celebration with live music and drinks at the Grills Restaurant (6075 North US Highway 1) in Melbourne. 

The participant registration fee is $30.00 for adults and $25.00 for ages 17 and under when ordered online in advance. The fee increases to $35.00 on race day and must be paid by cash or check. 

You can also register in person at the Running Zone (3969 North Wickham Road) in Melbourne on November 10th and 11th.

American Legion Post 81 Presents Annual Honoring Veterans Cemetery Project

On Sunday, November 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. the American Legion Chapter 81 Riders will present “The Veterans Day After Poker Run.” Interested riders should call 321-215-4849 for registration and additional information.

The cost for entry is $15.00 per rider and $10.00 for passengers. Live music and lunch are included for all participants. Proceeds will be used to provide signs for Veterans lying at rest at the Melbourne City Cemetery (710 East Hibiscus Boulevard) in Melbourne.

Contact Information

Melbourne Office 

900 East Strawbridge Avenue

Melbourne, FL 32901

(321) 409-2025

Tallahassee Office

400 Senate Office Building

404 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

(850) 487-5019

Staff:

Kelli Lane

Yvette Campbell

Ian Nolan