MIAMI - House Speaker-designate Daniel "Danny" Perez, R-Miami, honored more than 1 million Florida veterans and members of the state House Monday for their military service on Veterans Day.
"Today, we honor all those who served our nation honorably and especially all 1.4 million veterans in our state who put on the uniform, who answered the call, and stood up in defense of freedom, liberty and democracy," Perez said.
Perez also recognized members of the House, which are included below:
Rep. Patt Maney, R-Shalimar: Maney served in the United States Army on active and reserve duty from 1970-2007. His military service included stops in Panama, Haiti, Bosnia, and Afghanistan.
Rep. David Smith, R-Winter Springs: Smith served as a Colonel in the United States Marine Corps. A UH-1N Helicopter Pilot, he flew over 4,600 mishap-free flight hours over his military career.
Rep. Dean Black, R-Jacksonville: Black is an Air Force Veteran and member of the 125th Fighter Wing and Florida Air National Guard.
Rep. Joe Casello, D-Boynton Beach: Casello served as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the United States Air Force in the early 1970s.
Rep. Mike Giallombardo, R-Cape Coral: Giallombardo enlisted in the United States Army and was deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. With the 4th Infantry Division, Giallombardo earned multiple medals, including the Army Commendation and Army Achievement Medals for his operational roles.
Rep. Lisa Dunkley, D-Sunrise: Dunkley served in the United States Army during Operation Enduring Freedom, which included a tour in Iraq before retiring.
Rep. Jeff Holcomb, R-Spring Hill: Holcomb has served as an Intelligence Officer in the United States Military Reserve since 2006. In 2016, Holcomb was called to active duty for missions against ISISĀ in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan beginning in 2018
Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart: Snyder served in the United States Marine Corps from 2007-2012. In 2011, he was deployed to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Rep. Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville: Duggan served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1993-1995.
Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota: McFarland served in the United States Navy from 2008-2016 and the United States Navy Reserve from 2016-2023. During her military service, McFarland earned two United States Navy/United States Marine Corps Commendation Medals and four United States Navy Achievement Medals
Danny Alvarez, R-Hillsborough County: Alvarez was commissioned as an infantry officer in the United States Army in 1997. Over his military career, Alvarez participated in the Army's first and oldest parachute demonstration and skydiving team, known as Silver Wings.
Michelle Salzman, R-Escambia County: Salzman served in the United States Army as a Logistician and Armorer for five years.
Jon Albert, R-Winter Haven: A new member of the House, Albert served in the United States Marine Corps. During his military career, Albert was stationed in Hawaii and North Carolina and deployed to Japan and Southeast Asia.
Sam Greco, R-Palm Coast: Another new member of the House, Greco served in the United States Navy from 2018-2024. On active duty, Greco worked as a prosecutor, advised senior military commanders, and performed legal aid work for servicemembers.
Bill Conerly, R-Lakewood Ranch: Elected to the House in 2024, Conerly served in the United States Navy for about six years.
Yvette Benarroch: Also elected to the House in 2024, Benarroch served in the United States Air Force during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
