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Senate Resolution

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A resolution recognizing Deron Mikal for his exemplary

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public service as Hernando County's Veterans Service

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Officer.

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Deron Mikal is a veteran of the United States

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Army who served honorably during the Korean Conflict and devoted

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many years to public service as Hernando County's Veterans

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Service Officer, and

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     WHEREAS, in his retirement at the age of 74, he now serves

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more veterans as a volunteer than he did as a paid service

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officer and has eased Hernando County's caseload by assisting an

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ever-increasing number of veterans from Operation Enduring

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Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Mikal has been honored by the Disabled American

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Veterans, the Marine Corps League, the Department of Veterans'

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Affairs, and many other organizations for his years of service

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assisting those who have bravely served in the United States

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Armed Forces, and

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     WHEREAS, he personally takes veterans to the doctor's office

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and works with physicians to ensure that each veteran receives

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the benefits he or she deserves, and

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     WHEREAS, his years of experience and extensive knowledge of

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the guidelines of the Department of Veterans' Affairs make him

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one of the most effective volunteers in the state, working with

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many veterans who have battled for years to receive benefits, and

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     WHEREAS, Deron Mikal has made it his special mission to

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assist those who suffer not only from physical disabilities but

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the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition first

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recognized by the Department of Veterans' Affairs only in 2002,

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and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Mikal has advocated on behalf of veterans

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throughout his life and works up to 12 hours a day to assist

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those who have sacrificed so much for our country, NOW,

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THEREFORE,

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Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:

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     That the Senate pauses in its deliberations to honor the

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significant and beneficial service and accomplishments of Deron

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Mikal.

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     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with

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the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to Deron Mikal as a

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tangible token of the sentiments of the Florida Senate.