With Pensacola’s vibrant military community, it is no surprise the Open World Leadership Center selected Gulf Coast Diplomacy in 2019 as the local sponsor for Ukrainian attorneys with an interest in veterans’ affairs. Their visit was particularly crucial as Ukraine is at war and in need of a system to support soldiers’ rights and retirement aid.
At the Office of Congressman Matt Gaetz, Case Worker Pamela Whatt explained the role of a district office. City of Pensacola Council Executive Don Kraher gave an introduction to Pensacola’s history & demographics and presented each with honorary citizenship to the city, a gift from Mayor Grover Robinson. Brigadier General John Adams, a U.S. Army veteran, then met the Ukrainians to share an overview of Florida is for Veterans & the Panhandle Warrior Partnership, two groups dedicated to veterans’ issues and employment services.
At the Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Circuit Judge Gary L. Bergosh, Kelly Richards of the Office of the Public Defender, and private attorney Paul Hamlin discussed the justice system in the United States and the inter-workings of Veterans Court. Veterans Court Coordinator Carol Henry facilitated the appointment. To give context to their discussion, the visitors then attended the court and learned about the rehabilitation process. They also toured the Escambia County jail and met with Chief William Powell and Captain Shawn Hankins to discuss the treatment of inmates and the rehabilitation process that takes place while serving time.
Dr. Jania Kietzmann discussed the support she gives families suffering from deployment, PTSD, and other mental health-related issues while attorney Glen Chidester provided insight into the disability process for veterans. Community Relations Specialist Debbie Farish shared the work of Waterfront Rescue Mission, a local non-profit where 14% of their clients are veterans, and Andy Huffman with Escambia County’s Veterans Services Office explained his role in ensuring all veterans receive the benefits they deserve.
Chief Amy Nicholson with the Public Affairs Office of Hurlburt Field and her team discussed legal and family issues with the group. At Naval Air Station Pensacola, Transition Assistant Program Specialist Debra Sampson gave an overview of the congressionally mandated class all service members are required to take upon separation from the armed forces. U.S. Navy Civilian Legal Assistance Attorney Samantha D. Ellis and two Judge Advocate Generals also met the group to highlight legal assistance for veterans and families.
The group balanced their professional appointments with cultural activities which included volunteering at Naval Live Oaks with Ocean Hour & the Gulf Coast Diplomacy Youth Diplomats, meeting young professionals at a mixer, and exploring the robotics lab at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition with Jerry Pratt. They also volunteered with Serving the Hungry of First United Methodist Church where Coordinator Katie Ramsey also took them behind the scenes to explain their operations. A number of the meals they serve each week are to veterans.
Gulf Coast Diplomacy members & supporters attended a community coffee with the group and the visitors spent time at Visit Pensacola. They also participated in a panel discussion on current events in Ukraine and shared their perspectives on the country’s relationship with Russia.
Host families are the special sauce of exchanges and Leigh & Kent DeSantis, Megan & Jerry Pratt, Terry & Bill Preston, Jeannine van Reeth, and Liz & Basil Yelverton made this week in Northwest Florida memorable for the group.
It was a packed schedule. Yet, when it was time to reflect on their experiences, the group expressed gratitude for the variety of professionals and perspectives they met in the region. The mix created exposure to how Americans handle a crucial topic and gave the attorneys ideas for the future.
