Five Programs. One Mission.
We serve Florida’s Military Order of the Purple Heart recipients and their families through five core programs. Each one addresses a different need, but they all share the same foundation: showing up for the people who showed up for this country.
We remeber their sacrifice.
We Serve their legacy
Welfare and Veterans Assistance
When life gets hard, asking for help is one of the hardest things a veteran can do. We get that. The Veterans Assistance Program exists to make it easier. We provide small financial grants to veterans and their families across Florida who are facing a moment of need. Whether it is a utility bill, a medical expense, or something else that has come up at the wrong time, we move quickly and treat every applicant with respect.
Who Can Apply
Any veteran or their family member residing in Florida is eligible to apply. You do not need to be a Military Order of the Purple Heart recipient to request assistance.
What You Will Need
- A copy of the veteran's Member DD214 (black out Social Security Number before sending)
- A copy of your photo ID
- The invoice or bill requiring assistance
- A completed Veterans Assistance Program Application
To apply, download the application, fill it out, and mail it to: Department of Florida, 1325 Grasslands Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33803.
For faster processing, scan or photograph your completed application and email it to our Welfare/Veteran Assistance Officer Nathan Wood at welfare@purpleheartflorida.org.
Questions?
Contact our Welfare and Veteran Assistance Officer Nathan Wood at welfare@purpleheartflorida.org or his phone at 863-712-8049.
Suicide Awareness
22 veterans take their own lives every day in the United States. In Florida, that number is not going down on its own.
Our Suicide Awareness Program takes a two-part approach to this crisis. First, we educate. We equip our members with the tools to identify veterans who may be at risk and connect them with the right resources before it is too late. Second, we show up. We know from experience that breaking the cycle of isolation can have a profound impact on veterans dealing with depression and PTSD, and that it is often easier to do that when surrounded by others who have been through the same kinds of trauma.
No program replaces human connection. That is why our events, our gatherings, and our community are as much a part of this effort as any formal initiative.
Questions?
If you or someone you know is struggling with stress, depression, or suicidal ideation, help is available right now.
ROTC Leadership Award
The next generation of American service members is already out there, in schools and universities across Florida. The ROTC Leadership Award exists to recognize them.
Presented annually by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, this award honors cadets and midshipmen enrolled in ROTC and JROTC programs who have demonstrated outstanding leadership. It is not just an award. It is a signal from combat-wounded veterans to the next generation that we see them, and that we value what they are building.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be an underclassman (seniors are not eligible
- Have a positive attitude toward ROTC and their country
- Hold a leadership position in the cadet corps
- Be active in school and community affairs
- Have earned a grade of B or better in all subjects the previous semester
- Not have previously received this award
Scholarships
Education opens doors. For combat-wounded veterans and the families of Military Order of the Purple Heart recipients, those doors should always be open.
- The annual scholarship (up to $6,000/year, selection handled by a committee)
- Department of Florida Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship at the University of West Florida( UWF )
Scholarship will be awarded to students in their undergraduate program of instruction.
Scholarship recipients must be a recipient of the Purple Heart for combat wounds while in the service of the U.S. Armed Services. Those who qualify may apply for the scholarship through the
Office of Military Services at Bldg. 77, by presenting a copy of their DD Form 214 or the
Award Citation with orders. Applicants will interview with the Executive Director of the Office of
Military Services, Dr. Andrew Del Gaudio.
Note: MOPH cannot be involved in selecting recipients for scholarships where they are the donor:
The Department of Florida Scholarship Program awards annual scholarships to eligible applicants who are pursuing continued education. This program is funded entirely by the Department of Florida and operates independently from the national Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship Program.
Who Is Eligible
- Military Order of the Purple Heart medal recipients
- Direct lineal descendants of a MOPH recipient
- Recipients of the MOPH Leadership Award
Not every applicant will receive a scholarship. Scholarships are awarded annually provided all requirements are met. This is not a full-tuition scholarship, and the award amount may vary year to year based on available funding.
Purple Heart Trail
Some tributes are written in stone. The Military Order of the Purple Heart is written in road signs, highway designations, and county resolutions across Florida, each one a reminder to everyday citizens that others paid a high price for their freedom to travel freely and live in peace.
Florida is a Military Order of the Purple Heart state. Today 40 of Florida’s 67 counties carry MOPH County designations, alongside 83 MOPH cities across the state.
Make Your Community Part of the Trail
If you would like to designate your city, county, school, or business as a Military Order of the Purple Heart entity, email Ernie Rivera at adjutant@mophfl.org or download the guide below.
Questions about any of our programs?
Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.