HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla — As we approach Veterans Day, it's important to highlight resources available to those who served our country. Hillsborough County has the highest veteran population in the state of Florida, and they have people ready to answer questions to help veterans get the services they need.
Bill Gray is an Air Force veteran living in the Brandon area who served from 1978-1988.
"I started having medical problems when I came back from Turkey. They were minor, more of an irritant more than anything, nerve issues," he said.
But his medical issues got worse and his doctor recommended he go to James A. Haley VA Hospital. Bill didn't think that was an option.
"I wasn't injured. I was in during peacetime. I was never in a battle or war or anything," Gray said.
So, he went to the Veterans Resource Center inside Hillsborough County's Veterans Memorial Park.
Frank Strom served in the Marine Corps from 1984-2004. He's now the Director of Hillsborough County's Veteran Services.
"Our primary objective is to help veterans access their federal VA benefits. That can be anything from compensation, pension, health care, educational benefits. Everything from A-Z," he said.
And that's how Bill found out he does have benefits.
"Every veteran that served honorably has VA benefits. What those benefits are we can't say until you sit down and talk to these folks," Storm added.
Tanishala Floyd served in the Army from 1997-2007.
"I have uncles that served. I have aunts that served. I have cousins that served. So it's almost like a family tradition you could say," she said.
Her stepdad was a Vietnam veteran and her son is currently a marine. She also knows just how important it is for veterans to use the resources offered.
"I found out that there's so much that we can be a part of and for us to help the other veterans. It's amazing and I want all the veterans to know what we have. We earned it. We wore that uniform," Floyd said.
Bill agrees: "I thank God for this place and the people there, because I have no idea where I would be."