Local veterans react to election results – Carswellfamilyfoundation

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – There are eight military bases in Northwest Florida, and as of 2023, 13.7% of Bay County residents are veterans, according to the U.S. Census.

This is twice the number of veterans in the entire United States.

In light of the new president-elect, NewsChannel 7 asked how local veterans think things might change for them under the new president-elect.

“For a long time, the situation with medical care and other programs administered through the VA was not very good. But now I have a feeling that everything will change if the right people come there. The Veterans Administration has come a long way in the last 8 or 10 years, but it still has more to go, that’s true,” said Air Force veteran Larry K.

This optimism was echoed by other people we spoke to.

“I hope our benefits will not be affected again. I hope they stop taxing Social Security like he promised. I think we’ll now have a stronger military and certainly a stronger border,” said Navy veteran Ken Thorndike.

Some expect their benefits experience to improve as well.

“In the first four years of the Trump administration, wait times at clinics dropped significantly. You have seen how much has improved. Then over the next four years things didn’t get much better, but they didn’t get any worse either. The situation just stalled,” said Marine veteran Robert Thornton.

Others don’t expect any changes at all.

“I think as far as our military advantages are concerned, it was largely written by Congress. So we get Medicare, we get TRICARE for Life. When it comes to our health benefits, we’re doing about as well and I don’t see that changing,” said Navy veteran Kenneth Waringa.

And veterans here in the Panhandle and across the country will have to wait and see what awaits them.