THIS THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

>> COMING UP AFTER FLORIDA VOTERS APPROVED AMENDMENT 3.

IT'S NOW UP TO LAWMAKERS TO FLESH OUT THE DETAILS.

>> AND GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS IS LOOKING TO CALL ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION TO WRAP THINGS UP BEFORE HIS TIME IN TALLAHASSEE IS OVER.

AS WE PREPARE FOR VETERANS DAY, WE LEARN HOW A CLASSICAL COMPOSITION HAS BECOME INTERTWINED WITH THE ANNUAL OBSERVANCE.

>> I FIND THE PEACE AND SOLACE OF THE WATER AND THE OUTDOORS HELPS ME CALM SOME OF THE THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW MIGHT BOTHER ME WITH THE ATTRIBUTION TO SERVICE.

>> AND A DAY ON THE WATER IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BRINGS CAMARADERIE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM THEIR TOURS OF DUTY HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

ONE WEEK AGO ON ELECTION NIGHT, FLORIDA VOTERS APPROVED AMENDMENT 3.

IT WILL REDUCE SOME PROPERTY TAX BILLS FOR CERTAIN HOMEOWNERS.

BUT SOME EXPERTS WARN THOSE TAX CUTS WILL COME AT A HIGH COST FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

RECENTLY.

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS TOLD REPORTERS HE WANTS TO CALL ANOTHER SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO PASS A TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS TO HELP IMPLEMENT AMENDED 3 BEFORE HE LEAVES OFFICE IN JANUARY.

>> JOINING ME NOW FOR A LOOK AT HOW SUCH A SPECIAL SESSION MIGHT.

>> ACTUALLY PLAY OUT HIS WGC HOST AND REPORTER JOHN DAVIS.

SO FIRST OF ALL, NOW THAT AMENDMENT 3 HAS BEEN PAST AND APPROVED.

CAN YOU SUMMARIZE FOR EVERYONE?

JUST REMIND EVERYBODY WHAT THE MEASURE IS ABOUT, RIGHT?

SO THIS IS GOING TO DRAMATICALLY INCREASE FLORIDA'S NON-SCHOOL HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FROM THE >> EXISTING $50,000 $250,000 NEXT YEAR.

AND THEN THE $250,000 AND 2028 SUPPORTERS SAY IT'S GOING TO BE A MUCH-NEEDED GONE FOR HOMEOWNERS BECAUSE THEY'RE DEALING WITH THE RISING COSTS EVERYTHING.

OPPONENTS, AS WE KNOW, SAY THIS IS GOING TO DRAMATICALLY IMPACT LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO FUND ESSENTIAL SERVICES LIKE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDERS, FIREFIGHTERS, ROADS, ROADWAY, INFRASTRUCTURE, LIBRARIES, THAT SORT OF THING.

SO THEY'VE CHARACTERIZING THIS NOT AS A TAX BREAK FOR HOMEOWNERS, BUT AS ATTACK SHIFT BECAUSE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE STILL GOING TO NEED TO FIND OTHER WAYS TO COME UP WITH THAT MONEY.

THAT IS EXPLICITLY WHY GOVERNOR DESANTIS WANTS TO HOLD A SPECIAL SESSION.

HE DOESN'T WANT THIS TO TURN INTO ATTACK SHIFT.

SO HE'S SAYING HE WANTS TO PREVENT CITIES AND COUNTIES FROM COMPENSATING FOR THAT LOST PROPERTY TAX REVENUE BY INCREASING OTHER TAXES OR FEES.

HE ALSO HAS TALKED ABOUT PROTECTING SMALLER COUNTIES, COMMUNITIES IN RURAL AREAS BECAUSE THEY ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY AMENDMENT THREES.

PASSAGE AND ALSO ESTABLISHING A SCHEDULE FOR FURTHER EXEMPTIONS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WASN'T TALKED ABOUT A LOT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL BUT AMENDMENT 3 ACTUALLY ALSO ALLOWS THE LEGISLATURE TO INCREASE THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION BE ON THE $250,000 IN 2028, THEY COULD ACTUALLY ELIMINATE PROPERTY TAXES FOR PRIMARY RESIDENCES IN FLORIDA ALL TOGETHER AND SOME FUTURE YEAR.

SO IF THE SPECIAL SESSION HAPPENS, IT COULD BECOME ONE OF THE MORE CONTENTIOUS PIECES OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF DESANTIS IS TENDER.

>> WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT WHEN THIS SPECIAL SESSION COULD TAKE PLACE?

WHAT COULD IS THE OPERATIVE WORD HERE AT THIS MOMENT?

NOTHING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED.

DESANTIS SAID HE WAS GOING TO LET LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP.

>> SET THE DATE.

BUT AGAIN, HE'S OUT OF OFFICE COME JANUARY BEFORE THE ELECTION.

INCOMING LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP WAS RATHER NONCOMMITTAL ON BETWEEN THE LINES WITH CAMP PODCAST WITH STATE AFFAIRS, SENATE PRESIDENT DESIGNATE JIM BOYD SAID PERSONALLY, I BELIEVE THAT IT CAN WAIT UNTIL WE CONVENE IN JANUARY.

I THINK THE NEW ADMINISTRATION OUGHT TO HAVE A SAYING THAT.

SO BASICALLY WAITING UNTIL BYRON DONALDS A SWORN IN AND WORKING WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION LIKE WISE, HOW SPEAKER DESIGNATE SAM GARRISON, HE SAYS AMENDMENT 3 IS GOING TO QUOTE, DOMINATE THE UPCOMING SESSION AND NOT BE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE ROLLED OUT IN JUST IMPLEMENTED IN 3 DAYS.

THIS IS A VERY, VERY COMPLICATED ISSUE.

I PERSONALLY I'M OF THE BELIEF I'D RATHER BE RIGHT.

BE QUICK AND FURTHERMORE, PRESIDENT OF THE NONPARTISAN FLORIDA POLICY PROJECT AND FORMER STATE SENATOR JEFF BRANDES.

HE WAS VERY CRITICAL OF AMENDMENT 3 AND ALSO THIS IDEA OF HOLDING A SPECIAL SESSION DURING DESANTIS THIS FINAL FEW MONTHS.

HE TOLD THE PHOENIX LAST WEEK, QUOTE, I DON'T KNOW HOW DESANTIS WOULD EXEMPT A NON AD VALOREM TAXATION OR TRY TO PREVENT SOME OTHER TYPE OF FEE SHIFT.

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE ALL THE STATUTORY FEES AVAILABLE TO THEM.

I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHERE HE'S GOING BECAUSE SO MANY HAVE ALREADY BUILT THIS INTO THEIR SYSTEM.

SO THERE'S A REAL POSSIBILITY HERE THAT IF DESANTIS, THE DEMANDS THAT LAWMAKERS CONVENE A SPECIAL SESSION WHICH CONSTITUTIONALLY HE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DO, HE CAN'T ACTUALLY COMPEL THEM TO DO ANYTHING IF THEY'RE NOT ON BOARD, THEY COULD JUST GAVEL IN AND GAVEL OUT WITHOUT PASSING ANYTHING.

AND THEN JUST WAIT UNTIL THE REGULAR SESSION IN 2027 TO TACKLE AMENDMENT 3 IMPLEMENTATION.

THANK YOU, JOHN DAVIS, FOR JOINING US AND GIVING US THE LATEST ON THIS.

>> COMING UP NEXT, WE LEARN MORE ABOUT POSSIBLE IMPACTS OF AMENDMENT 3 ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S RURAL COMMUNITIES.

WE BREAK DOWN THE BURDEN.

IT PLACES ON CITIES AND COUNTIES.

THE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT 3 COULD HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON FLORIDA'S RURAL COMMUNITIES.

WELL, HOMEOWNERS COULD SAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR ON PROPERTY TAXES.

THE PROJECTED LACK OF TAX REVENUE IN SOME INLAND CITIES AND COUNTIES IS CREATING GREAT CONCERN.

WGC IS MIKE BRAUN HAS MORE.

>> PROPERTY TAXES ARE THE MAIN REVENUE SOURCE FOR MONEY FOR CITIES, FUNDING POLICE, FIRE PARKS, ROAD MAINTENANCE, ANIMAL SERVICES, LIBRARIES.

AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

CONSIDERING COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ARE ALSO LOSING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN AD VALOREM TAX REVENUE.

HOW THIS WILL ALL PLAY OUT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

WHAT WE DO KNOW IS BIG.

BIG CUTS ARE COMING.

WCU REPORTER EILEEN KELLY IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS NEW REPORT THAT SPEAKS TO THE PERILS OF THE PASSAGE OF AMENDED 3.

OKAY.

SO THE 3RD ID LIKE A CITY'S STUDENT ANALYSIS BASED ON THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TAX RULES ARE.

>> AND FOUND THAT 108 FLORIDA CITIES ARE PROJECTED TO LOSE 90% OR MORE OF THEIR HOMESTEAD TAX BASE.

AND THAT REALLY BEARS REPEATING 90% OF ITS TAX BASE.

MOORE HAVEN IN GLADES COUNTY IS EXPECTED TO LOSE.

99.9% THE HOKIE IN A FARMING COMMUNITY IN PALM BEACH COUNTY.

98% ARCADIA.

97 AVON PARK IN HIGHLANDS.

93% CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, 93% IN CLEWISTON ALSO MADE THE LIST IN IN HENRY COUNTY.

IT'S IN DANGER OF LOSING 90% OF ITS TAX BASE.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE THE TAX BILL BY OF HOMES IN THE SMALL CITIES NOW FALL UNDER THE INCREASED TAX EXEMPTION.

WOULD YOU REMIND US AGAIN WHAT THE NEW EXEMPTIONS WILL BE?

SURE.

ABSOLUTELY.

RIGHT NOW IT IS $50,000 FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS.

IT'S GOING TO TRIPLE TO $150,000 A YEAR FROM NOW.

WHEN.

BUT WHEN GOVERNMENTS ARE PLANNING THEIR BUDGETS, WHEN HOMEOWNERS ARE GETTING THERE, THERE ARE TUESDAY IN MILEAGE REPORTS IN THE MAIL THAT TELLS THEM HOW MUCH TAXES ARE GOING TO DO SO NEXT YEAR AT THIS TIME, IT'S GOING TO GO UP TO $150,000.

THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

IT'S GOING UP TO $250,000 WHICH WILL MAKE THE LOSS IS EVEN MORE.

THERE ARE PROJECTIONS THAT WITHIN JUST A FEW YEARS, GOVERNMENTS ACROSS THE STATE WILL LOSE 12 BILLION DOLLARS.

I MEAN, WHAT'S NEXT?

THEN?

YOU KNOW.

I MEAN, IT JUST PASSED A WEEK AGO AND, YOU KNOW, GOVERNMENTS ACROSS THE STATE, WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT THAT YOU KNOW WHAT WE UNDERSTAND.

WE HEAR YOU.

WE HEAR YOU YOU KNOW, NO ONE LIKES TAXES.

IT'S TOUGH WITH THIS ECONOMY, BUT THEY HAD BEEN TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO NOT VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS.

IT FAILED.

SO WHAT'S NEXT IS THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO MEET IN THE NEXT THE LAST FEW WEEKS THAT WE HAVE OF THIS YEAR.

HE'S TRYING TO MEET WITH THE LEGISLATORS TO ACTUALLY SORT OUT.

HOW ARE THEY GOING TO DO THIS?

BECAUSE HONESTLY.

>> THEY DON'T KNOW IT.

WELL, THANK YOU FOR THAT, ALI, FOR PROVIDING THIS UPDATE.

AND I'M SURE WE WILL BE HEARING MORE FROM YOU AS OUR LOCAL COUNTIES AND CITIES GRAPPLE WITH DEEP, DEEP BUDGET CUTS IN THE COMING YEAR.

>> FOR MORE STORIES ON AMENDMENT 3 AND POST MID-TERM ELECTION COVERAGE.

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE WGC YOU DOT ORG.

WEDNESDAY IS VETERANS DAY A TIME WE SET ASIDE TO HONOR THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY AS PART OF A TRIBUTE TO VETERANS.

THE FORT MYERS PHILHARMONIC IS PERFORMING A SOLDIER'S TALE AT 6 LOCATIONS DURING THE WEEK.

IGOR STRAVINSKY WROTE THE PIECE IN RESPONSE TO WORLD WAR ONE AND THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION, ALTHOUGH WE'RE PREPARED 6 WEEKS BEFORE THE NOVEMBER, 11TH 1918, ARMISTICE, IT HAS BEEN LINKED TO A VETERANS DAY EVER SENSE.

WGC YOU ARTS REPORTER TOM HALL HAS DETAILS.

>> A SOLDIER'S TALE TELLS THE STORY OF A SOLDIER WHO TRADES HIS OWN VIOLENT DOUBLE FOR MAGIC.

WELL, I CAN TELL THE FUTURE AND MAKE HIM WEALTHY.

THE MAYOR IS A BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS AND BECOME RICH.

BEYOND HIS IMAGINATION.

HE WANTS MORE.

AND RISKS US ALL TOGETHER.

APOLLO TO OPERA DANCER, LINDSAY JORGENSEN PLAYS THE PRINCESS.

>> IT'S A FAIRLY SIMPLE STORY.

IT'S EASY TO FOLLOW ALONG.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THERE'S JUST SO MUCH TO ENGAGE WITH THEIRS.

NOT ONLY LIVE MUSIC, WHICH IS SUCH A TREAT THESE DAYS, ESPECIALLY AS A DANCER.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME YOU'RE GETTING ACTING ARE GETTING TALENTED ACTORS MOVING THROUGHOUT THE SPACE, ENGAGING WITH MOVEMENT.

DANCE AND PERFORMANCE IN THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT'S TRULY A. INTERDISCIPLINARY ARE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY.

BACK TO SIR WORK.

AND I THINK THE AUDIENCE IS WELL.

BE VERY SURPRISED.

MAYBE WANT MORE OF THAT.

>> VETERAN ACTOR ARE KEEN PLAYS THE DEVIL.

HE SAYS AUDIENCES WILL THRILL TO THE TOWN'S UNIQUE BLEND OF CHAMBER MUSIC THEATER, DANCE AND STORYTELLING.

>> THE IDEA WAS THAT.

>> YOU COME TO SEE THESE BEAUTIFULLY TALENTED MUSICIANS.

>> PLAYING THESE LOVELY STRING AND BRASS INSTRUMENTS AND PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS AND YOU'RE GETTING THE ADDED BENEFIT OF HAVING AN EXTREMELY TALENTED DANCER AND SOME ACTORS ALONG THE WAY AS WELL.

AND IT DOES LEND ITSELF TO A WONDERFUL CAUSE.

A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THOSE ART FORMS >> DA PLACED A SOLDIER.

HE POINTS OUT THAT WHILE HE'S MEMORIZED ALL OF HIS LINES.

>> HE ONLY GETS TO PANTOMIME FOR THE MAYOR IS THE ONE WHO WILL BE.

>> TALKING ABOUT MY FEELINGS TALKING ABOUT WHAT I'M SEEING OUT THERE TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME.

SO THIS IS AN INTERESTING CHALLENGE IS AN ACTOR BECAUSE I HAVE TO.

I HAVE TO LEARN ALL THE LINES.

BUT I NEVER SAY THAT MYSELF.

I JUST HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT SOMEONE ELSE IS SAYING THAT AND I JUST HAVE TO REACT AND ACT IN A WAY SO IT WOULD FIT INTO THAT WITH THE WORLD.

>> THE VOICE OF A SOLDIER'S TALE BELONGS TO MIKE JACKSON.

>> I'M A TV NEWS GUY.

I'M NOT AN ACTOR.

MY FIRST CAREER WAS TV NEWS.

>> I WAS A CHICAGO NEWSCASTER.

NBC NEWS CORRESPONDENT BASED IN CHICAGO.

>> CHICAGO ANCHOR FOR A WHILE.

>> IN ADDITION TO GIVING THE NARRATOR PERSONALITY, JACKSON HAS TO EXPRESS A RANGE OF THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS FOR THE SOLDIER.

THE DEVIL, A KING AND EVEN THE PRINCESS 6 DIFFERENT ROLES AND ALL.

>> SO IT TURNS INTO MORE INTERPRETIVE READING GETTING INSIDE PEOPLE'S HEADS, TRYING IT AS BEST I CAN TO CONNOTE THE EMOTION OF THE MOMENT.

SO THAT.

PEOPLE CAN.

BUY INTO IT AS WE MOVE ALONG.

>> JACKSON IS AGED IN HIS STORYTELLING BY STRAVINSKY'S RHYTHMIC REPETITIVE DISCORDANT SCORE.

IT OPENS WITH THE SOLDIERS MARCH A STIFF PARODY OF MILITARISM AND ENDS WITH A TRIUMPHANT AND DIABOLICAL DEVILS FANS IN BETWEEN THE AUDIENCE IS TREATED TO THE PRINCESS'S MODERN DANCE SEQUENCE CHOREOGRAPHED BY JORGENSEN HERSELF.

>> STRAVINSKY MADE MY JOB REALLY EASY.

DIVIDED.

THE PRINCESSES SCORE INTO 3 MOVEMENTS.

>> THE FIRST IS A TANGO.

THE SECOND WAS.

THE 3RD IS RAGTIME.

JORDAN SAYS CHOREOGRAPHY FOR THAT ONE.

INCORPORATE YOUR FAVORITE LOVE STORIES.

>> THERE'S SOME.

>> SOME SOUND OF MUSIC.

16 GOING ON.

17 KIND OF FEEL THERE.

THERE'S SOME ROMEO AND JULIET MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME >> AND YOU KNOW, STRAVINSKY WEANING INTO SOME MORE MARTHA GRAHAM BASED MOVEMENT, SOME PINA BAUSCH.

AND IT'S KIND OF.

SEEING WHAT DEVELOPS THROUGH THERE.

>> AT ITS HEART.

>> A SOLDIER'S TALES OF FAUST.

THE MORALITY STORY THAT ENCOURAGE US TO LIVE IN GRATITUDE IN THE MOMENT.

2 LIKENS THE DELTA OR INNER VOICE DISSATISFACTION AND OUR RATIONAL BELIEF THAT THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE.

YOU DON'T REALIZE THE VALUE OF WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE.

>> AND I THINK THIS PIECE HIGHLIGHTS THAT A LOT THROUGHOUT THE JOURNEY OF THE SOLDIER.

IT'S IT'S ALL ABOUT FINDING JOY AND FINDING HAPPINESS IN THE LITTLE THINGS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT.

LIKE THE LITTLE THINGS.

THE MUSIC DOES A FANTASTIC JOB OF FOR A SUPPORTING THAT ENTIRE STORY.

IT'S VERY YOU NEED.

>> WITH VIDEOGRAPHY BY TYLER MOORE HEAD 4 NEWS.

I'M TOM.

>> FLORIDA.

GULF COAST UNIVERSITY IS RECOGNIZED AS A FLORIDA COLLEGIATE PURPLE STAR CAMPUS.

THAT IS A STATE DESIGNATION FOR THE UNIVERSITY'S COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING MILITARY FAMILIES AND VETERANS.

THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS, A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS ARE TAKING PLACE THAT RECOGNIZE THE EFFORTS BEING MADE BY MILITARY PERSONNEL.

BOTH ON DEPLOYMENT AND RETURNING BACK TO CIVILIAN LIFE.

WGC STEADY BURN.

FIND OUT ABOUT THE PROGRAMS HELPING VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> WELL, DR PAIN IS A VETERAN OF BOTH THE U.S.

ARMY AND NAVY.

HE IS A BRONZE STAR RECIPIENT.

WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT YOU ARE JOINING US HERE TODAY.

THANK YOU.

IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE.

SO NOW WE LIKE TO START THE ROLE YOU PLAY HERE AT FGCU WHERE YOU ARE, THE ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY PROGRAMS ARE.

HOW DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT WORK TO SERVE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES?

>> OUR DEPARTMENT, THE MILITARY VETERAN SUCCESS PROGRAM OVERSEES ALL VETERANS DEPENDENTS AND SPOUSES WITHIN THE FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY AREA AND OF COURSE, THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

WE ARE A CENTRAL HUB FOR ALL STUDENTS COMING IN WITH ANY TYPE OF ACADEMIC THAT FOR FINANCIAL FOR GRANTS, FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, SUPPORTING THEIR INITIATIVE FROM FROM VETERAN STATUS OR FROM ACTIVE DUTY TO CIVILIAN STAFFER FROM RESERVES.

THAT'S GOING TO EDUCATION.

THE MILITARY VETERAN SUCCESS GROUP REALLY LOOKS AT THAT THEM.

THE SOLDIER, THE DEPENDENCE OF THE SPOUSES AND PROVIDE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A HOME.

A SECOND HOME HERE NOT ONLY AS AN ACADEMIC CENTER, BUT IN A CENTER WHERE THEY CAN RELAX MEET OTHER VETERANS.

MEET OTHER VETERAN FAMILIES AND IN A WAY FIND SAFE ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN LEARN, ENGAGE AND AND WOULD BE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE ON ALL ENDS.

>> AND THEN OBVIOUSLY THIS WEEK CELEBRATES VETERANS DAY REMEMBERING THOSE WHO SERVED.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT INVESTMENTS IN HOW YOU KNOW, PROGRAMS FOR SOLDIERS THAT RETURN FROM WAR AND COMBAT, HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THAT GROW OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS?

BUT WE ALL RECOGNIZE THE CHALLENGES THEY SAW.

THE EDNA MORE AND THE CHALLENGES THEY SAW WHEN.

>> SO JUST CAME BACK FROM DEPLOYMENT.

AND WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE WERE ISSUES WIND.

WE HAD SOME OF THE FORGOTTEN WAR OR OR THAT MAY BE SOME SORT OF THE CAME BACK FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN AND EITHER BEING ISOLATED OR MISUNDERSTOOD WHAT THEY WERE DOING THEY'VE ASKED WAS THAT WE SEE HERE IS THAT WE ARE RECOGNIZING THAT POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS, THE RULE OF 20 TO 22 SUICIDE TODAY.

AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT THAT IS A VERY BIG, IMPORTANT ASPECT IN ANYONE'S GROWTH IN LIFESTYLE AND CHALLENGES AND THEIR LIFESTYLE.

SO IN RECOGNIZING THAT WE WE NOW OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEN AND WOMEN FROM IN ALL BRANCHES TO COME.

THE NBS SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR ACADEMIC NEEDS, SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS TO THE THE COUNSELING CENTER HERE THROUGH THE THROUGH THE REHAB CENTER HERE.

AND OF COURSE, WE ALSO HAVE POST WE REHABILITATIVE EXERCISE WITH HOME BASE.

WE PARTNERED UP WITH THE VFW, AMERICAN LEGION, WOUNDED WARRIORS, HEALING WATERS AND MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THAT ADVANCEMENT IN WORKING AS A HUB THAT CENTRAL HUB FOR MANY OF THESE, YOU KNOW, PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS TO WORK WITH US TO HELP THESE STUDENTS BECOME BETTER INDIVIDUALS IN THEMSELVES.

SO THEN.

>> ALL WEEK LONG EVENT CELEBRATING OR HONORING RECOGNIZING VETERANS DAY.

CAN YOU SHARE WITH US SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE WILL SEE HAPPENING ON THE FGCU CAMPUS THIS WEEK.

>> SO WE ALL KNOW THAT NOVEMBER.

11TH AT THE 11TH HOUR, 11TH 11 MONTH IS VETERANS DAY.

AND THAT'S A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT AND POINT THING THAT WE WE AS VETERANS RECOGNIZED AND THEN COMMUNITY IN THE U.S.

WELL, YOU KNOW, AS VETERANS WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THAT ONE MOMENT IN TIME, THAT ONE MOMENT IN TIME OFTEN.

WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE VETERANS.

24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK AND I WANT THEM TO REMEMBER THAT.

IT'S NOT JUST ONE MOMENT IN TIME.

IT'S A WEEKLONG EVENT WHERE WE HONOR ALL SERVICES.

MONDAY IS ON THE DAY.

TUESDAY IS MARINE CORPS AND THAT THE MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY, WHICH IS THE 250ST AND THE WEDNESDAY, OF COURSE, IS VETERANS DAY.

WE'LL DO A BASKETBALL GAME THAT EVENING.

THURSDAY IS GOING TO BE COAST GUARD AND NAVY AND FRIDAYS ARE CEREMONIAL EVENT OF THE AIR FORCE AND WE RECOGNIZE 250 VETERANS.

WE ARE DONE.

NOMINATED 250 VETERANS WERE NOMINATED THIS YEAR AND WE WILL BE AWARDING 250 VETERANS AT FGCU ON FRIDAY RECOGNIZING THEIR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE FOR THIS GREAT NATION.

SO WE'RE BUILDING THAT OPPORTUNITY WHERE THEY CAN MEET.

VENDORS.

WE CAN MEET ORGANIZATIONS THEY CAN MEET SUPPORT GROUPS.

THEY CAN MEET A DIME.

MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.

AND FINALLY, THERE'S SERVICES.

THEY'RE LIKE CAPS AND COUNSELING.

SEE WAVE HEALING HEROES.

THAT'S ALSO THERE FOR FAMILIES AS WELL.

SO IT'S A MULTIFACETED OF SO MANY ACTIVITIES.

I THINK ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING THINGS AS WE BUILT THE MUSEUM AND YOU CAN GO VISIT THAT MUSEUM TO TAKE YOU BACK TO THE JOHN OR OF WAR ERA YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED FROM THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR ALL THE WAY TO THE WARRANT HER.

AND I THINK THAT RIGHT THERE IS REALLY A TOUCHING EPISODE OF OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO REPRESENT.

>> ALL DR BOJAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, RECOGNIZING THE PLIGHT OF RETURNING SERVICE MEMBERS BY SPENDING A DAY ON THE WATER.

THE ROLL, A SIMPLE FISHING TRIP CAN PLAY IN HELPING VETERANS FEEL MORE AT HOME.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR SOME MILITARY MEMBERS IS TRYING TO RETURN AND ADJUST TO CIVILIAN LIFE TO FIND A SENSE OF BALANCE FISH WITH THE HERO BRINGS TOGETHER VETERANS FOR A DAY ON THE WATER WHERE THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAY MIGHT HAVE VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH WHAT WAS ACTUALLY BITING.

WGC IS ELIZABETH AND ARCHIE HAS THE STORY.

>> TIM ZIMMERMANN HAS BEEN IMMERSED PLACES THAN THIS 8 YEARS AS A HEAVY MACHINE GUNNER IN THE MARINES TO COMBAT TOURS, IRAQ IN THE HORN OF AFRICA ON SATURDAY.

HE'S ONLY ASSIGNMENT WAS A KAYAK AND THE FISHING ROD.

>> WHAT I LOVE ABOUT EVENTS LIKE THIS IS I FIND THE PEACE AND SOLACE OF THE WATER IN THE HELPS ME CALM SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU KNOW MIGHT BOTHER ME WITH THE ATTRIBUTION TO SERVICE.

>> HE WAS ONE OF DOZENS AT LAKES PARK ON GUESTS OF FISH WITH THE HERO, A LOCAL NONPROFIT THAT HELPS VETERANS NAVIGATE SERVICE RELATED CHALLENGES.

SOME VETS FACE FROM THE BANK.

SOME FISH FROM KAYAKS.

SOME OF THEM WERE NEW TO IT.

AND THE QUESTION WAS NEVER SO MANY FISH.

THEY CATCH.

ZIMMERMAN SAYS IT PROVIDES A DIFFERENT FOCUS.

>> YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IN THEATER AND SEEN COMBAT A LOT OF PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH ASSIMILATING BACK INTO CIVILIAN MIKE, THINGS LIKE HYPER VIGILANCE NOT BEING ABLE TO RELAX, NOT BEING ABLE TO FEEL A SENSE OF PEACE AGAIN THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE HAD ONCE, YOU KNOW, BEFORE THEY WENT OUT.

>> ONE CAN TELL BY LOOKING, LARRY KENZIE OR IS 77 AND SERVED IN THE ARMY.

HE STARTED THIS THAT THE HERO IN 2013 ON THE BELIEF THE WATER CAN HELP FIRST COMES THE TYING OF THE FLIES USED FOR FLY FISHING, SMALL HOOKS, FINE THREAD, STUDY HYMNS.

IT'S GOOD FOR THE FINGERS AND IT GIVES VETERANS SOMETHING TO CREATE SOME FLIGHTS ARE USED SOME ARE KEPT.

>> IT WAS BASICALLY A REALIZATION THAT I HAD MANY YEARS AGO THAT FISHING WAS AN EXCELLENT FORM OF THERAPY FOR VETS SUFFERING PRIMARILY FROM PTSD AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES.

>> YOU THERE IS THE MATTER OF THE FIX.

THE SERMON ARE OPTIMISTS, BUT THIS ARE REALISTS.

>> BY LATE MORNING, A FEW BITES OUT HERE.

NOTHING REALLY THE FISH WERE WINNING.

>> KINSEY OR HAS A PHILOSOPHY FISHERMAN.

>> THE ONES THAT ARE VERY LUCKY THAT ACTUALLY CATCH OFFICIAL AROUND THE WATER THEY'LL PROBABLY WALK AWAY WITH A FEELING OF EXCITEMENT WHEN THEY FEEL IT FIRST.

AND I THINK IN WE HAVE A SAYING AMONG AMONG US THAT THE TUG IS TO DRUG.

>> THE OPEN FISH OF THE DAY WENT INTO THE VOLUNTEER ZIMMERMAN >> WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, I WISH IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SOMEBODY ELSE, BUT HIM REGARDLESS OF CATCHING A FISH OR NOT, IT'S STILL JUST GREAT TO GET OUT WITH OTHER VETERANS AND ENJOY NATURE.

>> BUT VETERANS DIDN'T WALK AWAY HUNGRY MISSION BBQ SAID THE GROUP AND THE DAY ENDED WITH SMILES AND FULL BELLIES.

AND WHEN ASKED WHAT HE WISHES, PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD ABOUT VETERANS, ZIMMERMAN TOOK A MOMENT.

>> SO IT'S HARD TO SAY WHAT I WOULD.

>> WISH THAT PEOPLE WOULD KNOW AS CIVILIANS BECAUSE BECAUSE I GUESS ONE BIG PART OF ME BEING IN THE INFANTRY IN THE MARINE CORPS IS THAT.

>> I'M GLAD THAT I DID MY PART SO THAT OTHERS DON'T HAVE TO >> THAT'S A WAY TO DO IT.

>> TO WTC NEWS LISBETH AND RG.

AND COMING UP ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM.

>> IT'S A SPECIAL SHOW DEDICATED TO THE MEN AND WOMEN.

>> WHO SERVED OUR NATION AND THE INITIATIVES THROUGHOUT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA THAT ARE HERE TO SUPPORT HIM.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAD TO WGC YOU DOT ORG, WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES WITH A FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.