The 2024 DVCF Retreat was held Friday, April 5th and Saturday, April 6th in Lake Mary, Florida. On the evening of Friday, April 5th, those members who signed up early for the sold-out event were offered a ticket paid for by the DVCF to an evening party cruise on the St. Johns River aboard the Barbara Lee paddlewheel ship. Those in attendance were responsible for their refreshments aboard the ship. Unfortunately, though it was a beautiful evening, the wind on the lake was too high and the cruise portion of the evening was canceled by the Coast Guard for safety reasons. Attendees were able to spend the evening on the ship enjoying refreshments, live music and good company.

The main portion of the Retreat was held Saturday at the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary Hotel. For the event agenda, click here. The Retreat began Saturday morning at 10am with a well-attended DVCF membership meeting. During the meeting, DVCF Board Member Carlton Cartwright spoke about his efforts to videotape veteran histories for the Library of Congress and Vice President Dr. R. LeWayne Johnson spoke about veteran homelessness and new legislation in Florida making life even more difficult for the homeless. New Board Member Col. David McDonald, Jr. led a spirited discussion about possible changes to the DVCF Platform.

The meeting was followed by a business plated lunch, with veteran and campaign-related guest speakers through the afternoon. Guest speakers included The Honorable Tom Keen, retired US Navy Commander and State Representative for District 35; The Honorable Lisa Dunkley, US Army (ret.) and State Representative for District 97; The Honorable Joe Scott, US Army Sergeant Major (ret.) and Supervisor of Elections for Broward County; and Stanley Campbell, veteran US Navy pilot, entrepreneur and candidate for US Senate. Following these speakers, over a dozen candidates were presented and given the opportunity to speak for a few minutes about their campaigns.

All the guest speakers listed in our program agenda were presented with an award recognizing their participation. Marian Williams, DVCF Caucus Certification Chair, presented county caucus presidents or their representatives with their FDP certificates and she presented a special DVCF certificate to Pinellas County for increased membership. A Distinguished Service Crystal Eagle award was presented to former DVCF President Elena McCullough, who had stepped down at the end of 2023 for health reasons, in recognition for her dedication to the DVCF in eight years as vice president and three years as president. Her husband, Board Member Ray McCullough, was also presented an award in recognition of his support of the caucus and his wife in her position.

The Retreat ended with an elegant plated dinner Saturday night, and we enjoyed a spirited speech by FDP Vice Chair Karen Green. We then heard from US Army veteran and nurse Kelly Parrott, of Suncoast NORML, who spoke about the efforts to legalize marijuana and the benefits it has on veterans, seniors and other patients. We ended the evening with our Keynote speaker, retired US Navy Commander Phil Ehr, who is running for Congress in the most southern district of Florida. Commander Ehr had a illustrious military career and has even recently flown humanitarian flights to Ukraine. He provided an interesting perspective on life as a veteran. DVCF President Danny Fuqua presented all the guest speakers with awards recognizing their participation. He also presented a special award to Event Coordinator Marian Williams, recognizing all her work organizing this Retreat and retreats since 2018.. He further presented Presidential awards to Board Member Lynne Fish and Treasurer Marian William for their dedication and service to the caucus.

We have never treated our retreats as fundraisers for the DVCF, but rather as opportunities for our caucus members and other veterans to meet, enjoy each other’s company while gaining useful information, and get prepared for the work ahead in the election year. To see the supporters and participants of the DVCF Retreat, please see the 2024 DVCF Retreat Program, Part I and Part II. Also see the photo galleries below. Our Media Chair Carlton Cartwright took video of the lunch session, rather than still photos, which will be made available as soon as possible.

ON THE BARBARA LEE

  • From Left: Lisa Millikan, Carrie Dixon, Kelley Diona Miller, Phillis Latney, DVCF Treasurer Marian Williams
  • Geraldine Jettison
  • Gina Gomez-Johnson & DVCF Vice President Dr. R. LeWayne Johnson
  • Keith Abel, Broward County Caucus President, State House D98 Cand.
  • Gulay McDonald and Col. David McDonald, Jr. (USA ret.)
  • DVCF Secretary Hazel Gillis (lt) & Lillian Lockette
  • DVCF Board Member George Gillis (rt) & Richard Lockette, Lake County Caucus President & Board Member
  • Beverly and Michael Ledbetter, Sponsors
  • Michael Murray
  • The Johnsons (lt) and Geraldine Jettison
  • DVCF President Danny Fuqua in foreground

DVCF MEMBERSHIP MEETING

  • Well-attended DVCF meeting
  • Carrie Dixon, Sumter County
  • Stephanie Arguello, Seminole County School Board Candidate District 3
  • Col. David McDonald, Jr. (USA ret.), new DVCF Board Member, discussing the DVCF Platform
  • Allek Pastrana, US Congress District 7 candidate
  • The Honorable Tom Keen, State Representative for District 35
  • Dr. R. LeWayne Johnson, DVCF Vice President, Osceola Caucus President, and cand. for FL House D46

  • DVCF Secretary Hazel Gillis in foreground
  • DVCF Treasurer Marian Williams
  • The Honorable Lisa Dunkley and Broward Caucus President Keith Abel
  • (l-r) DVCF Pres. Danny Fuqua, Mark Weinkrantz (US Congress D13 cand.), Keith Abel, Secretary Hazel Gillis, Rep. Lisa Dunkley,
    Cheryl Campbell, a press agent, FDP Vice Chair Karen Green,
    Stanley Campbell (US Senate cand.)
  • County Caucus leaders receiving their FDP Charter Certificates

PRESIDENTIAL ROUNTABLE

  • (l-r) Edgar Rodriguez, Col. David McDonald, Jr., Yolanda Joiner
  • (l-r) VP Dr. R. LeWayne Johnson, Mike Murray
  • Hazel and George Gillis
  • (l-r) Sally Garcia, Volusia Caucus Treasurer and Kelly Parrott, SunCoast NORML, guest speaker
  • Richard Lockette, longtime DVCF Board Member and Lake County Caucus President
  • (l-r) Scott Wacholtz of Miami-Dade and DVCF Pres. Danny Fuqua

DVCF RETREAT DINNER

  • Beverly and Mike Ledbetter working the registration table
  • Lillian Lockette surprised on her birthday weekend by Dr. R. LeWayne Johnson
  • Former DVCF President Elena McCullough and Board Member Ray McCullough
  • Everyone enjoying a great dinner!
  • (l-r) Gina Gomez-Johnson, Geraldine Jettison and DVCF Treasurer Marian Williams
  • Dr. R. LeWayne Johnson introduces guest speakers
  • (l-r) Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott and Keith Abel, cand. for FL House D98 and Broward Caucus Pres.
  • Volusia County supporting the DVCF: (from left) Pastor Floyd Narcisse, Pastor Craig Robinson, Gloria Robinson, Carolyn Williams Horne, Linda  Narcisse,  Molly Davis.
  • (l-r) Lake County’s Martha Taylor and Yolanda Joiner
  • Guerdy Remy, veteran & Seminole member, and Keynote Speaker Commander Phil Ehr
  • (l-r) Mark Weinkrantz, veteran, Pinellas County cand. for US Congress D13; Barbara Grimm, Volusia County DEC; and Pam Hoback, veteran, Hernando County
  • From Volusia, DVCF Board Member Frank Doglione and VCDVCF Treasurer Sally Garcia
  • From Pinellas County Caucus, Jay Alexander and Cora Kostka
  • (clockwise) Beverly Ledbetter, Mike Murray (behind Bev), Scott Wacholtz of Miami-Dade, Col. David McDonald Jr. of Broward, Gulay McDonald, Mike Ledbetter, veteran from Pasco
  • From Seminole County Caucus, Dennis “Woody” Woodcum and Linda Woodcum
  • Col. David McDonald, Jr., DVCF Board Member, introduces Keynote Speaker Commander Phil Ehr
  • President Danny Fuqua presenting a special award to Event Coordinator Marian Williams for organizing DVCF Retreats from 2018 through 2024
  • Board Member Lynne Fish awarded by President Fuqua and Marian Williams
  • Guest Speaker FDP Vice Chair Karen Green awarded by DVCF President Fuqua and Treasurer Williams
  • Guest Speaker Kelly Parrott of Suncoast NORML awarded by DVCF President Fuqua
  • Keynote Speaker Commander Phil Ehr awarded by Pres. Fuqua and Treas. Williams