Nov 8, 2011

West Palm Beach , FL - Local Veterans Turn Out To Build Awareness

Delray Beach, FL – Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional Tax Collector honors area veterans at the Delray Beach Service Center on November 10, 2011 at 9:30 a.m.  The State of Florida now offers veterans a special designation for driver licenses and state identification cards.  The designation is a capital blue “V” placed on the lower right hand corner of the document.  “Veteran’s Day is recognition of our nation’s gratitude to the brave men and women who protect and defend our Nation both at home and in foreign lands,” said Gannon.  “We wanted to take this opportunity to increase awareness with local vets about the “V” designation and to say ‘Thank you’.”   The Palm Beach County Veterans Office estimates that there are approximately 117,000 veterans in the county. 

Thursday’s activities start with the Presentation of Colors by the Atlantic High School Junior ROTC.  Retired Army Major General Wayne P. Jackson, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Machen, and Crew Chief Mike Carroll are scheduled for remarks. Immediately following the brief ceremony, Gannon will assist Jimmy Phillips, Retired US Navy Yeoman, and Retired Army Specialist Pamela George secure their Veterans designation licenses.

Honorably discharged veterans qualify for the “V” license or ID.  Veterans may visit any of seven (7) Tax Collector service centers that provide driver license services.  (The Lake Worth office does not issue driver licenses.)  Veterans must present a copy of their DD-214 form issued by the United States Department of Defense.  Veterans who served prior to 1950 were not issued a DD-214.  They can find alternative discharge documents listed at www.taxcollector.com. 
If the current driver license or ID card is Real ID compliant, the transaction is a simple replacement.  If it is not, it is necessary to become Real ID compliant.  This federal law requires specific and original documents to prove birth, social security and residence.   A list of the documents required by Homeland Security is available at www.taxcollectorpbc.com.  The new veteran designation is not available online.

A one-time $1 fee imposed by the State of Florida is added to the card or license transaction fees. ($31.25 for a replacement or $54.25 for a Real ID)  The fee is sent to the state.