Díaz-Balart Honors FL-26 Veterans from Miami-Dade County with Congressional Veteran Commendation

Miami, FL - The office of Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Delegation and member of the Defense Subcommittee on House Appropriations, presented the Congressional Veteran Commendationto the following local veterans in Miami-Dade County for their distinguished service to our country: Navy Petty Officer Alejandro Sanchez and Army Staff Sergeant Frank Torres III.

Navy Petty Officer Jonas Kukelhan, who currently serves at U.S. Southern Command in Doral and regularly volunteers with the Miami-Dade Military Museum, was recognized with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his outstanding service and leadership.

"It meant a great deal to recognize these outstanding hometown servicemembers and patriots with the 2025 Congressional Veteran Commendation.

Through my work in Congress, I have been a tireless champion for our veterans and troops - from securing a 3.8% pay raise and protecting U.S. Southern Command Headquarters in Miami-Dade, to advancing 139 new housing units for our servicemembers and supporting legislation that expands care and benefits for veterans and their families. Our gratitude can never be enough for their service and sacrifice to our country. May God continue to bless America and our brave men and women who answered the call to serve.

A special thank you to Florida State Representatives Alex Rizo and Omar Blanco, as well as the Town of Miami Lakes Council Members, for their leadership and support."

The Congressional Veteran Commendation is a nominations-based program designed to recognize the wartime sacrifices and peacetime community involvement of veterans residing in Florida's 26th Congressional District. Each one of these veterans will be interviewed, and their wartime collection will be added to the Veterans History Project, sponsored by the Library of Congress.

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