August 9, 2026 - Honoring Purple Heart Recipients

The Mayfield Minute - August 9, 2026

Good Morning!

National Purple Heart Day

National Purple Heart Day is observed every year on August 7th in honor of America’s service members who were wounded or killed in combat.

The origins of National Purple Heart day trace back to 1782, when General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit during the Revolutionary War. This original badge was made of purple cloth and recognized “singularly meritorious action.” this was one of the first military awards for enlisted soldiers. After the Revolution, the badge fell out of use for more than a century.

In 1932, on the 200th anniversary of President Washington’s birth, the U.S. War Department revived the decoration as the Purple Heart, preserving Washington’s likeness and the distinctive purple color. Initially awarded only to Army personnel for meritorious service, it soon evolved into the nation’s official medal for the combat wounded and posthumous recognition of those killed in action.

By World War II, the Purple Heart had become one of the most widely awarded combat decorations in American history.

Later today, I will have the honor of presenting certificates of appreciation to local Purple Heart recipients in recognition of their courage, sacrifice, and service at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center's "Lance Cpl. Carl W. Miller Purple Heart Recognition Day" event.

I consider it a great honor to represent District 19. Please share this link with your friends and family so they too, can sign up for the Mayfield Minute.

If you or someone you know needs my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (321) 409-2025. My staff and I are here to serve you!

Floridians Making an Impact

Attorney General James Uthmeier

This week, I’m proud to highlight Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who has served in this role since 2025.

A Florida native, Attorney General Uthmeier was born in Destin and attended Fort Walton Beach High School. He then earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, where he competed in varsity track and cross-country. He went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 2014.

Attorney General Uthmeier began his public service career in 2017 as senior advisor and counsel to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. In 2019, he joined Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration as deputy general counsel and was promoted to general counsel the following year.

In October 2021, Attorney General Uthmeier was appointed Chief of Staff to Governor DeSantis, leading the Governor’s executive staff and overseeing 20 state agencies with more than 100,000 employees.

After then-Attorney General Ashley Moody was appointed to the United States Senate in early 2025, Governor DeSantis selected him to serve as Florida’s Attorney General. He was sworn in on February 17, 2025, as the 39th Attorney General of Florida, becoming one of the youngest members to ever serve on the Florida Cabinet at just 37 years old.

Since taking office, Attorney General Uthmeier has led efforts to strengthen online protections for children, enhance immigration enforcement, combat organized crime, crack down on illegal gambling, and address other public safety priorities.

In addition to his public service, Attorney General Uthmeier serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He and his wife, Jean, have three young children.

I want to commend Attorney General Uthmeier for his hard work and dedication to protecting Florida’s families, upholding the rule of law, and keeping our communities safe. His commitment to public service continues to make a meaningful difference for Floridians across our great state.

Statewide Update

2026-27 Interim Committee Week Schedule

Last week, the Florida Legislature announced the 2026-27 interim committee week schedule. Prior to the start of committee weeks, the Legislature will convene on November 17, 2026, to hold an organizational session, where new legislators will be sworn in and President-designate Jim Boyd will be officially sworn in as Senate President for the next two legislative sessions.

Week 1: Monday, November 30 through Thursday, December 3, 2026.
Week 2: Monday, January 4 through Thursday, January 7, 2027
Week 3: Monday, January 11 through Thursday, January 14, 2027.
Week 4: Monday, February 1 through Thursday, February 4, 2027.
Week 5: Monday, February 8 through Thursday, February 11, 2027.
Week 6: Monday, February 15 through Thursday, February 18, 2027.

The Legislature will convene in Regular Session on Tuesday, March 2, 2027, and will meet through April 30, 2027.

All committee meetings and regular session meetings can be viewed on the Florida Channel.

To schedule a meeting in Tallahassee during the interim committee weeks or the regular session, please contact my district by email at gooden.william@flsenate.gov.

FLHSMV Announces "August Kicks-Off Child Safety Awareness" Campaign

Last week, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) announced their “August Kicks-Off Child Safety Awareness” campaign.

Coinciding with the start of the back-to-school season, the campaign focuses on educating motorists, parents, caregivers, and children about safety around school buses, school zones, and neighborhoods.

Highlights of the 2026 campaign include:

Stopping for school buses: Passing a stopped school bus is illegal and dangerous. Penalties can include fines of a minimum $200–$400, points on the license, and possible license suspension for repeat offenses.

Slowing down in school zones: More than 54,000 unlawful speeding citations were issued in work or school zones in 2025. Reduced speed limits in school zones (often 15–20 mph) apply when lights are flashing; fines are doubled when speeding in a school zone.

Pedestrian safety: Use sidewalks or walk facing traffic; cross only at marked crosswalks or corners; stay visible and avoid distractions.

Proper child restraints and seat belts: Ensure correct use for all child passengers. If you need assistance, contact your local police department or the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.

Prevent vehicular heatstroke: Never leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle. Florida’s heat temperatures can rise rapidly. Leaving a child unattended is a crime.

Avoid back over incidents: Walk around the vehicle before reversing and teach children not to play near vehicles.

To read the announcement in full, click here.

AG Uthmeier Issues Investigative Subpoena to Dr. Anthony Fauci for Potential Self-Dealing During COVID Pandemic

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued an investigative subpoena to Dr. Anthony Fauci as part of a multistate probe into whether Dr. Fauci engaged in self‑dealing during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The investigation will examine whether Dr. Fauci personally benefited from awards, book deals, grants, and professional opportunities connected to his federal role while providing public health guidance that affected Florida businesses and consumers.

Attorney General Uthmeier stated that while government officials are afforded certain legal immunities, profiting from pandemic‑related guidance could violate Florida law, criticizing Fauci for prioritizing “self‑promotion” and pursuing lucrative opportunities while Floridians faced health and economic impacts,

Attorneys General from West Virginia and Louisiana have joined the investigation, expressing concerns about Dr. Fauci’s refusal to answer congressional questions and emphasizing the public’s right to transparency regarding pandemic‑related decisions and communications.

The subpoena is based partly on Dr. Fauci's diary entries released by U.S. Senator Rand Paul, which detail significant awards, grants, book deal negotiations, named professorship offers, and other financial or professional opportunities concurrent with Dr. Fauci’s federal service.

The subpoena requires production of documents by August 31, 2026.

To view the announcement in full, click here.

Constituent of the Week

Lance Corporal Carl W. Miller, United States Marine Corps

Our Constituent of the Week is Lance Corporal Carl W. Miller, United States Marine Corps., Vietnam War Veteran, and Purple Heart recipient.

Lance Corporal Miller is originally from Kentucky. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1968 and served as an Infantry Marine assigned to the 5th Marines, the 1st Marine Division deployed to Vietnam.

In February 1969, near Da Nang, Lance Corporal Miller's position came under mortar attack launched by the Vietnamese Army. The blast killed two Marines sharing his foxhole and nearly severed his left arm. While lying wounded, he was shot multiple times in the left leg and hip by an enemy soldier who left him for dead. Miraculously, Lance Corporal Miller survived the attack.

He spent nearly a month in a coma, underwent several surgeries, and spent about a year in a full-body cast. He dropped from around 224 pounds to 92 pounds during recovery. Doctors reattached his arm, although he permanently lost about three inches of length due to the injury and a subsequent bone infection. Lance Corporal Miller ultimately recovered from his multiple injuries and received the Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice.⁠

After returning home, he began to rebuild his life and worked as a high school teacher, assistant principal, and college professor. He also served as a Veterans advocate and as a mentor to JROTC students. In 2000, after retiring from the yearbook publishing industry, he moved to Brevard County, where his unwavering dedication to Veterans and mentorship to students continued.

He served as Commander of the Space Coast Chapter 453 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. In 2016, he founded and organized the annual Purple Heart Recognition Day ceremony at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center on Merritt Island, which is now named “Lance Cpl. Carl W. Miller Purple Heart Recognition Day.”

In honor of his military service and ongoing contributions to Florida’s Veterans community, he was inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame (Class of 2024) in February 2025. Lance Corporal Miller was also publicly honored in the U.S. Congressional Record in May 2025 by Congressman Mike Haridopolos. In October 2025, the National Veterans Homeless Support organization selected him as their “Veterans Advocate of the Year.”

Lance Corporal Miller and his wife, Sue, reside in Indialantic.

SD 19 extends our sincerest gratitude to United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Miller whose remarkable journey from combat heroism to post-military service exemplifies incredible resilience and commitment to his fellow Veterans and our nation.

District Highlights

2026 State of the Schools

Last week, Accelerate Brevard, in partnership with Brevard Public Schools (BPS) and Eastern Florida State College (EFSC), hosted the 2026 State of the Schools event.

Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell highlighted the district’s accomplishments over the past several years. Among the milestones, BPS earned an “A” school district rating for the third consecutive year in 2025-26. He also recognized the more than 400 advanced diplomas awarded through programs such as Dual Enrollment, Advanced Placement, AICE, and International Baccalaureate. In addition, he highlighted the continued growth of the district’s Career and Technical Education programs.

EFSC Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Phil Simpson shared updates on the college’s expanding academic programs, growing student population, improved student performance rankings, and continued focus on workforce development.

Thank you to Dr. Rendell and Dr. Simpson for an informative discussion. We look forward to another successful year of education in Brevard County!

New Wastewater Lift Station in Indialantic

Town of Indialantic Mayor Mark McDermott recently announced that Brevard County plans to build a new wastewater lift station at North Riverside Drive and Third Avenue.

The project is part of Brevard County’s modernization of their wastewater system for greater reliability and resiliency. The new lift station will include a backup generator to maintain wastewater service during power outages and severe weather, reducing the risk of sewer interruptions and sanitary sewer backups.

The facility will be fenced and surrounded with a decorative retaining wall and landscaping designed to improve its appearance and make the new facility less noticeable from surrounding streets and properties. Once completed, the upgraded facility will provide the area with updated equipment designed to serve the community for years to come.

For more information, contact the Town of Indialantic at (321) 723‑2242.

EFSC Athletics Programs Recognized for Academic Excellence

Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) was recently recognized by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) for the academic excellence of their student athletes and the overall academic success of EFSC’s athletic programs.

Sixty-seven EFSC student athletes were named to the NJCAA Division I 2025-26 All-Academic Teams. This honor recognizes individual student athletes across the country with Grade Point Averages (GPA) above 3.60. EFSC had a school-record of 21 players receiving further recognition for finishing with a 4.0 GPA.

Additionally, the school had nine athletic programs recognized as 2025-26 NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year. This honor is earned by teams that post an average GPA of 3.00 or higher. The following EFSC teams were recognized:

Women’s Golf (3.55 GPA)
Men’s Golf (3.13 GPA)
Softball (3.46 GPA)
Baseball (3.35 GPA)
Women’s Soccer (3.30 GPA)
Men’s Soccer (3.36 GPA)
Women’s Basketball 3.27 GPA)
Men’s Tennis (3.30 GPA)
Women’s Volleyball (3.34 GPA)

EFSC President Dr. Jim Richey stated, “These outstanding student-athletes exemplify what it means to be a Titan. Their achievements in the classroom reflect the same dedication and discipline they bring to their sport every day. We are proud to celebrate these students for demonstrating the pursuit of excellence that defines our college.”

Congratulations to all the recognized student athletes on this incredible accomplishment. I look forward to seeing your continued success both on the field and in the classroom.

Upcoming Events

Thrive Brevard Space Coast Health & Wellness Expo

Accelerate Brevard will be hosting the Thrive Brevard Space Coast Health & Wellness Expo on Thursday, August 20th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Space Coast Health Foundation (1100 Rockledge Blvd.) in Rockledge.

The event is free of charge and features live demonstrations, local businesses, and expert speakers highlighting healthy lifestyles, nutrition, fitness, mental health, stress management, and financial wellness.

For more information and to view the schedule of events, click here.

8th Annual Space Coast Symposium & Expo

The 8th annual Space Coast Symposium & Expo will be held on Friday, August 21st from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Radisson Resort at the Port (8701 Astronaut Blvd.) in Cape Canaveral.

The Symposium brings together the leaders shaping the future of aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, technology, workforce development, and economic growth in Brevard County and throughout the state.

The keynote speakers are Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator presenting Artemis II and Beyond and J. Alex Kelly, Florida Secretary of Commerce presenting Florida's Economic Outlook.

Featured panel discussions include:

Golden Dome: Strengthening National Security Through Commercial Collaboration
Launching Futures: Building the Space Coast Workforce Pipeline
Advanced Manufacturing: Powering the Space Coast Economy
Unmanned Systems: Transforming Defense, Industry & Airspace

Advanced registration is required; onsite entry will not be permitted.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Auditions for Brevard Youth Chorus

The Brevard Youth Chorus will hold auditions on Thursday, August 27th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Advent Lutheran Church (7550 North Wickham Road) in Melbourne.

Membership in the Brevard Youth Chorus is open to boys and girls in grades 4-10 during the 2026-2027 school year. Singers from public, private, charter, and home-school settings are welcome. Prior singing experience is not required.

For more information about membership details and to schedule an audition, email to brevardyouthchorus@gmail.com.

To complete the required application, click here.