Florida has executed five veterans under Governor DeSantis, with another scheduled for this summer. Nearly 30 veterans remain on Florida’s death row today, facing execution. As veterans, we know the code of honor: leave no one behind. Executing those broken by war is not justice — it is abandonment. Please add your name to this letter calling on Governor DeSantis to stop executing our fellow veterans:

We write to you today as fellow veterans. We write to you to highlight a disturbing trend, and one that only you have the power to correct. We ask you to stop signing the death warrants and setting executions for veterans. During your term, five veterans have been executed — Bobby Joe Long, Duane Owen, Edward James, Jeffrey Hutchinson, and Edward Zakrzewski. And you have authorized another one – Kayle Bates is set to be executed on August 19. There are close to 30 veterans remaining on death row, and countless others facing death penalty trials throughout the state. 

The military instils in all of us an unbreakable code of honor: leave no one behind. That obligation does not end at the end of one’s duty. To a great degree that is where it begins for our mentally injured soldiers, Marines, sailors, and airmen. To execute a veteran who was broken by war and left without adequate care is not justice. It is a failure of duty. It is the final abandonment.

As an Iraq combat veteran yourself, we believe that you know what it means to serve. We all certainly do. We know what it means when no one comes for you after the fight. We know the discipline, the sacrifice, and the silent wounds that follow you home. 

Our request to you is also supported under the law. As the United States Supreme Court has instructed us in Porter v. McCollum: “Our Nation has a long tradition of according leniency to veterans in recognition of their service.” The Court further explained that the relevance of military service, including “extensive combat experience is not only that he served honorably under extreme hardship and gruesome conditions, but also that the jury might find mitigating the intense stress and mental and emotional toll that combat [takes].” 

We want you to know that we are proud of the three pieces of legislation you signed into law this summer. Your signature improved access to long term health care, expanded mental health care and suicide prevention protections, and protected veterans from exploitative and predatory practices regarding their benefits.

As you signed those bills, you explained, “On D-Day and every day, Florida honors those who served our country in uniform… I was proud to support three bills today to further our commitment to veterans. Florida remains the most veteran-friendly state in the nation.” 

But we are writing now to offer this reminder: We can never be a veteran friendly state when our leader is signing off on their deaths at the hands of the State. We urge you now to lead from a place of bravery, to return to the honor code from your service, and to stop setting the executions of our fellow soldiers.