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News

Nominations Open for 2016 Class of the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame

January 29, 2016

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame Council is currently accepting nominations for the fourth annual class of inductees into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame. The nomination period is open until May 31, 2016.  Anyone is permitted to nominate a military veteran.

The Florida Legislature established the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame to honor and recognize veterans, both living and deceased, for their post-military service to the state.

Those nominating a veteran will need to complete a nomination packet that can be downloaded from www.FloridaVeteransHallofFame.org.  Nominations are based on established criteria including recognizing veterans who, through their works and lives during or after military service, have made a significant contribution to the state of Florida through civic, business, public service or other pursuits.  It is not a traditional military hall of fame, as it focuses on post-military contributions to the State of Florida.

Up to 20 individuals may be selected for induction into the hall each year.

“We are privileged to be one of only nine other states that can honor its veterans for heeding the call to public service after they leave the military,” said retired Army National Guard Sgt. Maj. Ray A. Quinn, chairman of the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame Council. “As we roll into our fourth class, we are reaching far and wide to get nominations for those who exemplify continued service, sacrifice and commitment to a greater cause throughout their lifetime so that we can honor them by inducting them into the next Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame.”

Names honoring selected inductees are commemorated on a plaque in the Capitol Rotunda in Tallahassee. Since 2013, nineteen Florida veterans have been inducted into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame.

“With nearly 1.6 million veterans and a proven track record of service to the country, the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame is honored to recognize those who have taken the passion of service one step further to make Florida a great state not only for veterans but for each and every Floridian,” said State Rep. Jimmie T. Smith, an Army veteran and vice chairman for the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame Council.”

The Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame Council, a seven-member advisory panel, is responsible for accepting nominations to be considered for induction into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame. In selecting its nominees for submission, the council gives preference to veterans who were either born in Florida or adopted Florida as their home state.  Each year, the council transmits its recommended list of nominees to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, which submits the nominations to the Governor and Cabinet, who will select the nominees to be inducted.

“Let us never forget our veterans, through whose selfless service and sacrifice we enjoy freedom and liberty,” said Mike Prendergast, executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “Help us recognize the contributions and talents of America’s finest.”

Click below for the nomination form.

2016 Nomination Form