Local officials voted on Tuesday to establish the Marion County Veterans Hall of Fame, a new program designed to honor military veterans who have made lasting impacts on the local community.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners approved the creation of the new entity during its regular meeting on Tuesday, December 16.
The local initiative is modeled after the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame, which was established by the Florida Legislature in 2011. Last month, a Marion County resident and retired United States Army Captain was inducted into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame.
Spearheaded by Commissioner Craig Curry and presented in partnership with Vets Helping Vets USA, Inc., the local Hall of Fame will recognize veterans not solely for their military service, but for their leadership, community involvement, and civic contributions specifically within Marion County.
According to county officials, the program is intended to bridge communication gaps among local veterans organizations and collaborate on items that benefit the local veteran population. Additionally, establishing a local level of recognition is viewed as a way to create a pipeline of applicants to be submitted for induction into the state-level program.
Unlike military awards that focus strictly on service records, the local Hall of Fame requires that nominees demonstrate significant contributions to Marion County in civic, business, or public service sectors. Guidelines state that military records alone without supporting documentation of a veteran’s contribution to other veterans and their community will not be considered.
With the board’s approval, the nomination period is now open and will run through January 31, 2026, or until the first 25 nominations are received.
To be eligible, a nominee must be a resident of Marion County for a minimum of three years and currently reside in the county. Candidates must also provide proof of an honorable discharge, such as a DD-214, and demonstrate good moral character. Posthumous nominations will be accepted, though self-nominations are prohibited.
The selection process will be overseen by the Marion County Veterans Services Director. A scoring committee will be formed to evaluate candidates, composed of one representative from each of the following organizations: Veterans Helping Vets, the Veterans Resource Center, Friends of the Veterans Park, and the Veterans Council. The committee will also include one Marion County resident who has previously been inducted into the State of Florida Veterans Hall of Fame.
The committee will propose a maximum of three inductees per year, in addition to any nominees who have already been inducted at the state level. Additionally, one local business will be recognized annually for its contributions to the veteran community. Seed money for the initiative will come from Vets Helping Vets rather than county tax revenue, with donations and sponsorships funding future ceremonies.
The inaugural induction ceremony is scheduled for March 2026 at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion auditorium. The event will feature a full dinner, a keynote speaker, and the presentation of Hall of Fame rings to the inductees.
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