Marion County approves county-run Veterans Hall of Fame, nominations to open Jan. 2026

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 16 approved a county-run Marion County Veterans Hall of Fame aimed at recognizing veterans who have made notable civic, business or public contributions to the county.

Assistant County Administrator Amanda Tarr outlined the proposal as a county-led program modeled on the Florida State Veterans Hall of Fame, with nominations opening Jan. 1 and running through Jan. 31, 2026. "We are proposing to model our local Veterans Hall of Fame after the state's program," Tarr said, noting nominations will be accepted at marionfl.org/vetshalloffame and reviewed by a committee of local veteran organizations and a Marion County resident who has been inducted at the state level.

Tarr told commissioners the program would limit inductees to a small number annually — the proposal suggested a maximum of three new inductees each year besides those already recognized by the state — and that seed funding would come from the local nonprofit Vets Helping Vets, supplemented by donations and sponsorships. "Establishing a local hall of fame would not only keep Marion County visible as a strong candidate for the next state veterans nursing home, but will also create a valuable pipeline of nominees for the state," Tarr said.

Supporters in the audience, including Captain Steve Petty, praised the initiative and described existing veterans services that would coordinate with the Hall of Fame. Petty said recent veteran-focused efforts have supported free cancer screening and other outreach: "With your help and support…we've been able to give over 620 cancer tests free to our veterans here in Marion County," he said.

Commissioners discussed committee composition and oversight; the plan calls for the Veterans Services Director to convene a selection committee composed of representatives from Veterans Helping Veterans, the Memorial Honor Guard, Friends of the Marion County Veterans Park, the Veterans Council and one Marion County inductee from the Florida Hall of Fame. Commissioners approved the program by voice vote. The board directed staff to finalize nomination forms, committee selection guidelines and a March 2026 date and location for the inaugural ceremony.

Next steps: staff will post nomination forms, stand up the selection committee and work with Vets Helping Vets and county communications to publicize the process and the planned March 2026 ceremony at Salk Auditorium.