Flagler Veterans Service Asking For Veteran Of The Year Nominations

Bunnell, FL – The Veterans Services Office of Flagler County is asking the public to nominate a veteran for Veteran of the Year. Nominations are being accepted through September 30th. Once nominations are received, the Flagler County Veterans Advisory Council will commission a panel of vets and community leaders to review and select the winner out of the eligible candidates. According to the Vets Services Office, nominees must: "be resident of Flagler County; be a living veteran of one of the six Armed Forces of the United States, including Reserve or National Guard, or the United States Merchant Marine; have demonstrated outstanding patriotism, leadership, and service as a veteran and a volunteer in the community or civic service; and, be awarded for a single act or for continuous service. Previous recipients of the award will not be considered." Nominations must also include a resume of two or more pages with a minimum font size of 11 points. That resume must then contain periods of military service and branch of one of the six Armed Services or USMM, any awards or decorations, memberships of veteran’s organizations and community or civic organizations, any awards or recognition received in those organizations and the nominee’s address, telephone number and email, if available. A one-page typewritten nomination statement, maximum 250 words, that describes why the individual being nominated should be selected as the Flagler County Veteran of the Year should also be provided along with the resume. Proof of military services is also required through either a DD214 or verification by a nationally recognized veteran’s organization. Once a nominee is selected, they will receive the award, which is named after Colonel Gary E. Dekay, a Flagler County veteran who served over 35 years in the Army, plus another 11 and a half years working as a civilian with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and US Southern Command in Miami. Colonel Dekay passed away in March of 2016. “Our veterans have done – and continue to do – so much for Flagler County,” said David Lydon, Flagler County Veterans Services Officer. “This award gives us an opportunity to say thank you as a community.”  Nominations should be mailed to the Flagler County Veteran’s Service Office, Attn: Veteran of the Year, 1769 E. Moody Blvd. – Building 2, Bunnell, FL 32110.