U.S. Air Force to celebrate 75th anniversary, Okaloosa veterans inducted into Hall of Fame

Sierra Rains, Northwest Florida Daily News
·3 min read
Dr. David Goetsch, right, salutes a wreath during a Wreaths Across America ceremony at Beal Memorial Cemetery. Goetsch, a Marine Corps veteran, is one of nine Okaloosa County veterans being honored this month for his induction into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame.
Dr. David Goetsch, right, salutes a wreath during a Wreaths Across America ceremony at Beal Memorial Cemetery. Goetsch, a Marine Corps veteran, is one of nine Okaloosa County veterans being honored this month for his induction into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame.

The U.S. Air Force will be celebrating its 75th anniversary this month, followed by a salute to Okaloosa County veterans who have been inducted into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame.

The events will be held back to back, beginning with a community celebration of the 75th anniversary from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Northwest Florida State College Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville.

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Those in attendance will get to learn the "story behind the story" of the significant historical contributions to national defense by Eglin, Duke and Hurlburt Field personnel.

The event will feature first-hand accounts from people who were involved in training for the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, Operation Desert Storm, Iran Hostage Rescue Mission, Osama bin Laden Raid, Vietnam War, Korean War, Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan and more.

Retired Capt. Dale Dye, a decorated Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, will be a special guest for the 75th anniversary celebration.

Dye is the founder and head of Warriors, Inc., a technical advisory company specializing in portraying realistic military action in Hollywood films. He has offered his expertise to television shows such as the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific."

Tickets for the celebration can be purchased for $20 from the Mattie Kelly Arts Center box office or at mattiekellyartscenter.org. Active duty military and veterans can receive a free ticket by calling the box office at 850-729-6000.

State Rep. Mel Ponder, second from left, stands with Charlotte Flynt, widow of the late Air Force Col. Michael Flynt, and Dr. Eddie Zant, left, as Zant and the late colonel were inducted into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame. With them is retired Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Patt Maney, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018. Michael Flynt is one of nine Okaloosa County veterans being honored this month for his induction into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame.

Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame Inductees

Dye will also be a special guest at the salute to Okaloosa County’s Hall of Fame inductees Sept. 14. The event will be held from 5:30- 7:30 p.m. at the Magnolia Grill at 157 Brooks Street SE in Fort Walton Beach.

The state established the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame in 2013 to recognize and honor military veterans who have made a significant contribution to Florida through their years of service. Nine Okaloosa County veterans have been inducted since 2016.

Retired Army Brig. Gen. Michael Ferguson, right, poses with one of the World War II veterans who traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the Emerald Coast Honor Flight. Ferguson is one of nine Okaloosa County veterans being honored this month for his induction into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame.
Retired Army Brig. Gen. Michael Ferguson, right, poses with one of the World War II veterans who traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the Emerald Coast Honor Flight. Ferguson is one of nine Okaloosa County veterans being honored this month for his induction into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame.

The Okaloosa County honorees are:

  • Sgt. David L. Goetsch, U.S. Marine Corps veteran

  • 1st Sgt. Thomas S. Rice, U.S. Army, retired

  • Lt. Gen. Gordon E. Fornell, U.S. Air Force, retired

  • Brig. Gen. T. Patt Maney, U.S. Army, retired

  • Maj. Charles E. Merkel Jr, U.S. Army, retired

  • Col. Michael Flynt Sr., U.S. Air Force, retired

  • Dr. Albert Zant, U.S. Army, retired

  • Brig. Gen. Michael Lambert Ferguson, U.S. Army, retired

  • Dr. Gerald M. Hollingsworth, flight surgeon Vietnam, lieutenant Navy and colonel Air Force, retired

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at afev.us/salute. All sales benefit the Air Force Enlisted Village and Victory Village. Heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer will be provided. Guests will also enjoy live musical entertainment.

Both events are being presented by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and Eglin Federal Credit Union. Boeing and Northwest Florida State College are also sponsoring the 75th anniversary celebration.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Okaloosa veteran events honor Hall of Fame vets, Air Force anniversary