Nominations for The Class of 2026 are being accepted now.
CONGRATULATION TO OUR 2025 INDUCTEES!
CEREMONY WAS A SUCCESS
THANKS TO EMABSSY SUITES, LEXINGTON KY FOR HOSTING
Bruce Marvin Ashley Madison County, nominated by Carl Kaelin, enlisted in the US Army Reserves in 1987 and later re- enlisted in the US Army National Guard. He was de- ployed to Afghanistan the Desert Storm/Desert shield Era from 2008-2009 as a combat engineer and served until 2012. Extremely active in the VFW at all levels, Zimmerman's generous volunteerism on be- half of veterans is hands on, cutting and delivering firewood to veterans and mowing veterans' yards.
Timothy (Tim) Darren Atkins Letcher County, nominated by Michael Whitfield, served in the US Army as an artillery mechanic dur- ing the Iraqi Freedom War Era from 1995-2008. Ex- tremely active in the VFW at all levels, Atkins has spearheaded philanthropic endeavors to provide food, blankets, and care packages of hygiene items and washable masks to veterans. Atkins helped to provide $200,000 worth of tornado relief to Murray, Kentucky, $80,000 worth of flood assistance in East- ern Kentucky.
William E. (Bill) Barron ardin County, nominated by Charlie Fraley, served the US Army and US Army Reserves for 38+ years ring the Vietnam and Desert Storm eras retiring as Deputy Commanding General of the Training and octrine Command. A retired Major General from Ft. Knox, Barron is well-known for helping the active rmy and Army Reserve operate together more ef- ctively as "One Army." After retiring from the Army reserve.
James Edward Borg Hardin County, nominated by Robert Casher, served 33 years in the US Army and US Army Reserves dur- ing the Iraq and Afghanistan War Eras and the Glob- al War on Terrorism as a military policeman. Borg has visited 32+ veterans on hospice recognizing their military service and presented them with hand- made honor quilts from Hosparus. He serves as Chaplain for the American Legion and serves as a member of the Honor Guard team for the American Legion and the DAV.
Lonnie Joe Bowen Wolfe County, nominated by Donna Trimble Brewer, served in the US Air Force from 1963 to 1967 during the Vietnam War Era as an Administrative Specialist. Former Governor Martha Layne Collins stated, "Deeply concerned with helping others, Bowen has always worked to make contributions to Kentucky's communities that help to improve their quality of life." Most notable among his contributions, Bowen both bicycled and stilt walked across America to raise mon- ey for charitable needs.
Edallen York Burtner Clark County, nominated by Jerry Cecil, served in the US Marine Corps and US Marine Corps Reserves from 1969 to 1975 during the Vietnam War Era as a rifleman. As Commander of the Marine Corps League Epperson Post, Burtner organized county- wide events for Veterans Day and Armed Forces Day in the schools and community and established a drop box for used and tattered flags to be properly retired by JROTC Cadets. Burtner's other contribu- tions include coaching 40+ youth teams.
Peter Gregory Heiss Boone County, nominated by Judge Gary Moore, served in the US Marine Corps for 20+ years initially as a rifleman in the Vietnam War Era with the majori- ty of his military career as a recruiter. Hess founded the US Marine Riders Association in Florence, Ken- tucky. This group has participated in 1700 + events including funerals, escorts, welcoming home, Marine Corp birthdays, Blue Star Mother events, parades, and marathons. An active member of the Patriot Guard Riders.
Charles Wayne Houp Jessamine County, nominated by Douglas Day, served in the US Army and US Army Reserves during the late 1950's and early 1960's in the field of armor intelligence. Since release from the service, Houp has volunteered his time as scheduler, coach, and referee in the fields of soft- ball and basketball. Of special note are his woodworking skills. Hatter has built and donated POW cabinets, flag stands, and flag holders. Since 2005.
Troy Douglas Kok Meade County, nominated by Eric Shrader, served 37+ years in the US Army and US Army Reserves as a general officer within the aviation branch. From 2020 to the pre- sent, Kok has served as Army Reserve Ambassador for Kentucky, completing 460+ volunteer hours annually to share information, build relationships, and coach US Ar- my leaders. An active supporter for the AUSA and AAAA, Kok is a dedicated VFW recruiter and patriotic speaker.
Nancy Becker Warren County, nominated by Carl Cornelius, Jr., served in the US Army as an aviation officer from 1983-2003 during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. An active volunteer in her church and commu- nity, Becker devotes countless hours promoting patriot- ism in the schools through speaking at Veteran's Day and Memorial Day ceremonies, Junior Guard, and sports events. Becker has raised awareness for veterans and promoted actions that benefit the military community.
Rocco Francesco Besednjak Fayette County, nominated by Lauren Besednjak, served in the US Navy from 1997 to 2001 as an elec- tronic warfare systems technician. Besednjak's nomina- tor attests that Besednjak is the very definition of serv- ant. After being medically discharged from the navy, he became a police officer. Even after a tragic accident at a traffic stop in which he was dragged and run over; he continued to serve his fellow man through the founding of Camp Hero.
Brenson Philip Bishop Green County, nominated by John K. Spalding, served in the US Army and US Army Reserves for a total of 33 years during the Gulf War, Iraq War, and Global War on Terrorism Eras, first as a tanker and later as a chaplain. Despite being a disabled veteran himself, Bishop has been a tireless servant in his community at the Greensburg Food Pantry, Greensburg Rotary Club, American Legion, VFW, and the Greensburg High School football team. He continues to serve as a Chaplain.
Charles E. Gorton Fayette County, nominated by Craig Cammack, served in the US Army and US Army Reserves nearly 40 years during the Cold War, Desert Storm/Shield, and Global War on Terror. Gorton's civilian activities as Army Re- serve Ambassador to Kentucky include representing the USAR Commanding General at Unit Departure and Return Ceremonies and Yellow Ribbon Events for re- turning soldiers and families; as well as educating leg- islators, government and community leaders on sol- diers.
John Billie Hamm Rowan County, nominated by Mary Beth Armstrong, served in the US Air Force for 20+ years, primarily in reconnaissance and intelligence during the Occupa- tion of Germany and the Korean and Vietnam War Eras. An American Legion Service Officer for eleven years, Hamm helped veterans receive their benefits while also serving for 38+ years in the Honor Guard. Additionally, he played an active role in opening of the Rowan County Veterans Museum which includes the Veterans Wall.
David Louis Hatter Kenton County, nominated by Rodney Bell, served in the US Army and US Army Reserves during the Cold War, Gulf War, and Desert Storm Eras as a combat engineer and administrative specialist. A cybersecurity professional; he is a highly-sought- after voice for many organizations, government en- tities, and news outlets. Hatter's other community service contributions include being a board mem- ber and volunteer at the parish kitchen for 18 years and an active member of InfraGard.
Paul Alan Mazurek Madison County, nominated by Emerson McAfee, served in the United States Army National Guard for 20+ years during the Desert Storm/Desert Shield War Era as a motor transport operator. Never satisfied with being a follower, Mazurek has served as an officer in VFW, Madison County Honor Guard, Welcome Home Veterans Celebrations, DAV, and Madison County Vet- erans Committee. His most notable contributions have been to support veterans needing utility bill aid and sleeping rooms.
Rodger Lee McAlister Jefferson County, nominated by Doug Foster, served in the US Army, US Army Reserves, and the National Guard for 28+ years, beginning in the Vietnam War Era as an Army aviator. Extremely active in his church, McAlister has led mission trips to a hospital in Honduras for 11 years. His veteran- focused community service initiatives include counseling vets coming off of active duty and helping them find jobs, raising money for schol- arships to ROTC and JROTC Cadets.
Doyle Glenn Rambo Fayette County, nominated by Harris Millerd, Jr., served for 6 years in the US Marine Corps and the US Marine Corps Reserves as an administrative clerk/typist. Rambo lives by the motto of "Never Stop Serving!" He has dedi- cated his life to Veterans at the Thomson Hood Veterans Center and the VA Sousley Campus. A recipient of the 2024 Red Cross "Lifetime Achievement Award," he has been onsite at 19 national disasters. For 61 years.
Elden Lee Riffe Lewis County, nominated by George Sparks, served in the US Army for 26 years, beginning in the Vietnam War Era and spending most of his career in the recruiting field. Riffe has made significant contributions to JROTC for 23 years and as Lewis County Chief Deputy for 10 years. Riffe, a Kentucky Colonel, has been an active member of the Garrison Rough Riders Saddle Club, contributing to community events annually, as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Jonathan Scott Scholl Meade County, nominated by Carl Cornelius, Jr., served in the US Army for nearly 20 years during the Gulf War Era and beyond as an infantryman, drill sergeant, and paratrooper. In his leadership roles as President and Board Chairman for the Radcliff Veterans Center, Com- bat Veterans Association, Bluegrass Honor Flight, USA Cares, Wreaths Across America, the American Red Cross and other community/church groups; Scholl's impact cannot be understated.
Robert Benjamin Snow Kenton County, nominated by Gary Holbrook, served in the US Navy and US Navy Reserves in the field of ship navigation during the War on Terror. Extremely active in the Sons of the American Legion, Snow has placed flags on veterans' graves during Memorial Day ceremo- nies for many years. Under his leadership, the legacy and heritage of many veterans continues to be celebrat- ed through his extensive collection of military uniforms and other military memorabilia.
Norman Nicholas (Nick) Ziegler Kenton County, served in the US Navy and US Naval Re- serves for six years during the Vietnam War Era as an electrician. An active leader within Covington, Kenton County; Ziegler's roles included developing Oktoberfest through the Covington, Kenton County Jaycees, promot- ing the construction of an apartment building for 30 resi- dents with special needs through the Goodwill of North- ern Kentucky, and starting the Big Sisters Program.
James Floyd Zimmerman Oldham County, nominated by Elizabeth Zimmerman, served in the US Army and US Army Reserves during the Vietnam War Era as an Armor Crewman and later in the 100th Training Division. His community service contribu- tions include serving in leadership positions on the Old- ham County Police Board, History Center, Deputy Sher- iff Merit Board, LaGrange Railroad Museum, and Part- nership for the National Trail System. Zimmerman is well-known for his multi-state speeches.
Harry Oneal Todd Trigg County, nominated by Chappel Wilson, served in the US Army for 23 years, starting in the Vietnam War Era and ending his service as the Garrison Sergeant Ma- jor at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Retiring to Cadiz, Ken- tucky, Todd has served as chairman of the tourist com- mission to promote tourism in the Lake Barkley/Land Between the Lakes area and has served as the liaison between Ft. Campbell military officials and Trigg County residents. Also involved in the Cadiz Rotary.
Theresa A. Wilson Madison County, nominated by Kris Morlen, served in the US Air Force for 20 years, beginning in the Gulf War Era as an Environmental Systems Specialist and continu- ing in various command and control roles across multi- ple bases. As a DAV Service Officer, Wilson has spent over 3000 hours helping veterans navigate the com- plexity of their benefits and receive essential support. Her leadership roles in the American Legion and DAV have significantly strengthened the networks.
Sterling Lynn Young Lincoln County, nominated by Harold "Jack" Hendricks, served in the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam War Era as a tanker. Serving in various leadership positions within the DAV including District Commander, Young also served as commander for the Post 18 Honor Guard, presiding in 90-125 funerals annually for the last 20 years. Young also commands the Color Guard which is responsible for rendering colors at parades, civic or- ganization functions, and memorial dedications.
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