Close Menu
  • Home
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • THINGS TO DO
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • Contact
Facebook
Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Niceville.com
Niceville.com
Home»COMMUNITY NEWS»Okaloosa County to honor women veterans at June 12 event
COMMUNITY NEWS

Okaloosa County to honor women veterans at June 12 event

Niceville.comJune 7, 20243 Mins Read
closeup of a statue of Sharon Ann Lane in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
A hero of the Vietnam War, Sharon Ann Lane was the only American nurse killed as a direct result of direct enemy fire in the Vietnam War. There is a monument honoring her at Veterans Park in Fort Walton Beach. (Contributed)

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla.—Okaloosa County is celebrating the service of women who served in the military at its 2024 Women Veterans Day celebration on June 12 in Fort Walton Beach.

Advertisement
Eglin Federal Credit Union auto loan leaderboard ad with family image.

Niceville.com Community Partner

The public is invited to attend the second annual ceremony at 8 a.m. The event will include an indoor ceremony at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center and a wreath-laying ceremony at the nearby Women Veterans Monuments at Veterans Park. The State of Florida recognized Women Veterans Day in 2021.

“This event focuses on a group of veterans who may have been overlooked by others in the past,” said Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel.

“We want to recognize these women and let them know that their service has not been forgotten and in Okaloosa County, they will always have our support.”

Advertisement
Deer Moss Creek® advertisement by Ruckel Properties, Inc. promoting available homes and lots.

Niceville.com Community Partner

In 2021, Okaloosa County unveiled the Women Veterans Monuments at Veterans Park, where this year’s wreath-laying will take place.

Eight women who served in combat during various U.S. military conflicts are honored at Veterans Park with life-sized bronze statues strategically placed along a quarter-mile path. There is native wildlife all around the park, including a great blue heron rookery.

This year’s event will focus on the Vietnam War Commemoration, which honors our nation’s Vietnam Veterans and their families for service and sacrifice. By Presidential proclamation, the Vietnam War Commemoration will continue through Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2025.

Advertisement

Niceville.com Community Partner

The signing of the proclamation marked the 50th anniversary of the departure of the last American troops from Vietnam.

Sharon Ann Lane, a Vietnam veteran, is one of the eight women depicted at Veterans Park. Ms Lane was the only American nurse killed as a direct result of direct enemy fire in the Vietnam War. She worked at the 312th Evacuation Hospital at Chu Lai on April 29, 1969.

Ms Lane was originally assigned to the Intensive Care Unit but was reassigned to the Vietnamese Ward. This work was often physically and emotionally challenging, yet Ms Lane repeatedly declined transfers to another ward.

For her service in Vietnam, Sharon Ann Lane was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star with “V” device, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Order of Vietnam Medal, and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross (with Palm).

The Women Veterans Monuments are accessible by parking at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE.

Click here to learn more about the heroes depicted at the Women Veterans Monuments at Veterans’ Park.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleApply now for 2024 Master Gardener volunteer training course in Okaloosa
Next Article McElroy named program director of maintenance for Okaloosa schools

Related Posts

Close-up of glowing blue rocks embedded in the new Bridge-to-Bridge path on Okaloosa Island at night.

Okaloosa unveils glowing Bridge-to-Bridge path with Oct. 23 ribbon cutting

October 7, 2025
Graphic promoting the 2025 Military Family Appreciation Day in Fort Walton Beach.

Military Family Appreciation Day set Nov. 1 at The Landing in Fort Walton

October 7, 2025
A Wreaths Across America tag tied to a holiday wreath branch.

Sponsor a holiday wreath for a local veteran in Niceville, Valparaiso

October 2, 2025
Advertisement
The Wharf 850 Niceville, Florida

Niceville.com Community Partner

Categories
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • IT'S GEEK TO ME
  • LARRY WILLIAMS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • MARKETPLACE NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • OUTDOORS
  • ROADS / TRANSPORTATION
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • THINGS TO DO
Advertisement
The Wharf 850 Niceville, Florida

Niceville.com Community Partner

COMMUNITY PARTNERS
  • EGLIN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
  • EYEWEAR UNLIMITED
  • HAIR EXPRESS
  • MIDBAY VETERINARY HOSPITAL
  • NICEVILLE FARMERS MARKET
  • NICEVILLE INSURANCE AGENCY
  • RUCKEL PROPERTIES, INC.
  • THE WHARF 850
Advertisement
The Wharf 850 Niceville, Florida

Niceville.com Community Partner

Categories
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • IT'S GEEK TO ME
  • LARRY WILLIAMS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • MARKETPLACE NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • OUTDOORS
  • ROADS / TRANSPORTATION
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • THINGS TO DO
Advertisement
Eglin Federal Credit Union auto loan ad with family and open road theme.

Niceville.com Community Partner

Advertisement
A horizontal digital banner for Midbay Veterinary Hospital featuring a dog and a cat, a blue veterinary cross logo, contact details for Dr. Maya Chapman, and a call-to-action button that says "Click" to make an appointment

Niceville.com Community Partner

ABOUT NICEVILLE.COM

PRIVACY POLICY

TERMS OF SERVICE

© 2025 Niceville.com. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.