Okaloosa County to honor women veterans at June 12 event

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.

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.”

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.

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.