TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Five distinguished veterans representing the Class of 2014 will be inducted into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame during ceremonies at the Capitol July 6.
Inductees are:
1. The late Rear Adm. LeRoy Collins Jr., U.S. Navy Reserve (retired)
2. Maj. Gen. James Lee Dozier, U.S. Army (retired)
3. Dr. (Col.) Harry Frank Farmer Jr., U.S. Army, Florida Army National Guard, U.S. Air Force Reserve (retired)
4. Chief Master Sgt. Eugene Cecil Johnson, U.S. Air Force (retired)
5. Lt. Gen. Lawrence F. Snowden, U.S. Marine Corps (retired)
The late Rear Adm. LeRoy Collins Jr. was a 1956 U.S. Naval Academy graduate and Navy submariner who spent 10 years on active duty before joining the Navy Reserve. An active civic leader and business entrepreneur, he was appointed in 2007 by Gov. Charlie Crist as executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. A champion for veterans, he created the Florida Veterans Foundation to honor and care for those in need.
Retired Army Maj. Gen. James Lee Dozier is a 1956 U.S. Military Academy graduate and recipient of both the Silver Star and Purple Heart from his service in Vietnam. The general led a distinguished military career, then became a prolific business and community leader focusing on civic, agricultural and anti-terrorism interests. In 1981, he was held for 42 days by the Italian Red Brigades before an Italian anti-terrorism team rescued him from his captors.
Dr. Harry Frank Farmer Jr. served in the U.S. Army, Florida National Guard and U.S. Air Force before his retirement as a Colonel in 2004. A Vietnam veteran and former professor of history, Farmer became a physician in 1976 and served as president of the Florida Medical Association, chairman of the Florida Board of Medicine, and from 2011-2012 as Surgeon General and Secretary of Health for the State of Florida.
Eugene Cecil Johnson spent 31 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1982 as a Chief Master Sergeant, the service’s highest enlisted rank. A champion of civil rights and equal opportunity both in and out of uniform, he is a distinguished community leader and higher education advocate. He advises numerous non-profit and faith-based organizations on veterans’ issues and holds top community service honors from several Florida colleges and institutes.
Lawrence F. Snowden is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General and senior ranking survivor of the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. A civic leader and past chairman of The Economic Club of Florida, he was instrumental in establishing the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. In 2015, he was recognized during a joint session of Congress by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his efforts to strengthen the friendship between Japan and the United States.
Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet inducted the five individuals into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame during the March 24, 2015 Cabinet Meeting. The Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame Council transmits its recommended list of nominees to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, which submits the nominations to the Governor and Cabinet, who select the nominees to be inducted.
The Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame recognizes and honors those military veterans who, through their works and lives during or after military service, have made a significant contribution to the state of Florida through civic, business, public service or other pursuits. It is not a traditional military hall of fame, as it focuses on post-military contributions to the State of Florida.
For more information, visit http://floridaveteranshalloffame.org/
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