(Photo by Michelle Dillon) Kayla Ward, left, and her husband Gary Ward smile as they hold the Washington County Distinguished Service Award they received at the Washington County Veterans Hall of Fame induction ceremony Friday.

Veterans and community members were honored Friday at Marietta College’s Dyson-Baudo Recreation Center during the 2024 Washington County Veterans Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

“The mission of the Washington County Veterans Hall of Fame is to honor and recognize Washington County distinguished men and women that have served in the great nation’s armed forces with valor, distinguished service, extreme sacrifice,” county Veterans Service Commission Officer Tim Gillenwaters said. “After their service, they continued to contribute to their communities, state and nation.”

He said the inductees performed exceptional acts of volunteerism, advocacy, professional achievement, public service and generous endeavors.

The keynote speaker was retired Air Force Col. Jason Nulton, professor and community engagement coordinator for Marietta College. He talked about how he learned about leadership in the Air Force and from his parents.

“The people being honored here tonight have demonstrated leadership, which for me comes down to three things … the first one is integrity,” Nulton said. “The second is service before self, and the third is excellence in all we do.”

(Photo by Michelle Dillon) Marine veteran Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Morris, front left, receives the Chad D. Wright Memorial Award-Washington County Veteran of the Year from the family of Chad Wright as Washington County Veterans Service Commission Veteran Service Officer Larry Proctor rear left, watches during the Washington County Veterans Hall of Fame induction ceremony Friday.

All three are core military values that transcend military service, he said.

“It is on us to set the example for younger generations,” Nulton said.

The inductees were:

* Navy veteran EO3 Jeremy Barton for outstanding community service and veterans advocacy.

* Air Force veteran Sgt. Peter Brant for distinguished military service.

* Air Force veteran Staff Sgt. David Brown for outstanding community service.

* Army veteran Cpl. James Dye for distinguished military service.

* Army veteran Pfc. Donald Ery for veterans advocacy and professional achievement.

* Army veteran Sgt. 1st Class Robert Fitzgerald for outstanding community service and veterans advocacy.

* Marine and Army veteran Master Sgt. James Heikkinen for distinguished military service and veterans advocacy.

* Air Force veteran Airman 2nd Class Gary Henderson for veterans advocacy.

* Navy veteran Q2C Herman Huck for distinguished military service.

* Army veteran Spc. Ivan Huck for veterans advocacy.

* Air Force veteran Chief Master Sgt. Jason Malec for distinguished military service, veterans advocacy and professional achievement.

* Marine veteran Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Morris for distinguished military service, outstanding community service and veterans advocacy.

* Army veteran Spc. Marianne Myers for veterans advocacy.

* Navy veteran OS2 Terry Pringle for veterans advocacy.

* Marine veteran Staff Sgt. Kennth Radabaugh for veterans advocacy.

* Marine veteran Cpl. Bryan Reeder for outstanding community service, veterans advocacy and professional achievement.

* Air Force veteran Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Scott for distinguished military service.

* Air Force and Army veteran Command Sgt. Major Calvin Williams for distinguished military service and veterans advocacy.

* Navy veteran AE3 Robert Yoder outstanding community service and veterans advocacy.

The 2024 Washington County Veterans Community Annual Awards were also given out.

* Chad D. Wright Memorial Award-Washington County Veteran of the Year – Marine veteran Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Morris.

* Washington County Distinguished Service Award – Gary Ward and his wife Kayla Ward.

* Washington County Veterans Employer of the Year – Marietta Fire Department.

* Washington County Veterans Community Service Award – RBD Concrete LLC and Next Level Masonry, LLC.

* Washington County Veterans Committee Chair Award of Excellence – Jason Nulton.

* Washington County Veterans Partners of the Year Award – Marietta City Safety-Service Director Steve Wetz.