Mobile Bay Area 2023 Veteran of the Year
David W. Riley
US Army and US Coast Guard (Retired)
Mobile Bay Area 2023 Patriot of the Year
Jo Bonner
President of University of South Alabama
Colonel Frank J. Calagaz, Jr.
Colonel Frank J. Calagaz, Jr.
Colonel Frank J. Calagaz, Jr.
Colonel Frank J. Calagaz, Jr. has distinguished himself by exceptional support of and dedication to our local veterans’ community. Frank served our country in the US Marine Corps and the Alabama Army National Guard for more than thirty-four years and was the recipient of the Alabama Distinguished Service Medal. After his military career, Frank continued to serve his country, his state, and his community through numerous veteran activities. Chief among these was serving in several positions of great responsibility in the South Alabama Chapter of the Military Officers association of America. He was also a life member of American Legion Post 3 and worked tirelessly for the resurrection and renovation that that historic Mobile post. Frank also served on the Mobile Bay Area Veterans Day Commission and was the Vice President responsible for the Patriot Dinner, an important part of Mobile’s commemoration of Veterans Day. Frank was proud of his military service and he was proud to be a veteran. He would do anything necessary to help a fellow veteran and his passing in December 2022 has left a giant hole in our veteran’s community.
Lynne Price
Colonel Frank J. Calagaz, Jr.
Colonel Frank J. Calagaz, Jr.
Lynne Price has distinguished herself by exceptional support of and dedication to our local veterans' community. Lynne has been one of the most energetic champions of our veterans, enthusiastically supporting numerous organizations and projects. As the Administrator of the Mobile Council of the Navy League, she does the planning for every Navy League event and ensures all
logistical and operational support is provided. As a former USS Alabama Crewmate, Lynne has managed the Crewmate program for almost twenty years. This wonderful program is for young women to learn about the heritage of Alabama. Lynne plans all Crewmate activities which include, participating in the annual Veterans Day Parade, Flag Parade, Blue Star Salute, and visits to the William F. Green State Veterans Home. This year she took them to participate in the Governor's Inaugural Parade in Montgomery. Lynne is a member of the Executive Women International and has been a member of the Alabama Chapter of the Association for Fundraising Professionals. Whatever job has needed to be done to support our veterans, Lynne brought to it an unbounded initiative, versatility, and enthusiasm.
2023 Sponsors
About Us
Mobile Bay Veterans Day Commission
The Mobile Bay Area Veterans Commission was organized in 1986 with the purpose of energizing the area’s Veterans Day commemoration. The organizers were Admiral J. Lloyd “Doc” Abbot, USN (Ret.), Admiral Bill Stewart, USCG (Ret.), Captain Hal Pierce, USN (Ret.), and Lieutenant Colonel Vince Schiavoni, USAF (Ret.).
The Mayor of Mobile was invited to be Chairman of the Commission and other distinguished military officers and civilians of the area were also invited to be part of the Commission. The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce CEO was also invited to be on the board and the Chamber was involved with it from the very beginning. Their plan was to have a Veterans Day parade through downtown Mobile and to have an Honors Luncheon where a Patriot of the Year would be recognized. That recognition was to be the highlight of the Veterans Day observance. Today, the award is presented at the luncheon where a nationally recognized patriot is honored.
Since 1997, a Veteran of the Year is selected and also recognized at the Honors Luncheon. The Veterans Day Observance now includes the Parade of Flags ceremony in the afternoon and a patriotic concert in the evening presented by the Mobile Pops Orchestra, both at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park Medal of Honor Pavilion.
Since 2001, at the Patriot Dinner, on the evening before Veterans Day, the Commission has recognized one or more Mobile Bay Area citizens who have supported our veterans and veteran causes by presenting them with the President’s Award. This year the name of that award was changed to the Captain Hal Pierce Memorial Award.
Mobile and Baldwin Counties selected as VETERANS REGIONAL SITE
We're very proud to have been selected as a Veterans Regional Site – one of only 32 sites across the United States!
In his 1954 Veterans Day Proclamation, President Dwight D. Eisenhower called for the formation of a Veterans Day National Committee (VDNC) to oversee national planning and coordination of the Veterans Day observance. Each year, the VDNC designates community Veterans Day events as regional sites.
In 2022, the VDNC approved Mobile and Baldwin Counties as a model for cities across the nation. We are so proud to be recognized.