The Mobile Bay Area Veterans Commission was established in 1986 with the primary goal of revitalizing the region’s Veterans Day celebrations. The initiative was led by distinguished retired military officers: Admiral J. Lloyd “Doc” Abbot (USN), Admiral Bill Stewart (USCG), Captain Hal Pierce (USN), and Lieutenant Colonel Vince Schiavoni (USAF).
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Early Leadership and Community Involvement
To ensure broad support, the Mayor of Mobile was invited to serve as Chairman of the Commission. Additional invitations were extended to respected military personnel and civilians from the area. The CEO of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce also joined the board, with the Chamber actively participating from the Commission’s inception. The original vision included organizing a downtown parade and hosting an Honors Luncheon, where an individual would be recognized as “Patriot of the Year”—a tradition that continues today, honoring nationally recognized patriots.
Expansion of Honors and Events
Beginning in 1997, the Commission added a “Veteran of the Year” award, presented during the Honors Luncheon alongside the Patriot of the Year recognition. Over time, the Veterans Day program has grown to include the Parade of Flags ceremony in the afternoon and a patriotic concert in the evening, performed by the Mobile Pops Orchestra at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park’s Medal of Honor Pavilion.
Introduction of the President’s Award
Since 2001, the evening before Veterans Day features the Patriot Dinner, during which local individuals who have made significant contributions to veterans’ causes are honored with the President’s Award. In a tribute to one of its founding members, this award was renamed the Captain Hal Pierce Memorial Award in the current year.
National Recognition as a Veterans Regional Site
The Mobile Bay Area has earned national distinction as one of only 32 Veterans Regional Sites across the United States. This recognition underscores the dedication of the local community to honoring veterans in meaningful ways.
Background on National Veterans Day Planning
In his 1954 proclamation, President Dwight D. Eisenhower called for the creation of the Veterans Day National Committee (VDNC), tasked with overseeing the nationwide coordination of Veterans Day activities. The VDNC continues this mission by selecting communities whose commemorative efforts serve as national examples.
Approval as a National Model
In 2022, the VDNC officially recognized Mobile and Baldwin Counties as exemplary models for Veterans Day observances across the nation—a proud achievement that reflects the commitment and efforts of the entire community.