Fairhope Opens Nominations for 2026 Veteran of the Year Award
Fairhope is accepting nominations through Oct. 16 for its 2026 Veteran of the Year Award, honoring a local veteran's military service and continued community involvement.
The City of Fairhope is now accepting nominations for its 2026 Veteran of the Year Award, an annual honor recognizing a local veteran whose military service continues to be matched by dedication to the community.
The award goes to a living veteran who has shown outstanding leadership, patriotism and a strong record of volunteerism and civic involvement. Nominees can be recognized either for a single extraordinary act of service or for a sustained history of giving back to the Fairhope community over time.
Who Can Be Nominated
To be eligible, a nominee must be a living veteran of one of the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, which includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force, as well as the National Guard, Reserves or U.S. Merchant Marine. Nominees must also have a tie to Fairhope: they must live in the city, work in Fairhope, or belong to American Legion Post 199, VFW Post 5660 or another recognized veterans organization based in the city. Previous Veteran of the Year recipients are not eligible to be nominated again, though nominations that are not selected remain active for two years, giving those candidates a chance to be considered in future award cycles.
How to Submit a Nomination
Nomination forms are available at Fairhope City Hall, American Legion Post 199 and VFW Post 5660, as well as online at the city’s website. Completed nominations must be submitted, or postmarked, by midnight on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. Forms can be delivered in person to the Mayor’s Office at Fairhope City Hall, located at 161 N. Section Street, or mailed to the Veteran of the Year Committee at P.O. Drawer 429, Fairhope, AL 36533. Residents with questions can contact the City of Fairhope at 251-929-1474.
Past Honorees and Recognition
The 2026 Veteran of the Year will be honored during the final Fairhope City Council meeting in October. Past recipients of the award include Frank McArdle, Dr. Tonya Butler, Edwin Lessard Jr., Larry Bridges and Doug Mansmann.
