- April 18, 2024
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The decision by the city to place names of residents who are Vietnam veterans on a plaque in City Hall has created some controversy. Some say veterans of the war who have an Ormond Beach address but live outside the city limits should also receive the honor.
A speaker from the audience at the Feb. 16 City Commission meeting told the officials that he would like to see his brother, a veteran who was born and raised in Ormond Beach, also receive the honor.
“We consider ourselves Ormond boys,” said Rob Hanson, of Ormond-by-the-Sea.
His brother, Darrell Hanson, served 22 years in the Air Force and retired as a Lt. Colonel.
“I’m very proud of my brother,” he said. “I’d just like to be sure he’s honored.”
His brother now lives in Atlanta, but often visits Ormond-by-the-Sea where he owns property.
Hanson offered a couple of suggestions. One, include everyone in the 32174 or 32176 area codes; or two, go by the water bill (Ormond-by-the-Sea is on city water.)
Commissioner Rick Boehm said that as the commission’s only Vietnam veteran, he thinks people born and raised in Ormond Beach should be considered for the plaque.
“I don’t think living in Ormond Beach today should be the only criteria,” he said.
He was receptive to Hanson’s water bill and zip code ideas.
Commissioner Troy Kent was also very supportive. He said Vietnam was a war where heroes came home and were not honored.
“I’ll be damned if I let that happen on my watch up here,” he said. “It’s Ormond-by-the-Sea, but it’s an Ormond Beach address.”
Mayor Ed Kelley did not agree with Boehm and Kent. He pointed out that Ormond-by-the-Sea had a chance to be annexed into the city in 1996, but voted it down.
Kelley said if he wins election for County Council chair this year, he will try to see that veterans in the county are recognized by Volusia County, but the Ormond Beach recognition should only be for city residents.
He said if they opened up the plaque to county residents, they would have to go back and add county residents to the World War II and Korean War plaques.
“I don’t want to open a can of worms,” he said.
A couple of days after the meeting, City Manager Joyce Shanahan said that city staff planned to discuss the issue. She did not know if it will be brought back to the City Commission.
Debbie Kruck, leader of Ormond Strong, a group formed to support deployed soldiers, said many Vietnam veterans are involved with her organization, and she has heard from some who have an Ormond Beach address, but live just outside the city limits.
For that reason, she and other representatives from Ormond Strong spoke to the County Council at their Feb. 18 meeting, requesting that all Vietnam Veterans countywide be recognized.
Kruck reported after the meeting that the Council was receptive.
“A proclamation is in the works, and activities throughout the County will be announced March 1,” she wrote in an email.
