Flagler County Veteran of the Week: Cecil B. Hengeveld

Cecil B. Hengeveld

Branch of Military: U.S. Army and Pennsylvania Army National Guard

Dates of Service: 1965-1998

Rank / Occupation: Colonel / Army Aviator

Hometown: Allentown, Pennsylvania

Col. Cecil Hengeveld first enlisted in the Army in 1965 and received his aviator wings as a warrant officer. In 1967 he was deployed to Vietnam to fly helicopters with the 2/20th Aerial Rocket Artillery Battalion. In 1970, Hengeveld commissioned in the Pennsylvania National Guard where he served in many capacities, including commander of the 1028th Transportation Helicopter Company.

At the pinnacle of his career, he was promoted to brigadier general in Pennsylvania National Guard. He holds a master aviator rating with more than 7,100 hours in rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Air Medal with V device and 30 oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal, and Pennsylvania Commendation Medal.

Cecil and Peggy Hengeveld. Courtesy photo

After his military retirement, Hengeveld was appointed by the governor of Pennsylvania as the deputy adjutant general for Pennsylvania Veterans Affairs, overseeing the care for more than 1 million veterans, six veterans nursing homes and the Scotland School for Veterans’ Children.

Hengeveld and his wife, Peggy, also a retired U.S. Army colonel, moved to Palm Coast in 2015. They are both members of the Flagler County chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. Hengeveld will be the keynote speaker at the Flagler County Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, May 30, 10 a.m., in front of the County Government Services Building, 1769 E. Moody, Blvd., in Bunnell.

Need help with veteran services?

For information about benefits available to veterans and other support organizations, visit https://www.flaglercounty.gov/departments/veterans-services.