Chris Jones: Greene Publishing, Inc.
Madison County Veteran Bernard E. Wilson was one of many Florida veterans nominated to be inducted into the Veterans Hall of Fame. The seven-member council agreed to send 20 names to Florida Governor Rick Scott and his Cabinet to consider when they vote on the next group to be inducted into the State's hall of fame for veterans. Wilson, who was an Army Sergeant and B-29 blister-gunner in World War II, received the highest score of those nominated.
The council considers a veterans’ post-military life when determining who to nominate to earn a plaque and recognition at the veterans's memorial, located near the Great Seal of the State of Florida at the Capitol Building's entrance. Wilson joined the Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Once out of the military, he moved to north Florida to take a job with Florida Power. Wilson is noted for several contributions to Madison County. He initiated the tradition of flying 50 American flags on the courthouse lawn during patriotic holidays. This tradition was recently brought back to life by Post 224 of the American Legion. Wilson was also instrumental in raising funds and support for Madison's iconic Four Freedoms monument and three separate veteran's walls, which recognized the county's veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam, and the Desert Shield and Desert Storm campaigns.
Wilson was named Madison County's 2003 Citizen of the Year, he passed away in 2009. On the council's scorecard, he scored 286.5 points out of 300, receiving more points than Florida State University President John Thrasher, an army captain during the Vietnam War, and former Leon County Commissioner Bruce Host, a USAF colonel who served two tours of duty in Vietnam.
Once the independent audit of the vote tally is complete, the council will make its final recommendation to the Gov. and Cabinet at a Sept. 26 meeting.