The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park

San Diego County Veteran of the Year Program

The “Veteran of the Year” program was established in 1989 to recognize the contributions of veterans to the San Diego community. From the pool of Veterans of the Year candidates, only one is selected as the “San Diego County Veteran of the Year”. By honoring a veteran, it shows that the veterans contribute greatly to the morale of the work force, exceed expectations in their duties, volunteer in the community and are good citizens. This program of The Veteran Museum at Balboa Park recognizes our heroes who continue to serve and contribute as our friends and neighbors.

The program has four ways to recognize individuals and organizations:

1. The San Diego County Veteran of the Year. Awarded for outstanding individual service to other Veterans and for notable achievements participating in beneficial community and civic organizations and activities. If selected, the San Diego County Veteran of the Year will represent the veteran community at special events, Padres games, parades and other military-related ceremonies.
2. The Will Hays Lifetime Support of Veterans Award, named in honor of imminently distinguished Veteran Leader, Captain Will Hays, U.S. Navy Retired.  Awarded for sustained outstanding contributions in service to other veterans and in benefit to San Diego County communities during a span of 10 or more years.
3. The San Diego County Meritorious Support of Veterans Award.  Awarded to one  corporation for outstanding assistance to Veterans, for support to Armed Forces members, and for notable community-wide beneficial support.
4. The San Diego County Allegiance Award.  Awarded to one  agency or non-profit for outstanding service to individual Veterans and Veteran Programs, and support to Armed Forces Active Duty, Reserve, and Guard members, and contributions to the community.

All four awards are announced at the “The Veteran of the Year Recognition Ceremony” in November, during Veterans Week in San Diego and all four winners will be invited to participate in the 2020 San Diego Veterans Day Celebration at The Veterans Museum on Monday, November 11.

Nominations for 2020-2021 will close October 22nd, 2020.

To apply for one or more of the awards, please use the drop down menu under the VOY Nomination Forms Tab on this website.  

All applications must be submitted online.