The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame recognizes Arizona veterans for significant post-military contributions on a local, state, or national level. They are veterans who have honorably served their country through military service and who continued to serve and inspire their fellow man with their deeds and accomplishments throughout their life. The development of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame and the subsequent creation of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society followed a path that unfolded over several decades.
The DAV: Today’s Hall of Fame was initially conceived as the Disabled American Veterans Military Hall of Fame by members of Arizona Chapter #1 of the Disabled American Veterans in 1976. The following year, at the Arizona DAV State convention, the concept was presented by James J. Murphy and Lou Blakely to the members present. Motions were made, discussed and passed, and plans were made to induct their first honoree in 1978. As such, former US Senator, former Governor of Arizona, former Chief Justice of Arizona, and a man deemed to be the ‘father of the GI Bill’, the Honorable Ernest William McFarland was selected to be the first inductee of the DAV Military Hall of Fame. Over the ensuing years, the DAV continued to honor distinguished veterans.
