Coalition selects Madison’s Larry Vannoy as ‘Veteran of the Year’
MADISON – Father of four. Representative in local politics. Military officer. Scout leader. Civic volunteer. All those phrases describe Larry Vannoy, and he now has another honor to add to the list.
The North Alabama Veterans & Fraternal Organizations Coalition or NAVFOC has selected Larry Vannoy as “Veteran of the Year.”
On Nov. 8 during Veterans Week, NAVFOC presented awards at its annual Veterans Day Dinner at the Von Braun Center. Vannoy’s family lives in Madison; the city’s other award winner was Madison American Legion, Post 229 as “Veterans Organization of the Year.”
These prestigious awards are given to one outstanding individual and organization that exemplify service and dedication to the veteran community.
The coalition involves 60-plus veterans’ service organizations in North Alabama. Member organizations nominated candidates for the awards, and members of the NAVFOC Senior Advisory Council selected the winners.
Vannoy serves as Post Commander for Madison American Legion, Post 229. He also serves as an officer at the district, Madison County and state levels of American Legion and as a member of American Legion Honor Guard and Legion Riders.
A staunch advocate for local veterans and their families, Vannoy spends countless hours supporting the veteran community year-round. As part of his duties as Post Commander, he prioritizes involvement with youth in the community in projects and programs that support veterans and foster patriotism.
He works with local Junior ROTC units, Girl Scouts and Scouts of America, American Legion Oratorical Contest, American Legion baseball and Boys State. In Post 229 Honor Guard, Vannoy frequently supports funeral services for veterans across Madison County.
Vannoy earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of South Carolina in electrical engineering in 1977 and was commissioned as an Air Force officer through ROTC. “I served on active duty for nine years and Air Force Reserves for 21 years. I reached the rank of colonel,” Vannoy said.
His active duty assignments included Wright Patterson Air Force Base (AFB), Ohio, where he received a master’s degree in electrical engineering. Then, Vannoy was assigned to Kennedy Space Center for the Space Shuttle; Lindsey
