The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce will host Honoring Our Heroes: A Salute to Service – 35th Anniversary of Desert Shield/Desert Storm on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Rigdon Center. The Honoring Our Heroes event will begin at 5:00 p.m. and will commemorate the service and sacrifice of those who served during the Gulf War.
The evening will feature Gen. Charles Albert “Chuck” Horner as a special guest speaker. Gen. Horner played a central role during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, leading coalition air operations that helped define modern military airpower.
Lt. Gen. Marshall B. “Brad” Webb will serve as master of ceremonies. Keynote speakers include Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, a principal architect of modern air campaigns, and Dr. John Andreas Olsen, an internationally recognized military historian and strategist.
In addition to distinguished national leaders, the event will highlight local veterans’ stories, offering firsthand perspectives on pivotal moments in history, including Task Force Normandy, the hunt for SCUD missiles, the Battle of Khafji, and other joint operations.
Ticket Information:
*Walk-In’s Not Accepted*
General Admission: $35
Reserved Seating for 10: $500
