Brevard Recognized As Purple Heart County, Celebrates Sacrifices of Wounded or Killed in Action Military Members
By Steve Wilson // April 9, 2026
Commander of Space Coast Military Order Keith Van Buren spoke after the resolution passed
During the April 7 meeting of the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, a resolution was passed officially designating Brevard County as a Purple Heart County. (Space Coast Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 453 image)
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – During the April 7 meeting of the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, a resolution was officially passed acknowledging Brevard County as a Purple Heart County.
This designation follows a similar movement within the county, where Palm Bay became the first city in Brevard to be designated as a Purple Heart City last month.
The countywide resolution recognizes the sacrifices of military members who are wounded or killed in combat and honors the work of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Keith Van Buren, Commander of the Space Coast Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 453, spoke after the resolution passed, thanking the commissioners, the staff, and “the people of Brevard County for always being supportive.”
Van Buren also talked about the Purple Heart Trail, saying, “The purpose of the Purple Heart Trail is to bring visibility and recognition to recipients and their families. While we honor many living recipients among us, we also never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice and the Gold Star families.”
For additional information on the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Purple Heart Trail, CLICK HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana, and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.
Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.
Wilson is especially proud to have chaired two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock, that raised over $25,000.00.
He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 26 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events significant to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.
The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.
