1. Who is eligible to be featured on the Danvers Wall of Heroes?
To be eligible, the nominee must meet two main criteria:
The Danvers Connection: They must be a current resident of Danvers or have lived in town at any point in their life.
Military Service: They must be currently serving on active duty, in the Reserves/National Guard, or be a Veteran who was Honorably Discharged from any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
2. Can I nominate a family member who has passed away?
Yes, we consider it a sacred duty to honor those no longer with us. However, to ensure the accuracy of the veteran’s service history and personal story, nominations for deceased veterans must be submitted by a dependent or an immediate family member. This helps us maintain the integrity of the records displayed on the wall.
3. What is the deadline for nominations?
For the inaugural grand reveal, the deadline is April 1st, 2026. This cut-off allows our team—led by VFW Auxiliary member Sophia Hoctor—the necessary time to prepare the physical displays for the ceremony.
4. What happens if I submit a nomination after the April 1st deadline?
The Wall of Heroes is an ongoing project! We accept nominations 365 days a year. If you miss the April 1st deadline, your hero’s nomination will be processed and they will be officially inducted during our ceremony the following year (May 2027). We never stop accepting the names of our brave neighbors.
5. Is there a cost associated with nominating a hero?
No. Thanks to the support of our organizers and community partners, there is no fee to nominate a hero. This project is a gift to the town of Danvers to ensure our military history—from the Revolutionary War to today—is never forgotten.
6. What documents or information do I need to provide?
You will need the veteran's full name, branch of service, and years of service. While not always required for the initial form, we may follow up to request a copy of the DD214 form (with sensitive information blacked out) to verify service details and honors like the Purple Heart.
7. I don’t have a photo of my veteran. Can they still be included?
Absolutely. While we love to "put a face to the name," we understand photos aren't always available, especially for older generations. In these cases, we will use a high-quality crest of their specific military branch (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force) to represent them with honor.
8. When and where is the Grand Reveal?
The ceremony will take place on May, 2026 (Around Memorial Day). This event is open to the entire Danvers community. Specific location and time details will be posted on our Important Dates page on the Website as we get closer to the event.
9. Who is organizing this project?
The project is headed by Sophia Hoctor, a Senior at Danvers High School and a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. Sophia has volunteered with the Danvers VFW for over 10 years and is using her platform as a Voice of Democracy winner to honor her grandfather, Clyde Allen Dugas, and all Danvers veterans.