ORLANDO, Fla. - A former Florida Guardsman and chief of the National Guard Bureau recently joined the ranks of an exclusive club that includes Ponce de Leon, Thomas Edison and football star Tim Tebow.
Gen. (Ret.) Craig R. McKinley was honored by Florida Gov. Rick Scott as a "Great Floridian" during the 2013 National Guard Association of Florida conference, July 27 in Orlando.
McKinley, a native of Jacksonville, made history at the beginning of 2012 when he became the first National Guardsman to serve as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He retired last year and is currently president of the Air Force Association.
The governor called McKinley "one of Florida's and America's most decorated leaders" and lauded him for a series of "remarkable accomplishments" to include: first Florida Guardsman to hold the position of Director of the Air National Guard first Florida Guardsman to achieve the rank of four-star general and first four-star Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
"These firsts are monumental," Gov. Scott said, calling them testaments to the "long-deserved recognition of the National Guard as an operational force that is a critical component to the security of our nation."
The Great Floridian designation is given in recognition of outstanding achievements of men and women who have made significant contributions to the progress and welfare of Floridians. Currently 81 people have been names Great Floridians, including governors, supreme court justices, civil rights activists, and military leaders.
After receiving the distinction and an award from the governor, McKinley noted it was an honor to be recognized in front of nearly 600 attendees at the conference's evening banquet.
"They truly are outstanding Americans," McKinley said of the Soldiers and Airmen still serving in the National Guard.
McKinley joined the U.S. Air Force in 1974. In1980 he became a member of the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Interceptor Group in Jacksonville, and progressed through the ranks.
He served in key positions including: Commander of the 125th Fighter Wing in 1991 Commander of Southeast Air Defense Sector in 1996 Deputy Director of the Air National Guard in 1998 Director of the Air National Guard in 2006 and Chief of the National Guard Bureau in 2008. When he took command of the Florida National Guard's Fighter Interceptor Group in 1991, he became the youngest group or wing commander in Florida Air National Guard history.
Adjutant Gen. Emmett Titshaw Jr., who served with McKinley since the early 1980s, said the Great Floridian designation was a proud moment not just for Florida, but for all of the National Guard organizations around our nation."
"It has been a remarkable career," Titshaw said. "He has excelled at everything he has done and brought tremendous leadership…We are very proud of him, and we're very grateful that he was a Floridian."
The governor also presented Governor's Trophy to representatives from Florida National Guard units federal-activated for service during the past year. They included Soldiers from: 3rd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery Regiment 806th Military Police Company 221st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment 2153rd Finance Detachment 856th Quartermaster Company 870th Engineer Company 869th Engineer Company and 669th Engineer Team.
"The most important thing tonight is we need to thank every member of our National Guard," Gov. Scott said. "They're putting their lives at risk every day their families are sacrificing when they are being deployed. We have a great National Guard."