A delegation from the Association of Defense Communities recently visited Jacksonville, Florida, one of three designees in the 2026 class of Great American Defense Communities.
“I can tell this is a great city,” ADC Board Member Keith Graf said at a reception attended by local officials, business leaders, military commanders and community members. “Seeing everything you do to support the installations is just amazing.”
The delegation received mission briefs and tours at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island. They also received an update on community support programs from Harrison Conyers, director of the city’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department. Jacksonville is one of only two cities in the country with a cabinet-level official overseeing military affairs.
ADC Executive Director Matt Borron presented an official Great American Defense Communities flag to Mayor Donna Deegan before the community’s annual Purple Heart Recognition Ceremony.
The delegation also included two representatives from Sourcewell, ADC’s official partner for the Great American Defense Communities program.
The other two communities recognized this year are the Greater Augusta Region in Georgia and Shreveport-Bossier in Louisiana.
ADC photo by Andy Varnes
