Longtime military veterans’ advocate Bill Dudley was honored Monday with St. Augustine’s most prestigious award. Dudley received the Order of La Florida, a dedication created by the city in 1975 to recognize service to St. Augustine and surrounding communities.

Dudley, himself a veteran, serves as the chairman of St. Johns County’s Veterans Council, which recently helped turn an old inn into an affordable housing complex for veterans. He was also instrumental in establishing the county’s Veterans Treatment Court and aids a number of other veterans’ groups and causes.

St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline, who nominated Dudley for the award, lauded him for his service to local veterans.

“Your commitment and dedication to seeing to their care and well-being contributes to the completeness and the wholeness of this entire community that is St. Augustine,” she said Monday night.

Dudley is only the 25th person St. Augustine has recognized with the Order of La Florida since it was created nearly 50 years ago. Recipients of the award, Sikes-Kline says, have to demonstrate that they have given tirelessly to their community and must be at least 55 years old. In addition, no more than 10 recipients can be alive at a time, and Dudley is the ninth living Order of La Florida holder.

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Others include former Flagler College President William Proctor, businessman H. L. “Herbie” Wiles and Carol Katherine “Kay” Kurt Huppi Burtin, a staple of the local art scene.

Dudley says he’s honored to receive the award, especially among such an esteemed group of fellow honorees.