Patt and Caroline Maney have established the Purple Heart Endowment with gifts totaling $25,000. This endowment will provide scholarship support for a student enrolled at Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) who is a Purple Heart recipient or the descendant of a Purple Heart recipient.  The Maneys have been residents of Okaloosa County for more than 44 years. Patt is a retired Brigadier General, a Purple Heart recipient, a retired county judge and was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2020.

After Patt Maney commissioned in the United States Army Reserve in 1970, Maney served his country for over 36 years, retiring as a brigadier general in 2007. Mr. Maney served as an Okaloosa County Judge for almost 29 years. During that time, he fought for justice in our community and was influential in bringing more quality healthcare to our veterans.

Maney was honored as the national 2019 DAV, Outstanding Disabled American Veteran, and named Military Order of the Purple Heart National Patriot of the Year in 2010. Maney was also given the United States Army War College Outstanding Alumni Award (2019) for his community service after military retirement. Maney was inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame (201 8) and appointed to serve on the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame Council (2019) for making significant contributions to the State of Florida after military service.

Maney had dual careers in law and the military. He established a successful private law practice representing working families and later served as a county court judge. He taught as an adjunct instructor for both the University of West Florida and Okaloosa Walton Community College (now Northwest Florida State College). Maney was a founding director of a community bank serving local citizens. He continued to serve in the Army Reserve while practicing law and serving as a judge. Commissioned as an Army Infantry Second Lieutenant upon graduating from college, he saw service in Panama, Haiti, Bosnia and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, he was wounded and spent almost 20 months recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Maney returned home in 2007 with a renewed passion to serve his community. In November 2020, Maney was elected to the District 4 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.

After marrying his college sweetheart, Caroline, he set off for law school, at times working two part-time jobs. Married over 48 years, the Maneys are blessed with two daughters, two sons-in law and six grandchildren. They attend Immanuel Anglican Church in Destin. Caroline Maney is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Patt Maney is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Both sides of the family have ancestors that were wounded in the line of duty, spurring their desire to support other descendants of wounded warriors.

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