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The fight over recognizing Confederate symbols and soldiers has spilled over into the state’s Veteran’s Hall of Fame. As Matt Galka tells us, Southern soldier supporters continue to push for inclusion.

A board of former military members set out to nominate a new class for the Florida Veteran’s Hall of Fame Thursday. The induction of this year’s class was interrupted by a small outburst earlier in the week.

Sons of Confederate Veterans member David McCallister has been lobbying for rebel soldiers to be included. The law says only veterans serving in the Spanish American War and on are eligible.

Dale Landry with the NAACP says it’s more than that. He says the soldiers should be excluded for what they fought for.

“The Confederacy served for one purpose. They seceded because they were angry that the North was talking about dealing with slavery and ending slavery. Let’s not get that confused,” said Landry.

McCallister says it should only be about the service.

“We’re not about the flag, we’re not about any kind of public display of the flag or anything else except the Veteran’s Hall of Fame and I think to bring anything else into this conversation is disingenuous and overreaching,” he said.

Retired Military and current State Representative Jimmie Smith tried to keep the peace by encouraging both parties to reach a compromise. He says the state statutes are fine but there’s wiggle room if a former Confederate soldier went on to serve in the United States military.

“Somebody is, or has served in the Confederate Service, but has served in the U.S. army afterwards, or Navy, subsequently they should be allowed,” he said.

Three confederate soldiers were denied entry in the state’s most recent class. Another two submitted for next year’s also didn’t make the cut.

Eight Veterans were nominated for the next class of the state’s Veteran’s Hall of Fame, including former Governor Lawton Chiles.