Can you believe that we’re in the 7 month of the year? With only 5 months until December! Time surely moves quickly!
July holds a significant place in military history with events like the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, and the establishment of the U.S. Naval Academy. Other notable events include the establishment of the U.S. Army Air Corps and the WAVES, as well as the beginning of Operation Crossroads, an atomic weapons test.
Some of our members shared and spent time celebrating the 4th of July, which we all know is our wonderful independence to this great nation! Whether you participated in patriotic events, or Bar-B-Q’d spending time with friends and family, we hope that you enjoyed your 4th!
It was fun joining our comrade, Jim Closs (AMVET member/Sr. Vice Commander, VFW Post 5290), Conyers, GA and AMVET Bobby Rand and his lovely wife, as we enjoyed the various foods, music and comradiere of family & friends!
And the amazing fireworks! What a grand display by the members of VFW Post 5290, on those fireworks!
For educational and information purposes please find additional notable observances held this month:
Post 44 Mental Health Advocate – AMVET Arthurine Wright: Acknowledged to our group the importance of mental health wellness:
Each July we honor the legacy of the Author, Advocate and
Trailblazer (Bebe Moore Campbell) by recognizing Bebe Moore Campbell National
Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also known as Black Indigenous People of
Color (BIPOC) Mental Health.
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National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day: 27 July
National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day is observed on July 27th each year to commemorate the armistice that ended the active fighting of the Korean War. This day honors the service and sacrifices of the Korean War veterans. The armistice agreement was signed on July 27, 1953, by the United States (representing the United Nations Command), the Korean People’s Army, and the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army, according to a U.S. military website.
Thank you Sir!
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Our own AMVETS member Colonel Elaine Edwards, U.S. Army, (RET), was our guest speaker for July’s meeting, AMVET Edwards has written a book entitled: “Lift Every Voice“. Please read a portion of her presentation with thought provoking insights that Col. Edwards shared with us. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, experience and career. Best wishes as you continue your journey!
Guest Speaker: AMVET Elaine Edwards, COL (Ret), U.S. Army:
- I wrote a book called Lift Every Voice. I start each chapter off with a Negro Spiritual. To me it was very appropriate to start each chapter with a Negro Spiritual. Negro Spirituals speak to us about our lives, experiences, and how we express ourselves.
- I will discuss why I wrote the book, how I wrote the book, tell something about the story, and how you can write your story.
- I went to the AL Archives in Montgomery, AL and local libraries in Marengo County, the area I was studying. In the genealogy section of the library there’s nothing in there on Black Families in Marengo County. That’s a big void, because that’s where my family came from. I saw books on early AL Settlers, but I didn’t see anything about Black Families in that community. So, I set out to feel that void.
- How did I do that? In 1988, I was stationed at Fort McPherson, GA. I went to the GA Archive. In 2011 I retired. In 2012 I became a care giver. My Mom tells me various stories. The ideal came to me to connect her story to my ancestor (Jackson Rembert). The story starts off in 1830 when Jackson Rembert is born. My ancestors came South Carolin and travelled to Alabama. The connection of my mother’s stories back to Jackson. That’s what the book covers. It took me two (2) years from 2023 to 2024 writing this book, 2025 working on refining the book and working with a publisher to refine it and working with my editor getting it hone down. Scheduled to be published in the fall.
- How to write about people you never met and no one you know knows them. How do you create that story? You create your story from newspaper articles, census, and other documents. You get with people who are living, they know people who have already died, and you make that connection.
- How can you tell your story? You can have someone interview you based on the questions I’m going to send you digitally.
- Elaine had her display of references, list of genealogy groups you can join in your area. “Cast down your bucket where you”.
- I told you why I wrote the book, how I wrote the book, a little bit about the book, and how you can write your story.
- A percentage of my proceeds will go to Post 44 and a discount to anyone interested in purchasing the book.
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AMVETS State Executive Convention was held on 20-22 June, at Warner Robins, GA.
- Commander Arnetha Wiggs
- 1st Vice Commander Roy Montgomery
- Judge Advocate Albert Wright
- Post Mental Health Coordinator Arthurine Wright
- Quartermaster Evans Dowdy
- Provost Marshal Arthur Long & Mrs. Long
Bobby Rand (Lifetime Member), and others, joined the event and attended the gala evening affair.
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RED SHIRT FRIDAY (Remembering Everyone Deployed)
Thanks to everyone who wore their RED Shirt! Where Them Shirts At!
Contributor: D. Scott (Adjutant)