Past Events

Amongst so many notable events and activities during this month, was our honoring of Veterans!  Not a day should go by where we take our liberty and freedom for granted.  On the backs of our dedicated U.S. military, Soldiers, from all branches of service, active duty, reservist, and retired.  Let us never forget our freedoms because of their continued sacrifices.

History of Veterans Day

On November 10, 2023, AMVET member Dazz Spencer, was offered the opportunity to provide photography and video services at the Veterans Golf & Tennis Tournament at Sugar Creek Golf Course, Honoring Quilts of Honor recipients. This event was sponsored in part by the non-profit organization, Greater Works, Inc. located in Decatur, GA. An honorably and fun occasion was had by all.

In November AMVETS Lifetime member Charles E. Wyatt, was featured on the local news channel 11 Alive. Charles shared some of the experiences he had as a Army Soldier during Vietnam. We are very proud of Charles for his wisdom, patriotism and heroism. Thank you Charles, we SALUTE you!

Other Notable Mentions:

RED Shirt Fridays continue to be observed for many of our AMVET comrades. REMEMBER EVERYONE DEPLOYED!

Our own Dazz Spencer, was also interviewed for Women in the Military Veteran’s Special which hopefully will be seen within the near future!

During the upcoming months. Please continue to pray for PEACE throughout the world! Be kind and share a smile. It doesn’t cost you anything.

 

October was yet another active time for AMVETS POST 44 as we gathered to honor in volunteerism in various places.  This month we would like to give “HUGE” shout outs to a few of our female comrades.  Shout out to Adj. Dylester Scott, always giving 100% of her time in volunteering within her community.  As a Soldiers’ Angels volunteer, Adj. Scott; helped feed several veterans at the monthly Atlanta Veteran Food Assistance Drive.  Adj. Scott was joined by DeKalb Commissioner, District 7 Lorraine Cochran-Johnson (who sponsored October’s food drive).  Soldiers’ Angels provides monthly food assistance for Atlanta veterans.  Adj. Scott was also featured on our local news station 11 Alive as she participated in a Veterans Remembrance of September 11 event. On October 31, Adj. Scott participated in a Student Recruitment Fair sponsored by Arabia Mountain High School.

On Saturday October 14, our very own, Public Relations Officer (Dazz Spencer) was the featured guest speaker for our monthly meeting. Dazz retired from the U.S. Army, as a Sergeant Major, and spoke about her experiences as a career Soldier while serving her country.

RED Shirt Friday, Let’s keep it going! Thanks for your support – Staff Judge Advocate W. Lane, Adjutant D. Scott and Public Relations Officer, D. Spencer.

 

We held our monthly meeting on September 9th.  It was great seeing new folks and our amazing members.  We had a guest speaker from Soldiers Angels in Atlanta, Ms. Keshaw James.

Hey Commander Bernando Brown, American Legion Post 66 in Avondale, GA, Representing RED for Red Shirt Friday! Looking Good!

On September 13, Dazz Spencer, Amvets Historian & Photographer participated in the annual Suicide Prevention Recovery Walk-N-Roll at the VA Arcadia Clinic in Decatur, GA.
Many guest speakers participated in sharing personal stories of their loved one’s who succumbed to suicide. They stressed the importance of actively being aware of signs of stressors and what we can do to help eliminate and even save lives.

The Month of September has been a busy one. Amvets Post 44, participated in a host of activities.
We want to remind everyone that September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.

By starting the conversation, providing support, and directing help to those who need it, we can help prevent suicides and save lives. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You are not alone.

How to Help Someone You Know

If you know someone who is at immediate risk of suicide, call 911 right away. It can be difficult when someone you know expresses thoughts about suicide, but you can show support by doing the following:

Talk. Your willingness to express your concern for the person in crisis can be the first step in getting that person help.
Listen. Being an active listener is another way of reminding a person in crisis that they are not alone.
Remain Present. Your physical and emotional presence in the person’s life makes a difference. If you are worried about their safety, get help from a mental health professional immediately.
Call or text 988. Last year, 988 was activated as a new three-digit dialing code. When someone dials 988, they will be connected to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This confidential support line is available 24 hours a day to provide free help to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress.
What To Do If You Are Struggling
If you are struggling or in crisis, remember that there is hope and there are steps you can take to seek help and support.

Call or text 988. 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.
Use your Employee Assistance Program and call: 800-222-0364 (TTY: 888-262-7848, International: 314-387-4701). Counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide support, referrals, and information for emergency services.
Additional Resources
For additional resources, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 988 pag

This month we were honored to support AMVETS Post 44 Life Member, Steve Bradshaw (Commissioner, DeKalb County, District 4) in his annual Veterans Resources Expo and Fellowship Lunch on Monday, September 11.  The event was well attended and very resourceful as several VA sponsors provided key information during the event. Amvets members hosted the luncheon portion of the event, spreading good cheer with their grilling expertise!  Burgers, hotdogs, ribs, you name it, Amvets prepared it.

Our Adjutant, Dylester Scott (LTC Ret) made a cameo on the local news channel 11 Alive!

Greetings from AMVETS POST 44.  We haven’t forgotten about you! We’ve just been on the move.
Lots of things have transpired since our last post-update. Here’s a few updates:
We had another successful Fish Fry in May, lots of support was shown with lots of orders!

New Business: SAVE THE DATE:
Monday, September 11, 2023
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Central DeKalb Senior Center
1346 McConnell Drive
Decatur, GA 30033
Veterans Expo and Fellowship hosted by AMVET Steve Bradshaw,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Shirt Friday – Thanks, Willie Lane for showing through! Also, giving a shout-out to my Dad (89 years young), Mr. Charles Spencer, Sr., and Sis and Bro for their support of Red Shirt Friday, during a family reunion in Savannah, GA.

  

Adjutant Dylester Scott volunteered on August 25, 2023, at the VA Monthly Food Drive where lunch was provided by Atlanta United & Chick-Fil-A. Way to go Adjutant!

 

 

 

 

 

Memorial Day originally known as Decoration Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  From 1868 to 1970, it was observed on May 30. Since 1970, it is observed on the last Monday of May.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day to honor and mourn those who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many volunteers place American flags on the graves of military personnel in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is also considered the unofficial beginning of summer.

The first national observance of Memorial Day occurred on May 30, 1868.  Then known as Decoration Day, the holiday was proclaimed by Commander in Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic to honor the Union soldiers who had died in the Civil War.  This national observance was preceded by many local ones between the end of the Civil War and Logan’s declaration. Many cities and people have claimed to be the first to observe it. However, the National Cemetery Administration, a division of the Department of Veterans Affairs, credits Mary Ann Williams with originating the “idea of strewing the graves of Civil War soldiers—Union and Confederate” with flowers.

Official recognition as a holiday spread among the states, beginning with New York in 1873.  By 1890, every Union state had adopted it. The world wars turned it into a day of remembrance for all members of the U.S. military who fought and died in service. In 1971, Congress standardized the holiday as “Memorial Day” and changed its observance to the last Monday in May. We salute and say THANK YOU!

AMVETS POST 44 – Fish Fry Fund-Raiser

Held their official 2nd Fish Fry on Saturday, May 20, 2023.  Over 140 people purchased and participated in our fundraising event.

Several AMVET Post 44 members did double-duty as chiefs, kitchen assistants, and other duties as assigned. A great time was had by all.

AMVET Steven Bradshaw, District 4, in his own words: “was also on hand to support our cause!  Thanks, Commissioner!

I joined my fellow AMVETS Post 44 members for a Fish Fry fundraiser at the American Legion Hall in Avondale Estates. I am so proud to be a member of this organization and support their efforts. The guys in the kitchen were working hard but they seemed to be having a good time. At any rate, the fish was excellent!! I thank all of them for their service to our country and their continued service to our community.

 

OTHER NOTABLE EVENTS AND TIDBITS 

 
While on a cruise, AMVET Arthur Long attended a Memorial Day service and 100th Birthday celebration for Lieutenant Colonel James H. Harvey, III, a Tuskegee Airman. Wow how awesome is that! We salute you, Sir!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMVET 2nd Vice, Roy Montgomery attended an Awards Ceremony presenting awards at one of our local JROTC High Schools

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMVETS MEMBERS honoring memorial day Veterans with Montgomery-Green Post 220.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic April.
We are wishing our Commander, Albert C. Wright, Jr., a speedy recovery after successful knee surgery! He is hanging in there and representing RED Shirt Friday, cast and all! HOOAH!
Thanks to our Amvet members:
AMVETS: D. Scott, R. Montgomery, B. Rand, C. Harmon, C. Jamison, C. Wyatt repping their RED!

Members of our AMVETS team representing on Friday for REMEMBERING EVERYONE DEPLOYED!

We continue to keep each and every military member and family in our thoughts and prayers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Vietnam War Veterans Day, we honor all those who bravely served in the Vietnam War and who sacrificed, as did their families and caregivers.

Since the birth of the United States, no single generation of Americans has been spared the responsibility of defending freedom by force of arms. More than 44 million American men and women have sacrificed and served in times of war.

In 2008, the Secretary of Defense was authorized by law to conduct a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

All military families endure the hardship of separation, uncertainty, and fear, but the families of our Vietnam Veterans also witnessed their husbands and wives, sons and daughters, and fathers and mothers returning home to a nation in turmoil. They watched as the vast majority received no formal recognition for their service and weren’t welcomed home in ceremonies hosted by their communities.

Like Veterans returning from today’s battlefields, those who served in Vietnam came home with both physical and unseen injuries of war. Many of the unseen injuries suffered by our Vietnam Veterans went undiagnosed and weren’t understood by our medical community or citizens as they are now. Veterans were left to meet these challenges without the assistance available today.

History makes clear the importance of this Commemoration. Vietnam was a long war, and accordingly, a long commemoration period is planned. By presidential proclamation, the Commemoration extends from Memorial Day 2012 through Veterans Day 2025.

No distinction is being made between Veterans who served in-country, in-theater or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period. All were called to serve and the overwhelming majority served honorably and admirably.

58,307 names appear on the Wall in Washington, D.C. The average age of those name at death… 23. Many tens of thousands were disabled. Approximately 7,500 women, the majority of whom were nurses, served in Vietnam.

1,627 are still considered missing in action and their families await word of their fate.

 

On Saturday 11 February 2023, We celebrated and fellowshipped with members and family, and friends in honoring Black History Month, and Valentine’s Day.  Our monthly meeting was enhanced by honoring 4 of our Life Time Members who’d reached the youthful age of 90 years old. We also acknowledged February birthdays.  Our monthly guest speaker for the brunch/meeting was LTC (US ARMY RET) Forrest Gibbes and Ms. Jacarla Walker with their topic on “Focusing On Veterans and Medicare”.  Our Honorees were Nathan Johnson, (LTC US Army, RET), Ernest James Davis, (US Army, RET),  Edward Butler, (US Airforce, RET), and Willie Cummings, (LTC, US Army, AR, RET). The attendance was well over 70 people.  The buffet of breakfast selections was delicious and for Valentine’s Day, each lady was presented with a red heart box of chocolates and a lovely rose. For Black History, one of our own, Charles Wyatt, 1SG (US Army RET), was acknowledged for his many years of military service.
 

 

• Welcome – Commander Al Wright
• Prayer – Chaplain Harvey Johnson
• Pledge of Allegiance – Provost Marshal Arthur Long
• Preamble (Reading or Reciting) – Provost Marshal & Post Members/Guests
• Blessing of The Food  – Chaplain Harvey Johnson
• Breakfast Instructions – Commander Al Wright
• Closing Prayer – Chaplain Harvey Johnson
• Retiring the Colors – Provost Marshal Arthur Long
• Adjournment – Commander Al Wright
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