Greetings AMVETS Members,
September was an eventful month, Here’s a summary of highlights:
- Date: September 11th, annually.
- Purpose: To remember and honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
- Service: It is also designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, encouraging acts of volunteerism and community service.
- Observances: On Patriot Day, the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff, and a moment of silence is observed at 8:46 a.m. EDT to mark the time the first plane struck the World Trade Center.
- Sept. 18, 2025 – Air Force Birthday
- Sept. 19, 2025 – POW/MIA Recognition Day
- Sept. 29, 2025 – Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day – A day to honor the families of fallen Servicemembers.
- World Suicide Prevention Day: On September 10, people around the world unite to raise awareness about suicide and remember those affected.
- National Suicide Prevention Week: This was observed during the first full week of September.
- 988 Day: Held annually on September 8 to raise awareness and promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
George Hardy, Tuskegee Airman Who Fought in Three Wars, Passes at age 100 on September 25, 2025
At 19, he was one of the youngest pilots in the all-Black unit to see combat in World War II. “I used to say the Army’s No. 1 job was segregation,” he said. “Winning the war was No. 2.”
George Hardy in 1944 in his graduation picture from the aviation cadet training program at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama. In addition to 21 combat missions during World War II, he flew 45 missions in the Korean War and 70 in the Vietnam War.Credit…U.S. Army Air Forces.
Colonel Hardy, a Philadelphia native, was 19 and had never even driven a car when he began aviation cadet training in September 1944 at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama. By early the next year, in the closing months of the war in Europe, then-Second Lieutenant Hardy was assigned to an Army Air Forces base in Italy, from which he flew 21 missions accompanying bombers to their targets over southern Germany in early 1945.
One of our own, AMVET Belinda Boldoe (AMVETS Post 44 – State Service Officer), was selected to receive a prestigious award from the Veterans of Foreign of Wars. The Veterans of Foreign War 2024-2025 John A. Biedrzycki Accredited Service Representative of the Year Award.
VFW Presents Acclaimed John A. Biedrzycki Award
Army veteran selected as VFW Accredited Service Representative of the Year
“Service to veterans is as ingrained in the VFW as the word veteran,” said VFW National Commander Al Lipphardt. “Every day, our global cadre of accredited representatives works tirelessly to ensure our government Honors the Contract and this award, which Belinda Boldoe so rightfully deserves, exemplifies and honors the very best of the best.”
Boldoe, who serves as both the Georgia Department of Veterans Service Appeals Officer and VFW Department of Georgia Service Officer among other roles, assisted more than 2,500 veterans and family members and facilitated the recovery of more than $800,000 in veterans benefits in 2024. A resident of Stone Mountain, Georgia, she is highly regarded by her colleagues, clients and comrades for her professionalism, technical expertise and genuine, honest and teamwork-oriented nature.
VFW Accredited Service Officers are legally recognized and authorized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prepare, present and prosecute VA benefits claims. Importantly, VA-accredited representatives never charge for assistance with VA disability compensation claims. In 2024 alone, the VFW’s Accredited Service Officer network has secured more than $14.6 billion in compensation and pension on behalf of veterans and eligible family members, and every dollar has gone to beneficiaries.
“It is always an honor to recognize a professionally trained, VFW Accredited Service Officer who exemplifies our values in every action she takes on behalf of the veterans, family members and survivors we represent,” said VFW National Veterans Service Director Mike Figlioli. “Belinda consistently delivers results not only for the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, but for the entire VFW. It is only fitting that we take the time to recognize her achievements and dedication.”
Originally from Washington, D.C., Boldoe served in the United States Army for more than 11 years as a signal communication officer, earning her VFW eligibility during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Throughout her Army career, she held several critical positions including company commander, theater communication manager during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and project manager for testing and procuring new Signal Corps equipment.
“It is truly an honor to be selected as the John A. Biedrzycki Accredited Service Representative of the Year for 2024-2025,” said Boldoe. “This is not a job for me; this is my heavenly assignment from my Lord and Savior to take care of his people.”
Boldoe maintains her Bronze Legacy Life membership at Henry County GA VFW Post 12180 in Stockbridge, Georgia, where she serves as the Post quartermaster. She has two children — one of whom she is proud to call a fellow VFW member.
WE WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS!
Shanell Mitchell – Lifetime Member – USMC, William Partee – Joined last month (August 2025) and Jerold Davis (USAF).
AMVET Arthurine Wright was honored with a certificate and a plaque for winning the Post 3rd & 4th Quarters Recruiting Awards and Recruiter of the Year Award – Charles Wyatt’s recruiting efforts.This is an annual award (01 September 2024 – 31 August 2025). The award will be placed on our wall.
AMVETS NATIONAL CONVENTION 2025, GREENBORO, NC. – COMMANDER’S GALA BANQUET
EXPO AT GREENFORREST CHURCH
