Co-Chairperson of the CBC Veterans Braintrust
Hon. Corrine Brown (D-FL)
Corrine Brown was elected to Congress in 1992, as a public servant who prides herself on delivering the goods and services of the federal government to her constituents. Brown was reelected to the U.S. House of Representatives for a ninth term in November 2008. As a result of Brown's commitment to bringing the services of Washington back to Florida, communities throughout the Third District have been able to access resources previously unavailable to them.
During her tenure in Congress, Brown has always been a member of the Committee on Veterans Affairs. She has championed the rights of veterans and called for better funding for veterans health care programs. During the 111 th Congress, Brown serves on the Health Subcommittee. As the former Ranking Member on Oversight and Investigation, Brown
presided over twenty hearings on issues relating to veterans services, health care, and VA's readiness for the new millennium. She also called the first hearing since 1994 on issues concerning women veterans. Upon realizing the limited space for veterans burial in Florida, Brown introduced legislation that was later passed to establish a new national cemetery in south Florida. Brown also introduced legislation to expand and improve the National Veterans Cemetery System. She also championed legislation expanding the health and long term care benefits America's veterans' receive, improving veterans education benefits, and expediting claims processing. In 2002, Brown received the endorsement of the Veterans of Foreign Wars PAC, Legislative Leadership Award from the national Coalition for Homeless veterans, and in 2003, the prestigious Jesse Brown Distinguished Leadership Award from the NAACP. A native of Jacksonville, Florida,

Congresswoman Brown served in the Florida House of Representatives for ten years before coming to Washington, DC. Congresswoman Brown attended Florida A & M University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. She also
received a master's degree and an Education Specialist Degree from the University of Florida, and she received an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from Edward Waters College. She has been a faculty member at Florida Community College of Jacksonville, the University of Florida, and Edward Waters College. Her daughter, Shantrel Brown is a lawyer in the
Washington, DC area.

Ron E. Armstead, MCP, LSW
Executive Director
Congressional Black Caucus Veterans Braintrust
Washington, DClBoston, MA
Ron Armstead, is the Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus Veterans Braintrust located in Washington, DC, and a past consultant for former Secretary Jesse Brown's Veterans Administration's Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans. He has served as Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus Veterans Braintrust since its inception in 1988, first under Rep. Charles B. Rangel (NY-IS), a decorated Korean War combat veteran and Dean of the New York Congressional Delegation, and currently under Representatives Corrine Brown (FL- 03), Senior Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and Sanford Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. Under Ron's leadership the Veterans Braintrust has expanded from its small core group to become one of the premiere forums for policy debate between veterans of African descent and representatives of government in the country. Lastly, Ron holds a Masters Degree in City Planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a license in social work (LSW) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is currently on an extended leave of absence from Howard University's School of Social Work Doctoral Program.

Table of Contents
Welcoming Remarks
• Hon. Corrine Brown (FL)
Invocation
Master of Ceremonies
• Ron E. Armstead, Executive Director, CBC Veterans Braintrust
Special Remarks

Special Presentations

Special Guest Speaker

Howard University
Benediction

Special Guest Speaker
William Lawson, MD, Ph.D., DFAPA, Professor & Chairman of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Howard University Hospital
Dr. William Lawson is currently Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Howard University College of Medicine and Hospital. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Chair of the Committee of Tellers for the American Psychiatric Association, Treasurer of the American Orthopsychiatry
Association, and a member of the American College of Psychiatrists. He was named one of "America's Leading Black Doctors" twice the by Black Enterprise Magazine, including being listed as one of the ten psychiatrists. Dr. Lawson is a past Chair of the Section of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences of the National Medical Association, a past president of the Black Psychiatrists of America, and former Vice Chair of the Addiction Council of the American Psychiatric Association. He received the Howard University Faculty Senate Creativity and Research Award, the National Alliance for the Mentally III Exemplary Psychiatrist Award and the National Alliance for the Mentally III Outstanding Psychologist Award, was the Andrea Delgado Honoree and Lecturer for the Black Psychiatrists of America, received the Jeanne Spurlock Award from the American Psychiatric Association, received the E. Y. Williams Clinical Scholar of Distinction Award from the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Section of the National Medical Association, a Multicultural Workplace Award from the Veterans Administration for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of diversity and multicultural understanding and received numerous awards for excellent teaching. He was named as a national mentor by the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill, and is on the Scientific Advisory Boards of the National Alliance for the Mentally III and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

Dr. Lawson received his Bachelor's degree from Howard University, Master's from the University of Virginia, and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire. He received his M.D. degree from the University of Chicago, and did his residency at Stanford University Medical Center. He completed a fellowship in clinical psychopharmacology at the
National Institute of Mental Health intramural program and an addictions fellowship at Vanderbilt University. He is certified by the Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in General Psychiatry and has Added Qualifications in Addictions. He has received state, federal, and foundation support for pharmacological research and to develop new and effective treatments. He currently has three ROl National Institute of Mental Health grants and has conducted numerous clinical trials of new treatments. These grants have allowed Dr. Lawson to realize his dream of studying the interaction of culture and genetics in ethnicity and mood disorders. He has over one hundred publications involving severe mental illness and its relationship to psychopharmacology, substance abuse, and racial and ethnic issues. He has a long standing concern about ethnic disparities in mental health treatment, and has been an outspoken advocate for access to services for the severely mentally ill. He has been chair of the Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences since 2000.

Roosevelt 'Malik' Thompson
Washington, DC
Roosevelt Thompson is a former homeless veteran who served in the u.s. Air Force. He has testified before Congress on a number of occasions regarding his experiences as a homeless veteran. Thompson enrolled and completed the VA's Compensated Work Therapy Program, and afterward made a successful transition into the workforce at the Xerox Corporation. He is currently a Systems Account Associate at the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition in Washington, DC. Finally, Thompson is a past member of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans and was recently awarded 100% VA disability.

Major Alcestee Drisdale, USAF, Ret., First Black Female from Texas to become a Flight
Nurse, Austin, TX
Major Alcestee Drisdale was one of the first black nurses to enter the newly established branch of military service known as the u.S. Air Force in 1950, and also into a fully integrated unit. The US Air Force sent her to flight nursing school at Gunter, Air Force Base where she became the first black nurse from Texas to become a Flight Nurse. Her next assignment was the Far East Command as a Combat crew member flying patients from Korea to Japan. As a Captain, Major Drisdale flew her greatest number of missions during the Korean Conflict. She made 129 air evacuation missions during the 18 months she was assigned to the Far East. For 120 days while stationed in Korea, she went by "Goony Bird" (C-147) up to the front lines bringing patients back to big air strips at rear bases to be put on big aircraft to Japan. The"Goony Birds" flew in close to the fighting where she heard the guns of battle as the aircraft loaded casualties. On one occasion, 24 evacuation nurses moved 1500 wounded men back to Pusan from the front lines in 24 hours. While still a Captain, Major Drisdale participated in "Operation Little Switch" when sick POW's released by the Communist forces and brought from Panmonjung to Seoul, Korea were flown into Japan for hospitalization. After returning to the u.S. she was sent to Travis Air Force Base, California and was later to Creighton Memorial St. Joseph School of Anesthesia for one year TDY, where she became a certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Major Drisdale was stationed at many Air Force Bases during her career, and did tours of duty in Korea, Japan, and the Middle East; as well as in Emir, Turkey. During Major Drisdale's military
career she received numerous awards and decorations including, but not limited to; The Korean Presidential Service Medal, the United Nations Medal, and the Three Battle Stars and Air Medal. Major Drisdale retired from the Air Force in January 1971 as a Chief of Nursing at Eielson, Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. However, since that time she has remained active in a variety of roles in the community. One source of great pride for her was her support and participation in
the veteran community in Travis County, Austin, Texas.

Fred Kuwornu, Producer, Writer & Director, Inside Buffalo
Rome, Italy
Inside Buffalo is an award winning film documentary, which tells the story of the all African American segregated combat unit that fought with outstanding heroism in Italy during World War II known as the 92nd Buffalo Division. This 60 minute documentary recounts a critically important piece of African American history and places it squarely within the context of Civil Rights history. These "Buffalo Soldiers," were black men who valiantly fought two wars at the same time; one against the Nazis, the other against racial discrimination. Those who survived found that their contributions went unnoticed upon their return to United States of America. Director Fred Kuwornu, an Italian filmmaker of African heritage (Ghana), searched out little- known aspects of the story, including details of the friendships forged between African American soldiers and the Italian partisan they liberated from fascist rule. It was a 2008 meeting with Spike Lee - who was shooting Miracle at St. Anna on location in Tuscany -- that inspired Kuwornu to start this very personal voyage of discovery culminating in this powerful documentary. The late Lt. Vernon Baker was the last living African American soldier awarded the Medal of Honor for WWII. In the film he recounts vividly his war-time experiences and the heroism of his unit. The film also includes a special courtesy appearance by President Barack Obama. Inside Buffalo has been described as a patchwork of stories that history almost forgot to tell ... until now.

Frank Martin, ProducerlDirector of the film: For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's
Black Patriots, Encino, CA
"For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots" is the untold saga of African Americans' courageous service to their country - which premiered on public television during Black History Month in February 2010. Hosted by Halle Berry, narrated by Avery Brooks, and featuring an introduction by Colin Powell and choral arrangements by Andrea Crouch, the
powerful four-hour, two-part HD film was also released on DVD on February 9, 2010. Ten years in the making, "For Love of Liberty" brings to life, completely and for the first time, over two hundred years of heroic exploits of African American fighting men and women. Through the innovative combination of personal writings and memorabilia, historical text, rare photographs, archival materials, location footage and reenactments, the film documents African Americans' sacrifice and service, from the Revolutionary War to the current battle against global terrorism. Their compelling stories are recounted through dramatic, off-camera readings by more than 40 talented entertainers and public figures, including: Morgan Freeman, Mel Gibson, Susan Sarandon, Louis Gossett, Jr., Ossie Davis, Robert Duvall, Danny Glover, Jeffrey Wright, Sam
Elliott, Isaac Hayes, John Goodman, Jesse L. Martin, Peter Coyote, Ice-T, James Garner, Robert Townsend, Alan Rickman, Ruby Dee, John Amos, Eriq La Salle, Angela Bassett, Chris Cooper, Alfre Woodard, Cliff Robertson, Blair Underwood, Charles Dutton, Kris Kristofferson, Donald Sutherland, Isaiah Washington and many others. "'For Love of Liberty' will forever change perceptions about the vital role African Americans have played during the entire course of U.S. military history," says academy award winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr., also its executive producer.

Samuel Mosley, Commanding Officer, 7th Division, 31 st Infantry, U.S. Army, Silver Star &
Purple Heart Winner during the Korean War, Lynchburg, VA
Samuel Mosley was drafted into the US Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey four years after President Truman's Executive Order 9981 was enacted to end discrimination in the military based on "race, color, religion or national origin." However, when Mosley entered the Army, he and his fellow black soldiers experienced segregation and racial prejudice. Yet, despite his disgust he persevered. His training included second lieutenant Infantry School Officer's Candidate School, Airborne at Fort Benning, Georgia and Officer Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina a rarity for black soldiers at the time. Later, he went on to become Second Lieutenant, Platoon Leader and Commanding Officer of the 7th Division, 31st Infantry, Korea that was 90 percent white. Under his leadership, his platoon stopped a grenade attack that earned him a Silver Star for valor,
in 1952. The moment was captured after the Battle of Triangle Hill during the Korean War. Mosley's photograph, along with another showing him receiving the Silver Star, are among photographs and artifacts that make up the Legacy museum's newest exhibit, "Much in Demand: 200 Years of Central Virginia African Americans in the Military." The exhibit explores the history of Mosley and countless other black soldiers who served the United States from the Revolutionary War to Vietnam.
Among his other military medals and honors are the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge (CIB), Korean Service Medal, Army Overseas Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and the so" Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Trip (July 25-27,2003)

Dr. Krewasky A. Salter, U.S. Army, Col., Retired, Ph.D.
Alexandria, V A In December of 1984 Dr. Salter graduated from the University of Florida as a Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Corps. He recently served as a Capability Portfolio Manager at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. He has commanded at all levels through battalion to include serving as Battalion Commander of 2-1 ADA, PAC-3 Patriot Missiles. Dr. Salter earned a Masters in 1993 and Ph.D. in 1996 both from Florida State University. He also earned a Master of Strategic Studies from the Air War College in 2008. He has taught as an assistant professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, as an instructor at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and was the Professor of Military Science at Howard University in Washington, DC. He has also served as an adjunct professor at five colleges and universities. Among Dr. Salter's publications is a book title Combat Multipliers: African-American Soldiers in Four Wars. Dr. Salter is the historical advisor andconsultant for the PBS special titled "For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots. "

Trooper David Smith, 24th Infantry Regiment Combat Team, 25th Division, U.S. Army,
Washington, DC Trooper David Smith was born on February 2, 1930 in Augusta County, Virginia. He attended
D.W. Davis Elementary School in Staunton, VA, and graduated from Rosenwald High School in Waynesboro, Virginia in 1947. Trooper Smith served in the US Army 1947 - 1951. After completing basic training in 365th Infantry 'I' Company in December 1947 at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and he was sent to Pipeline Camp Stoneman, California. Later he was assigned to the 24th
Infantry Regiment in Pusan, Korea to fight against North Korean and Chinese armed forces, serving in frontline duty until April 22, 1951. He arrived in Seattle, Washington on May 5, 1951 on board the USS Greenley after four years and two days, and nine months on frontline duty. He was discharged on December 22, 1951, with the rank of Sergeant First Class. His military decorations include, but are not limited to: Korean Presidential Citation, Five Battle Stars, Bronze Star and Good Conduct Medals. In 1968, after receiving a certificate of Criminal Investigation and Identification from Northern Virginia Community College's Annandale Campus he was commissioned into the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department during the riots following the assassination of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Later Mr. Smith became a private detective for the Watergate Complex in charge of security during the 1973 Watergate break-in. He also worked briefly for the US Marshal's
Service before going on to work for the U.S. government until 2000, when he retired. Trooper Smith has three adult children - Cathy of Richmond, Virginia; Hans of California, and Edwina of Charlottesville, Virginia. In addition, he is currently the Executive Vice President of the Deacon Board at Second Baptist Church, located in Washington, DC, and Sergeant-at-Arms
for the Washington, DC Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers.

Jesse White, Secretary of State, State of Illinois Springfield/Chicago, IL Jesse White is Illinois' 37th Secretary of State. Secretary White was first elected to the office in 1998 and was re-elected in 2002 by winning all 102 counties and garnering more than 2.3 million votes - the largest vote total by any candidate for Illinois statewide office in a quarter of a
century. In November 2006, Jesse White was re-elected to a third term having received 63 percent of the vote statewide.
The Illinois Secretary of State's office is the largest and most diverse office of its kind in the nation, providing more direct services to the people of Illinois than any other public agency. White's office issues state ID cards, vehicle license plates and titles; registers corporations; enforces the Illinois Securities Act; administers the Organ Donor Program; and licenses drivers and maintains driver records. As State Librarian, Secretary White oversees the State Library and literacy programs, and as State Archivist, he maintains records of legal or historic value. Prior to his election as Secretary of State, White served as Cook County Recorder of Deeds - a job to which he was first elected in 1992 and re-elected in 1996. Before that, he served 16 years in the Illinois General Assembly, representing the most culturally, economically and racially diverse district in Illinois. In 1959, White founded the internationally known Jesse White Tumbling Team to serve as a positive alternative for children residing in and around the Chicago area. Since its inception, more than 10,700 young men and women have performed with the team. White has spent more than 50 years working as a volunteer with the team to help kids stay away from gangs, drugs, alcohol and smoking, and to help set at-risk youth on the path to success. The program has received international praise. In 2009, the team will make more than 1,500 performances throughout the nation. White served our country as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division and as a member of the Illinois National Guard and Reserve. He played professional baseball with the Chicago Cubs organization, which was followed by a 33-year career with the Chicago public school system as a teacher and administrator. Jesse White earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Alabama State College (now Alabama State University) in 1957, where he was a two-sport athlete earning all-conference honors in baseball and basketball. In May 1995, White was inducted into the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. He was an all-city baseball and basketball player at Chicago's Waller High School (now Lincoln Park High School) and was inducted into the Chicago Public League Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in June 1995. In 1999, he was inducted into the Alabama State University Sports Hall of Fame. Born in Alton, Illinois, he now lives on Chicago's near north side.

John Vasser, Sr., Sergeant, U.S. Army, Korean War & Recipient of the 2010 Buffalo Soldier Award, Nyack, NY Sergeant John Vasser, Sr., a U.S. Army veteran and Nyack, New York resident is the proud recipient of the 2010 Rockland County Buffalo Soldier Award. Sgt. Vasser, 78, served in the 3rd Infantry Division in the Korean War, as well as the Army Reserve and New York State National Guard. He is a graduate of Lehman College, and worked at the Montrose V A hospital until 2000. He is currently a member of the Korean War Veterans of Rockland County and Eagle Chapter Honor Guard. Further, he assists with returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan at Monroe VA hospital and organizes special events for both the Nyack Plaza and Orangetown senior citizens. Sgt. Vasser is also the recipient of the Korean War Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and the United Nations Service Medal. He is a life member of Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, Jewish War Veterans and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Lastly, he is the 29th recipient of the Buffalo Soldier Award whereby a panel of past honorees helped select Vasser for this year's award.

Dr. Clarence Willie, Lt. Col., USMC, Ret., author of African American Voices from Iwo Jima: Personal Accounts of the Battle (2010), Bolivia, NC Dr. Willie was born was in Wilmington, North Carolina to Chief Master Sergeant (U.S. Air Force, Retired) and Mrs. Charles E. Willie. He and his brother, Col. James F. Willie (U.S. Army, Retired), were reared by their parents on United States Air Force posts and stations both in the United States and abroad. He graduated from Bitburg American High School in Germany and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Fayetteville (NC) State University.
He holds a Masters Degree in Education from Boston University and the Educational Specialist Degree and Doctor of Education Degree from East Carolina University. A veteran of twenty-two years of military service, Lieutenant Colonel Clarence E. Willie retired from the United States Marine Corps on July 1, 1991. His command and staff assignments at
home, at sea and abroad, included a tour of duty as assistant chief of staff for communications and information systems for the Second Marine Aircraft Wing located a Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina and joint service assignments in the United States and abroad. He is a graduate of the United States Marine Corps basic and advanced communication officer's course. Additionally, he graduated from the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff
College and the Department of Defense Telecommunication Systems Staff Officers Course. Upon graduating from Fayetteville State University, he taught high school social studies for two years in the public schools of North Carolina. He then entered Marine Corps Officer Candidates School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, after which he reported to the Second Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for duty. After retiring from the military, he returned to the profession of education and served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent in North Carolina. He also served at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as an educational consultant and as the Department's personnel director. In 2002, he relocated to South Carolina and served as the superintendent of schools for two school districts there and retired once again in 2007. Since retiring from the military and the profession of education, he has served as interviewer and consultant for a documentary production entitled "The Marines of Montford Point: Fighting for Freedom," which chronicles the experiences of the first African Americans to serve as United
States Marines. The documentary was narrated by academy award winning actor, Louis Gossett Jr. and has aired nationally on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and local markets nationwide. Additionally, his newly published book, "African American Voices from Iwo Jima: Personal Accounts of the Battle" features eleven veterans, who were among nearly 1,000 African Americans participating in the Iwo Jima campaign. The publication includes accounts of their and maintains driver records. As State Librarian, Secretary White oversees the State Library and literacy programs, and as State Archivist, he maintains records of legal or historic value. Prior to his election as Secretary of State, White served as Cook County Recorder of Deeds - a job to which he was first elected in 1992 and re-elected in 1996. Before that, he served 16 years
in the Illinois General Assembly, representing the most culturally, economically and racially diverse district in Illinois.
In 1959, White founded the internationally known Jesse White Tumbling Team to serve as a positive alternative for children residing in and around the Chicago area. Since its inception, more than 10,700 young men and women have performed with the team. White has spent more than 50 years working as a volunteer with the team to help kids stay away from gangs, drugs, alcohol and smoking, and to help set at-risk youth on the path to success. The program has received international praise. In 2009, the team will make more than 1,500 performances throughout the nation. White served our country as a paratrooper in the u.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division and as a member of the Illinois National Guard and Reserve. He played professional baseball with the Chicago Cubs organization, which was followed by a 33-year career with the Chicago public school system as a teacher and administrator.

Jesse White earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Alabama State College (now Alabama State University) in 1957, where he was a two-sport athlete earning all-conference honors in baseball and basketball. In May 1995, White was inducted into the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. He was an all-city baseball and basketball player at Chicago's Waller High School (now Lincoln Park High School) and was inducted into the Chicago Public League
Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in June 1995. In 1999, he was inducted into the Alabama State University Sports Hall of Fame. Born in Alton, Illinois, he now lives on Chicago's near north side. John Vasser, Sr., Sergeant, U.S. Army, Korean War & Recipient of the 2010 Buffalo Soldier Award, Nyack, NY

Sergeant John Vasser, Sr., a U.S. Army veteran and Nyack, New York resident is the proud recipient of the 2010 Rockland County Buffalo Soldier Award. Sgt. Vasser, 78, served in the 3rd Infantry Division in the Korean War, as well as the Army Reserve and New York State National Guard. He is a graduate of Lehman College, and worked at the Montrose V A hospital until 2000. He is currently a member of the Korean War Veterans of Rockland County and Eagle Chapter Honor Guard. Further, he assists with returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan at Monroe VA hospital and organizes special events for both the Nyack Plaza and Orangetown senior citizens. Sgt. Vasser is also the recipient of the Korean War Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and the United Nations Service Medal. He is a life member of Disabled American

Honorable Mention
Andrew J. Davis, Jr., Korea War Veteran, Social Worker & Community ServantBoston, MA Andrew J. Davis, Jr. was born on January 22, 1926 in Jackson, Tennessee. He was the second child of the late Andrew Jackson Davis and Lizzie Ann Johnson. After the death of Big Mother, he was raised by Mamma Georgia. Andy received a degree in chemistry from Lane College. He also was in the US Air Force and served in the Korea War. Andy drew many lessons from his
country upbringing: the joy in giving, in lending a helping hand, and the importance of community. Andrew was moved by the race riots in 1968 to dedicate his life to service. He went back to school and earned a degree in Social Work which he used working in job placement programs until cancer retired him. He also volunteered every night of the week and served on the board of a number of organizations; Action for Boston Community Development and Allston Brighton Community Development Corp. He was especially fond of his mentoring work with Concerned Black men of Massachusetts. Andrew believed that everyone can make a difference. "Anywhere I live or work I have to be part of the neighborhood issues." His years of service garnered him many awards, but particularly the 1989 Good Neighbor Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Boston Herald 1996 Community Hero Olympic Torch Relay Award, and the 1999 Allston-Brighton Unsung hero Award. The Brotherhood of Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts, in celebrating "20 Years of Empowering Youth," strives to keep the Andrew J. Davis, Jr. torch burning brightly. experiences as young men growing up during the Depression, their enlistment in the military, the battle itself and their adult life upon returning home.

Reggie Worlds, Deputy Commissioner Programs and Services, Minnesota Department of
Veterans Affairs (MDVA), St. Paul, MN Reggie Worlds was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Programs and Services for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs in April 2010. His current responsibilities include oversight of all MDV A Programs and Services; including Claims, Outreach, Benefits, Veterans Preference, the State Veterans Cemetery, the Minnesota Veterans Higher Education Program, the State Approving Agency and the Minnesota C.O.R.E. Program. He is charged with maintaining close working relationships with the veteran's community in Minnesota, including the Veterans Service Organizations, the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). He is intricately involved in the development and growth of MDV A, as well as initiatives in areas of outreach, veterans benefits and veterans legislation. Since joining the MDVA team in 2004, Worlds has served in several different positions, including Senior Director of Programs and Services, Director of Claims and Outreach, Supervisor of the MDV AI American Legion Claims Office and as the Veterans Outreach Coordinator. He was instrumental in building the Department's Outreach Program, which focuses on providing advocacy to underserved veteran populations, including female veterans, homeless veterans and communities of color. Worlds started his career serving veterans as a County Veterans Service Officer in Martin County. He has also worked as an Assistant Veterans Service Officer in Hennepin County. He is a United States Army veteran who served during the Persian Gulf War from 1985-1992. Further, Worlds holds a degree in law enforcement from Austin Community College and is a recent graduate of the State of Minnesota's Emerging Leaders Institute. He is an accredited representative of several congressionally chartered veterans' service organizations and has completed U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Rater Board training with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in St. Paul. He is also a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and AMVETS.