[WardFive] Our Ward 5 Veterans

 

View this email in your browser Veterans Day 2016, Councilmember McDuffie honoring Command Master Chief April Beldo, the First African-American Female Command Master Chief of an aircraft carrier, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Veterans Day Service.   Neighbors, On Veterans Day, we honor all the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. It is especially a privilege to acknowledge our Ward 5 veterans who continue to lead and serve our local communities. I invite you to read about a few of those below. To the veterans from Ward 5 and beyond, we thank you for your service, we are indebted for your sacrifice, and we honor you. In service, Kenyan   Herman "Rip" Preston is a former ANC Commissioner and member of the Mayor's Advisory Board on D.C. Veterans Affairs. He is a leader in the Ward 5 Democrats and is involved in giving back to his community in many ways. He served in the United States Army and later as Director of the D.C. Government Operations for the D.C. National Guard.   Elaine Alston served our country in the United States Army. She is now active in her North Michigan Park neighborhood and throughout Ward 5. She also produces a television show, Dreams The Capital View, on DCTV.   John Washington served his country in the United States Air Force and has been active in the Ward 5 community for decades. John has participated in the 5th District Citizens Advisory Council and the Ward 5 Council on Education, and has held several leadership positions in the Ward 5 Democrats.   Robert Vinson Brannum is Chairman of the NAACP-DC Veterans Committee and served our country as a member of the United States Air Force Reserves, where he received many military honors. Robert has served his community as an ANC Commissioner and as a former Bloomingdale Civic Association President. He holds the title of Chairman Emeritus for the Ward 5 Democrats, the 5th District Citizens Advisory Council, and the D.C. Federation of Civic Associations.   Pierpont Mobley served in the D.C. National Guard and continued on in public service to have a distinguished career as an equal employment opportunity advocate within the federal government. He developed the White House's first affirmative action plan in a career that spanned four presidential administrations. Pierpont is also an active member of many Ward 5 civic organizations and activities.   Cornelius Cheatham is a veteran of the United States Army.  He is a former Fort Lincoln Civic Association board member.  He serves as a mentor and math tutor to youth in the Ward 5 community.