Bobby J. Edwards, CW5, United States Army, Retired, served honorably in the United States Army and Army National Guard from 1972-2009. Bobby earned his eligibility to the Veterans of Foreign Wars after being drafted into the United States Army on October 2, 1972. He attended Basic Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana for the Vietnam War. Bobby has 20 plus overseas deployments, his last being 2005-2006 to Kuwait and Iraq. He has received over 21 Army Service Awards and Overseas Ribbons; his last was the Legion of Merit and is a Mater Parachutist. He has served in or supported Combat and Combat Service Support Units within the Army and Army Guard Force Structure. Bobby J. Edwards joined the VFW in Dallas, Texas. He served as Post Commander of VFW Post 2414, 1995-1996. He transferred to Northenders VFW Post 10302 in 1999, after a tour, at the Pentagon and National Guard Bureau Army Logistics Headquarters and then moving to Illinois where he maintains his Gold Legacy Life Membership. He has served in all positions within the Post, including 6 terms as Post Commander, earning Allstate and All-American Honors 2014-2020. Bobby, served as All-State Post Quartermaster, 2008-2009. Bobby served as District 10 Commander, Department of Illinois earning All-American District Honors 2019-2020. Bobby has served as District Senior Vice Commander, 2018- 2019 and District Chief-of-Staff 2017-2019. He continues to serve as the District 10, Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen Chairman from 2017-present. Bobby served as the Department of Illinois State Fair Director for 2018-2020. Bobby has served as President of the Warrant Officers Association of Texas, 1994-1995, President of the Illinois Army National Guard Association, 2007-2008. He is Also Life Member of the Warrant Officers Association of the United States, AMVETS Post 94 and Life Member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Exalted Ruler (President) Springfield Elks Lodge #158, 2015-2016 and Chairman of the Board of Directors 2018-2019. Bobby also serves on the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Pearl Harbor Remembrance Committee for their annual ceremony, and other local Veteran Programs. He also serves as an advisor for several Veteran’s Service Programs including Illinois Joining Forces, Congressional Military Service Academy Selection Boards. Bobby’s education consists of a Bachelor of Science in Business from Vincennes University and the Warrant Officer Senior Staff College. Bobby and Marilyn live in Springfield, Illinois.