2026 Hall of Fame

During her military career, she served at several levels of command and staff in numerous assignments in the United States and abroad. COL (Ret) Thedford’s barrier breaking achievements paved the way for others. In 1985, she was the first African American female to command a forwardly deployed chemical company. She successfully commanded the 4th Chemical Company, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Korea followed by several staff and operational assignments. In 1997, she served as the NBC Defense Program Budget Analyst of the Headquarters Department of the Army Staff for the Department of Defense (DoD) Chemical Biological Defense Research, Development and Acquisition Program. In 1999, she successfully served as Commander of the Pine Bluff Chemical Activity, Pine Bluff, AR, where she was responsible for all chemical matters and the safe storage of the United States’ 2nd largest stockpile of chemical agent. After Senior Service College, her next assignment was as Chief, CBRNE Branch and Deputy Director for Anti-Terrorism and Homeland Defense. She was a technical advisor in Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in the air, land, and maritime domains for the Directorate for Operations, J-3, The Joint Staff. In January 2003, she became the first African American female to be promoted in the active Army to Colonel in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps. COL (Ret) Thedford’s staff assignments culminated at the highest level in the DoD. As Director of Chemical Biological Programs, Office of the Secretary of Defense, she was responsible for the non-medical CBRN portfolio. Her actions ensured that warfighters had the necessary equipment to fight and win in a contaminated environment.

Upon retirement in 2009, COL (Ret) Thedford began her civilian career. She is currently serving as the Associate Director for Strategic Initiatives at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. In this capacity, she leads the strategic functions of a world class science and engineering laboratory, to include strategic engagements, international programs, technology transfer, protocol, and communications.

COL (Ret) Thedford also served as the Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)/Minority Serving Institutions (MIs) Consortium Cooperative Agreement Manager. MSRDC is a strategic asset, solutions provider, and research development partner to more than 70 minority-serving research institutions, federal partners, and private industry collaborators. The members use a combination of basic, applied, and advanced research to pioneer groundbreaking solutions. The consortium brings non-traditional partners to provide innovative solutions to the Warfighters.

COL (Ret) Thedford’s service continued long after military retirement. She has mentored countless Soldiers and civilians, promoted the Army way of life, and honored Vietnam Veterans through her role with The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. A lifelong member of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) - Major General Harry Greene Chapter; Chemical Regimental Association - LTG Thomas W. Spoehr Chapter; The ROCKS, Inc. – Washington, DC Chapter; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Delta Omega Omega Chapter; and Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. - Alexandria City Chapter which is a national, professional and humanitarian organization which enhances and enriches the lives of youths and adults. The organization aims to bring together community, education, and business-based interests to develop a better citizenry for the globalized technical world. She also led numerous initiatives, including 16 years of leading and serving with the Green Dragon Ball and Joint CBRNE Forum Committees, to support the Soldier, Sailor, Airmen, and Marine CBRN communities.

COL (Ret) Thedford’s faith is a top priority. She served at the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Arlington, VA for 29 years and is currently an usher and a member of the Women and Disciples Offering Veterans Support (DOVS) Ministries.

COL (Ret) Thedford’s awards, decorations and recognitions include Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Medal 2 with oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Army Achievements Medal, Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, Special Act Awards, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon 2nd Award, Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and Army Staff Identification Badge. In 2001, she received the Ancient Order of the Dragon for over 20 years of distinguished service to the U.S. Army Chemical Corps. In June 2023, she received the Distinguished Member of the U.S. Army Chemical Corps award and recognition at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. In October 2023, she received the STEM All Star Award at the Women of Color Convention in Detroit, MI.

COL (Ret) Thedford is a Senior Service College Graduate - Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Certified Acquisition Professional in Engineering and Program Management and a Master Black Belt. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS; a Master of Science in Operation Research System Analysis Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL; and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, DC.

Candy has served in a variety of positions within the Army at Company, Battalion, Brigade, Division, and Theater levels. She is an Iraq War veteran, having served in theater from August 2005 to July 2006, where she served as the Theatre Property Book Officer. Her notable career culminated as the Warrant Officer Proponent, Office of the Quartermaster General at Fort Lee, Virginia.

Her awards include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. She is a distinguished member of the Quartermaster Regiment, inducted into the Quartermaster Corps Hall of Fame in 2017, and received the prestigious Quartermaster Corps Ancient Order of Saint Martin in 2022. She was the 2023 recipient of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library Citizen Soldier Award.

She is a Past National President of American Gold Star Mothers (2016-2017), Vice-President of the 1LT Tom Martin Memorial Foundation, Chair of Gold Star Families of Texas, a nonprofit that connects Gold Star Family members in the Lone Star State, 2025-2028 National Chair Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Service for Veterans, serves as a Fort Sam Houston Distinguished Quartermaster, and is an avid Veteran and Gold Star Family advocate.

Candy and her husband, Sergeant Major (Retired) Ed Martin, make their home in San Antonio Texas. They raised four children. Tom, a 2005 graduate of the United States Military Academy, was killed while serving in Iraq in October 2007. They have 3 adult daughters and 4 grandchildren.

Shelby Anderson is a nationally recognized educator, historian, and public history advocate whose work has significantly contributed to preserving and promoting the legacy of women who
served in the U.S. military, particularly during World War II. A high school teacher at Laguna Beach High School and current Ed.D. student at California State University, Fullerton, Anderson has developed innovative programs that center women’s military experiences as vital components of American history.

Among her most impactful contributions is the published lesson, What’s In Your Footlocker: Understanding Women’s Service in WWII, created in partnership with the National WWII Museum. This curriculum highlights the lives and service of women from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, including members of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), Navy WAVES, WASP, Army Nurse Corps, and Marine Corps Women’s Reserve. By exploring their motivations, wartime roles, and the discrimination they faced, Anderson’s work reframes women’s military service as both patriotic and avenues for social progress. She was then selected to co-lead a teacher training program on the Our War Too: Women in Service curriculum at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. There, she expertly led 30 educators from across the country through 5 different lessons focused on women’s military service during WWII, multiplying the impact of her work and ensuring a broader reach for the stories of women veterans.

In addition to her curriculum and professional development work, Anderson is a historical reenactor with the Historical Unit of Southern California. Wearing original WWII-era uniforms and portraying real women veterans, she presents immersive living history programs that provide public audiences with personal, tangible connections to the past. Her presentations deepen public understanding of women's military contributions and foster greater appreciation for the complex roles women have played in U.S. military history.

Anderson’s dedication has earned widespread recognition, including the California Teachers Association Human Rights Award for Women’s Advocacy, a Certificate of Congressional Recognition, the Teacher Upstander Award from the Jewish Federation of Orange County, and selection for the Disney100 Teacher Celebration. Her recognized expertise as a military historian has led to national platforms, including filming a World War II episode for the History Channel’s Modern Marvels and presenting scholarly research on WWII servicewomen at the 2025 Western Association of Women Historians Conference. Anderson’s work contributes to challenging traditional historical narratives by bringing the stories of women veterans into the mainstream and asserting their rightful place in the nation’s collective memory.

Through every platform—classroom, museum, reenactment field, and academic forum—Shelby Anderson works to ensure that the sacrifices and achievements of America’s servicewomen are honored and remembered

Throughout years of frequent moves and deployments, Charlene emerged as a servant leader in the military community, working with installation-level, national, and nonprofit organizations to improve quality of life for military families. She has focused on issues such as spouse employment, access to mental health resources, caregiver support, and community-based programs that ease the strain of repeated separations and transitions.

Charlene is known for bringing the voice of military families into rooms where policy decisions are made, ensuring that the lived experiences of spouses and children inform programs and priorities. She has lent her expertise as an advisor, board member, and volunteer to initiatives that connect families with education, childcare, and resilience-building resources. Her leadership has helped expand peer-support networks and create more inclusive, responsive services for those who serve on the home front.

As the spouse of a senior Army officer and later a Cabinet official, Charlene used her visibility to highlight the sacrifices and strengths of military families around the world. She regularly engaged with spouses at bases, events, and forums, listening to their concerns and amplifying their stories to military and civilian leaders. Her calm presence, practical guidance, and emphasis on community have made her a trusted mentor to countless military spouses.

Today, Charlene Austin continues to champion programs that honor the full family as part of national defense, emphasizing that readiness and wellbeing are inseparable. Her legacy is reflected in the stronger networks, better-informed policies, and more resilient communities that now support America’s military families.

Glass deployed aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, contributing to high-priority intelligence missions across multiple deployments. Her performance during OIF led to her selection for the Cryptologic Analytical Support Element (CASE), a specialized unit reserved for top-performing analysts supporting complex and time-sensitive operations.

During her shore assignment at the Navy Information Operations Command, she served in perception management and information warfare operations, expanding her analytical scope while also stepping into human-centered collateral roles as a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, Command Financial Specialist, and Command Physical Fitness Coordinator. These experiences shaped her leadership philosophy and affirmed her commitment to supporting the whole sailor, not just the mission.

Glass later joined the Center for Information Dominance, where she taught at the CTT “A” School, served as Curriculum Supervisor, and earned the designation of Master Training Specialist. She became Battalion Commander for new accession sailors, mentoring and preparing hundreds of service members entering the Information Warfare community. Her instructional excellence was recognized with two Instructor of the Year awards, reflecting her dedication to shaping the Navy’s future cryptologic workforce. She also earned warfare qualifications in Surface Warfare, Aviation Warfare, and Information Dominance, and completed certifications as an Armed Sentry and Security Reaction Force member. While on active duty, she received her Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education, Training, and Development from Southern Illinois University.

Throughout her naval career, Glass earned numerous personal and unit commendations that reflect her leadership, technical expertise, and operational contributions. Her awards include five Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, a Navy Unit Commendation, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Navy “E” Ribbons, and three Good Conduct Medals, along with the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, and multiple Sea Service Deployment ribbons. She also qualified as a Pistol Sharpshooter and earned the Enlisted Sharpshooter ribbon.

After separating from active duty, Glass continued her service as an Instructional Systems Designer and Deployment Specialist for Fleet and Family Support Services, supporting sailors and military families through deployments, transitions, and readiness challenges.

Glass now calls Norfolk, Virginia home. She serves as the State Delegate for the 93rd District in the Virginia House of Delegates, where she brings her operational mindset and people-first approach to public service. In addition to serving as the Vice Chair for Policy and Procedures of the General Assembly Military and Veterans Caucus, she chairs three subcommittees in the House of Delegates: the Communications Subcommittee of the Communications, Technology & Innovation Committee; the Elections Administration Subcommittee of the Privileges & Elections Committee; and the Transportation Innovation Subcommittee of the Transportation Committee. In all three roles, she focuses on strengthening systems, increasing transparency, and modernizing infrastructure to improve quality of life for Virginians, especially military families and working people navigating complex institutions.

Beyond her titles, Glass is a mother of two, a wife to a retired Navy air traffic controller, and a woman who believes in service that is grounded, transparent, and deeply human. She continues to use her military discipline, instructional expertise, and lived experience to advocate for communities that deserve to be seen, heard, and supported.

In 1975, she enlisted in the Army to provide care for her son, who suffered from sickle cell disease. She served 24 years as a Quartermaster Non-Commissioned Officer and retired as a Master Sergeant in December 1999. She is a Disable Veteran and a Veteran of Desert Storm/Desert Shield.

By 2007, her military medical issues made it difficult for her to maintain full time employment. Her answer was to volunteer to give back to the community by delivering meals twice a week for Metro Senior Nutrition Program (Meals-On-Wheels). In 2009, she was appointed to the Louisville Metro Community Action Partnership’s (CAP) Administering Board of Directors by then Mayor, Jerry Abramson. In 2010, she assumed the duties as the Marketing/Fundraising Director for the Sickle Cell Association of Kentuckiana, Inc (SCAK). In 2012, she became an active member of the Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Movement (MHHM) for Chronic Disease Prevention & Management, was appointed to the Legal Aid Society Board of Directors as a representative for the senior community, and to the NAACP Administrative Board of Jeffersonville, IN. In 2014, the Sickle Cell Association awarded her their “Pioneer Award” for her efforts to educate the public about sickle cell disease. March 7, 2015, she was the recipient of the 28th Annual African American Catholic Leadership Award given by the Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville Office of Multicultural Ministry; October 9, 2015 the very prestigious WLKY “Bell Award” for Volunteerism and her work with patients suffering from sickle cell disease. In December 2015, she was published in the “Who’s Who of Louisville: 2016 African American Profile.” She still found time to volunteer for veterans becoming an active member of the National Association of Black Veterans (NABVETS), and as a member of the Athena Sisters, an all woman’s veteran organization. In 2016, she was inducted in The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels by Governor Matthew G. Bevin and later awarded for her “Service to the Community” by the Louisville Urban League Guild. She continues to serve on all four Board of Directors and twice weekly delivers meals. 2017 she was nominated as the Female Veteran of the Year for the State of Kentucky, and in 2018 received The Louisville Defender Newspaper’s “Outstanding Achievement and Community Service Award.” Additionally, she accepted the “2019 Governor’s Service Award” for her community service and advocacy efforts, and June 11, 2019 was awarded “The Citizen Award” for her volunteer services to the Louisville community by the League of Women Voters. On August 27, 2020, the National Office of the Community Action Partnership awarded her the 2020 Jayne Thomas Grassroots Volunteer Award. Oct 1, 2020, she was honored with the first Champion for the Aging Award sponsored by C2 Strategic Communications for her contribution to the Louisville Metro Government Program called ‘March for Meals,’ which ensured that 83,500 meals were distributed at various sites in the city to the most vulnerable senior population for three straight weeks at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Most recently, in January, 2021, Transition Magazine highlighted her volunteer services in their Winter Edition. The article ’What Her Day Looks Like’ gives a glimpse of “1 Day In The Life Of Jo Ann Orr.” She was highlighted for over a decade of work with the Sickle Cell Association of Kentuckiana and numerous community organizations. April 8, 2021, Louisville First Magazine selected her as one of Kentucky’s “Health Care Heroes” for her services from the beginning of the pandemic serving over 83,000 meals to the senior and disabled population. She continues her service to seniors distributing meals on wheels weekly, and Dare to Care distributing food at two different food pick-up locations in the city weekly. She does frequent clothing and blanket drives for the homeless, veterans and children’s organizations. Yearly collects clothing, shoes, and medication in support of Kenya’s sickle cell children’s orphanages sponsored by the Journey by Grace Mission. In February 2022, the Commonwealth of Kentucky Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission awarded her the Martin Luther King, Jr Adult Leadership Award. On February 21, 2022 the KY House Veterans Committee recognizes her as a distinguished veteran in the Kentucky community. April 14, 2022, she had been an advisor and participated with Senator Neal in the signing of HB 276, Emily’s Law, a bill managing the medication, treatment, and care of sickle cell disease patients by the KY Dept. of Medicare. August 3, 2022, she was Commissioned as a Kentucky Commonwealth Ambassador by the Secretary of State Michael G. Adams, On August 27, 2022, she was inducted into the Kentucky Veteran Hall of Fame, and November 9, 2022 was honored as the 2022 Kentucky Woman Veteran of the Year. The Metro Sewer District Veteran Celebration Team presented a Certificate of Appreciation and a token of Recognition for her accomplishments at their Veteran's Day Ceremony 2022. Effective January, 2023 Master Sergeant Jo Ann Orr was appointed as the Women Veterans Region VI Liaison for the National Association of Black Veterans, and in October 2023 received the Hidden Heroes Award for her work with veterans, seniors, and sickle cell patients in the community. 2024 received the ‘Star’ Award from the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky (BIAK), for her work with Veterans suffering from brain injuries who are being treated at Ireland Army Hospital in Ft. Knox, KY. The National Action Network (NAN) Louisville Kentucky Chapter honored her with their 2024 Community Service Award, which included a person thank you from the founder Rev. Al Sharpton.

In 2017, she was recognized for her work in the establishment of a “Medical Home for Sickle Cell Adults,” at the Norton Cancer Institute in Louisville, KY. The first designated sickle cell treatment facility available to children and adults in Kentucky since 1983. She lends what time she has left to seeking social services and housing for veteran women, while assisting in the opening of Anna’s Transition Housing for Women Veterans in 2020. In addition, she works to provide the same services for those families arriving in Louisville with patients seeking sickle cell care. She is an advisor and mentor for the Youth In Action Network (YIAN), a group of children consisting of 40 students from Pre-K through high school. Each member is required to perform community service to continue as a member of the group. Since its inception in 2016, the youth have volunteered over 1,000 hours in their communities, promoted a “Read With Me” Literacy Program encouraging students to enhance their reading skills, while collecting and distributing free books to the YMCA Summer Camps, local church bible schools and Back To School events. The group has collected and distributed over 3,000 books a year to children in this community. The YIAN boast that there has been 5 members of the group to receive the YMCA Charter Award and 2 receiving the AMPLIFY 502 Award.

She hosts a monthly radio show ‘Sickle Cell Saturday’ on 1240 WLLV FM. Yearly, the YIAN host a city wide blanket collection for Blanket Louisville for distribution to the homeless, and an annual ‘Black History African American Read In’ for children pre-k through 12th grade in celebration of Martin Luther King Day of Service. The African American Read-In has been recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), the Mayor of the City of Louisville, and the Metro City Council. The Read-In highlights books written by black authors, and the events are held in February at local libraries in African American communities.

In addition, since 2021, she worked as a member of the Archdiocese of Louisville Thea Bowman Society to research and identify slaves buried in unmarked graves in Louisville. They have been able to identify 1,633 remains buried in 691 graves. She has compiled information on 35 slaves who served in the Civil War in either the 101st Color Troops or the Buffalo Soldiers. That information will provide tombstones for these Veterans, while she works to identify more recipients. In February 2024, she organized ‘A Reading of the Names’ of all 1,633 slaves. The event brought in readers from the KY Governor’s Office, State Representative Morgan McGarvey, Louisville Mayor Greenburg, Archbishop Shelton, and numerous Council members, State and Federal Representatives. For Veteran’s Day 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear honored and celebrated 16 Colored Troops and Buffalo Soldiers Veterans found at St. Louis Cemetery. ‘A Celebration of Patriotism,’ on November 11, 2024.

She continues to pursue an end to veteran homelessness, while working to create a transition house and senior home for women veterans. Annually, she sponsors a motor coach to transport all women veterans desiring to attend the ‘Women’s Armed Services Integration Act’ ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort. KY. It is a celebration of the act that granted women the right to serve as permanent, regular members of the Armed Forces.

On September 23, 2025, she received a Special Honor from the Department of Veteran Affairs Center for Women Veterans in her capacity as a “Trailblazer.” She supports the initiatives that align with the guidelines and objectives established by the Center for Women Veterans (CWV).

Chapter 46 is named after and dedicated to Retired Marine Corp Captain Eddie Q. Hicks whose distinguished career includes service in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He is the recipient of the US Congressional Gold Medal June 27, 2012, and is an inductee into the Montford Point Marine Association Inc. Hall of Fame 2012. National Montford Point Marines Association Las Vegas chapter 46 was named after CPT Hicks On August 26, 2022.

The mission of the National Montford Point Marines Association is to perpetuate the legacy of the first African Americans who entered the United States Marine Corps from the period of 1942 to 1949, and trained at the segregated training facility, Montford Point Camp, New River, North Carolina. The primary goal of the NMPMA is to locate original service members and/or family members and award them with the US Congressional Gold Medal. In addition to this, chapter 46 is dedicated to educating and informing audiences of all ages of the historic achievements of service members of color.

Las Vegas “Hicks” chapter is the shining jewel within the National Montford Point Marines Association (NMPMA) due in large part to the involvement of a great number of its members with Veterans causes and organizations as well as being active participants in charitable and philanthropic activities within the greater Las Vegas community.

Some of the outstanding endeavors of Hicks Chapter 46 include:

Presenting the US Congressional Gold Medal to surviving Original Montford Point Marines or to family members of the legacies who have passed. Las Vegas resident Henry Jackson CPL/E4 is among those who have been presented with this honor.

Chapter members Gregory Mintz, Stephen (Rocco) Lacey, and Gary T. White stood as Honor Guards at the funeral services for Mrs. Lena Derricott Bell King, Corporal/E4, a member of the 6888th Central Postal Battalion who resided in Las Vegas Nevada. They proceeded to have a flag flown over the nation’s capital building in memory of Mrs. King’s service and presented it to her family at a ceremony honoring veterans held at the Las Vegas City Hall.

Chapter member, Marine Corps veteran Stephen (Rocco) Lacey is solely responsible for conceiving of the idea of placing highway markers dedicated to original Montford Point Marine Henry Jackson and 6888th Postal Battalion Corporal Lena King. Rocco Lacey petitioned the Nevada Department of Transportation and saw the request through to completion resulting in a historic long-term tribute to these WWII Veteran heroes. The highway markers are located on Lake Mead Blvd in Las Vegas Nevada. Mr. Jacksons marker is MM 13-14.25 East Bound and Mrs. King’s marker is MM 11-13 East Bound. Mr. Jackson is the only Montford Point Marine veteran and Mrs. King is the only 6888th veteran who has a State Highway Marker posted at this time in the state of Nevada.

The event was attended by several of Mrs. King’s neighbors and long-time friends, Mrs. Barbar C. Lewis, and Nevada, U S House of Representative, Mr. Steven Horsford-who represents that area and helped with the unveiling of the marker. The chapter also invited several other Officials.

Chapter President Gary T. White and Vice President Stephen (Rocco)Lacey have established “The Lena King/6888th Mail Battalion WWII/Woman Warrior Award”. The first recipient of this award was Elizabeth A. Helm-Frazier, Master Sergeant, U S Army (RET). The award will be presented annually every March to a female veteran from any branch of the armed services.

On December 5, 2024, the NMPMA chapter 46 coordinated a hosted a viewing of the Six Triple Eight (6888) movie produced and directed by Tyler Perry. The Chapter set aside movie tickets, and contacted Elizabeth A. Helm-Frazier, Master Sergeant, US Army (RET) and 6888th Supporter to ask if she could contact the family and friends of the late Mrs. Lena King to attend the movie preview. They all got to see their dear friend’s story on the big screen.

Chapter 46 members participated in a Salute to Veterans Pining Ceremony program along with the Veterans Advocacy Council of Las Vegas and Nevada, U S House of Representative, Mr. Steven Horsford to honor ALL VETERANS from ALL BRANCHES OF SERVICE. These Veterans were serving their communities in the greater Las Vegas area.

MAY 2025 – The 2025 Villager Award was award to the Montford Point Marines Association, Chapter 46, Las Vegas, NV in honor of the outstanding contributions they have made to veterans and the greater Las Vegas community.

National Montford Point Marine Association “Hicks” Chapter 46 continues to shine brightly as they serve diligently and proudly veterans past and present as well as the Las Vegas community.