Eclipse Magazine - Produced by NABVETS Winter 2014 | Page 10

by Cmdr. Mary Elliot

It’s hard to catch an Army logistics and training
expert unaware, but that’s exactly what happened
when friends and officials gathered in Fayetteville,
NC for a surprise celebration for National
Commander Kornegay. Mrs. Barbara Croom
provided the necessary lure by pretending that it
was her birthday, and along with fellow organizers
Mr. Jimmy Kirby and Ms. Mary Elliott, made sure
everything ran perfectly at the banquet held at All
Stars Bar & Grill. Except for one little detail. The
real surprise turned out to be on the organizers when
Kornegay—who after all had no idea he was the
guest of honor—arrived a bit later than expected.
Special Spokesperson for the evening was County
Commissioner (at-large) Charles Evans, who praised
Commander Kornegay’s countless hours of volunteer
work on behalf of veterans, as well as his community

New National Commander Richard S. Kornegay enjoys the banquet with his sister, Mrs. Carol Amm
and daughter, Ms. Anjeanette Kornegay (Center). (Photo Courtesy Alvin C Fagan)

tutoring and mentoring efforts. Chaplain Chauncey
McDonald reminisced about how fulfilling it had been
for him to work with Kornegay over the last nine
years. Perhaps the most meaningful tribute came from
Kornegay’s eldest son, Mr. Gregory Kornegay, who
shared stories and conveyed the pride he felt towards
his father. Others included, but not limited to, his
daughter, sister, brother-in-law, niece, H.A.R.R.Y. CEO,
NABVETS National Clothing Director Barry Moore, NC
State Junior Vice Commander; Fayetteville Chapter
#0014; Buffalo Soldiers member; Veteran assisted
by NABVETS VSO; ENCVUCS Chapter #0069; Mr.
Anthony Croom and coordinator, Mrs. Croom, along
with his spouse, Dr. Rev. Margaret Martin-Kornegay,
had words of encouragement and mountains of
accolades for National Commander Kornegay.

(Left to Right) NABVETS National Commander Richard S. Kornegay; North Carolina State Vice-Commander Da
Fayetteville Chapter #0014 Vice-Commander Jimmy Kirby; in the back is NABVETS National Member
Liaison Anthony Croom. (Photo Courtesy Gregory Kornegay)

A special letter of congratulations was read and
presented from Texas State Commander and Eclipse
Publisher Alvin Fagan and Region III Commander
James Scott; a special note was shared from Abdul
Muhammad on behalf of Greensboro Chapter #0077;
and an envelope was presented from Gastonia
Chapter #0086 Commander John James. The
evening ended a