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Alvin J. Bedgood, Major, USA
(Retired) assumed arms in July 1993, upon his promotion to Major. The arms
reflect his ancestry, love of heraldic design and his service to his country
as a soldier, teacher and community volunteer.
Born in New Orleans,
Louisiana, the armiger enlisted in the US Army in 1975, rising to the rank
of Sergeant. In 1979 he earned a two year scholarship via the Active Duty
Enlisted Scholarship Commissioning Program. While attending college he was
inducted into the following honour societies: Phi Alpha Theta, Alpha Sigma Nu,
Blue Key and the Scabbard and Blade. He completed college as a Distinguished
Military Graduate, receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1981.
From 1981 to 1998 he served
in a variety of command and staff positions in the United States, Europe and
Asia. He served in the first Persian Gulf War (90 – 91) and on three
deployments to the Balkans (96 – 97). His final assignment was as Deputy
Commander/Army, 93rd Operations Group (96 – 98). His military awards and
decorations include: The Legion of Merit; three Meritorious Service Medals,
five Army Commendation Medals, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, two Army
Achievement Medals and the Army Good Conduct Medal.
Upon his retirement from
active service in 1998, he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Aide to the
Governor’s Staff by the Governor of the State of Georgia. Mr. Bedgood
received an Associate in Science (AS) with honours from Mount Wachusett
Community College (Gardner, MA) in June 1979. He went on to earn a Bachelor
of Arts (BA) in History from Loyola University (New Orleans, LA) in May
1981, a Master of Science (MS) in International Relations from Troy
University (Troy, AL) in 1985, and an Educational Specialist (EdS) from the
National College of Education of National-Louis University (Evanston, IL) in
1994.
He is currently the Director,
Quality and Process Improvement for a business unit of a large information
technology services company. His business certifications include: Project
Management Professional (PMP), Certified Business Manager (CBM), Microsoft
Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), and the Certification in Homeland
Security (CHS-V). In addition to his professional pursuits, he actively
serves in a variety of volunteer civic and community service organizations.
Mr. Bedgood is a Lieutenant
Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol (US Air Force Auxiliary) where he actively
serves in a variety of leadership positions at the Wing, Region and National
Level. In August 2005 he was a ground team leader during the Hurricane
Katrina relief and recovery operations in Mississippi. His Civil Air Patrol
awards and decorations include: Two Exceptional Service Awards; two
Meritorious Service Awards, the National Commander’s Commendation Award, six
Commanders Commendation Awards and the Gil Robb Wilson Award.
The Armiger is a life member
of: The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW); Armed Forces Communications
Electronics Association (AFCEA); Association of Old Crows (AOC); Association
of the United States Army (AUSA); Air Force Association (AFA), Korea Defence
Veterans of America (KDVA) the Regimental Signal Corps Association (RSCA);
and Patron of the American College of Heraldry (ACH). He is also a member of
the: Reserve Officers Association; Military Officers Association of America;
Society for Creative Anachronism, the Masons and the Civil Air Patrol.
He has received several
civilian honours, which include: The University President’s Award from
Loyola University; The George C. Marshall Foundation’s Outstanding Cadet
Award; Certificate of Merit from the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, LA;
Proclamation and Key to the City from the Mayor of Warner Robins, GA;
Certificates of Commendation from the Governor’s of the States of Louisiana,
Maryland, Massachusetts and New York and The President’s Call to Service
Award for lifetime achievement in volunteer service.
The Arms and Badges were
designed and emblazoned in black and white as well as colour by the Armiger.
The version of the Arms depicted here, were digitally enhanced by Mr. David Robert
Wooten.
BADGE 1: A griffin segreant
Azure, armed and langued Gules, beaked and fore legged and with wings
elevated and addorsed all Or, holding in the sinister claws three lightning
bolts Argent, and in the dexter claws a sword Proper enflamed Gules.
BADGE 2: A Maltese cross per gyronny Azure and Argent, fimbriated Or,
charged with a sun in his splendor Or. |
