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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. |
