Edition 109 | August 2025

Save The Date!

Stay tuned - more details coming soon!

Purple Heart Day

(Photo: VA News)

National Purple Heart Day, a time to recognize and honor the brave men and women who were wounded or killed in service to our country, is on August 7. The Purple Heart, which is one of the oldest military honors, was established by George Washington in 1782 as the "Badge of Military Merit" and represents sacrifice, resilience, and courage.

Last Chance for 2026 Hall of Fame Nominations!

The 2026 U.S. Army Women's Foundation Hall of Fame nomination form is open for one more week! Annually the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation honors the service and sacrifices of U.S. Army women through our Hall of Fame and Champion Awards program. Women who have served in the Army or the Armed Forces and contributed extraordinary service are eligible for induction into the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame. Our Champion Awards are presented to any individual who has made exceptional contributions to women in the Army or the Armed Forces. The deadline to nominate someone is August 8, 2025. For more information on our Hall of Fame and Champions, visit our website.

Edna Cummings Receives 2025 App State Distinguished Alumni Award

Retired United States Army Col. Edna W. Cummings graduated from App State in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in social sciences-education. She earned a Master of Science in foundations of education from Troy State University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College.

She currently serves as vice president of Windsor Group LLC and is an Army Reserve ambassador for the state of Maryland.

Women's Equality Day 2025

(Photo: aDoddle)

Women's Equality Day is celebrated annually on August 26, marking the anniversary of the 19th Amendment being certified in 1920 and women winning their right to vote in the United States.

Help Honor The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion With A U.S. Forever Stamp

The legacy of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion is a powerful testament to the courage, resilience, and excellence of a predominantly Black, multi-ethnic group of women who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Against the backdrop of war, racism, and sexism, these trailblazers’ broke barriers and made history—yet for far too long, their service went unrecognized. Over time, however, their remarkable contributions have begun to receive long-overdue recognition.

Members of the 6888th were awarded the European African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal during their service; and in 2019, the U.S. Army awarded the unit a Meritorious Unit Commendation. Despite growing recognition, one vital and highly visible tribute remains unrealized: a U.S. Forever Stamp. We call on the United States Postal Service to issue a Forever Stamp honoring the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.

Meet The AWF Board

Lieutenant General Kathleen M. Gainey began her life as an “Army Brat”; commissioned as a Transportation Corps officer through ROTC; served her nation as an Army Soldier and spouse for 35 years; and continues to serve in a variety of volunteer jobs.

Kathy grew up in an Army family and both she and her two brothers followed their father, US Army Colonel Maurice (“Chuck”) Gainey into the Army. The family did tours in the Continental United States, Alaska, South Korea, and Germany. Along the way, Kathy attended three different Senior High Schools. She along with her brothers claimed they would never join the Army and all three did!

Sponsor Spotlight

Currently ranked #65 on the Solution Provider 500, the award winning ThunderCat Technology is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that delivers technology products and services to government organizations, educational institutions, and commercial companies. Led by a combat-wounded CEO, ThunderCat is a systems integrator that brings an innovative approach to solving customer problems in and around the datacenter by providing strategies for Data Storage, Networking, Cyber Security, and Cloud Transformations. A proven leader, ThunderCat Technology provides and optimizes technologies from best of breed manufacturers like NetApp, DELL, Cisco, McAfee, Palo Alto, Splunk, Riverbed, AWS, F5, Veritas, Juniper, HPE, and VMware. Clients include DOD, DHS, VA, Treasury, FBI, State of Virginia, State of NY, Sony, VISA, Altria, and Revlon.  Visit ThunderCat's website.

Share the e-Flagpole newsletter link with your friends!