Johnnie Collins Jr.

As a 22-year life member of AMVETS D.C. Post 8, Department Executive Director Collins has served as the Department of D.C. commander. He was elected national first vice commander for membership at the 54^th National Convention. He is the only African-American who has held that position in the organization’s 59-year history. He lost bids for national commander in 1999 and in 2001. Collins enlisted in the Army in 1962, served two tours of duty in South Vietnam and received numerous military decorations including the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge. He retired in 1983 with the rank of Sergeant First Class from the United States Army Health Clinic at the Pentagon (now known as the Anthony DiLorenzo Health Clinic). After retirement, he was employed for more than 15 years as an automobile sales consultant of a major Ford franchise. Collins is the past president of Homeless and Disabled Veterans (HDV) and appointed by Virginia Governor Mark Warner to the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Organizations of Virginia. At the 2001 Blinded American Veterans Foundation Congressional Awards ceremony, Collins was awarded the (BAVF) George Alexander Memorial Volunteer Service Award. Collins resides in Alexandria, Va., with his wife Patricia.