The Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation, Inc. nominated Tom Bell, Senior Vice Commander of the Sons of the American Legion Post 29, in Marietta, GA for the James Edward Oglethorpe Award.
On June 4, 2016, the Oglethorpe Award was presented to Mr Tom Bell by Brig General Joe Jarrard and the National Guard Association of Georgia at the 68th Annual NGAGA Banquet Dinner at the Evergreen Marriott-Stone Mountain. The Oglethorpe Award is designed to provide recognition to civic leaders, local and state officials, who distinguish themselves with outstanding and exceptional service to Georgia Nation Guard military services, the National Guard of the National Guard Association of Georgia.
Tom has been involved in community service through serving on the Board of Trustees of Southern Polytechnic State University Foundation, as a past chairman of Cobb Country’s Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society, and as a board member for Habitat for Humanity in Cobb County. He also participated in the Honorary Commanders Association that is sponsored by the Cobb Chamber Commerce to increase awareness in the community of the importance of the military presence.
With the help of a great group of committee members and the support of the American Legion Post 29, Tom directed their first Veterans Memorial 5 K race in 2015 from which they were pleased to make a donation to the Georgia National Guard Foundation in the amount of $12,500.00. With this year’s Veterans Memorial 5K just completed, Tom and the race committee hope to be able to disperse over $45,000 in funds to several veterans’ charities supported by the American Legion Post 29 – including the Georgia National Guard Foundation.
Tom is a great leader and organizer and is a true patriot in his tireless efforts to support the military and the veterans of Georgia.
When notified of his nomination for this award, he was “honored and stunned” to be considered. He said that what he does for the veterans, the American Legion and the charities he serves is truly a labor of love and appreciation for what our veterans, and his family (all of who served) have done for all of us.
Tom is married to Glenda Bell, his wife of 43 years, and they reside in Marietta with their two rescued dogs Chuck and Bruce.
