Chester Edwards

Chester Edwards served in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1972 and obtained the rank of E-3 Engineman/Fireman. In 2003, he enlisted in the New York State Guard and retired with the rank of Colonel in 2018.

While in the Navy, his tour included combat duty in Vietnam as an Assault Support Patrol Boat Coxswain with the Mobile Riverine Force from 1968 to 1969. He earned numerous recognitions including two Navy Achievement Medals with Combat “V,” Combat Action Ribbon, and two Presidential Unit Citations.

Mr. Edwards returned to civilian life and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Marymount College. He spent over 35 years as a corporate financial executive and financial consultant at numerous companies in the tri-state area. In 2002, Mr. Edwards joined the NYC Teaching Fellows program, where he earned a Master of Science in Education from Pace University. He spent the last 12 years of his career as a middle and high school teacher and Dean of Students at the Choir Academy of Harlem.

After the tragic events of 9/11, Mr. Edwards enlisted in the New York State Guard, where he served from 2003 to 2018, including a six-week deployment during Super Storm Sandy in 2012. For his service, Mr. Edwards earned the NYS Medal for Meritorious Service and the NYS Military Commendation Medal.

Currently, Mr. Edwards is Executive Director of the Westchester County Veterans Alliance, Inc., board member of both Hudson Valley Honor Flight and ProVetus, Inc., and Peer Mentor & Mentor Coordinator for the Veterans Treatment Track of the Middletown City Court. He serves as a member of the Board of Visitors of the NYS Veterans Home at Montrose. Since 2022, he has been a keynote speaker at veterans events, where he shares the personal story of his time serving in Vietnam.

He has continued to serve and is Vice President of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 49, Post Service Officer with American Legion Post 90, and a member of VFW Post 1156 and the Knights of Columbus (Council 503 and Assembly 692) in Westchester County.

Mr. Edwards lives in Port Chester with his wife of 51 years, Mary. He is the proud father of two daughters and the proud grandfather of two granddaughters.