Eclipse Magazine - Produced by NABVETS Winter 2014 | Page 9

success. Along with prioritizing continued chapter building, Kornegay plans to focus on the core mission of the organization.
“It’s the level of satisfaction that our veterans feel when we are able to help the veteran and his/her family. Veterans and
their dependents are still discovering there may be assistance available to them through Dependent Indemnity Claims
(DIC). It’s also the quality of the services they receive, so that they want to become members of the organization.”
When asked specifically what he hopes to accomplish over the next years, Commander Kornegay outlines some lofty goals
for the growth of the organization and the level of service delivered. A top goal will be expanding NABVETS’ membership
roster to include at least fifty percent of the US Black Veteran population. He also plans to see a minimum of 300 active
Chapters across the country by 2016. The Commander will push for a NABVETS Veterans Services Officer in every regional
V.A. office across the country, and he wants to increase the regional representation in Washington, DC, especially within
the Legislature. “Who better to inform Congress on the needs of Black Veterans and their families,” Kornegay explains.
Commander Kornegay proudly reports that quarterly numbers show NABVETS has experienced substantial success
in their claims processing efforts. In the second quarter of 2014, the North Carolina NABVETS contingent was
ranked second in the processing of fully developed claims among organizations including DAV, the American Legion,
AMVETS, the VFW, and Military Order of the Purple Heart. In the fourth quarter of 2013, they ranked fifth.
Commander Kornegay praises the leadership of former National Commander Cocroft. He is honored to continue to move
forward on many of the initiatives begun by his predecessor—such as expanding communications with the populations
served by NABVETS. Commander Kornegay envisions the creation of a radio program that speaks to the issues facing Black
and Brown Veterans in America. On the fundraising front, he is looking to collaborate and build alliances with the Red Cross,
churches and other community organizations to increase the impact of services for our returning servicemen and women.
In addition, the Commander recognizes there are immense challenges facing our veterans, as well as well as our country.
He expresses concern about the unknowns, such as Ebola, and what role it will play in the life of veterans performing their
duties. The coming influx of returning veterans from the Afghan theater is another area requiring heightened awareness.
Kornegay acknowledges the immense economic pressures facing many of our veterans. “Soldiers are living at home
with their parents because they are unable to make a living wage,” he says. As former chairman of the VFW’s Ending
Homelessness Among Veterans Initiative, Kornegay has tackled this difficult situation head on in the past, and will
apply his expertise in this area so that NABVETS is prepared to help veterans and their family members
transition from shelters to housing of their own. As he sums it up, “We owe them better.”

AWARDS AND MEDALS
1. Bronze Star Medal W/Oak Leaf Cluster

6. Army Service Ribbon

2. Army Commendation Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster (Triple)

7. Overseas service Ribbon

3. Good Conduct Medal w/silver clasp 1 loop # 6

8. Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon w/1960 Device

4. National Defense Service medal

9. Drill Sergeant ID Badge

5. Vietnam Service medal w/Bronze Star attachment
(Single) & Silver star attachment (Double)

10. Vietnam cross of Gallantry
11. Parachutist badge-Master