Chapter Officers
The Robert C. Padgett Jr. Memorial Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 524 is an all volunteer organization comprised of over 239 active members to include Life Members who are recipients of the Purple Heart and Associate Members who are direct relatives of Life Members.
Below are the Chapter Officers of Chapter 524. They have taken on the responsibility of leading our organization as we continue to provide assistance to Veterans and their families in Northeast Florida.
JIM WELLMON
CHAPTER COMMANDER
Leading From the Front
Our Chapter Commander started his military career in the US Army Infantry in February 1969. In 1970 he was assigned to the 199th Light Infantry Brigade as an Infantry fire team leader. During his tour to Vietnam he was promoted to squad leader and then Platoon Sergeant. He completed 25 combat air assault missions.
In 1977 he joined the Florida Army National Guard, as part of the 111th Avn Company Assault Helicopter (AH) serving as a full times guardsman (AGR).
Wellmon also participated in the following operations: Operation Lempira 1987-Honduras; Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm; Operation Bright Star 956; Operation Iraqi Freedom II-II.
He is a Charter Member of Chapter 524 and has served as the Sergeant at Arms and the Senior Vice Commander.
JAMES MOCK
JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER
The Backbone of the Chapter
Bio Coming Soon.
LAURENCE WALKER
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER
& ADJUTANT
Resolute in His Commitment
Bio coming soon.
SYLVESTER BOLDEN
SERGEANT AT ARMS
Passionate About Assisting Veterans and Their Families
Our Chapter Sergeant at Arms was drafted into the Army in 1966. He attended Basic Training at Fort Benning, GA and completed his Advanced Individual Training (AIT) to become a mortarman at Fort Polk, LA.
Patriot Bolden arrived in Vietnam in February 1967, and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion of the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and served as a squad leader. He was wounded March 1967.
He is an avid volunteer at the VA Clinic and serves as the Department of Florida's Cemetery Representative for the Jacksonville National Cemetery. Patriot Bolden has also served as the Past Chapter Commander for MOPH Chapter 524 and Historian.
CHRISTOPHER VEDVICK
FINANCE OFFICER
Always Willing to Help His Fellow Veteran
Our Chapter Finance Officer was raised in Jacksonville Beach, Florida and graduated from Fletcher High School before joining the Army.
On Christopher’s first deployment in 2002 with the 82nd Airborne Division, he was wounded by three hand grenades while engaged in a 4-hour firefight in Afghanistan. He then spent the next decade in Special Operations units, deploying another six more times. Five more times to Afghanistan and once to Iraq.
Christopher has served as the Chapter Senior Vice Commander, Chapter Adjutant, and Finance Officer for Chapter 572 in Sierra Vista, Arizona. He also served as the Junior Vice Commander for the Department of Arizona and Junior Vice Commander and Senior Vice Commander for the Department of Florida. He currently serves as the Commander for the Department of Florida.
LEE BROWN III
TRUSTEE 2 YEAR
Constantly Promoting Altruism and Service in His Community
Bio Coming Soon
EDDIE HARRISON
TRUSTEE 1 YEAR
Developing Tomorrow's Leaders with Today's Youth
Our Chapter Trustee (2 Year) was born in Jacksonville, Florida. After graduating from high school in 1961 he joined the Army and became an Airborne Paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division, the 82nd Airborne Division, and the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam.
He arrived in Vietnam on March 1968 and received two Purple Hearts during his first tour of duty. On his second tour of duty as an advisor he received two additional Purple Hearts.
After his retirement Commander Harrison became an accomplished teacher and assistant principal in Duval County. He was the Duval County Teacher of the Year in 1994-1995 and again in 2011-2012.
He is a Past Chapter Commander and currently serves as the Inspector for the Department of Florida.