Jesse Alfred Meekins

Reflection of The Life Of Jess Alfred Meekins Jesse Alfred Meekins, 87, of Providence Forge, Virginia departed this life on Wednesday, September 18, 2019. Jesse was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse J. and Grace Meekins. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife, Helen Marie Meekins; daughters, Valerie Meekins, Wilnette Wiley, Yvonne Alston (Derrick), sons, Chester and Jesse Meekins, Kevin Crawford (Molly); 10 grandchildren, seven great grand. children, two greaI t-great-grandchildren: sister, Bertha Carroll; 2 brother in laws, Robert Williams (Betty), Charles Williams; aunt, Ellen Johnson and a host of other relatives and friends. Military and Civilian Career Jesse enlisted in the United States Army in January 1953 and quickly became one of the most renowned Com mand Sergeant Majors of all time. He served with many units and in several capacities. He was the first African American Sergeant of the Guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, and the Second Command Sergeant Major of the African-American descent of the Third United States Infantry Regiment, as Command Sergeant Major of the Old Guard at Fort Meyer, Virginia. He served with several different units in cluding service with the Joint Security Forces at Panmunjom, Korea and Dewitt Armey Community Hospital at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He served in the 97th Military Police Battalion in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 during the TET 1969 Offensive. He retired from the United States Army in November 1982 culminating a distinguished career of twenty-nine years of service to a grateful nation. Following his retirement from the service, he took on a second career as Service Officer for the Virginia Depart ment of Veterans Affairs. As Service Officer, his job was to make sure veterans and their dependents received their just benefits. After service as Service Officer for one year, he was promoted to Regional Manager where he supervised eight field offices. He was recognized for many accomplishments and named Employee of the Year during his employment with the Virginia Department of Veterans Affairs. After twelve years of service, he retired in 1995.

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Jesse Alfred Meekins

June 17, 1932 - September 18, 2019