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<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
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<p>U.S. Army Aviation Lt. Col. (Ret.) and Military Officer’s Association of America (MOAA) member W. Larry Dandridge has been awarded the 2021 MOAA Robert J. Lamm Award.</p>
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<p>The Robert J. Lahm Award was established to honor the memory of Lt. Col. Robert J. Lahm, who served as Charleston MOAA Chapter Secretary January 1997 to April 2003. Lahm made many significant contributions to both the community and to the chapter.</p>
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<p>The award recognizes the efforts of an individual who provides outstanding service to the Charleston community (and military members and veterans) and the Charleston MOAA Chapter. Dandridge is the first person to win this award twice.</p>
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<p>Dandridge is a distinguished and decorated Vietnam War veteran, a past police officer, a past Veterans Service Officer, the Fisher House Charleston Goodwill Ambassador, a dedicated supporter of all veterans and the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, and a tireless workers taking care of the patients there. He was instrumental in getting the Fisher House constructed in Charleston. This facility offers assistance and free lodging to those families, who have patients in the VA Hospital and who are not from this local area.</p>
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<p>As the CEO, Editor and Senior Writer with Tigers, Vikings and Vipers Publishing, LLC, Dandridge has written a book, Blades of Thunder (Book One), which has raised more than $70,000 for Fisher House Charleston. He also writes a weekly column for The Island News on veterans’ benefits.</p>
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<p>He also is past president of the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA), Charleston Chapter and is currently the Vice President for Veterans Affairs supporting local military men and women.</p>
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<p>Because of COVID, Dandridge was not able to attend the luncheon presentation; therefore, he received the award on Wednesday, Feb. 9. The award was presented by Charleston MOAA Chapter President Brig. Gen. Ernest D. Brockman, Jr., U.S. Army (Ret.) at his residence.</p>
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