Major General Donald E. Edwards died peacefully on Aug. 16 in South Bristol. He was born on June 15, 1937 in Bellows Falls, Vt. to Ralph and Anne Edwards.
Don attended Vermont Academy, Norwich University, University of Tennessee, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army War College and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany, England and in Vietnam. After service in the Army Reserve, he was elected Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard in 1981. For 16 years he commanded the Army and Air National Guard. Between leaving active duty in 1971, and being elected to the Adjutant General position in 1981, Edwards was a Vermont legislator and Congressional staff member to Senator Bernie Sanders.
After serving as the Vermont Adjutant General for 16 years, Edwards was a news commentator and executive vice president of an information technology company. He retired in 2008. Gen. Edwards was elected president of the United States Adjutants General Association, and vice president of the National Guard Association of the United States. He was an honorary member of the Norwich University Board of Fellows and served as chairman of their board.
Edwards was a decorated veteran, receiving the Bronze Star medal, the Meritorious Service medal, and the nation’s highest peacetime honor, the Legion of Merit. Edwards loved his country and felt national service was an honor and a privilege. He believed war was “not a football game. War is not a tool of foreign policy, it’s an absolute failure of foreign policy.”
In retirement, Edwards was an avid gardener. A life-long sports enthusiast, he enjoyed cheering on the Red Sox and Bruins and any team his children or grandchildren played on. He loved the community of South Bristol and felt very fortunate to live in such a beautiful place.
He is the brother of Jane Edwards; father of William Edwards (Julie) of South Burlington, Vt., Edmund Edwards (Kirsti) of Bennington, Vt.; and grandfather of Lillie, Emmett, Annie, and Mai-Liis. Don leaves his beloved wife, Sue; and step-children, Elijah (Tram), Josiah (Cris), Ariadne (Alex), and Nathaniel (Maple).
A private service will be held in South Bristol.
In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the Disabled American Veterans organization.
Condolences, and messages for his family, may be expressed by visiting StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
