Yves-Rose “Rosie” Edwards has been a dedicated advocate for both able bodied and disabled veterans for more than 15 years. Her commitment to veteran support has included active involvement with numerous organizations, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), and AMVETS. 

Throughout her advocacy work, Rosie has supported veterans and their families through outreach, coordination, and hands on assistance. During her husband Arturo J. Edwards’ participation with Honor Flight Long Island, she played an instrumental role in coordinating the reception and homecoming of veterans returning from visits to Washington, D.C., ensuring they were welcomed with the respect and appreciation they deserved. As Treasurer and Secretary, Rosie brings compassion, organization, and a deep personal commitment to the mission of supporting veterans. Her work reflects a belief that honoring service extends beyond words and must be carried out through consistent action and care.

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He served a total of 18 years in the United States Army, including 2 years of active duty and 16 years in the United States Army Reserve. During one of the most turbulent periods in American history, Staff Sergeant Edwards was deployed to Vietnam for 18 months, serving from May 1966 to November 1967. He considers himself deeply blessed to have returned home and to have been given the opportunity to rebuild his life through continued service, knowing that many of those he served alongside were not afforded the same chance or returned to far fewer resources and support. 

Following his military service, Arturo dedicated 20 years to the New York City Police Department, continuing his lifelong commitment to protecting and serving the public. Together, his military and law enforcement careers reflect decades of discipline, resilience, and duty to both country and community. Like many Vietnam veterans, Arturo returned to a nation unprepared to welcome him home. That reality remained largely unacknowledged for decades. On April 20, 2019, more than 50 years after his service, he was formally honored at a long overdue homecoming ceremony held at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, hosted by the Long Island Air Force Association as part of its 28th Medal Ceremony. He was one of 32 local Vietnam veterans recognized for service that had long gone underappreciated. During the ceremony, then New York State Senator John E. Brooks addressed the audience, stating that the men being honored were “heroes in every sense of the word,” who were never welcomed home as they should have been.

Later that year, Arturo’s name was unveiled alongside more than 260 fellow veterans on the Wall of Honor at Vietnam Veterans Plaza in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. In June 2022, he traveled to Washington, D.C., to pay tribute to his cousin Joseph, whose name is engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial among more than 58,000 who lost their lives in service to the nation. The trip was sponsored by Honor Flight Long Island, which had previously served World War II and Korean War veterans before expanding to include Vietnam veterans. 

In recognition of his lifelong service and leadership, Arturo was named the recipient of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award in 2023. The award honors individuals whose leadership and service reflect the principles of Dr. King. At the time, Arturo was unaware he had even been nominated, a reflection of his humility and quiet dedication to serving others. 

Further reflecting the community’s trust and respect, Arturo J. Edwards leads the Pledge of Allegiance prior to Town of Oyster Bay board meetings four times a year, a distinction customarily reserved for a selected veteran. 

Since retiring, Arturo has devoted himself fully to supporting fellow veterans across Long Island. He is an active member of AMVETS Post 21, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5942, and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 82, American Legion Post 1812, and previously served as a Town of Oyster Bay Distinguished Veteran Advocate. He regularly participates in veteran outreach, research, and educational efforts, often meeting one on one with veterans to provide guidance, connection, and understanding. He is a familiar presence at veteran events throughout Long Island, particularly during Memorial Day, Independence Day observances and Veterans Day. 

On May 27, 2024, retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Arturo J. Edwards of Farmingdale was honored as Grand Marshal of the Plainview – Old Bethpage Memorial Day Parade, a tribute to his enduring service and advocacy. 

After a lifetime spent serving others, Arturo has seen firsthand how easily veterans can be forgotten once the uniform comes off. Grateful for having made it home and for the life he was able to build afterward, he carries a deep sense of responsibility toward those who are still struggling. Since retiring, he has devoted himself to supporting fellow veterans across Long Island, remaining active in veteran organizations and present at outreach events, memorials, and community gatherings. 

This nonprofit was founded from lived experience, not theory. Arturo believes that veterans deserve more than words of thanks, they deserve dignity, continued support, and meaningful action long after their service ends. His commitment is simple and unwavering: to stand up for those who served and to ensure that no veteran is forgotten, overlooked, or left behind. 

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LCDR DeLosSantos commissioned with the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) in
June 2015 and serves as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). A true visionary, LCDR
DeLosSantos recognized the many opportunities to make a meaningful impact in both domestic
and international communities. She found a way to serve her country through the USPHS.
As an active-duty officer, LCDR DeLosSantos volunteers in communities across the United
States, reaching underserved populations and meeting people where they are. As an FNP, she
understands that service is not just a duty—but a necessity.

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US Marine Corps Veteran

Retired Federal Contracting Officer for the United States Department of the Interior. Bureau of Reclamation
and former founder of several high technology ventures where he served as a senior executive.

In 2025 Edwards was appointed as a seated Board Member to the Shriners Children Hospital Board of
Governors for the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Spokane, Washington.

The Spokane Board of Governors is the local governing body composed of Shriners from the hospital’s
jurisdiction.

Edwards’ role as a member of the Board of Governors is to provide local oversight and support to
the hospital.

The Board of Governors participates in hospital committees and discussions focused on the
hospital’s operations, care quality, and strategic planning.

Their involvement ensures that the hospital adheres
to its mission to provide high-quality pediatric specialty care in a compassionate, family-centered environment.

Additionally, as a member of the Board of Governors, Edwards will contribute to helping approve policies such
as the Plan for Provision of Patient Care at Spokane, collaborating with hospital leadership and other councils
to maintain and improve patient care quality and operational efficiency .

Elzy Edwards selected professional career highlights include the following:

• Reduced cost >$20M of providing an environmentally challenging fiber-optic solution that enabled Mount
  Haleakala Space Surveillance Center to communicate with the Maui High Performance Computer Center.

• Negotiated and purchased over $10M in property and assets for less than $10K after being awarded the first
  ever contract by the US Navy to purchase and operate a DoD telecom operation (Mare Island).

Elzy Edwards Professional Experience:
Contracting Officer (Warranted), US Dept of the Interior / Bureau of Reclamation/ Acquisition
Operations.

• Under a Certificate of Appointment (SF-1402) and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations
  Edwards held the authority to evaluate, negotiate, and award contracts on behalf of the US Department of the
  Interior/Bureau of Reclamation. Additionally Edwards implemented inter-agency agreements between Federal
  agencies, administered contracts by assuring compliance with the terms and conditions of awarded federal
  contracts.
  
  
• Vice President & General Manager. MJE ENTERPRISE(Tower Division)
  In equity partnership with WEST, as the Vice President & General Manager of MJE Tower Division, Edwards
  was responsible for the operations of all wireless mobile telecommunications master contracts awarded to MJE
  Enterprise. His responsibilities included sales and supervision of all field operations throughout the United
  States, obtaining and managing qualified sub-contractors, coordination of all client field operations and
  personnel.
  
  
  VP & General Manager, DISABILITY ACCESS CONSULTANTS

Edwards was responsible for the management of a growing software company, developing long-range and
annual plans, evaluation and leading its management teams. Develop financial models and oversaw the
establishment of financial reporting policies and procedures.

Founder, Executive VP, WCI LIGHTPOINT,

As a founding partner in WCI Lightpoint Edwards designed and implemented operational, administrative,
financial and sales strategies and oversaw the administrative, operational, and day-to-day general
management activities of this high tech start-up venture.

Country / General Manager, GST INTERNATIONAL JAPAN

Edwards represented GST Telecommunications US interests in Asia and held responsibility for the General
Management activities of operations in Tokyo, Japan. On behalf of GST he secured regulatory approvals and
ensured compliance with the relevant Japanese Ministries and managed strategic corporate partners in Japan
and Asia.

Co-Founder / Director, GST GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS, INC.

Edwards developed the business plan and relationship that launched GST Telecom into a contracting
relationship with the Federal Government.

He secured long-term government contracts through expedited
solutions for complex and advanced telecommunications requirements of the US Government, including the
Department of Defense, White House Communications Agency, and NASA.

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS:
CH-53A/D Mechanic / Aircrew

EDUCATION:
Former Doctoral (PhD) Candidate at Concordia University (Portland)

Former Doctoral (PhD) Candidate of Business Administration at Kaiser University
MA, Interdisciplinary Studies with Organizational Communication concentration (conferred August 2012),

Marylhurst University School of Graduate Studies, Portland, OR
BA, Interdisciplinary Studies with Forensic Psychology concentration (conferred June 2009), Marylhurst
University, Portland, OR

Professional Academic and Fraternal & Social Memberships:
Kappa Delta Pi,

International Honor Society
American Psychological Association (APA)
American Psychological – Law Society (AP-LS)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
American Legion Post 168 Amboy, Washington- Past Post Commander
Free and Accepted Mason, Washington #4 – Past Master
Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks #2589 – Exalted Ruler

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