Dennis Lynn Edwards

COL DENNIS L. EDWARDS, USA (Ret.) 1940-2020. Colonel Dennis Lynn Edwards, of Burke, VA, passed away on June 30, 2020. He was 80 years old. Denny was born in Vinton, IA, on April 30, 1940, to Wendell and Helen Edwards. He entered the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant and a Distinguished Military Graduate from the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Iowa in 1964. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Transportation from the University of Iowa and Michigan State University, respectively. His military education includes Army Infantry and Transportation schools as well as Joint Staff and Logistics colleges. Denny proudly served in the Army for 26 years. Like many, his service took him far and wide and was vast and varied. He served in Vietnam as the Commander of the 57th Transportation Company, where his unit was selected as the Army's "Outstanding Transportation Unit of the Year" by the National Defense Transportation Association. He also served in Korea as the head of a special anti-black-market and theft prevention team for the Commander in Chief, US Forces Korea. Then, as Major in 1975-1979, he was assigned as the Chief of the Command and Leadership Branch of Fort Eustis, attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, and served as the Executive Officer to the J4 of the United States Readiness Command at MacDill Air Force Base. Denny was then selected for battalion command, commanding the 3rd Movements Control Region, 4th TRANSCOM in Frankfurt, Germany, and then the Assistant Chief of Staff-Transportation for the 3d SUPCOM, V U.S. Corps. While in Germany, he was active in NDTA, serving two terms as the President of the Hesse Chapter. He was also honored by the German Railway as an "Outstanding Contributor" to German-American relations. Denny served his remaining assignments in the Army with Headquarters Military Traffic Management Command in Virginia. In 1985, Denny began his tour as the Command's Inspector General. He visited and inspected all 85 of MTMC's elements and locations worldwide. His final assignment was as the CG's special representative to the USTRANSCOMS's Reorganization Task Force, a position held until his retirement in 1990. During his career, Denny earned various awards including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Army and Defense Meritorious Service Medals, and the Expert Infantrymen's Badge. After Army retirement, Denny joined the headquarters' staff of the National Defense Transportation Association in Alexandria, VA, as Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development. In this position, he managed forum logistics, exposition management, and was managing editor of the organization's magazine, the Defense Transportation Journal, as well as many special publications. One of his most cherished accomplishments was creating the A-35 Program, an initiative focused on young adult transporters and logisticians. He has been the recipient of many NDTA Awards including the DoD Distinguished Service Award and President's Award. All told, Denny was part of the association for close to 55 years, whether as a member, on staff, or later as a volunteer with his wife, Karen. His love and passion for this association ran deep. Denny married Karen Wienert of Davenport, IA, in 1964. They met in high school and attended the University of Iowa together. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary last year. Karen was the love of his life and forever will be. Together, they were the hallmarks of their family. Denny had a true zest for living and a lifetime wasn’t nearly enough for him to accomplish everything he wanted to see and do. He had never-ending interests in things such as trains, architecture, history, and travel, but at the top of the list was his devotion to family and country. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. He was a fun-loving and jovial spirit, sentimental and warm. Denny was preceded in death by his wife Karen. He is survived by his two daughters and their husbands, Laura and Scott Griffin of Lorton, VA, and Lisa and Raymond Lambert of Annandale, VA; three grandchildren, Kaylynn Lambert and Palmer and Nicholas Griffin; and brother, Craig Edwards of Manassas, VA.