Supporting Veterans With Their "New Normal"
Anthony C. Aiken, Sr. is a Distinguished Military Graduate of the Tuskegee University Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He was born and attended primary and secondary schools in Charleston, South Carolina.
During his military career, he demonstrated and has been cited for outstanding service while serving in a variety of positions of increasing responsibility, all culminating in over 26 years of dynamic leadership in the fields of military sciences, and technical support services to military units all around the world. Due to his selfless commitment and his innovative management initiatives, he was widely regarded as one of the Army's Premier Military Officers. His varied military assignments have provided him with vast experiences in domestic and international military issues.
Col Aiken is a Disabled Veteran and became Legally Blind in 2011. August 2014, he attended Blind Rehab Training at the Southeaster Blind Rehab Center, Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL. March 2015, Col Aiken, with the support of his wonderful wife, Brenda, formed “Visually Impaired Veterans of America, Incorporated (VIVA, Inc.). VIVA’s mission is to assist Visually Impaired Veterans requiring funding for transportation to attend Blind Rehabilitation Training; and to purchase personal items at the hospital post exchange during their inpatient stay at the Blind Rehabilitation Center (BRC), Birmingham Veterans Administration (VA) Healthcare Facility, Birmingham, Alabama. Col Aiken is a legally blind disabled veteran.
Prior to his retirement, Col Aiken served several years in assignments at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado where he was: Senior Staff Officer, Base Realignment and Closure Office (1996 - 1998); Deputy Director, Medical Readiness Operations, of the previous Central Health Service Support Area, (1994 - 1995); and most notably Commander, U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Activity - West (1992 - 1994). Throughout his career, Col Aiken has demonstrated a personal commitment to officer professional development and has served as a personal mentor for numerous Army Staff Officers and others.
In recognition of his exceptional military service and technical accomplishments the military and the U.S. Army have bestowed upon him many awards and honors. Some of the most prestigious awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Award, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, several Army Commendation Service Awards, and others.
Col Aiken and his wife of 35 years, Brenda Gayle Rhue, of Boston, MA, have two wonderful young adults, Alleyne Renee, Kindergarten School Teacher, and Anthony, Jr., college student in Atlanta, Georgia. Col Aiken is a Life Member, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated; Member, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated; Member, City of Atlanta, Veterans Commission; Member, Birmingham Veterans Administration (VA) Advisory Board; Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2881, Marietta, Georgia; and President, Veterans Ministry, Ben Hill United Methodist Church in Southwest Atlanta, Georgia where the family are members.