Colonel Joseph B. Westnedge Chapter:

The Col J B Westnedge Chapter charter was approved in September 2018 with the purpose of providing a convenient location for members in the Southwest Michigan region. Though new, the chapter has already made its presence known with activities with D.A.R. chapters, Michigan C.A.R., and Eagle Scout recognition awards. Being a new organization, membership in the Westnedge Chapter provides a unique opportunity to find and promote worthwhile service projects. Regular meetings are scheduled on the first Tuesday evenings or first Saturday afternoons at locations in our area. Chapter general membership meetings are typically held at the Big T Restaurant in Lawton and generally have a guest speaker at these general membership meetings. Members have made a commitment that each meeting will provide some type of educational or enrichment experience to promote understanding of American history.

Joseph B Westnedge was born in 1872. He attended Kalamazoo College where, as the star halfback, he led the football team to an undefeated season in 1895. He spent many years in the military, rising to the ranks of Colonel. He passed away in 1918 in a hospital in France, just after WWI ended. He had a reputation for being in the front lines himself, scouting out the enemy positions, and it said if rations were low he wouldn’t eat, he would suffer same deprivations as common soldier. This really endeared him to his men. West Street in Kalamazoo was renamed Westnedge Avenue as a tribute to this area's fallen hero.

Stephen Wales II has a long history of volunteering with many organizations outside of his work.