First 4 Star Woman General Has Roots in My Hometown, Randolph, New York

Congratulations to Ann Dunwoody, 55, the first 4 star general in the history of the U.S. Army.

Ann's father, Harold E. Dunwoody, 89, was a brigadier general in the U.S. Army who retired to his home town of Randolph, New York in 1972. Dunwoody was severely injured in World War II, but survived and served another three decades in the U.S. Army after his injuries.

He lives in Florida today, and is understandably proud of his daughter.

Ann Dunwoody was a college student at the State University of New York in Cortland on an ROTC scholarship while I was in high school. I recall meeting her when several high school friends stopped by the Dunwoody house to talk with the retired general. Ann was friendly, straight forward, smart, and positive.

Thirty three years later, those character qualities have served her well.