Assembly 3174 Prince William County, VA

The following biography was prepared by Fr. Richardson when he was the Honoree for a Fourth Degree Exemplification held on October 20, 2007 in Richmond, VA. Father passed to his heavenly reward in April 2008.

Captain Edward L. Richardson, Chaplain Corps, United States Navy (Retired) is a Catholic priest who entered the Chaplain Corps of the Navy during the Korean War era in 1952. In serving with the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, Father Richardson has an accumulated military record spanning 54 years in both an active duty and auxiliary status. Among his numerous citations as a chaplain, he wears both the Combat Action Ribbon and the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V.

A Catholic priest for 57 years, Father Richardson holds graduate degrees from the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC and Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana. Born and educated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his home of residence and record while on active duty has been Brigantine, New Jersey. Currently the Catholic priest for the Naval Security Group Activity, Northwest, Chesapeake, Virginia, Fr. Richardson is the proud pastor for many Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard families. These military families are the proud treasures of the armed forces of the United States. "Take very good care of the troops and crew" has been his motto.

Involved totally in community activities, Fr. Richardson is either the Chaplain, in charge of, or on the Board of Directors for some 21 organizations. He recently completed a 9-year tour as a director for the Community Services Board in Virginia Beach. Fr. Richardson says the Marines always told me “stay busy Father, it is hard to hit a moving target." A lifetime member of the Marine Corps League, Father teaches "build bridges with all people, never build fences."

As a Catholic priest and a member of the American Province of the Society of African Missions (his religious community) and a Navy Chaplain, Fr. Richardson was extremely proud and honored to have been selected as the Grand Marshall for the Veterans Day Parade in 2000 and currently has been selected as the honoree for the Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2007. He has told us "I don't feel I have performed great accomplishments in life, yet I have always been present when great achievements were accomplished."

Editor's Note: While Father's autobiography did not specify it, he was State Chaplain for the Virginia State Council for over twenty consecutive years and served as Fourth Degree District Friar for numerous years. He was Chaplain for Fr. Habets Council and Fr. Habets Assembly in Virginia Beach for more than ten years, was the Charter Chaplain of Jesus Mary and Joseph Council in Chesapeake, Virginia and would assist at any Council or Assembly in need of a Chaplain or Friar. Jesus, Mary and Joseph Council was renamed the Father Edward L. Richardson SMA Council # 11984 about a month or so after his death.

	Father Edward L. Richardson SMA Assembly #3174 • Prince William County, Virginia •
	Reverend Edward L. Richardson, SMA, Captain, USN Retired 1919-2008 The following biography was prepared by Fr. Richardson when he was the Honoree for a Fourth Degree Exemplification held on October 20, 2007 in Richmond, VA. Father passed to his heavenly reward in April 2008. Captain Edward L. Richardson, Chaplain Corps, United States Navy (Retired) is a Catholic priest who entered the Chaplain Corps of the Navy during the Korean War era in 1952. In serving with the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, Father Richardson has an accumulated military record spanning 54 years in both an active duty and auxiliary status. Among his numerous citations as a chaplain, he wears both the Combat Action Ribbon and the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V. A Catholic priest for 57 years, Father Richardson holds graduate degrees from the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC and Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana. Born and educated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his home of residence and record while on active duty has been Brigantine, New Jersey. Currently the Catholic priest for the Naval Security Group Activity, Northwest, Chesapeake, Virginia, Fr. Richardson is the proud pastor for many Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard families. These military families are the proud treasures of the armed forces of the United States. "Take very good care of the troops and crew" has been his motto. Involved totally in community activities, Fr. Richardson is either the Chaplain, in charge of, or on the Board of Directors for some 21 organizations. He recently completed a 9-year tour as a director for the Community Services Board in Virginia Beach. Fr. Richardson says the Marines always told me “stay busy Father, it is hard to hit a moving target." A lifetime member of the Marine Corps League, Father teaches "build bridges with all people, never build fences." As a Catholic priest and a member of the American Province of the Society of African Missions (his religious community) and a Navy Chaplain, Fr. Richardson was extremely proud and honored to have been selected as the Grand Marshall for the Veterans Day Parade in 2000 and currently has been selected as the honoree for the Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2007. He has told us "I don't feel I have performed great accomplishments in life, yet I have always been present when great achievements were accomplished." Oremus pro invicem! Let us pray for each other! Editor's Note: While Father's autobiography did not specify it, he was State Chaplain for the Virginia State Council for over twenty consecutive years and served as Fourth Degree District Friar for numerous years. He was Chaplain for Fr. Habets Council and Fr. Habets Assembly in Virginia Beach for more than ten years, was the Charter Chaplain of Jesus Mary and Joseph Council in Chesapeake, Virginia and would assist at any Council or Assembly in need of a Chaplain or Friar. Jesus, Mary and Joseph Council was renamed the Father Edward L. Richardson SMA Council # 11984 about a month or so after his death.

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