VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - Natalie Smith was sworn in as the First Female Commander in the 72-year history of the J.C. Williams AMVETS Post 607 in Valdosta.

Smith says she follows in her father’s footsteps, Frank Reese Jr, who is a Korean War Veteran and the First African American Commander of the American Legion in the State of Florida.

With a combination of over 50 years in Government Service, Smith proudly served in the United States Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserves, and was employed with the Department of Homeland Security, housing authorities, and retired from the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2025.

Now, Smith also serves as the First Female Commander of the First Female Provost Marshall for the AMVETS Department of Georgia. She is a Real Estate Agent with Legacy Realtors in Valdosta.

Smith said, “I remain dedicated to serving veterans, their families, and her community.”

Post 607 was chartered on October 22, 1954.

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