Members of a Fighting Unit Reunited to Achieve another Mission

In 1979, Commander-in-Chief Harold Grossman started meeting with friends from the 451st Bomber Group. They decided to become the first organized veteran group in the state of Florida by incorporating under the official name of Bomber Group 451st, Inc.

Throughout the next 10 years the group donated various items to the VA domiciliary. They aided senior citizens in the area and provided transportation for veterans to the VA hospital who didn’t have the means. The group gathered funds through bingo along with member contributions.

Members of the 451st Bomber Group, Inc. realized they could make a much larger impact on the veteran community if they opened their organization to all veterans. In 1989, Allied Veterans of the World, Inc. was born.

Commander Grossman served as International Commander of Allied Veterans of the World, Inc. & Affiliates until his death in August 2004. After his death, Allied Veterans Post No. 2, located in Commander Grossman’s hometown of St. Augustine, Fla. was renamed in his honor. The office of International Commander was retired on that day.

Currently, Johnny Duncan serves as National Commander of the Allied Veterans of the World, Inc. & Affiliates, and Jerry Bass serves as National Senior Vice Commander.