THE ASSASSINATION of President John F. Kennedy changed the trajectory of young Malcolm Cherry’s life. As the events unfolded, Cherry watched our nation mourn. He’d planned to be a welder, fabricator, or machinist but chose to serve and protect his beloved country first. In 1969, when he was old enough to enlist, he chose the United States Marine Corps because he admired the “dress blues” uniform. “I became an infantry rifleman. When I left the Marine Corps, my rank was lance corporal. I was stationed at Parris Island/Camp Lejeune for training. Then, I went to California to prepare for Vietnam. I served 16 months overseas and in Vietnam before returning home to Camp Lejeune to finish out my tour. I received a ‘school cut’ to attend Western Kentucky University and the trade school,” said Cherry.
Three years after enlisting in the Marines, Cherry officially pledged his heart to Susan Brosche. Their marriage has now spanned 53 years, and they welcomed two sons: Bryan, a retired Marine Corps Captain, and Jason, who oversees the family business, Metals-N-More. The Cherrys also have two daughters-in-law, Lorie and Natalie, whom they especially adore because they’ve given them seven grandchildren.
After serving in the Marine Corps, Cherry worked for Chrysler and then started American Machine and Welding, which he ran for 27 years until he sold it in 2005. Before the ink dried on the deed of sale, he opened their current business.
When Cherry takes on something new, he jumps in with boots on the ground, displaying the Marine Corps motto “Semper Fi,” which translates from Latin to “always faithful.”
“As former military [personnel], our veterans, both past and present, impact our community. To this day, we are still upholding our oath of service by believing in and supporting the Constitution of the United States.”
Cherry has been involved at Post 23 of the American Legion for 30 years. He served as the vice president for eight years before moving into his current position as commander eight years ago. During his tenure, the post has soared to being recognized as the second largest in the state. In fact, since 2018, Post 23 has contributed over $2 million in community support and, in 2023 alone, provided close to $60,000 to local charitable organizations.
Cherry is also a founding member of the local Marine Corps League, which oversees the annual Marine Toys for Tots drive. What started 20 years ago as a push to collect toys for 200 underprivileged children swelled under his leadership and that of the other Marine Corps League members to include 17 counties and an astounding 20,000 children last year. Along with the American Legion, he’s also a member of AMVETS and a life member and officer of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
“My most significant accomplishment has been organizing and facilitating all of the veteran service groups coming together under the same roof with a combined mission of serving veterans, community, and children.”
The American Legion joined forces with Marine Toys for Tots and launched a separate program that provides veterans with essentials such as shampoo, body wash, and clothing. Residents of 15 nursing homes in the seven surrounding counties will also be provided baby dolls, puzzles, games, books, shampoo, body wash, and other needed items. Donations can be dropped off at Metals-N-More.
They are also making gigantic strides with homeless veterans through the Good Deeds Club initiative, which secures housing and household items. Through grants and private donations, they purchased a box trailer to help veterans move their belongings into their new homes and a nine-passenger van to shuttle them to doctors’ appointments. The Kentucky Veterans Brigade program allows veterans to walk in, take a hot shower, receive food, clean clothes, hygiene supplies, and financial help through the Veterans Alliance Center.
Alongside his fellow veterans, Cherry continues to forge a legacy of giving, proving that the spirit of the Marine Corps extends far beyond the battlefield to the very heart of American life.
“As a lifelong resident of Bowling Green, this is the greatest place to exist. No matter the cause, there are always concerned citizens who donate time, resources, and money to assist those in need. I’d like to encourage anyone considering enlisting in the military to do it! The military builds character [and] instills honor, courage, and commitment. I wholeheartedly believe [in honoring] my God, my family, and my country, [having] the courage to do what is right, and [being] committed to [seeing] it all through.” GN
