Wells-Hussey American Legion Post 42, Damariscotta, hosted the presentation of 19 Quilts of Valor on Sunday, Nov. 15. The packed hall was standing room only as family and friends joined in thanking military veterans for their service to our country.
The presentation began with a moment of silence in honor of those lost to terrorism in Paris Friday night, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. “God Bless America” was sung.
The Lincoln County Quilters expressed pride in being allowed to honor local veterans with handcrafted expressions of gratitude in this 2015 Quilts of Valor presentation.
A national, all-volunteer grass-roots organization, Quilts of Valor has presented over 128,694 quilts to American veterans to date. The Lincoln County Quilters have presented over 110 quilts to local veterans over the last five years.
The Lincoln County Quilts of Valor effort reaches out to veterans from all areas of service. They are trying to locate all local World War II and Korean War veterans, as this aging population is being lost to history.
The Lincoln County Quilters find eligible veterans through military affiliated channels, like the local VFW or American Legion posts, or town office, and often through word of mouth.
To suggest a veteran for this honor, please contact Pat Johnston at pjohns@tidewater.net
The honorees and guests were treated to pastries and coffee in a reception held immediately after the presentations.
This presentation honored the following veterans:
Leigh Abbot received the quilt “Crossroad to Freedom,” quilted by Yvonne Lamereaux and Pat Johnston. Abbot served in the Navy in Vietnam in the area of the Saigon River. He ran damage control, worked in the engine rooms and participated in many MM3 naval gunfire support missions, rescuing downed pilots. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Ribbon and two bronze stars.
George Dreves was a private during WWII with the Allied troops in North Africa. He served from 1942 to 1943 and was wounded during the battle for Hill 609. He received a Purple Heart. His quilt, “Chevrons” was made by Darlene Burns and Marge Bailey.
John (Jack) Frey received the quilt “Signatures of Freedom,” made by Lincoln County Quilters and Diane Hodgkins. This quilt was pieced from signed patches, sent by many quilters around the country, and has messages embroidered on it. It was unique among the quilts presented on Sunday.
Frey was an E5 in the Army infantry in Vietnam and served in the Central Highlands in 1966 and 1967, He received the Army Commendation and Vietnam Service Medals.
Charles Hodgkins received “Three Tours,” quilted by Marie Reinhardt and Jan Frost. Hodgkins served in the Army in Vietnam 1966 to 1967. An E4, he was stationed in the Mekong Delta Region and Ho Dau Tieng where he was a truck driver in supply and transport.
Harold Hodgkins served with the Army in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. His rank was E5. He was a medical specialist. Hodgkins received “Steps to Freedom,” quilted by Carol Robbins and Diane Hodgkins.
Barry Masterson served in the Marines in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. Corporal Masterson’s duties included pacification and counter insurgence. He received three Purple Hearts, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and Civic Action Medal. Masterson received the quilt “Home and Country,” quilted by Linda Dramchak and Syd Faulkingham.
Robert O’Brien served in the Marines in Vietnam as a corporal. He was stationed on an aircraft carrier in Vietnam, Japan, Philippines and El Toro, Calif. His duties included marine aviation, servicing aircraft on and off ships.
O’Brien was in charge of squadrons moving between assignments. He received commendation of meritorious mast for outstanding achievement, and two commendations from commanding officers for jobs well done.
O’Brien received the “Stars of Freedom,” quilted by Lincoln County Quilters and Darlene Burns.
Robert Orff served with the Army in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. Attaining a rank of rank of E7, he was Operations Sergeant and part of the information synchronization group.
Orff received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal (sixth award), two O/S bars, Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze service medals with one Oak Leaf Cluster and a Meritorious Service Medal. He was given the Quilt “Army Stars,” made by Peggy Jones and Darlene Burns.
Kenneth Perry served in Vietnam in the Army 1969 to 1970. He served in Phu Loi base camp. His rank was Specialist E5 and he worked on engineer’s heavy equipment on the QL13 highway. “Flag Stars” was quilted by Betty Holtzer and Diane Dixon.
Craig Ponsant received the quilt “On Point,” made by Lincoln County Quilters and Linda F. Dramchak. Ponsant served in the Navy in Vietnam from 1965 to 1969. He was an E5 radar man and supervised radar operations.
Peter Morton served in the Army in Vietnam 1966 to 1967. He served in the Pleiku Region with the rank of E4. His Quilt “Stripes to Stars” was pieced by Marge Bailey and quilted by Linda Dramchak.
Joe Raflalowski served in the Navy in Vietnam in 1962 to 1969. He was a machinist mate first class, engineering lab tech and submarine propulsion operator. His missions remain confidential. He received good conduct medals. His quilt “At Ease” was made by Carol Robbins and Darlene Burns.
Roy Benner served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm in the Army 1974 to 1993. He served in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq plus two tours at Fort Bliss, Texas, two at Fort Riley, Kan., three tours in Germany, and one in Korea.
Benner was section sergeant in early warning and radar, crew chief Hawk missiles, SSG-E6 motor sergeant, supply sergeant and platoon sergeant, and a crew chief and instructor in the use of Hawk missiles.
Sergeant Benner’s medals include the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Army lapel button, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze stars, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, three overseas service ribbons, Meritorious Service medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal (sixth award) two Non-commissioned Officer professional development ribbons, and an expert rifleman award.
Benner, who is the Wells-Hussey Post Commander, received the quilt “Diamonds for a Hero,” was quilted by Karen Zuchowski and Yvonne Lamereaux.
William Rice served in World War II in the Navy, crossing the Atlantic 22 times. He served 1943 to 1946 on the USS Mayo in South Africa, Japan, and Europe.
Rice was a Seaman First Class on merchant ships and destroyers. His medals were American Campaign Medal, WWII medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign, and Honorable Service pin. Rice received the quilt “The Glory of the Red,” quilted by Linda Dramchak and Lincoln County Quilters.
Duane Rowell received the “Home of the Brave,” quilted by Diane Hodgkins and Shelia Hall. Rowell served in the Army in Korea from 1953 to 1954. He served in the Navy 1957 to 1961 in Panama on USS Nahoke. He received the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense medal, the Navy Good Conduct medal, and the Republic of Korea service medal.
Carroll Schroeder served with the U.S. Coast Guard in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971. Chief Warrant Officer Schroeder was a main propulsion specialist.
He received the Vietnam Camp Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, American Defense Medal and a Navy commendation with Combat V. Schroeder served on the USS Sherman which is still in service in Alaska, and received a Vietnam Service Medal last week for his service on the Sherman. His quilt is “The Patriot Sampler,” quilted by Darlene Burns and Lincoln County Quilters.
James Wade received “Long May She Wave,” quilted by Lincoln County Quilters. Wade served in the Army in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967 in Nha Trang. He was a Specialist 5 and a terrain analyst. He has an Army commendation medal.
Fred York served three tours of duty in Vietnam from 1969 to 1974. Staff Sergeant York was given the quilt “Burst of Freedom” made by Quilt Divas and Lincoln County Quilters.
John Littlefield was not present but had received his quilt earlier. Sergeant Littlefield served with the Air Force in Vietnam from 1969 to 1971. He was with the military police at Tan Son Nhut airbase.
The Lincoln County Quilters meet several times monthly to sew together, particularly over the winter months. New members are always welcome. Donations are needed of fabrics and funds for supplies.
All the quilters volunteer their time and skill. It takes an average of 60 hours to make a Quilt of Valor. Each quilt comes with a matching pillow case and commemorative patch showing the name of the piece. To volunteer contact: pjohns@tidewater.net, or any member of the Lincoln County Quilters.
