By Eleanor Cade Busby
Harriet Hibbard, of South Bristol, and Damariscotta was awarded the quilt “Stair Steps to the Stars” for her service as a sergeant with the Army Air Corps during World War II. She is shown with quilters Betty Holzer, left, and Sheila Hall, right. (Eleanor Cade Busby photo) |
Wells-Hussey American Legion Post 42, Damariscotta, hosted the presentation of 18 “Quilts of Valor” on Sunday, April 19.
The packed hall was standing room only as family and friends joined in thanking military veterans for their service to the nation. This is the fifth year the quilts
have been made and presented in Lincoln County.
Families and friends traveled from all over the state to attend the presentation. Several families took the opportunity to use the event as a small family reunion.
The family of Donald Hasting took the opportunity to take family pictures, which inspired others to do the same.
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.
The Lincoln County Quilts of Valor effort reaches out to veterans from all areas of service. They are actively trying to locate all living Lincoln County World War
II veterans.
The Pledge of Allegiance opened the event. This year’s presentation included a talk by Christina Tosiello, executive director of the Travis Mills Foundation.
She spoke about the retreat for military families which is slated to open in Norway, Maine in 2017.
When Mills was critically injured by an improvised explosive device in 2012, the 24-year-old had a six-month-old child. During his recovery from quadruple
amputations, he realized the families and children of the wounded had no place to call their own; to just relax and enjoy one another. The foundation has purchased a huge
building which will eventually have 10 fully accessible guest suites, plus adaptive equipment to serve every kind of injured serviceperson.
Eighteen Veterans who served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Mediterranean Sea, Turkey and the Gulf Wars were honored at the presentation.
2015 Quilt of Valor recipients included Marine E-4 Chester Bailey. Bailey served in Danang Vietnam in 1970-71 as a helicopter mechanic and crew chief. His quilt,
“Stars on Parade” was quilted by Darlene Burns.
Robert Baldwin, who served in Vietnam as a paratrooper, received “Welcome Home,” quilted by Darlene Burns.
Barry A. Cheney served in the Army in the light infantry and reconaissance, with ranks of E2, E3, E4, E5 during the Vietnam War in the Quang Gnai Valley, 1967 –
1969. He received the Good Conduct, Medal Army Commendation, Vietnam service medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/ clusters and a Purple Heart. His quilt “Stars & Bars” was pieced by
Meridel Cosgrove and quilted by Linda Dranchak.
Allan Crane, Lt. Commander, Navy, served in Vietnam from 1971 to 1972. He flew electronic warfare missions in EA-6B aircraft supporting air strikes in North Vietnam
and received the Distinguished Strike Flight Air Medal w/ Combat V-8, Navy Commendation Medal w/ Combat V-5, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the National Defense Medal. His
quilt, “Stars All Around,” was quilted by Linda Dranchak.
Robert W. Cronk, Navy Seaman served in the Mediterranean Sea for two tours in 1970-1973.
His duties included striking for quartermaster third; navigation, bridge watches, ship’s driver and coxswain. He received the Defense Medal. His quilt, “Blue Stars
of Freedom,” was made by Darlene Burns.
Richard Dunphey, Navy; E6 First Class Petty Officer, served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. He designed and established field dining facilities in the DMZ and provided
armed security for surveyors and engineers. He was awarded the Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ palms & frame; Vietnam Service Medal, with two Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign medal,
Vietnam meritorious Armed Services Unit Commendation, and Third Marine Div. Letters of Commendation. His quilt, “Ship Ahoy,” was pieced by Peggy Jones and quilted by Darlene
Burns.
Gordon M. Gillies served as a Coast Guard Lieutenant in Vietnam in 1968. He was a law enforcement chief and search and rescue patrol boat officer. His awards
include the Navy Commendation with Combat V; Purple Heart; Silver Star (Maine) and Combat Action Ribbon. His quilt, “Stars & Stripes,” was quilted by Diane Dranchak.
Randall Grady, of Jefferson, and his wife posed outside the Legion Hall with his quilt, “Eagle.” “We have two sons that are very proud of their Dad and we want them to see that the uniform still fits,” he said. (Eleanor Cade Busby photo) |
Randall S. Grady, Army E-5 Medical Specialist V, served in Vietnam, 1968-1969 as a combat medic and in the Medical Evac Field Hospital; Triage Unit. His awards include
The National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm; Good Conduct
Medal; Meritorious Unit Commendation and a Sharpshooter award. His quilt, “Eagle,” was created by Darlene Burns.
Donald D. Hastings served in the Air Force as a sergeant in Vietnam in 1964. He was given the quilt “Gratitude,” made by Diane Hodgkins. (Eleanor Cade Busby photo) |
Donald D. Hastings served in the Air Force as a sergeant in Vietnam in 1964; The Morse Intercept Operator was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National
Defense Medal, and Silver Rose Medal. He was given the quilt, “Gratitude,” was made by Diane Hodgkins.
Harriet Hibbard served as a Sergeant Army Air Corps during World War II. Stationed at 105th Army HQ, Florida, she was a finance department clerk whose responsibility
it was to make sure the soldiers and families of those in the theater of war got paid on time. Her honors include the American Service Medal, several Good Conduct medals, WAAC
Service Medal, and WWII Victory Medal. Her quilt, “Stair Steps to the Stars,” was pieced by Lucilla Archer, and quilted by Teresa Moody and Marley Tillis.
Tommy (Bryan) Hodgkins served in the Air Force and Navy in the US and Turkey from 1964-1968. His duties included being a sheet metal worker in the Air Force and P-3
aircrew, and jet engine mechanic (Navy). His quilt, “Four Star Salute,” was quilted by Teresa Moody and Marley Tillis
Dennis Labbe served in the Army in Vietnam. His quilt, “Star Spangled Salute,” was quilted by Linda Dranchak and pieced by Marge Bailey.
Bruce Jones served in the Air Force as a Master Sgt. 1969 – 1970 and 1973-1974; stationed at Korat Air Force Base, Thailand, and Osan Air Force Base, Korea. He has a
total of 21 years of service in other locations; He worked in communications and missile guidance. His several medals were lost in a house fire, His quilt, “Amber Waves
of Grain,” was pieced by Peggy Jones and quilted by Darlene Burns.
Gerald Q. Miller served in the Navy as an EN-1 in Saigon, Vietnam; 1972-1973. He was Navy Fleet Command Advisor to the Vietnamese Navy. He received the
Navy Commendation Medal, Armed Forces (Vietnam) MUC, and the Gallantry Cross. His quilt, “Anchors Aweigh,” was pieced by Marie Reinhardt and quilted by Darlene Burns.
Randall A. Northrup served in the Army as a Specialist 4th class from 1968-1969 in Quy Nhon, Vietnam as a radio – teletype operator. His quilt, “Striped & Spangles,”
was pieced by Marge Bailey and quilted by Diane Hodgkins.
Daniel Pinkham served in the Navy, ranked BU3 in Vietnam, 1968-1969. His duties included construction and security. His quilt, “Stars of Freedom,” was quilted by
Alewives Quilt Shop.
Earl James Robishaw was an Army Corporal and Staff Seargent in Korea, 1951-1952 and Vietnam, 1966-1967 He served as mortar man, on search and destroy units and
secured downed helicopters. His awards include from the Korean War include the ROK Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and from the Vietnam War, the Campaign Service
Medal and Bronze Star. His quilt, “On Duty,” was quilted by Linda Dranchak.
Donna Wallace served in the Navy Coast Guard Reserve from 1972 – 2006, and the Air Force, attaining a rank of Lieutenant Colonel. She served in the Vietnam Conflict
and the Persian Gulf War as a medical service corps officer.
Wallace received 18 awards and medals for her extensive service including the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal ,
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal with one device, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass device,
Air Force: Outstanding Unit Award with three devices, Organizational Excellence Award with one device, Longevity Service Award with four devices, Recruiting Ribbon, Training
Ribbon and the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Award.
Her quilt, “Patches for Freedom,” was pieced by Betty Holzer and quilted by Quilt Divas.
The American Legion Auxiliary and the quilters provided refreshments for the guests and a 50-50 raffle was held to support the purchase of materials so the quilting
can continue.
Nationally, the all-volunteer grass-roots organization Quilts of Valor has presented over 116,152 Quilts to date. The Lincoln County Quilters have presented 100
quilts in the last five years.
The Lincoln County Quilters find eligible veterans through military affiliated channels, like the local VFW or American Legion Post, or town office, but often
through word of mouth. They are always looking for veterans to honor and are determined not to miss anyone.
For more information, to send a Veterans name or to volunteer to quilt please contact mhbailey43@aol.com.