QUILTS OF VALOR
The Town Hall Quilters of Yates Center presented Quilts of Valor Friday to three area veterans. The quilting group is part of the national Quilts of Valor network.
Laura Sterling announced the presentation of the four quilts. Quilts of Valor started in 2003 with a mission to honor service members and veterans who have been touched by war. The quilt is an expression of gratitude meant to thank the veterans and provide comfort, Sterling said.
“We honor you for leaving your family and friends to serve and want to say thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor in service to our country,” Sterling said.
Town Hall Quilters honored four veterans: Sharon Barnhart, Paul Davis, David Fewins and Willis Wallace, who was not able to attend. Sharon Scarrow accepted the quilt for Wallace.
Here is a summary of the veterans’ military service: Sharon: Barnhart: She enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in September 1981 and served until 2007. Upon release, her rank was E5. She received many military honors, including the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Driver/ Mechanic Badge and the Overseas Service Ribbon. She served in Germany and Iraq. Barnhart was trained in teletype, as an administration specialist and as a medic. She is most proud to have served with a fine group of people who all did what was needed to protect the U.S. and keep families safe. She said she has never regretted the time she spent serving her country and thinks it is the best decision she ever made, according to information shared at the event.
Paul Davis: He was drafted into the Army in July 1968 and served until 1974. He was trained in electronic warfare and worked on computers and radar for the Dike Hercules missile system. He served honorably and received the service medal and is proud to have worked on the missile systems, according to information shared at the event.
David Fewins: He enlisted in the Air Force in September 1971 and served until 1975. He received a certificate of training for cytopathic equipment and the M-37 ASR Keying course. He was an electronic communications and crypto systems operator. He served in Germany along with bases in the U.S. He was proud to have come home alive and had a daughter born in Bitburg, Germany, according to information shared at the event.
Willis Wallace: He enlisted in the Navy in 1951 and served until 1953. Wallace was a deckhand and served in Hawaii. He was injured during repair work on the USS Philip and transferred to a hospital in the U.S. He was honorably discharged after his recovery. He is proud to have served on the USS Philip, a destroyer escort, and in the repair and rehabilitation of the ship. Wallace has served on the American Legion Honor Guard for over 10 years and over 300 funerals. He also served on the color guard for area football and baseball games.
“These veterans are a few of our local heroes. On behalf of the Quilts of Valor and the Town Hall Quilters, we say thank you again for your service and allowing us to recognize and honor you,” Sterling said.
