By Matt de Simone
Quilts of Valor presented 13 veterans with special handmade quilts to honor their military service last Saturday morning at the Botetourt Event Center in Buchanan. Bill Price, co-founder of Sirens & Salutes, gave opening remarks thanking the guests for attending, the Quilts of Valor organization, and the veterans for their service.
Christina Bradley, a member of Quilts of Valor, gave a special thank you for Sirens & Salutes submitting the nominations before introducing this year’s quilt recipients. The Quilts of Valor organization makes quilts and donates them to people who have a tie to the military and have been nominated for consideration.
This year’s recipients are:
Michelle Bergman served in the United States Coast Guard from 1999-2005 as Petty Officer (E5). She was stationed in Wilmington, N.C., and Morehead City, N.C. She worked as a Marine Science Technician and was responsible for oil spill containment, container inspections, foreign freight ship inspections, waterfront facilities inspections with the environmental division of the Coast Guard. She received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Medal, Meritorious Team Medal, Unit Accommodation with Gold Star, Commandant Letter of Commendation with Gold Star, and Marine Safety Insignia.
Carol Boblett served in the United States Army from 1963-1966. He was stationed in Germany. He received the European Occupation Medal.
Chris Carr served in the United States Marine Corps from 1974-1976 as PFC. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton and San Francisco and worked in communication bunkers as a Communications Specialist. He received the Sharp Shooters Medal.
Shane Cole served in the United States Navy from 1993-1997 as E3. He was stationed at the Naval Air Station Oceania, Orlando, Fla., and USS George Washington 143rd Fighter Squadron (Puking Dogs). He worked as an Aviation Machinist Mate Airman and completed sea service deployments. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Bronze Star, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and Battle E Ribbon.
Howard Cote served in the United States Navy from 1965-1968 as Petty Officer Second Class. He was stationed in Vietnam, Gai (located in central Vietnam), Laos, and San Diego. His military occupation specialty was Electronics Technician. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam totaling 22 months. He participated in several missions as a Navy Seal in Vietnam and Laos where he was wounded in action. Following discharge, he was the first Vietnam veteran to join VFW Post 8849 in Maryland and is a member of the American Legion. He received the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Cross, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, and US Navy Seal Badge (Seal Trident).
Maurice Lucas served in the United States Air Force from 1962-1966 as Airman Second Class. He was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas; Lowery Air Force Base; Seymore Johnson Air Force Base, Goldsboro, N.C.; Adina, Turkey, and Incirlik Air Base (during Vietnam). He worked as a Flightman Weapons Control Tech Mission Systems Rockets, Electronics Tech, and Armament Tech. He maintained sight system radar with a tactical fighter wing on aircrafts that had been designed during the Cold War that had internal bomb bays that could carry nuclear weapons. He received the National Defense Service Medal.
William Moskowitz served in the United States Army from 1960-1963 as Sergeant. He was stationed in Vietnam, Fort Dix, N.J., Aberdene Proving Grounds, Crailsheim, Germany, Magee Barracks, and San Diego. He worked as an Infantryman and was a scout sniper with the 4th Infantry Division in Pleiku, Vietnam. He received the Expert Marksmanship Badge, National Defense Service Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal.
David Palmer served in the United States Marine Corps from 1968-1972 as Sergeant, Specialty was O3-31 Machine Gunner. He was participated in patrols while stationed in Vietnam. He was also stationed at Marine Barricks 8 and I Street SE, Washington, D.C. He was also Military Police and on Honor Guard stationed at Naval Yard, Blair House, and White House, as well as Arlington National Cemetery. He received Vietnam Service Medal with 2 devices, National Defense Service medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and Good Conduct Medal, and Meritorious Unit Citation.
Arthur Price Simpson served in the United States Army from 1959-1962. He was stationed in Japan and was transferred to Airborne. He drove a tractor-trailer carrying equipment and supplies to put in planes for drop-off.
Dennis Stack served in the United States Navy from 1989-1992 as E4. He was stationed in San Diego, Calif., Bremerton, Wash., and Guam. He worked as a Radioman at a relay station receiving and transmitting messages to various places around the world. He received the National Defense Service Medal.
Scott Stevens served in the United States Army from 1990-1993 as Specialist. He was stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Homer Warden served in the United States Army from 1965-1967 as Spec 4. He was stationed in Vietnam, Fort Jackson, S.C., Fort Gordon, Ga., and Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He worked as a Combat Engineer and was a truck driver with a panel bridge company. He was a launch bridge operator in a combat theatre. He was in a hostile fire area that received heavy fire where his unit lost several members during his service in Vietnam. He received the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Service Stars, National Defense Service Medal, and Sharp Shooter Medal.
David Wright served in the United States Coast Guard from 1971-1976 as PFC. He was stationed in New York City, Oregon Coast, Seattle, Wash., and San Franscisco. He was a Telephone Technician Second Class who worked on Telephone Carrier Gear, spliced submarine cable, and had to retrieve and repair cable from beneath Japanese Lumber Ships. He was the youngest Telephone Tech Second Class in the Coast Guard. He also played in the Coast Guard Band at Governs Island and Lincoln Center, Battery Park and Band Bowl. He received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct medal.
For more information about Quilts of Valor, please visit www.qovf.org.
