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We stand in for our local veterans who served our Country in their action and commitment to preserve America's way of life, in the protection against those who seek to harm and destroy that life and the preservation of our freedom and liberty. From left is Richard Lyden (Captain), Roger Hill, Jim Herres, Wayne Slaybaugh, Rich Slaybaugh Jem Cochran, Jamie Flerching and Kyle Flerchinger. Not pictured is Eric Wommack (presented November 8) and James Harris (presented November 13).
Roger Hill–U.S. Air Force 1967–1971– He joined the Air Force in 1967 until 1971 and spent 18 months in Panama. His Quilt of Valor was pieced, quilted and bound by Alice Gwinn.
James A. Harris–U.S. Army 199–1996. He received his Quilt of Valor on November 13, 2019. It was pieced by the Holy Rosary Altar Society ladies in Pomeroy, quilted and bound by Alice Gwinn.
Eric Wommack– U.S. Army 1980–92–Reserves 2001–2013. He was in active duty and reserves for 24 years. He was awarded his quilt by Alice Gwinn on November 8, 2019. It was pieced by Deb Waldner, quilted by Alice Gwinn and bound by Cindy Klaveano.
Wayne Slaybaugh–U.S. Navy 1955–1963. He joined the Navy in 1955 where he performed his duty in the Naval Squadron for eight years. Pieced, quilted and bound by Alice Gwinn.
Wayne Slaybaugh–U.S. Navy 1955–1963. He joined the Navy in 1955 where he performed his duty in the Naval Squadron for eight years. Pieced, quilted and bound by Alice Gwinn.
Jamie Flerchinger–U.S. Marine Corps 2005–2009– Her Quilt of Valor was pieced by LCQOV, Cindy Klaveano, quilted and bound by Alice Gwinn.
Richard Slaybaugh–U.S. Navy 1966–1972–Rich enlisted in the Navy in 1966. He served 18 months in the Philippines then in South Vietnam. He returned to San Francisco serving two more years in the reserves. He was discharged in 1972. The Quilt of Valor was pieced and bound by his wife, Corky Slaybaugh. Quilted by Alice Gwinn.
James D. Herres–US Navy 1964–1968–He enlisted in 1963 and spent his time tracking flights coming into the United States from the North Atlantic. He was transferred to Londonderry, North Ireland where he finished his tour of duty there on December 1968. The Quilt of Valor was pieced by the Holy Rosary Altar Society, quilted and bound by Alice Gwinn.
By Charlotte Baker
POMEROY–The annual Veteran's Program recognizing local active and retired military personnel for their service, was held at the High School Gymnasium last Tuesday, November 12.
The program opened with the flag salute and a mini concert of patriotic songs performed by K-2 students. It was followed by the Quilt of Valor ceremony and a slide show of service men and women residing in the Garfield County area.
Superintendent Rachel Gwinn introduced Alice Gwinn as the Master of Ceremony for the Quilts of Valor presentation.
To begin the ceremony, Gwinn shared a most profound piece in dedication to the service men and women of World War II still living, with a quote taken from a book written by one of the last survivors of Pearl Harbor, Seaman First Class Donald Stratton, (Ken Gire) entitled "All the Gallant Men."
"In his book, he tells of a wallet that President Roosevelt's wife, Eleanor, carried with her," said Gwinn. "Inside the wallet was a piece of folded up paper with a poem written on it."
Lest I Continue
My complacent way,
Help me to remember that somewhere,
Somehow out there,
A man died for me today.
As long as there be war,
I must answer,
Am I worth dying for?
"She kept that poem in her wallet for the rest of her life and the poem is displayed near the Arizona Memorial inscribed on a metal plaque there," Gwinn continued.
Students, local community members and visitors watched as eight Quilts of Valor were presented to local service men and women by Quilts of Valor Foundation Kelly McKeehan, Master of Ceremony Alice Gwinn and Cindy Klaveano.
The story how the Quilts of Valor was formed, Gwinn told how one mother made a quilt to comfort her son who had returned from Iraq. That compassionate gesture honoring her son, spurred the tradition of giving a quilt to each veteran and the rise of the Quilts of Valor Foundation.
Since then, many men and women used their sewing skills to respectfully and with dedication of honoring each veteran for their service with a Quilt of Valor. As of the program date, the foundation has awarded over 234,000 quilts; and still counting.
"Each Quilt of Valor is a single, lifetime award," said Gwinn. "It may be fashioned by only one or two individuals, or through the combined efforts of many men and women of all skill levels. As we sew, we believe love, caring and gratitude flow from our hearts and through our hands into the developing quilt."
The quilts were pieced, quilted, bound and donated by local community members and organizations Alice Gwinn, Cindy Klaveano, Corky Slaybaugh, Deb Waldher, LCQQUOV and Holy Rosary Altar Society.
Welcome Home, Soldier.
