The Local Source for News and Information Since 1980
Members of the Heartland Quilt Guild and Fiber Arts Center of the Eastern Shore gathered with veterans and their families for a special Quilts of Valor presentation Nov. 7 at Choptank Electric Cooperative’s community meeting room in Denton. Scout Troop 165 kicked off the ceremony with the Presentation of the Colors and Pledge of Allegiance.
Guild member Mary Kokoszka, herself a veteran, welcomed everyone and spoke briefly about the Quilts of Valor Foundation and Heartland before introducing the honorees.
“The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover our service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor,” Kokoszka said.
Honorees included A1C Linda Hargett, US Air Force, nominated by Sharon Noone; Sgt. Gregory Manning, US Marine Corps, nominated by Diana Oburgh; Lt. Col. Donald Reynolds, US Army and Army National Guard, nominated by Kay Butler; and Lt. Col. Anne Theriault, US Army, nominated by Sally Noone.
Kokoska read a biography of each recipient as members presented them with their quilts.
A1C Linda Hargett
Hargett served in the Air Force from 1969-1970, during the Vietnam War. She was assigned to the Air Force Communications Center at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., where her primary responsibilities included encrypting top secret messages to send, decrypting top secret messages received, and classified message courier duty. Hargett also operated the Univac Set 8 computer system and wired computer control boards.
Sgt. Gregory Manning
Manning served in the Marine Corps from 1970-1974, during the Vietnam War, and the reserve force from 1974-1976. An explosives expert, Manning was charged with arming weapons for deployment against enemy forces and demolition of captured enemy munitions. He also patrolled the base perimeter outside the wire and stood guard duty inside the wire. Manning was one of the last 500 Marines serving up to the Paris Peace Accords signed on Jan. 27, 1973. He received numerous awards and decorations.
Lt. Col. Donald Reynolds
Reynolds served in the Virginia Army National Guard as an enlisted soldier from 1968-1974. Then he served from 1982-2008 as chaplain in both the Maryland Army National Guard and US Army. As a chaplain, he was assigned to and deployed with the 115th Military Police Battalion Headquarters unit of the MD Army National Guard, providing humanitarian support, prayer support and counseling. They provided a protection force at the Pentagon following 9/11. They deployed to Ft. Stewart, Ga., during Operation Noble Eagle. Reynolds deployed to Guantanamo Bay during Operation Enduring Freedom, where enemy prisoners of war from Afghanistan were received, and to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After the Battle of Bagdad, his unit was tasked to secure about 600 former regime leaders serving under Saddam Hussein. In August 2005, while serving as Deputy Joint Forces Chaplain, Reynolds deployed to New Orleans in response to Hurricane Katrina. He received many decorations for his service.
Lt. Col. Anne Theriault
Theriault served in the US Army, both active and reserves, for 39 years. She was deployed to combat zones four times: twice to Iraq, once to Afghanistan, and once to Bosnia. Her military career in civil affairs focused around building stability, enabling local governments, and improving the quality of life in war torn nations. After completing her active duty, Theriault was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive form of bladder cancer. Doctors believe her exposure to uranium, petroleum, and many toxic chemicals in combat zones where she deployed may have led to the cancer, but her application for disability benefits was denied because bladder cancer isn’t recognized in the PACT Act. She continues to fight for benefits for herself and others.
Heartland members Sharon Noone and Ellen Malenfant chaired the committee that collected donated items making the Quilts of Valor and oversaw the organization and completion of each quilt.
