Hundreds of Bay Area residents celebrated Independence Day remembering and thanking a group of veterans who served their country during the war. Seven veterans who live at Stoneridge Creek received handmade quilts created by their neighbors and local charitable organization Amador Valley Quilters.
The Quilts of Valor ceremony began at Stoneridge Creek in 2015. Since that time, residents have created dozens of quilts to honor veterans and their neighbors who served during World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and as career officers in the Armed Forces. This year, in a special ceremony on July 4, they honored seven veterans: Sherman Gee, U.S. Air Force, Cold War, 1966-1969; Wayne Hamer, U.S. Army, Cold War, 1962-1983; Ed Koschmann, U.S. Navy, Vietnam War, 1962-1969; Frank L’Engle, U.S. Army, Vietnam War, 1968-1970; Bill Peterson, U.S. Army, Korean War, 1952-1954; Gary Templin, U.S. Army, Vietnam War, 1961-1963; and Hal Turk, U.S. Army, Korean War, 1954-1956.
“It went beautifully,” resident and organizer of the event Kate Kelly told The Independent. “It was under a big tent, and it had a great nostalgic Fourth of July feel … it was moving and memorable.”
Helping to present the quilts were widows of veterans who were not recognized last year due to the pandemic. Family and friends were also in attendance for the heartwarming and emotional ceremony.
“Something like (the ceremony) brings back a lot of memories, including some of the rough ones and some of the more pleasurable ones,” said resident and Korean War veteran, Bill Peterson. “It really meant a lot.”
You can read more about the ceremony in The Independent.