Six veterans who were touched by war each received a Quilt of Valor on Saturday, March 28 at the All-Century Veterans Memorial in North Platte.

Chris Reinert conducted the ceremony with the assistance of members of the Heartland Nebraska Quilts of Valor group. 

The recipients:

Lucie Reed

Lucie served in the U.S. Marine Corps from October 1982–January 1986. She completed basic training in Paris Island, S.C. and did her specialty training at Computer Science School in Quantico, Va. Her years serving were as a 4034/Computer operator.

Lucie was deployed to Okinawa, Japan for a year and then returned to the states where she served at Cherry Point, N.C. where she remained until her discharge.

Lucie is very proud of her veteran children. Her son also served in the Marines, and her daughter graduated from the Naval Academy and served in the Air Force. Lucie’s father was a Marine and that is why she chose the Marine Corps.

Her favorite memories are of the life-long friendships made with people she was stationed with. She received a Good Conduct medal. Her quilt was pieced by Earleen McNare, and quilted by Jayne Start.

Leslie Anway

Leslie served in the U.S. Army from Feb. 22, 1969-71. He was drafted out of McPherson County and completed basic training in Fort Lewis, Wash. For advanced training he was sent to Fort Ord, Calif.

Leslie then received orders for Vietnam and was assigned to a MACV unit. He spent time in Saigon, DaNang and then was sent to Chu Lai to the 27th surgical hospital. His MOS was changed to lineman which then turned to radio operator. He called in the wounded from Medevac choppers to emergency in hospital.

Like the movie and TV show, Mash, they would run out to pad, and Leslie said he can picture it just like it was yesterday. He himself spent two weeks in the Da Nang Hospital and as he said, “I was not sure how that was going to turn out at the time.”

He said he does not remember any of the transportation to these places or even his journey home to the U.S. His quilt was made by Jill Stevenson.

Thomas Frerichs

Tom served in the U.S. Army from Feb. 15, 1966–Nov. 18, 1967. He was with the 29th Artillery Battery B Searchlight Division, which was attached to the 1st Calvary Division. He trained at Fort Sill, Okla. and deployed to Vietnam in October 1966. While there, he was assigned to perimeter protection of landing zones and firebases throughout central Vietnam. They moved by helicopter or convoys every few weeks through that area.

He was honorably discharged as Specialist E-4. Tom received an Army Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, and a Vietnam Service Medal. His quilt was pieced by Jean Huff and quilted by Nancy Hoatson.

Dennis Lombardi

Dennis served in the U..S Navy from 1966-70. He was stationed in San Diego for boot camp and then went to Balboa-San Diego Hospital Corps school. After training, Dennis left for Yokosuka, Japan and was stationed at the naval hospital there. He then deployed to naval support activity in Da Nang, Vietnam and worked six months in the orthopedic ward and six months at the hospital triage unit helping to unload injured servicemen and helped get them ready for surgery.

Dennis was honorably discharged from the Johnsville Naval Station in Johnsville, Penn. His quilt was pieced by Marge Kouba and quilted by Kathey Guggenmos.

David C. Williams

Dave volunteered for the Marine Corps on June 3, 1963. He served as a platoon guide and was promoted to Private 1st Class after boot camp. He was stationed in Iwakuni, Japan in the logistics unit. During 1964, he served in amphibious landing in Taiwan and was there until March 1965. Dave then was stationed in El Toro, Calif. for a few months.

In December 1965, Dave deployed to Da Nang, Vietnam and moved to Phu Bai with the 3rd Marine Division. He was discharged in 1966 in San Franciso, Calif. as a sergeant.

He received a Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam service medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and a National Defense Service Medal. His quilt was pieced by Kay Mussman, with the quilting and binding by Sally Ewalt.

Larry Dean Trumbull

Airman First Class Larry Dean Trumbull served in the United States Air Force from Jan. 13, 1952-Nov. 19, 1960. His service included four years of active duty followed by four years in the standby reserve.

Larry began his military career at Parks Air Force Training Center in Dublin, Calif. where he completed basic training. During this time, he witnessed testing of a nuclear bomb at the Nevada Test Range. He then pursued advanced training as an electrician. Recognized for his ability and leadership, he remained at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., serving as a technical instructor for the Joint Army/Air Force Electrical School.

Trumbull later served at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois before being stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base near Albuquerque, N.M. He spent more than 20 months stationed at Yamada Air Force Base near Mount Fuji, Japan. While in Japan, he served as the chief projectionist at the base movie theater.

During his overseas service, Larry developed strong friendships with fellow service members and had the opportunity to visit Seoul, Korea, and the Bering Sea near the northern island of Japan.

In November 1956, Larry returned home to marry Helen Wilson. He continued his service as a standby reservist, stationed in Minot, N.D., and Sioux City, Iowa, until his discharge.

Larry was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. His quilt was made by his cousin, Sandy Wyngaard, of Mountain Home, Idaho.

For more information about Quilts of Valor, check out the website www.qovf.org

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