Month: June 2019

Local Korea and Vietnam Veterans receive Quilts of Valor

Veterans could not have asked for nicer weather than the sunny 75 degree day for their annual Bradford County Veterans Appreciation Picnic.  This picnic, which had been a tradition for years, was abandoned until three years ago when Pete Miller hired on as the new Veterans Outreach Coordinator.  Reviving the picnic was one of his goals and it was a success again this year.   Quilts of Valor volunteers took to the front of the group to award QOV’s to  Willard “ Tom “  Blackall of Monroeton, a navy veteran of the Korean War,  Wayne Gowin of Towanda, an army Vietnam Veteran, and William Snyder of Wyalusing, an army veteran of the Vietnam War. These quilts were special in that they were all made from the star blocks that were sewn and donated by the Friendship Quilters.  The group of presenters all agreed that this is such a moving and meaningful experience for everyone involved.  The presenters were joined by Tina Pickett, our state representative, who was happy to lend a hand to award quilts to these American heroes.

(Left to right) Veterans William Synder (Vietnam), Wayne Gowin (Vietnam), and  Willard “ Tom “  Blackall (Korea), await their quilts. BCQOV volunteers in background.
(left to right) BCQOV volunteers Carol Ullo, Ruth Clearwater, State Representative Tina Pickett, Sharon Sargeant, Eileen Hugo, Joan Woloshyn and Ginny Nutting pose while waiting for the ceremony.

Our next group of veterans to receive quilts will be at the Haight’s Pond VFW on July 13.  

BCQOV is Busy Finishing and Awarding Quilts

Friendship Quilters met on May 24th.  We learned a lot about batting and checked out finished QOVs which are bound and ready to award.

Speaking of awards, we have been busy awarding quilts.

On April 4, Ruth awarded three Vietnam Vets with Quilts of Valor.  State Representative Tina Pickett was on hand and awarded one of them. George Eddy, Duane Walker and George “ Rusty “ Eddy pose with their quilts. State Representative Clint Owlett and Robert De Sousa representing US Senator Pat Toomey also attended. 



Debra awards Larry Baxter with a QOV at the VFW Veteran’s Appreciation Barbecue in Troy.  Baxter is a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. 

World War II Vet recounts events of D Day 
William Cowles, chats with the Commissioners as his wife of 70 1/2  years, looks on.  Both Cowles and his wife are residents of the Personal Care Home in Sayre where they share a room.

In the background is a photo of Cowles as he was in WWII.  At 96, he is amazingly sharp and told us all that he was based in Dover, England and crossed the Engish Channel 8 times.  His anecdotes and stories of his service captivated us all.

Cowles receives the QOV and the customary hug that goes with it from Cathy Shoemaker.