October 12, 2022 (Photo Album) - The Shelby Sewcial Bee and Shelby County 4-H Heart to Hands Project presented 10 veterans with quilts during East Texas Poultry Festival activities under the big tent on Thursday, October 6, 2022, during their Quilts of Valor presentation.
Presenting the quilts were AgriLife County Extension Agent - Family and Community Health Feleshia Thompson; AgriLife District 5 Extension Program Specialist Jheri-Lynn McSwain; and Shelby Sewcial Bee representatives, Michele Clark and Margaret Smith. They each took turns introducing the quilt recipients and wrapping the veterans with a ceremonial quilts. The quilts each veteran takes home were on display during the festival.
McSwain provided additional background into the development of the Quilts of Valor program, "In 2003 a quilter named Katherine Roberts started the movement that became the Quilts of Valor when her son was deployed to Iraq. Since that time over 190,000 Quilts of Valor have been awarded across the United States. Our mission is to honor service members and veterans who have been touched by war in service with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. We will be presenting 10 quilts today which have been sponsored by the Center Noon Lion's Club and local individuals."
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Each honoree was then announced and their service was recognized. As the ceremonial quilt was placed on their shoulders, they were welcomed home and thanked for their service.
Honorees were: Sergeant Jeremy Bittick (1987-1993) (0:46 in video), Specialist Robert Hall (1968-1970) (2:23 in video), Sergeant Larry Johnson (1967-1971) (3:59 in video), Sergeant Major Robert Hughes III (1991-2018) (5:45 in video), Specialist Travis Snider (1968-1971) (7:34 in video), Specialist Kenneth Dickerson (1967-1969) (9:33 in video), Specialist Donald Moore (1988-1991) (11:17 in video), Specialist Lucky Gardner (1963-1965) (12:52 in video), Airman Apprentice Jack Adams (1956-1958) (14:33 in video), and Petty Officer Larry Jones (1965-1969) (15:57 in video).
