HAMLET — Four local veterans each received a special “thank you” for their service to the country during a Quilts of Valor ceremony Wednesday at the Hamlet Senior Center.
“The time and talent and love that goes into each and every quilt is shown,” said Senior Center Director Amanda Kempen.”These quilts represent something much greater than a fabric … they are a tangible reminder to our veterans that their service has not been forgotten.
This year’s recipients were Carlton Hawkins, James Francis, Charles “Tommy” Mercer and Larry Jones.
Hawkins, who has been heavily involved with American Legion Post 147 in Rockingham, served in the U.S. Navy from 1965-1969. After training in San Diego, Hawkins was deployed to Vietnam, where he was a storekeeper in DaNang and Chu Lai. He later served aboard the USS Altair, a supply ship serving European bases, in Norfolk, Virginia.
Francis joined the Army in 1959, training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Fort Benning, Georgia. He spent time at Fort Dix, New Jersey before being sent to Nuremberg as a water purification specialist until 1966. The following year, Francis was called back to serve as a cook for the 391st Engineers, 3rd Armored Division at Fort Benning.
Jones served two years in the Army, 1969-1971, and was a missile crewman in Baumholder, Germany.
Mercer had the longest enlistment time, joining the National Guard in 1962, transferring to the Army Reserves and going to Army Intelligence School. He retired as a sergeant major in 2002.
Each veteran was draped with a quilt, following the reading of a short biography, by members of the Sandhills Quilters Guild.
Sgt. Maj. Peter Leyden was on the list to receive a quilt, but is currently on active duty with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Texas. Leyden’s quilt will be presented when he returns home.
According to the Quilts of Valor Foundation, more than 450,000 quilts have been awarded since 2003.
The ceremony also included a presentation of the colors by the Richmond Senior High School Army JROTC Raider Battalion color guard, the singing of the national anthem by Boston C, and the reading of a poem by County Commissioner and VFW Post 4203 Auxiliary member Robin Roberts.
The Senior Center also recognized the passing of former members of the United Veterans Club, Benjamin “Ben” Pate and George Liles, by presenting their photos to family members. Pate passed away on Sept. 26 and Liles on July 14.
“I want every veteran in this room to know how much you mean to us,” Kempen said. “Your service mattered. It mattered then, it matters today, and it will always matter.”
