Nine area veterans were presented with patriotic quilts made by the Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on Friday, Nov. 29, at the American Legion Post 180 in Great Bend. The group also held the drawing for its raffle quilt.
Wayne Ahrens
United States Army veteran Wayne Ahrens was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on November 29, 2019, at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend. Wayne served from 1952 to 1954. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and additional training as a rifleman with the artillery at Fort Sill, Okla. Wayne served in France and Germany. While in France, he became an automotive mechanic, was a chauffeur to commanding officers, and was a wrecker driver. In addition, Wayne worked as a parts man for the motor pool and as a prison escort to Mannheim Prison. The quilt top was made by Wayne’s daughter, Debbie Jones, quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Debbie Jones, Boe Levingston, Wayne Ahrens, Ralph Sunley, Amy Schartz Mellor.
Wallace Tiede
United States Navy veteran Wallace Tiede was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on November 29, 2019, at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend. Wallace served from 1961 to 1965. After completing basic training at San Diego, Calif., Wallace served aboard the USS Hancock, working in the boiler room. His duty took him to Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, and Manilla in the Philippines. The quilt top was made by Mary Ann June, quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Mary Ann June, Bob Jarmer, Wallace Tiede, Rick Munsch, Amy Schartz Mellor.
John Smith
United States Army Reserve veteran John Smith was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on November 29, 2019, at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend. John served from 1962 to 1968. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and additional training at Fort Sill, Okla., where he became an expert marksman with the M-1 rifle. In addition to Great Bend, John served in Minnesota, Kentucky and South Carolina. He was proud that the equipment was always in good shape and passed inspection. The quilt top was made by Alice Stoskopf, quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: David Krallman, Alice Stoskopf, John Smith, Amy Schartz Mellor, Chris Krueger.
Kenneth Price
United States Army veteran Kenneth Price was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on November 29, 2019, at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend. Kenneth served from 1963 to 1969. He completed basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. with Company B, 12th Battalion, Third Brigade, and then additional training in light weapons with the infantry at Fort Carson, C.O.. The quilt top was made by Mary Lou Weiser, quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Mary Lou Weiser, Darrin Munsch, Kenneth Price, Rick Munsch, Amy Schartz Mellor.
James (Jim) Stevens
United States Army veteran James (Jim) Stevens was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on November 29, 2019, at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend. Jim served from 1968 to 1971. He was trained and became an expert with the M-14 rifle and as a personnel specialist. He served as an administrative clerk in Nellingen, West Germany. The quilt top was made by Diane Schultz, quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Diane Schultz, Ralph Sunley, Jim Stevens, Amy Schartz Mellor, David Krallman.
Calvin Finn
United States Navy veteran Calvin was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on November 19, 2019, at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend. Calvin served from 1975 to 1980, completing boot camp at Great Lakes, Ill. He was trained as a hospital corpsman and served at naval stations in Kingsville, Texas, Pensacola, Fla., and Whidbey Island, Wash. Calvin also served aboard the USS Enterprise and the USS America for a Mediterranean cruise as the Squadron Corpsman. The quilt top was made by Margaret Evers, quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Margaret Evers, Darrin Munsch, Calvin Finn, Amy Schartz Mellor, Bob Jarmer.
Rex Corsair
United States Army veteran Rex Corsair was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on November 29, 2019, at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend. Rex served from 1982 to 1984, completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He was trained as a combat engineer. He received additional training at Fort Campbell, Ky., and spent six months in Honduras. They built their own living quarters and drilled water wells in two locations. Rex stated it was an experience that opened a young man’s eyes to true poverty. The quilt top was made by Phyllis Manhart, quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Phyllis Manhart, Rick Munsch, Rex Corsair, Marianne Krallman, Amy Schartz Mellor.
Todd Churchill
United States Army veteran Todd Churchill was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on November 29, 2019, at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend. Todd served from 1986 to 2008. He completed boot camp at Fort Knox, Ky. Todd was trained to operate tanks and to chauffeur the general. He was stationed in Seinfeld, Germany, Colorado Springs, Colo., and El Paso, Texas. Todd then became an army recruiter and served in Salina, Great Bend, St. Louis, Mo., and Ohio. The quilt top was made by Linda Shull, quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Amy Schartz Mellor, Boe Levingston, Linda Shull, Chris Krueger, Todd Churchill.
Rod Corsair
United States Air Force veteran Rod Corsair was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on November 19, 2019, at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend. Rod served from 1991 to 1993, completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He was also trained as a security specialist and a machine gunner. At Fort Dix, N.J., he was trained in ground defense. Rod was stationed at Warren Air Base, a strategic air command priority A nuclear ICBM base at Cheyenne, Wyo. He was then sent to Bitburg Air Base, Germany, a priority B, F-15 interception base. Rod served in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. The quilt top was made by LaWanna Krestine, quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Ralph Sunley, Rod Corsair, Amy Schartz Mellor, David Krallman.
