News Release Quilts of Valor
Quilts of Valor are awarded to honor service members and veterans who have been touched by war with comforting and healing.
On June 11 Alvin Cooper, 96, and brother Bill, 85, received their quilts. The quilts honor them for leaving all they hold dear to serve their country, whether in times of crisis or peace.
Alvin was nominated by his brother Bill, who lives in North Platte. Alvin was in the Army, the Air Force and the National Guard/Reserve units from 1941-1969 serving during WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Some of his assigned duty stations were Germany, Alaska, England, Japan, South America, Korea, Vietnam and many other areas.
He was a high-speed radio operator and a waist gunner on the bomber crews serving in the 404th Bombardment Squadron. Also, as part of the 509th Air Refueling Squadron in 1959, he was assigned to the 57th Medical Detachment. Then in 1962, he was assigned to the first helicopter ambulance to go to Vietnam.
Some of the memories from service include when the B-24 was heading back to home base and the fuel was low and making it safely back; taking a long flight to a target and code and decode transmissions; debriefings after every mission; the food; writing letters to family back home; packages and letters from home; receiving the news that the war was over. He has many stories from his 26 years old serving from bombs to helicopters with many awards for his job well done.
Brother Bill was drafted in the US Army in 1952. He went to Missouri Ozarks to do basic training at Fort Leonard Wood. He spent time in England at the Army Parts Department as a stock clerk.
Bill considered himself as a regular GI Joe, but without the stocked supplies that got shipped all over to our men and women, there wouldn’t have been the support our troops have desperately needed so many times. He signed the dotted line which meant you’d give your life to protect the United States with no clue what your job would be. You are a hero.
Hermesch was assisted by Karen Schliefert to present the quilts. Marilyn McGahan, North Platte Group Leader, made Bill’s Quilt of Valor, but she was not able to attend the presentation.
When the Quilt of Valor is presented to the veteran, the service person sees the quilt first, then turned around for all to see. The quilt is folded in half and draped around the veteran’s shoulders like a cape. The quilt is closed around the chest with a squeeze and the veteran is looked in the eyes by the person draping the quilt saying “This is your Quilt of Valor quilt hug. Thank you for your service. Welcome Home.”
Bill wanted the presentation of the Quilts of Valor to Alvin and himself on June 11, as that was Alvin’s wife, Mona’s 90th birthday. Those in attendance for the presentation of the Quilts of Valor, also celebrated Mona’s birthday.