Local veterans receive quilts at Payette event


It was an evening dedicated to recognizing veterans of World War II and the Vietnam War at the Hideaway Restaurant in Payette. Judy Carothers, with Operation Quilts/America’s Mothers presented six veterans with the special blankets. From left, Fred Thiel (Washington), Edward Woods (Weiser), Chuck Woods (Weiser) Dennis Coon (Weiser) and Larry Lundin (Midvale). Another member of the Navy currently on active duty also received a quilt. Photo by Steve Lyon
By: 
Steve Lyon
Six veterans were paid tribute for their military service, including two World War II veterans, with honor quilts at an event held at the Hideaway restaurant in Payette on Sept. 20.
 The quilts were presented to five veterans, including a Weiser resident and a Midvale resident, and one active duty member of the U.S. Navy, who is currently serving in Guam and was unable to attend the event. 
 Following dinner, the quilts were presented to each veteran by Judy Carothers, who coordinates Operation Quilts/America’s Mothers, an organization that has been making the quilts since Sept. 12, 2001. Family members turned out in large numbers for the presentation. 
 “I have never had the honor of being in the presence of two World War II veterans from the same family,” she said.
 Carothers said she personalizes the blankets if she has information on a veteran’s military service. A Navy veteran might get a quilt with a ship embrodiered on it. She is one of three women who make the quilts. The other two are Rose Coates of Payette and Diana Holbrooke, of Nampa. Every quilt they make is unique.
 The veterans included Edward Woods of Weiser, who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1946 to 1949. Fred Thiel, of Kennewick, Wash., served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1947. Larry Lundin, of Midvale, is a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1966 to 1972. 
 Another Vietnam veteran, Chuck Woods, served in the Marine Corps from 1969 to 1971. Dennis Coon served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1970. 
 Another quilt recipient, Gregory Woods, is on active duty with the U.S. Navy in Guam and could not be at the event. He is the son of veteran Chuck Woods and the grandson of World War II veteran Fred Thiel. In the Woods family, there are three generations that have served in the military.
 The evening ended with poem tributes to veterans and the playing of Taps.
 For more information about the organization or to make a donation, call Carothers at (541) 216-1872.

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Signal American

18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

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