Veterans receive Quilts of Valor

COLFAX – Four men were recognized for the service to the country by receiving Quilts of Valor.

The handmade quilts were present to them at the Unitec Methodist Church during a ceremony on Dec. 8, according to Diana King.

Veterans P. Milton Aldrich, Gordon Forgey, Robert "Bob" McGinity, and Frank Watson were the honored servicemen.

Aldrich served from 1966 to 1969 as a sergeant in the Army. He went to Vietnam and was a heavy equipment mechanic with the Rhome Plow Cres, who made the base camps. Aldrich was trained at Fort Belvoir in Virginia then transferred to Fort Irwin in Barstow, Calif.

Forgey served from 1968 to 1970 in the Army. He was an infantry sergeant and went to Vietnam. Forgery was wounded twice and received two Purple Hearts.

McGinity served from 1969 to 1972 in the Army as a combat medic. He was a sergeant and received basic training at Ft. Lewis. He served in El Paso, San Antonio, and San Francisco before being transferred to Vietnam.

Watson served from 1960 to 1986 in the Army and Air Force. He was an aviator and served in Vietnam. Watson was stationed in Omaha twice, California, Fairchild AFB twice, and retired in North Dakota as a colonel and base commander.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation has provided 291,505 quilts since the program started in 2003. In November 5,327 quilts were awarded across the country.

A Quilt of Valor "is awarded to a service member or veteran who has been touched by war. The quilt says unequivocally, 'Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation.'"