Vets receive Quilts of Valor in Spring Mills ceremony

SPRING MILLS — On Nov. 13, four military veterans from the Penns Valley area were awarded Quilts of Valor by the local chapter of the Quilts of Valor organization. Two pairs of fathers and sons, all named Royer, received their quilts in a ceremony at Salem United Church of Christ near Spring Mills.

Carl Wendell Royer and his son Shane, as well as Kenneth Royer and his son Dennis, were presented with their quilts by Carolyn Foust and Nancy Wagner, representatives of Happy Valley Quilts of Valor.

Carl Wendell Royer entered the U.S. Air Force in January 1951 and served as an aircraft mechanic. In 1952, he was deployed to the Korean conflict and served there for one year. He was discharged in 1954, and joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 1955. Carl Royer served a total of 30 years, retiring in 1981. He was awarded numerous medals during his service, including the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars. At the Quilts of Valor ceremony, he was presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal, which has been belatedly awarded to American soldiers by the South Korean government.

Royer’s son Shane joined the military in November 1982 as a motor transport operator, serving with various Army Reserve units in this area, one being the 484th Service Company in Lewistown, where he was deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm.

Shane Royer also served with the 629th Transportation Company in Clearfield, where he was deployed in 2003 and 2004 in support of Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom. Royer retired in 2004 with 22 years of service. He was awarded 16 different medals during his service.

Lt. Col. Kenneth Royer entered the Air Force cadet program in April 1953. He was ordered to active duty as a commissioned officer in 1954, and served until his retirement in 1973. He served 18 months in Vietnam in support of the Vietnam conflict. During his tenure of service, he was awarded nine medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Maj. Dennis Royer, Kenneth Royer’s son, joined the Air Force in August 1979 and served on active duty until his retirement in August 1999. He had served as a command and control officer and air battlement adjutant, as well as a member of the Space and Missile Operations Air Missile Combat Crew. He was deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm and was awarded 13 medals.

“This quilt brings you a three-part message from our hearts,” said Wagner to the recipients.

“First, we honor your service. We honor you for leaving all you hold dear to stand in harm’s way in a time of crisis.

‘Second, we know that freedom is not free. The cost of our freedom is the dedication of lives of men and women like you. ‘Lastly, this quilt is made to comfort you and to remind you that you are forever in our thoughts and hearts.”

Each Quilt of Valor is fitted with a label with the recipient’s name, and the name of the person who made the quilt.

According to its website, Catherine Roberts began the Quilts of Valor Foundation in 2003 in Seaford, Del.  Her son’s year-long deployment to Iraq inspired her to see that returning warriors were welcomed home with the love and gratitude they deserved. She hit upon the idea that linking quilt-toppers with machine quilters in a national effort could achieve her goal of covering all returning service men and women touched by war.  These wartime quilts, called Quilts of Valor, would be a tangible reminder of America’s appreciation and gratitude.  Since 2003, QOVF has become a national grassroots community service effort, connecting the home front with warriors and veterans. More than 125,000 quilts have been awarded by the QOVF since 2003.