PLAINS TWP. — Recently, the NEPA Quilts of Valor Chapter honored seven military veterans for their commitment to serving their country.
The event, held in the Plains Township park pavilion, was attended by family, friends, and chapter members.
Becky Orlowski, leader of the NEPA Quilt of Valor Chapter, stated that the patriotic quilts, crafted by chapter members, are a way to show gratitude and provide comfort and healing for veterans.
• Lt. Col. William D. Lewis served as an Army chaplain for 29 years and graduated from Drew University and the Army Command and General Staff College.
He served in the Army on active duty and with the Pennsylvania National Guard. Lewis’ final military position was as senior Division Chaplain of the 28th Infantry Division.
He received multiple Army Meritorious Service medals, Army Commendation medals, and the Pennsylvania Distinguished Service medal. He was also honored by the Chapel of Four Chaplains and received their Legion of Honor medal at the chapel’s national shrine in Philadelphia.
He continues to work as an Army chaplain and retired church pastor in Northeast Pennsylvania.
• Thom Morris enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1963 and received training at Parris Island, S.C., and Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Morris served as a lance corporal with the 2nd Marine Airway (Motor Transport Division) at the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C. He was stationed in Danang, Vietnam, where he refueled planes and transported pilots to their aircrafts.
He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Expert Marksmanship Medal, and multiple Vietnam medals. He was honorably discharged in 1966 and later earned a Master’s Degree of Divinity, serving as a pastor for over 40 years.
• Tom Price, Sr. joined the Marine Corps in 1952 and was chosen to join the U.S. Marine Corps Band and its Drum and Bugle Corps.
He spent two years at Camp Lejeune, N.C., traveling throughout the South with his band members for parades, concerts, and other events. He was chosen as the solo bugler to sound “Attention” at the presidential reviewing stand during a visit by President Harry S. Truman.
After being honorably discharged in 1954, he continued to play the bugle for over 70 years at memorial events.
• Bernard Witkowski was drafted in 1966 and completed basic training in Fort Jackson, SC. He then went to Fort McClelland, Ala. for advanced infantry training and later enrolled in engineering school at Fort Belvoir, Va., and post-engineering program at Fort Dix, N.J.
When the honoree arrived in Vietnam in 1968 as an Army Lieutenant, he worked as a combat engineer, platoon commander, and military advisor. He organized combat engineering tasks like setting up power lines, constructing bridges, and clearing jungles with allied militaries from the Republic of Korea, Australia, and Panama.
He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.
After returning home, he served with the local 402nd Military Police before being honorably discharged.
• In 1968, Ron Gitkos from Exeter joined the U.S. Navy. After basic training at Great Lakes, IL, he was assigned to the USS Saratoga, a naval aircraft carrier. As a Boatswain’s Mate, he was responsible for flight deck safety and equipment used to slow down incoming aircraft.
In 1972, he went to Vietnam on the Saratoga where he continued to ensure the safety of the ship’s aircrew and the ship’s hull components.
He was honored with the Battle Star for Vietnam services, Naval Expeditionary Medals, National Defense Service Medals, and other recognitions before being honorably discharged.
• Gregory Shiner from West Pittston was drafted into the U.S. Army in1968 and completed basic training in Fort Dix, NJ. He continued to Fort Polk, LA for advanced mortar training.
After training, he was assigned to Tay Ninh, Vietnam, with the 25th Infantry Division-Mortar Squadron. During his service, he traveled to Sydney, Australia and Taipei, Japan.
He was awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Badge, and Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, among others, before being honorably discharged in 1970.
• Jerry Stofko from Exeter was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1969, completing both basic and advanced infantry training at Fort Dix, NJ.
He served in the 1st Calvary Division 2/5 Bravo Company in Tay Ninh, Vietnam, where his duties included radio operator, point man, team member responsible for finding traps and ambushes, and operator of a 60-caliber machine gun.
Stofko received numerous decorations, including three Purple Heart medals, two Bronze Star medals, Air Medal for 25 combat missions, and other recognitions. He achieved the rank of Sergeant E-5 before being honorably discharged in 1971.
For more information on the local chapter, a component of the National Quilts of Valor Foundation, please email [email protected] or visit the Facebook page at Northeast PA Quilts of Valor.
PLAINS TWP. — The NEPA Quilts of Valor Chapter recently recognized seven military veterans for their commitment to serving their country.
The honoree served in the 1st Calvary Division 2/5 Bravo Company in Tay Ninh, Vietnam. While serving in the infantry, Stofko’s duties included radio operator; point man (assuming the most exposed position in a combat military formation); team member searching for booby-traps, mines and ambushes; as well as operator of a 60-caliber machine gun.
He was the recipient of 17 decorations including three Purple Heart medals, two Bronze Star medals, Air Medal for 25 combat missions and other recognitions. He attained the rank of Seargent E-5 and was honorably discharged in 1971.
For more information on the local chapter, a component of the National Quilts of Valor Foundation, email — [email protected] — or visit the chapter’s Facebook page at Northeast PA Quilts of Valor.
