THE CORDELIA STEEN CHAPER PRESENTS QUILTS OF VALOR TO TEN EDMOND VIETNAM WAR VETERANS

In commemoration of National Vietnam War Veterans Day, the Cordelia Steen Chapter, NSDAR, conducted a Quilts of Valor Ceremony honoring ten Edmond Veterans who served during the Vietnam War. The ceremony presentation was held on Friday afternoon, March 29th, at 2:00 pm in the fellowship hall of the Edmond Church of Christ located at 801 S. Bryant. The ceremony began with the UCO Army ROTC Color Guard posting the colors and the National Anthem sung by Keith Haygood of Edmond’s First Baptist Church. Chapter members Ruth Summar, Jan Bohannon, and Registrar Jan Beattie led the opening rituals of the Pledge of Allegiance, the Salute to the State Flag of Oklahoma, and the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States. Presiding over the quilt presentation was the Chapter’s Quilt of Valor Coordinator Sheila Everett with the assistance from Judith Turner and Patti Manna of the Quilt of Valor Foundation. Vietnam War Veterans who received a Quilt of Valor were George Abdelnour (Navy), Ret. Col. Larry Clemons (Air Force), Jack Everett (Army), Ret. Col. George Gorham (Air Force), Ronald Lloyd (Army), Dale Luton (Air Force), Ret. TSgt. Claude Miller (Air Force), Richard Plett, II (Air Force), Irving Smith (Marine Corps), and Ret. Major Gary Yust (Air Force). After the quilt presentations, members of the Chapter presented to all Vietnam Veterans and surviving spouses, a Vietnam War Commemorative pin on behalf of the United States 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Veterans Commemoration Organization of which the DAR Chapter is a commemorative partner. When presenting the Commemorative Pin, members expressed the words “on behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your service” to each veteran acknowledging their service and sacrifice. After the benediction prayer by Vice Regent Mary Poulain, a grand reception organized by chapter member Iris May was held in the veteran’s honor. It was a wonderful privilege for the Cordelia Steen Chapter to present Quilts of Valor to these amazing veterans and to recognize them as American heroes of the Vietnam War Era.

The Cordelia Steen Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-profit, non-political, volunteer women’s organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education. Any woman, 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership. For more information visit the Cordelia Steen Chapter website at: https://cordeliasteennsdar.weebly.com