During a special presentation prior to the Saturday evening show at Jerry Presley’s God & Country Theatre on August 17, several area veterans were awarded a Quilt of Valor by area quilting group, Quilts of Valor of the Ozarks. Nine of those honored also received a Vietnam Veteran recognition certificate pin, designed as a special recognition acknowledging the lack of support or open hostility many Vietnam veterans experienced upon returning home.
The following veterans were each awarded a unique handmade quilt:
· Tony Callaway, Air Force, 1974-1984, served as a parachute rigger in Vietnam Era.
· Jay Daversa, 6th Army Band, 1962-65, performed USO tours and is now the trumpet player at Presley's Theatre.
· James Hartman, Air Force, 1967-2011, operated heavy equipment building airstrips. James retired after 38 years in the service.
· Steve House, Army, 1967-1969, served as a communications specialist in Vietnam and received Bronze Star.
· Bill Johnson, Army, 1967-1971, served in Germany with Army Security Agency.
· Kenny Parrot, Army, 1971-1972, stationed at Long Bien, South Vietnam, as Personnel Specialist for 92nd Engineering Battalion. He now plays guitar at Presley’s Theatre.
· Gordon Reynolds, Army, 1963-1969, served at Darnell 4th Army Hospital Administration, Ft. Hood, TX.
· Gary Perkins, Air Force, 1967-1971, worked Aircraft maintenance. Gary now plays bass guitar at Presley's Theatre.
· John Wiskirchen, Air Force 1969-1973, Instructor in Protective Equipment/Life Support.
· Alex Howard, Army, 2012-2019, infantryman, served in Afghanistan. He is the grandson of recipient Tony Callaway.
Janis Reynolds, wife of Gordon Reynolds, was presented a special thank-you quilt for her service as an intensive care nurse at Darnell Army Hospital, Ft. Hood, where the couple met. Although not an Army veteran, Janis and many other dedicated nurses deserve our thanks and honor for their part in treating injured service personnel upon their return stateside.
God & Country Theatre owner and entertainer Jerry Presley, who served in the Army from 1969 to 1971, was also awarded a Quilt of Valor during Saturday evening’s show.
As the final presentation of the evening, Jerry Presley accepted a special tribute quilt for a special veteran—Elvis Presley, who served in the Army from 1958 to 1960, fulfilling a regular military enlistment rather than opting for a “special services” assignment as an entertainer. It seemed very fitting for this presentation to be included in Jerry’s tribute to his famous cousin’s “Aloha from Hawaii” concert.
Learn more about Jerry Presley’s great tribute shows in this week’s Globe feature article or at https://godandcountrytheaters.com.
If you or someone you know is an honorably discharged U.S. military veteran and has not been honored with a quilt, visit the Quilts of Valor of the Ozarks page on Facebook for information on nominations as well as how to get involved as a volunteer.
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