The Monday Quilters honored six veterans with beautiful quilts. From left are Edward Daoust, Bob McCall, Richard Valentini, Eugene Anderson, Ed Kawasaki and Eric Zancanella.

 

OROVILLE, CA (MPG) - Those attending the Veterans Day Musical Tribute enjoyed the Oroville Community Concert Band as they played several pieces: a somber tribute to the battle at Gettysburg, several marches and, of course, the rousing “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

Ethan Jacobsen, who narrated the music, said that marches were composed for the parades, which were common during times of war.

The Monday Quilters presented beautiful, patriotic quilts to six veterans. This is their 10th year presenting quilts to veterans who have served “down range,” and they have presented more than 60 quilts to area veterans so far.

The Navy Sea Cadets solemnly presented the colors and salute for the Gridley Veterans Day Program.

Delaina Watson, who introduced the honorees, hoped the quilts would be a daily reminder of their appreciation for the veterans’ sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families.

George R. McCall III, better known as Bob, joined the U.S. Navy on July 15, 1967, and served until June 10, 1971. McCall III was first stationed at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he trained on electrical fixed-wing aircraft for two years.

In January 1969, McCall III transferred to Alabama and Virginia to receive helicopter systems training for six months. McCall III then went to Vietnam, where he worked throughout 1970 on the electrical systems of helicopter gunships that protected river boats. McCall III achieved the rank of Petty Officer 3 and said he was proud to serve in the U.S. military.

Edward Daoust joined the U.S. Navy in 1969 and served aboard the USS Tioga County, which took him to the Philippines, Korea, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. Daoust also served on the USS Blanco County, transporting Marines and equipment up the Mekong Delta. His ship was scheduled to be decommissioned in December 1970 as the war was winding down, allowing Daoust to take an early honorable discharge.

Local quilters gifted area veterans with beautiful hand-made quilts in red, white and blue, honoring them for their service.

Daoust reached the rank of E-3 and held the positions of Boatswain’s Mate and Paint Locker Operator. He received the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with Suspension Ribbon. Daoust remained in the Naval Reserves until July 1974.

Eric Zancanella joined the U.S. Army in 1967, served for 29 years and four months, and retired in 1996 as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves Transportation Corps. Zancanella served in the Vietnam War in Thailand from August 1969 to May 1970. He was a Platoon Leader, Operations Officer for day and night shifts, Maintenance Officer, and briefly Acting Company Commander in a truck company.

Zancanella shared that in war, “boots on the ground are the tip of the spear, and the support staff are the shaft that carries it forward.”

Eugene Anderson joined the U.S. Air Force in 1966 in Oakland and served for 11 years, six months and 27 days, retiring in 1977 as a tech sergeant (E-6). Anderson served in Da Nang, Vietnam, also known as “Rocket City,” from 1968 to 1969. One memory Anderson shared was of losing two airplanes, one on the runway and one that was shot down, and remembering the four brave crew members who lost their lives. Anderson was awarded the Air Commendation Medal.

The Oroville Community Band treated veterans and the audience to a rousing selection of patriotic tunes.

Richard Valentini joined the U.S. Air Force in 1975 and is a Vietnam-era veteran, achieving the rank of sergeant (E-3). Valentini served as an Emergency War Medic at Beale and Travis Air Force Bases, and he was also a Russian interpreter and linguist at Beale with Top Secret Military Clearance. Valentini earned the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service Award for four years of honorable service. Valentini left the Air Force in 1979.

In closing remarks, Cliff Wagner recalled joining the U.S. Army at 17 and the long days of marching formations the soldiers endured in the humid heat of Fort Knox and Fort Benning. Wagner said there was special significance for the soldiers in the marches that were played as they ended their exercises.

Pastor David Henry, First Baptist Church of Gridley, said in the evening’s benediction that it had been an opportunity to reflect gratefully on the sacrifice of the veterans and a “God who gives us so much.”