Posted on July 11, 2016

Published by El Dorado News Times

Janice McIntyre

City Editor

EL DORADO — Six Union County veterans were honored recently by members of the Quilts of Valor group, Freedom Quilters of El Dorado, with patriotic quilts, in appreciation for their service to our country. The ceremony was held in the Union County Courthouse in downtown El Dorado.

Army veterans honored and acknowledged for their service to our country include Auzie Eugene Blevins, Frank R. Hash, David W. Miller, James Murray Moore Jr., Lou Edgar Smith and Sammy Wood. El Dorado Mayor Frank Hash (one of the honorees) read proclamations declaring June 30, 2016 as Valor Day for each of the veterans and Heather McVay, city clerk, read the proclamation declaring June 30 as Valor Day for Colonel Frank Hash.

Blevins, Army RA13-312-615, Staff Sergeant with the regular Army and 187th Airborne RCT, served from Feb. 20, 1950 to Feb. 19, 1953 in Korea. He was honorably discharged and received numerous medals including the Parachute Badge (15 non-combat/one combat), Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal, two Bronze Service Stars, Army of Occupation Medal-Japan, one Bronze Arrowhead, United Nation Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.

Proclamations read, in part: “Whereas, our city wishes to recognize deserving citizens/soldiers for their outstanding performance of their military duties in the defense of our nation … all citizens are asked to honor this former military service member for his exceptional service to preserve our freedoms as Americans.”

Hash served in the AMEDD Army Medical Department as a Medical Service officer and achieved the rank of Colonel. He served from September 1966 through September 1992, in Vietnam as an Aero Medical Evacuation Pilot, in Korea in the Second Infantry Division and in Germany – V Corps. He was awarded two Legion of Merit awards, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with Five Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with Nine Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Combat Medic’s Badge and Army Aviators Badge.

Miller was a Spec-5 in the Army and served from 1967 through 1969 – in Vietnam from September 1968 to September 1969. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, two Commendations for Service and was named Soldier of the Month.

Moore served in the Army Field Artillery as a First Lieutenant from September 1970 until May 1972 – in Vietnam from January 1971 through November 1971. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Smith enlisted in the Army on July 6, 1956 and served in Korea, earning a Good Conduct Medal. he was honorably discharged on July 5, 1962.

Wood served in the Army from 1945-47 in World War II in Austria and Germany. He was discharged in 2947.

Nanette Moss, a member of the Freedom Quilters of El Dorado, said it takes members of the group from 30 to 40 hours to complete a quilt and the recent presentation was the fourth time members of the Freedom Quilters have awarded quilts to honor local veterans since they began in 2014. The mission of the Quilts of Valor is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comfort and healing Quilts of Valor, according to their website. Volunteer members of the foundation began making quilts in 2004 and that first year, over 181 quilts were awarded to veterans.

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