Ryan receives Quilt of Valor

CRESCO - On Saturday, Oct. 3, Tom Ryan received a Quilt of Valor. It was made by Anne Welker of Murray, Iowa and quilted by Becky Rodgers from Williamstown, Mo. The quilting was organized by Jeri Beem of Winterset, Iowa. Her husband, Rod, spoke with Ryan about his service. 

He learned Ryan was in the United States Army from 1951-1953. After he was drafted, he was sent to Fort Knox, Ky. for both Basic and Advanced Training. His MOS was Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. 

Beem (United States Army First Calvary, Phuoc Vinh, Vietnam 1970) summarized the conversation for the quilt presentation.

“It is an honor to award you a Quilt of Valor for your military service. 

“Out of 113 graduates from Advanced Training, 109 were sent to Korea and you were one of four sent to Alaska. You were responsible for keeping vehicles in running condition during cold weather training exercises. These vehicles included jeeps, troop transport trucks and Weasels, which were amphibious and also operate in the snow. The M29 Weasel was built by Studebaker.

“Your duty station was Delta Air Force Base which is now Fort Greely located 100 miles south of  Fairbanks, Alaska. It is at the north end of the Alpine Highway.

“You enjoyed your time in Alaska since you could travel and enjoy the Alaskan highways when you were on leave. The only drawback was when the temperatures plummeted. The lowest you remember was negative 68 degrees. 

“Upon discharge at Fort Carson, Colo., you had attained the rank of Private First Class (E3).

“A veteran, whether on active duty, discharged, retired or in the reserves, is someone who at one point in their life wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America to uphold and defend our Constitution, for any amount up to and including their life.

“All veterans gave some, some gave all and you lived up to the military codes of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.

“As Ronald Reagan once said ‘Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, a veteran doesn’t have that problem.’

“The quilt awarded today tells you and your family the importance of your service. You gave your time away from home and family to serve part of your life as a member of the United States Armed Forces. I hope your quilt comforts and keeps you warm when it is wrapped around you.”

Five individuals from the Cresco American Legion Post #135 were honored to be at the presentation. They included Mark Grinhaug, Dodd Franklin, Former Commander Jim Perry, Commander Cindy Yslas and Skip Grinhaug.