Big Run veteran receives Quilt of Valor
PUNXSUTAWNEY — An area veteran, Clyde Eugene McKee, received a quilt from the Quilts of Valor Foundation at Mahoning Valley VFW Post No. 2076 on Sunday.
Bob Lott, senior vice commander, said the Quilts of Valor Foundation is a national organization founded in 2003 by “Blue Star” mother Catherine Roberts.
“Her son served in Iraq, and she had the idea of comforting veterans with quilts during the time her son was here in the United States and abroad,” Lott said.
He said the mission of the foundation is to honor service members and veterans who have
been touched by war with Quilts of Valor.
Lott said the quilts are an expression of gratitude meant to thank and comfort the recipients.
“They are meant to honor them for leaving all they hold dear to serve, whether in time of crisis or in time of peace,” Lott said. “The Quilts of Valor unequivocally say thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor in serving our nation.”
He said the top of the quilt awarded to McKee was made by Billie Blakeney, the Pennsylvania coordinator for Quilts of Valor, and it was quilted by Debi Giordano.
“That being said, it is my honor today, on behalf of Quilts of Valor Foundation, to award this quilt to Clyde Eugene McKee,” Lott said. “Gene, as we all know him, joined the U.S. Navy in early 1945 at the age of 19 years.”
Lott said McKee served during the final several months of World War II.
“He spent time on the USS Portsmouth CL-102, which was a light cruiser, and also on the submarine USS Cabrilla SS-288,” he said. “Gene would most likely have been in on the invasion of Japan if the war had extended.”
Lott said it had been estimated that an invasion would have cost upwards of one million lives.
“After the war, McKee returned home and became one of those individuals that every community needs and loves,” Lott said.
McKee had an insurance business in Big Run, but volunteer work occupied much of his time.
He served in leadership positions in the Big Run Presbyterian Church, VFW, Big Run Historical Society and Fairview Cemetery Association of Big Run.
“As recently as this past Memorial Day, McKee was recognized by the Jefferson County Veterans Honor Guard for his many years of service to that organization,” Lott said, adding that even into his 90s, McKee continued as a Gaskill Township supervisor.
“I don’t know how long I’ve known Gene,but I do know that he kept after me about going to the VFW for several years,” Lott said, “so I might not be here today doing what I’m doing if it wasn’t for Gene’s recruiting.”
Lott said the quilt comes with a personalized label with the recipient’s name, branch of service and years of deployment.
“It comes with a pillow case, which can be used for storage when you’re not using the quilt,” he said. “Also included is a certificate from the Quilts of Valor Foundation.”
Lott told McKee the foundation hoped he would keep the Quilt of Valor as a tangible reminder that there are thousands of men and women across the country who are in his debt.
“As of today, the story of this quilt becomes your story,” Lott said.
Gene came up and received his quilt and a standing ovation from everyone in attendance.
Following the presentation of the quilt, the post conducted a flag retirement ceremony, which was led by Sam Cleveland, first vice president, VFW No. 2076.
The flags were collected at the drop-off boxes located at the Big Run War Memorial and the Punxsutawney Memorial Library.