At the Veterans Day Concert, the Monday Quilters honored seven veterans with Quilts of Valor. Left to Right: Nancy Jarvis Cook and Scott Jarvis (receiving for their father, Mortimer Jarvis), Richard Horn, Ernest Eaton (receiving for his father, Ernest Eaton Jr.), Patrick Dilling, Michael Tyler, Frank Bartolomucci, and Dick Zancanella. Photo by Cindy Scott

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Monday Quilters meet in Gridley, but are also from Biggs, Live Oak, Oroville, Chico, and Yuba City. They get together every Monday to sew, visit, share their quilting knowledge with each other, and have fun. Their annual Quilts of Valor are a group effort. This is their ninth year presenting quilts to veterans who have served “down range,” and have presented 54 quilts to area veterans so far.

Frank Bartolomucci served in the US Army from 1963-1967. He served in Thailand, helping to operate the 50,000 watt AM radio station supporting the Thai government that broadcasted into Laos and Cambodia. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, and a Good Conduct Medal. He attained the rank of Specialist E4, Corporal.

Ernest R. Eaton joined the Air Force September 5, 1951. Airman First Class, Communication. He served during the Korean conflict on Kwajalein, in the Marshall Islands. What he did was very secret, and it was considered a combat zone. He served four years.

Rick Horn joined the Navy in 1968 and was assigned to the USS Picking DD685 and was then transferred to the USS Radford DD246 until he was discharged in 1970. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He shared that they were getting ready to come home from Vietnam when they got called to North Korea. North Korea had overtaken the USS Pueblo. It was a major conflict and Russia had their ships there too. One of the Russian ships was alongside theirs and the two ships were banging into each other. The missiles on both ships were aimed right at each other. They all thought they were going to be killed that day. Eventually, the two ships pulled away from each other. After that, they returned home to Vallejo where the USS Radford was decommissioned, and he was soon discharged.

Pat Dilling joined the Air Force on December 31, 1968. His brother Roger, an Air Force Captain, delivered the Oath of Enlistment. He served 23 years. He rose through the ranks to the level of Chief Master Sergeant E9. He served in Thailand supporting our forces during the Vietnam War. He also served six years overseas in Germany on two separate assignments. His initial task was that of a precision photo processor. He was later trained by the Air Force to become a computer programmer. He subsequently managed computer operations, served as a systems analyst, and managed the US Air Force Worldwide Standard Systems Help desk. Some of his most memorable assignments were providing computer support for the SR-71 aircraft at Beale AFB and working in a NATO unit in Heidelberg, Germany.

Dick Zancanella joined the US Navy in 1965 and after 22 years retired in 1987 as a Electricians Mate Chief Petty Officer E7. He earned several commendations including the Expert Marksmanship medals, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, and the Vietnam Service Medal. He served two Vietnam tours aboard the USS Constellation CVA-64. He is proud to have earned a “Walk on Water” performance evaluation, meaning he has often been able to produce extraordinary results with practically no resources, support, or guidance.

Michael Tyler retired on April 8, 2000 from the Air Force after 31 years and attained the rank of Colonel. In that time he flew almost 10,000 hours in three aircraft: a KC-135 A&E for air refueling, a KC-10 for air refueling and cargo, and a C141B for cargo and airdrop. He was a flight instructor in all aircraft. He participated in deployments for Vietnam, Kosovo, Desert Shield, and Desert Storm, accumulating 500 combat hours. He was Squadron Operations Officer and Commander, Group and Wing Operations Officer, and Wing Commander. He says the real highlight of his career was working with many highly focused and dedicated individuals in difficult situations. They were the real heroes.

Mortimer Jarvis began his Air Force career in 1953 and retired in 1973 as a Lt. Colonel. His career spans 20 years as a B-52 navigator, as part of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and then later as a navigator on the SR-71, flying the Black Bird spy plane over Hanoi during the Vietnam War. Mort described being a navigator on the SR 71 as “exhilarating,” as it took a lot of concentration and effort. He stated that, “When coming in over Hanoi Island and the indicators on the Defensor show that we were being tracked by missile radar, your adrenaline levels rise, and it immediately gets your attention.” Mort’s final base assignment was in the mid-60’s at Beale AFB. In 1970, Mort and the co-pilot were involved in a mid-air collision with a refueling tanker. Both the pilot and Mort ejected from the plane at 15,000 feet. Mort’s parachute did not immediately open, and Mort blacked out from the G-force. When he came to, he had the wherewithal to pull the cord of his parachute. Both the pilot and Mort landed safely, but the aircraft disintegrated upon impact about 20 miles east of El Paso.

Each of the quilts had a label reading, “In appreciation for all you have sacrificed for our country, please accept this Quilt of Valor. Presented by The Monday Quilters Gridley California 2023.”