Six decorated local veterans were honored by the Gridley Monday Quilters and presented with beautiful, hand-crafted quilts. Left to right: Rob McConnell, Danny Flowers, Bob Onyett, Jack Slota, Todd Farr and Eric Webb. Photo by Cindy Scott

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Gridley's Veterans Memorial Hall was a center of community activity after it was completed in 1926. The hall reopened this spring after nearly five years of closure for renovation. Since it became available, the venue has hosted several community events. Gridley Quota brought its tasting event back to the hall, Sacred Heart Catholic Church resurrected its Harvest Festival, local veterans restarted their weekly bingo nights, and, last week, on Nov. 11, the annual Veterans Day Concert returned to the historic hall.

The Oroville Community Concert Band brings its rousing patriotic music to Gridley each year to commemorate Veterans Day, and the advantageous acoustics in the hall were welcomed by a large audience. Bob Scofield directed the large band and Jim Moll served as emcee, recounting the history of each song.

The band performed 11 patriotic songs, including the all-time favorite "Stars and Stripes Forever." The band included "Arlington," a powerful and emotional piece composed as a tribute to the American servicemen and women buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The final piece was "Taps," a somber reminder of all veterans and their sacrifices for our country.

The Oroville Community Concert Band, directed by Bob Scofield, brings patriotic music to Gridley each Veterans Day in the annual Veterans Day Concert. This year, the concert returned to Gridley Veterans Memorial Hall, newly refurbished and opened to the community. Photo by Cindy Scott

Pastor Jose Villalobos of the First Presbyterian Church of Gridley and Bishop Dustin Barnette of the Gridley 1st Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offered the invocation and benediction. The US Navy Sea Cadets, Golden Bear Division presented and retired the colors, Biggs High School FFA served in various ways and Gridley Quota and Gridley Monday Quilters provided refreshments.

The Gridley Monday Quilters presented quilts to six deserving veterans, a long-standing tradition at the annual concert. Delaina Watson, who originally recommended the Quilts of Valor project to the quilting group, narrated the military accomplishments of each veteran. Each quilt was stunning in its workmanship and design, and the audience was excited to join the women in honoring the veterans.

Todd Farr joined the US Army in May 1997, and he served in New York as an MP, in the DMZ in Korea and in California. He was discharged in May 2003, having attained the rank of Sergeant. He earned two commendation medals, including the Joint Service Achievement Medal.

Bob Onyett was drafted into the US Army on Jan. 8, 1969, and served until Oct. 22, 1970. He was sent to Vietnam on June 4, 1969. He started as an E1 Private 11B10 and ended as 11B40 (Sergeant E5). He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

Danny Flowers joined the US Army in December 1965. He served in Lai Khe (Lie Kay), the Iron Triangle, in Vietnam from 1966–67 as a door gunner with the Helicopter Assault Company. He was awarded 21 Air Medals, two Bronze Stars, and the Vietnam Service Medal. He then was sent to Virginia to teach helicopter maintenance. He was a Staff Sergeant when discharged in December 1968. He suffered from severe PTSD, and in 1983 he went back into the service to be with other veterans to help heal. He continues to help himself and others through group therapy.

The US Navy Sea Cadets, Golden Bear Division, presented and retired the colors at this year's annual Veterans Day Concert. Left to right: Hector Telly, Logan Sweeney, James Telly and Landon McCracken. Photo by Cindy Scott

Eric Webb served from 1984 to 1992 in the US Marine Corps and from 2003 to 2011 in the Air Force National Guard. He served in five deployments including Desert Storm/Shield, Global War on Terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom.

Robert McConnell enlisted in the US Navy on July 7, 1988. After training, he was stationed on board the USS Princeton and went to Russia in September 1990. The ship was recalled to Long Beach in preparation for deployment to the Persian Gulf in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. At 7:15 a.m. on Feb. 18, 1991, the USS Princeton was struck by two underwater mines and sustained major damage. Robert was essential in repairing the ship and finding and reporting damage outside the Repair 5 zone of responsibility. After four days, he was transferred off the Princeton for more advanced training. Robert completed his naval career aboard the USS Vandergrift on May 30, 1994, having completed three major deployments, two mini-deployments and achieving the rank of GSM2. He saw 29 different countries in six years. He received numerous awards including the Combat Action Ribbon, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Award, the Good Conduct Award and the National Defense Service Medal.

Jack Slota joined the US Army in 1968 and served from 1970–1971 in Vietnam as an Infantry Officer (1st Lieutenant). He was Assistant Team Leader of a five-man team embedded in a Vietnamese Army unit in the northern portion of South Vietnam (I Corps). His responsibilities included training South Vietnamese troops, accompanying them on patrols and ambushes, securing medevacs, calling artillery, calling air strikes and coordinating Vietnamese field operations with US ground forces in the area. His military awards include the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star (awarded by the Republic of South Vietnam), the Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals and the Commanders Award.

The concert was sponsored by the Military Veterans Court of Honor Committee and the local Gridley Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts. The evening was filled with inspiring patriotic music, beautiful quilts honoring local servicemen and a renewed appreciation for the Gridley Veterans Memorial Hall.