Pictured left to right – Mark Vandling, Frank Giaquinto, John Larkin, Ed Twomey (Courtesy of Paul W. Richartz, Public Affairs Officer, American Veterans Association of Washington Township)
LONG VALLEY, NJ — In celebration of Veterans Day, four local veterans were recently honored and awarded Quilts of Valor, which are hand-made quilts designed to honor and comfort veterans touched by war.
The recipients included:
John Larkin, Navy Petty Officer Second Class, 1962–1966, served in Vietnam.
Frank Giaquinto, Marine Sergeant Frank Giaquinto, 2008–2012, who served in Afghanistan and who currently serves as a police officer in Long Valley
Edward Twomey, Army Sergeant 1966–1968, who served in Vietnam
Mark Vandling, Navy Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class, who served in Vietnam
Linda Oppel arranged and directed the Quilts of Valor ceremony; her husband Larry, a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam, was a former recipient.
The quilts were presented by Charles “Chuck” Dauchert, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam and was also a previous quilt recipient, and Tim Kelly, the Post 1776 Chaplain.
The event was hosted by the Fairmount Fire Company in Long Valley.
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According to officials, the Quilts of Valor Foundation was founded in 2003 by Catherine Roberts, whose son was deployed to Iraq.
“In a dream, Catherine saw a young man sitting on the side of his bed in the middle of the night, hunched over. The permeating feeling was one of utter despair. She could see his war demons clustered around, dragging him down into an emotional void. Then, as if in a movie, she saw him wrapped in a quilt. His whole demeanor changed from one of despair to one of hope and well-being. The quilt had made this dramatic change,” the American Veterans Association of Washington Township said.
The message was simple: quilts equal healing. The Quilts of Valor Foundation has developed into a national organization that has provided approximately 350,000 quilts as of May 2023.
To learn more about the Quilts of Valor Foundation, click https:www.govf.org/
The American Veterans Association of Washington Township (AVAWT) consists of military veterans who served during war and peace, with the purpose of keeping the contributions and history of veterans alive.
The organization meets at a variety of locations within Long Valley at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. The location of the next meeting can be found on the AVAWT website: http://www.avawt.org/.
Members of the American Veterans Association Washington Township Post 1776 talked to students in Long Valley Middle School on Monday, Nov. 6 at the schools Media Center. From left are Larry Oppel, Ed Twomey, Tom Holden, John Krayniak, Charlie Dauchert, Commander Thomas McBride, John Larkin, John Groel and Don Cable. Brian McGuire is not pictured.
Photo and article By MARK KITCHIN Staff Writer (Oberserver-Tribune) Updated
WASHINGTON TWP. – Members of the American Veterans Association of Washington Township have grown accustomed to visiting the elementary schools around Veterans Day during the past few years.
However, their trip to the Long Valley Middle School on Monday, Nov. 6 provided a bit of a twist.
Veterans and 1776 Post members Larry Oppel, Charlie Dauchet, Thomas McBride, Thomas Holden, John Krayniak, Ed Twomey, John Larkin, John Groel, Brian McGuire and Don Cable attended the event that was neither a flag raising ceremony nor a lengthy assembly at the school.
The 10 veterans spent about an hour having refreshments in the school’s media center and talking to the students face to face as they came up and asked them questions about their service.
After eighth grader Jocelyn Kulczyckyj sang the national anthem, the veterans also watched a video the students helped put together in which they talked about what freedom and sacrifice means and what is the best part of being an American. They also thanked the veterans for their service.
There was also a Wall of Heroes displayed where the students showed off family members past and present who were members of the armed forces.
“This was a very moving event,’’ veteran John Groel said. “We love to talk to the kids and get their opinion and their feeling on what they think of the military because you never know today with kids.’’
Groel, who was in the Army reserves, also spent some time visiting his grandchildren Caitlyn and John Andolina and grandson Ryan Groel who attend the Middle School.
“I think it is a great idea that the schools instill that into the kids to make them realize what sacrifices everybody has made for what they have today,’’ Groel said.
Overall, it is a busy week for the veterans, leading up to Veterans Day which is celebrated on Saturday, Nov. 11. On Friday, Nov. 3, members were involved in a flag raising and a small assembly at Old Farmers Road School. On Tuesday, Nov. 7 they took part in flag raising ceremonies at the Benedict. A Cucinella School along with an assembly.
On Wednesday, Nov. 8 they had a similar morning talking to kids at Flocktown-Kossmann and Thursday, Nov. 9 the post held its own breakfast and meeting at the Valley Restaurant in Long Valley. Veterans Day itself on Nov. 11 is reserved for rest and reflection.
It is the first time in recent memory that the Long Valley Middle School (LVMS) has held an event with the veterans in the fall. They often have them in around May in an assembly near Memorial Day.
“Our Social Studies Department at LVMS, all grade levels, came together and discussed various ideas and ways that we can honor the veterans and also tried to make it a little bit different,” said eighth grade Social Studies teacher Rachel Thomas. “I know the other schools do the flag raising, which is a beautiful ceremony as well. Instead of doing that we just decided to incorporate some new ideas.’’
The four-minute video showed students answering questions such as what does freedom mean to you or what does sacrifice mean?
The Wall of Honor made of cardboard and paper and including photographs was a way of connecting the visiting veterans to members of the students’ families that made similar sacrifices. The wall included names, pictures and years of service of students relatives who served in the armed forces.
“The video the kids made was wonderful,’’ Navy veteran John Larkin said. “It was nice to see the wall. It brings the other kids parents into it and it puts it into perspective.’’
Larkin, who served in the Navy from 1962 to 1966, enjoyed the opportunity to talk to the students and the informality of the gathering in general.
“They asked a little bit of everything,’’ Larkin said. “What service were you in? Were you scared? How long were you at sea? Oh, you could go on land once in a while? Those kinds of questions. It was a lot of fun. Typical questions most of the kids have anywhere you go.
“It was totally informal which really made it wonderful. The kids talked to you and you could talk to the kids one-on-one. It made a lovely day for us.’’
Long Valley Middle School Principal Mark Ippolito thought the event benefited the students and said seeing some of the veterans come to visit also re-enforced a feeling of community for him.
“Several gentlemen who were here, were my coaches when I was a kid,’’ Ippolito said. “It was a real community event. Mr. (Chuck) Dauchert was one of my Little League coaches. I played soccer with Mr. (Ed) Twomey’s son. Mr. (John) Groel was my neighbor for a lot of years. It’s a unique thing for this community.’’
When asked the veterans agreed. They enjoyed the event and a sense of service as a connection within the community is something worth recognizing and celebrating.
“It’s important,’’ veteran John Krayniak said. “Especially the service to your country. I believe that if you have service to your country, you come back and you have that feeling of service to your community. I think that benefits us overall.’’
On November 9 2023 Washington Twp held a Veterans brunch at the Long Valley Pub for Veterans of the township. We had a nice turnout and everyone enjoyed the brunch.
On November 8, 2023 members of Post 1776 attended a Veterans Day celebration at Flocktown School. We started the day with a flag raising in front of the school. We were then were invited inside for a wonderful breakfast and refreshments. After enjoying are refreshments we sat down in the Library for a question and answer session with the Fifth grade students.
On Tuesday November 7, 2023 members of Post 1776 attended a veteran’s day celebration at the Cucinella school in Long Valley. A flag raising was held outside the school with the students leading us in the pledge of allegiance and who sang a couple of patriotic songs.
We then broke up into three groups, and went into three different 5th grade classes for a question and answer exchange.
The faculty offered us a wonderful breakfast and refreshments too end the morning.
On November 6, 2023 members of Post 1776 visited the Long Valley Middle School. We were welcomed with tribute video the students made, for the veterans. Also they displayed a Wall of Valor the students put together with pictures of their family and friends that served in the military. In addition we had the opportunity to informally talk with the students about our experiences and any answer question they had.
On November 3, 2023 veterans from Post 1776 and other township veterans were invited to Old Farmers Road (OFR) School to celebrate the upcoming veteran’s day with the students and facility.
The veterans were invited to a wonderful breakfast in the school library.
Followed by a flag raising in front of the school.
After the flag raising veterans were invited to have a get together with 5th Grade students for a question and answer assembly.
October 13, 2023 is the 248th Birthday of the United States NAVY
Remember “I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: ‘I served in the United States Navy.’ ” ~ President John F. Kennedy
The Sailor’s Creed
I am a United States Sailor.
I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me.
I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.
I proudly serve my country’s Navy combat team with Honor, Courage, and Commitment.
I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.
