Ulysses, Kansas Quilts of Valor group hosted lastweek's Chamber of Commerce Coffee at Grant County Senior Center, where they honored WWII Veteran Jay McGaughey.
Group member Barbara Sullins introduced McGaughey.
"I recently had the opportunity to visit with (McGaughey) about his service," Sullins said.
As a young farm boy, McGaughey hailed from Randall, Kan., where Sullins said he "was used to raising wheat and enjoying his pet peg."
He was drafted into the United States Army in 1945, and he was sent for training at Camp Walters, Texas.
"His training was that of a foot soldier where he used an M1 weapon," Sullins said. "He was sent to Europe via Staten Island in December of that year. While shipping over, the boat was faced with a bad storm. Jay said he lost 15 pounds before they landed in Le Havre, France, and it was extremely cold."
By the time McGaughey, a Tech 5S, was sent to Europe, the European Campaign was over. After his arrival there, he was stationed at Mullinville Mons Belgium.
"Office duty and communications were his areas of expertise," Sullins said. "He delivered mail to places including Antwerp and Brussels, with the assistance of German POWs from the 148 Labor Center."
McGaughey recalled when he had to prove his innocence.
"While completing his duties one day, he saw a soldier that looked to be in trouble," Sullins said. "He pulled over and go out of the 3/4 ton weapons carrier to see if he needed help. When he looked up, he was looking down the barrel of a rifle. The weapons carrier was stolen and Jay had to go in front of a board to prove he was not part of the robbery. The POW who was with him backed his story and Jay was released. The POWs were always good drivers for him."
While in Europe, McGaughey was able to visit the grave of his brother, Robert McGaughey, who was also a veteran, in Luxembourg, Germany.
"This was a highlight of his tour in Europe," Sullins said. "At the time he was visiting the grave site, General Eisenhauer was there decorating General Patton's grave, which was in the same cemetery."
When McGaughey returned to the states, he took a train to Kansas.
"He then got a ride from a friend back to Randall, Kansas on his birthday - December 20, 1946," Sullins said."Although Jay never had to serve on the front line, he received the Victory Medal."
One of the things McGaughey learned from his time in the service, was that he enjoyed dealing with people from different backgrounds.
"He used the GI Bill to fund his education and received a Bachelors degree from K-State, a Masters from Emporia, and a Masters in Counseling from Fort Hays University," Sullins said.
A special memory McGaughey has is when he was able to participate in the Victory Flight to Washington, D.C.
"Jay went with Fred Borthwick, Dean Underhill, Ed Lewis, Ramon Howard, and Ed Brunsell," Sullins said. "They Visited the WWII Memorial as well as Korean War Memorial and others."
Quilts of Valor
Sullins is a member of Ulysses Kansas Quilts of Valor.
"We are a new group and this is our second presentation," Sullins said.
The first presentation by the group was made to Purple Heart recipient Willie Patton, during the recent Quilt Retreat in Ulysses.
Other members of the local group along with Sullins are: Ardis Alexander, Gayle Archuleta, Tammy Barb, Susan Heddleston, Terrie Hiner, Josephine Jellison, Mari Honstead, Kiley Long, Gayla Lund, Shelley McLeod, and Becky Schloemer.
"We represent over 10,000 members and volunteers across the nation that strive to fulfill the Quilts of Valor Foundation Mission Statement," Sullins said. "Our mission is to honor service members and veterans who have been touched by war with Quilts of Valor."
According to Sullins, in 2003, a quilter named Catherine Roberts started the movement that became Quilts of Valor, when her son was deployed in Iraq.
"She envisioned her son being wrapped in a quilt that he found warmth and comfort from," Sullins said. "So began the Quilts of Valor Foundation and over 439,566 quilts have been awarded. Our local group is just beginning, and we are working to add to that number."
Completed quilts then become a "lifetime civilian award when presented to the military, both active and/or retired from current or previous duty", according to Sullins.
"We recognize that developments and subsequent duty during war and peace change a person, often with repercussions that can last a lifetime," she said.
Sullins thanked Grant County Senior Center for hosting the Chamber Coffee.
"We appreciate the support of the Senior Center and the Chamber Members," she said.
Anyone wishing to submit a name for QOV, can contact one of the members locally or go online at www.qovf.org. Name, branch of service and contact information is needed. See more photos of the Quilts of Valor presentation, page 12.
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