By CINDY ZURN
During their 50th Class Reunion, the AHS Class of 1971 honored all of their veterans at the City of Alliance Sunken Gardens on Saturday, Sept 4, 2021.
Seven veterans were honored and wrapped with Quilts of Valor in a touching ceremony lead by Kathy Dye of Panhandle Blocks, the local chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Unique to this presentation was the fact that all 5 branches of the military were represented by the veterans being wrapped, also a 1st for the Panhandle Blocks chapter. The wrapping teams consisted of classmates: Don & Cindy Zurn, and Jane McConkey & Rhonda Hashman. The American Legion Post #7 and American Legion Riders Panhandle Chapter # 43 also assisted. The seven veterans include:
Bill Phillip – (Marines)- Sergeant –Cheney, WA
Roger Bauer – (Army/Army National Guard) – E-5 Sergeant -Alliance, NE
Tom Novotny – (Coast Guard) – Henderson, NV
John Weisgerber – (US Air Force)- E-6 Sergeant – Sterling, CO
Erwin Sydow – (Army/Army National Guard) – E5 Sargent – Leawood, KS
Randy Hitchcock – (Navy) – Petty Officer 2nd Class – Alliance, NE
Steve Sward – (Navy) – E3 – Alliance, NE
All seven quilts were pieced and bound by fellow classmate, Cindy Zurn of Alliance and quilted by members of the QOV chapter: Suzanne Walker, Christy Anderson, Chris Wolf and Jorene Hinton.
Additionally 2 veterans were recognized who had previously received their Quilts of Valor:
Lonnie Grant – Navy/Army National Guard/Air Force – Lieutenant Colonel – Alliance, NE
John Fletcher – Navy – GMG3 – Alliance, NE
Two classmates were unable to attend:
Dennis Blue (Air Force) and Dan Gerber (Army), both of Cheyenne, WY
Deceased members: Dennis “Butch” Taylor- (Army) and Don Gerber- (Air Force) were also recognized.