Special to the Leader & Times
Six local veterans were guests of honor at the Quilts of Valor presentation Thursday evening as part of the Five State Fair festivities.
TREVIN MOORE
Trevin enlisted into the National Guard in December of 2008 at Fort Benning, Ga. He is still an active duty with 16 years in. He was trained to lead crews on fire missions. He is an Artillery Howitzer Section Chief. He served in Djibouti from 6/18/2010 to 4/7/2011; Kuwait: 2018 (six months) Kuwait: 2019 (two months) Kuwait: 2022 and 2023 for nine months; and Iraq: 2018 and 2019 for three months.
When asked what he was most proud of, he said “Completing the Norwegian Foot March while deployed in Kuwait and being a Senior Gun Chief.”
His military honors are as follows:
• One Army Commendation Medal
• Four Army Achievement Medals
• One Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal
• One Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals
• One National Defense Service Medal
• One Armed Forces Service Medal
• Three Overseas Service Ribbons
• One Army Service Ribbon
• Three Kansas Emergency Response Ribbons
• One Washington DC Inauguration Support Ribbon
• Two NCO Development Ribbons
• One Inherit Resolve Campaign Medal
• One Global War on Terrorism Support Medal
• One Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
DYLAN BERENS
Dylan enlisted into the United States Marine Corps August 2014 and shipped to boot camp in November 2014. His duty station was at Cherry Point, N.C., which is a Marine Corp air station that supports the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and other aviation units. In 2017, he was with 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. In 2018, he was with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. His deployments were with the United States Navy on ship. Both of the components he served with were supporting contingency throughout Europe, Middle East mostly, and some in Africa.
He was released November 2019. His rank at release was E-4. with his status at discharge being under honorable conditions.
ELTON JACOBS
Elton entered into the United States Army Jan. 11, 1961 at Fort Riley. Elton was trained to work as an engineer equipment repairman and diesel engine repairman at Ft. Leonardwood, Mo. He also worked in the Explosive and Demolition Department in Grafenwohr, Germany.
He served with the 24th Engineer Co. Defense Supply Agency 154, Kornustheim, Germany.
When asked what he was most proud of, he said “Serving my country, I was chief of shop operations & productions control in our 185th man. Repair also coordinated three two-man emergency repair team for diesel generators at NIKE missile sites. They were the first nation wide US air defense system designed to protect against a Soviet nuclear site.”
He also drove a 10-ton truck.
His military honors include a Good Conduct Medal.
JAMES T. CHAMPION (AKA Buddy)
James enlisted in the United States Navy in February 1954 in Tuscaloosa Naval Reserve.
He was trained to be a diesel mechanic in Bainbridge, Md.
He served in Washington D.C.on the USS Sequoia- AG-23. The USS Sequoia is the former presidential yacht used during the administration of Herbert Hoover through Jimmy Carter. Carter ordered the yacht to be sold in 1977.
Often called the "floating White House", the Sequoia offered presidents, first families and high-ranking officials a place to escape the complexities of official life while also serving as the backdrop for significant moments of 20th-century American history. The Sequoia was the setting for presidential meetings, negotiations and decisions of extraordinary significance for and effect on the history of the United States and the course of world events and recognized the unique significance of the former Presidential yacht Sequoia, which has made her a symbol of American political heritage and the office of the president.
James said he was most proud to be able to serve his country.
BRIAN BUTLER
Brian enlisted in the United States Navy Aug. 31, 1992
He was trained in aircraft recovery systems aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN-68), which was the first of 10 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in its classification and commissioned in 1975. It's named after Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, weighs more than 100,000 tons, and can carry 5,000 sailors and Marines.
Brian has served in two deployments to the Persian Gulf and was released Aug 31, 1996
His military honors are:
• United States Service Award
• South West Asia Service Award
• Sea Service Award
• Kuwait Liberation Award Battle E Award
• Amed Forces Expeditionary Award
PHIL ZORDEL
Phil enlisted in the United States Navy Jan. 13, 1966.
He served on the USS Oriskany CVA 34 in Vietnam. He made three 8-month cruises to Tonkin Gulf. They made fresh water out of sea water and were called water kings. producing 300,000 gallons of water a day from three evaporators.
When asked what he was most proud of, he said “Following in my dad's footsteps and getting the opportunity to serve my country. My sister, Gayla, was a Navy Corpsman or a Wave. My stepbrother, Timmy Nall, was a Navy Corpsman, and my other stepbrother, Bob Hearld Cutright, was a Marine. Some of my uncles were in the Navy, and my mom's dad was in the Army in World War I.”
His military honors are:
• Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars
• National Defense Service Medal
• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
• Armed Expeditionary Medal Korea
• Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon
