Quilts of Valor ceremony for 64 area veterans Saturday in Rock Hill
More than 60 area veterans will be awarded Quilts of Valor on Saturday in Rock Hill.
The event runs from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 2115 Celanese Road. Quilts will be on display starting at 10 a.m. Seating starts at 1 p.m.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation is a national non-profit group that recognizes veterans touched by war with a volunteer-made quilt. In 2014 and 2015, South Carolina has awarded more Quilts of Valor than any state, and Saturday’s event is expected to be the largest single presentation ceremony in South Carolina this year, organizer Harvey Mayhill said.
The ceremony includes honoring veterans from all branches of the military who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Marine Corps ROTC cadets and American Legion and VFW honor guards will escort the veterans.
Jacky Bayne, a Fort Mill soldier who was twice left for dead in Vietnam, will be among the special honorees. Bruce Logan of Georgia, who found and rescued Bayne, is expected to attend.
Kayleigh Reinke, 12, of Rock Hill, whose father, Staff Sgt. Gavin Reinke was killed in Iraq in 2006, will carry the Flame of Freedom, a torch symbolizing eternal hope.
The Rolling Thunder veterans advocacy group will perform a missing-man ceremony honoring prisoners of war and those still missing in action.
Former prisoner of war T.J. Martin of York also will speak.
Andrew Dys: 803-329-4065
Want to go?
What: More than 60 area veterans will be awarded Quilts of Valor.
When: 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday; quilts on display at 10 a.m.; seating starts at 1 p.m.
Where: Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 2115 Celanese Road, Rock Hill
Want to help?
For more information about the Quilts of Valor Foundation, including how you can contribute or volunteer, go to facebook.com/quiltsofvalorfoundation.
This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 11:32 AM with the headline "Quilts of Valor ceremony for 64 area veterans Saturday in Rock Hill."