Valor Quilters, McHenry County Historical Society to honor vets Nov. 11
The McHenry County Historical Society in Union is once again partnering with the Gazebo Valor Quilters of Huntley to honor local veterans on Veterans Day.
It's just that COVID-19 is affecting how it will be done.
Rather than gathering the recipients, family and guests indoors for a formal presentation, health concerns mean that this year will feature "touchless" delivery curbside, starting at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, outside the 1895 West Harmony School. The school is located on the museum campus, at 6422 Main St. in Union.
Members of the public, donning masks and following social distancing protocols, are invited to drop by that day and offer thanks to these servicemen.
Since 2011, the Gazebo Valor Quilters have given away about 3,100 quilts to deserving men and women.
Honorees this year include Sleepy Hollow resident John Fenzel. Fenzel served in the Army from 1954-56 in Cold War Europe. Also, three of his four children served or are serving their country.
John Boyle, of Huntley, was in the U.S. Marine Corps between 1951-54.
World War II veteran Anthony Catalano, who served with the Army Air Force (formerly the Air Corps) between 1941-44, also will be recognized; as will George Wolk, in Air Force from 1962-65; 30-year Army veteran Steven Ferry; and John Henning, of Huntley, who served two years in an Army medical unit - first as a cook and later as a special diet supervisor at Rodriguez General Hospital, Fort Brooke, Puerto Rico.
Navy men Gary Haynes, an airplane mechanic aboard the carrier USS America from 1965-71, and the father-son team of Herman P. Schimpa Jr. and Herman Schimpa III also will receive quilts.
The senior Schimpa served on the USS Independence from 1964-73, and his son served from 1998-2002 onboard the USS Carl Vinson during Operation Desert Storm.
For more information about the Gazebo Valor Quilts, contact Cathy Smetters at cbsmetters@ameritech.net. To fill out a Valor Quilt application for yourself or a loved one visit mchenrycountyhistory.org/heritage-quilters.