By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

Retired Army Veteran Willard Jean Frederick served for 23 years in the U.S. Army and was recently honored with a Quilt of Valor on Saturday, Oct. 24.

He was scheduled to receive his QOV at his church, Good Hope United Methodist outside Columbiana.

Unfortunately, he had been very ill at Shelby Baptist and was not unable to go home, but was moved to Columbiana Rehabilitation to recover.

Instead of having the service at the church, the church, family and friends came to him at Columbiana Rehab.

Frederick’s room was overflowing with family, friends and church members as he was covered by his comforting quilt, presented to him by Ginny Stevens.

The beautiful QOV and pillowcase cover was made by Judy Buster of Hoover who also attended the ceremony.

The grassroots QOV organization was started in 2003. Today there are 10,000 volunteer quilters and over 100,000 quilts have been awarded to veterans.

The QOV presentation was Frederick’s dream fulfilled by church friend Nancy Davis.

He had mentioned to her at church that he had never received a QOV, and Davis decided that she wanted to see if she could make his dream come true.

“I found out that the Alabama chapter was not active and contacted the national QOV organization over five months ago,” said Davis. “National QOV contacted the Georgia QOV group and they got in touch with Ginny Stevens of Calera. Ginny contacted Judy who had a QOV recently completed, waiting for a veteran to be covered with it. It was truly a ‘God thing.’”

Master Sergeant E-8 Frederick served in Vietnam (25^th Infantry, Co. A), Germany, Japan, and stateside the Army for 23 years.

He was trained as a LPN and served in the medical corps.

He was awarded the following medals for his valorous service: Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Campaign, Vietnam Service with bronze star, National Defense Service, Good Conduct with one loop, Humanitarian Service, Army Commendation, Joint Service Commendation and Meritorious Service with oak leaf cluster.

“I am a nut,” said Frederick. “I joined the Army in 1958 and went to Vietnam in 1968. I was a little older and volunteered to go for I wanted to help with my medical training. Those 17-18-year-old soldiers needed not only medical help but also psychological help. Compassion goes a long way when you are in war. I was in two helicopter crashes and saw a lot of horror. It was not fun.”

Frederick returned home to Columbiana where he worked for many years at Harmon’s Feed Store. He has been married to wife Fay for 54 years.

They have two children, Glenda and the late Jay Frederick.