Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- The Ann Crooker St. Clair Chapter, NSDAR honored two local veterans at their November meeting. The deserving veterans received Certificates of Appreciation and commemorative pins as well as beautiful Quilts of Valor for their service.
Quilts of Valor are awarded to both active military member and living veterans who have been nominated to receive one by a friend or family member. The Quilts of Valor Foundation was founded in 2003 by Catherine Roberts. Their mission statement is “to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor”. As of October 31, 2025, 427,121 Quilts of Valor have been awarded. Each quilt is handmade from start to finish by volunteer seamstresses and quilters, both men and women. The chapter Service to Veterans chairman is a member of the Quilts of Valor Foundation and was the lead seamstress in the quilts presented.
Jim Shelton served in the United States Army from January 1964 thru January 1966. He received basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO and then went on to Ft. Sill, OK for Advanced Artillery Training. He was assigned to the 623rd Artillery Battalion in Ft. Lewis, WA for the next twelve months. He then was sent to the Fifth Army Headquarters in Chicago, IL before traveling on to the First Infantry Division in Ft. Riley, KS and then on to Oakland, CA. From there he traveled to South Vietnam via Guam. He served as an Administrative Specialist, reporting causalities of soldiers injured and killed in the line of duty. These reports were delivered to the Generals. In addition to his administrative duties, he served twelve-hour shifts on guard duty protecting the perimeter of the Division Headquarters. During that time, he was promoted to E5. After one hundred days, he returned to Travis AFB in CA. He was discharged in January 1966 with rand of SP5-E5. His medals include the Vietnam Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He qualified as an expert in arms training with the M14, M45 auto, and M79 grenade launcher.
Galen Nelson served in the United States Army from July 1968 thru August 1974. He received basic training at Ft. Polk, LA and then went to Ft. Wolters, TX where he received basic helicopter pilot training. He was then sent on to Ft. Hunter, GA for advanced pilot training. He graduated from flight school and was awarded his wings as an Army helicopter pilot. He was deployed to Vietnam where he joined the 1st Infantry Aviation Division. In February 1970, he transferred to the 25th Aviation Division. He finished his active duties at Ft. Knox, KY in August 1974 and was discharged with rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2nd class. His medals include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, US Army Service Campaign Medal, twenty-four Air Medals and three Bronze Stars. He was qualified as an expert in arms training with M14, M16, M4 auto 38Cal and M79 grenade launcher.
The Ann Crooker St. Clair Chapter, NSDAR is honored to show our thanks to these deserving gentlemen for their service to our country.
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