Appreciated veterans are happy veterans. These vets are glowing after receving Honor Quilts from Linda Koloski on behalf of the Wallowa Mountain Quilters' Guild. Left to Right: Don Elson, Carol Elson, Dean Elson and Calvin Woempner.

The Wallowa Mountain Quilters’ Guild recently honored the service of four local veterans with the gift of handmade Honor Quilts. It is the fourth year the guild has distributed the red, white and blue quilts.

Linda Koloski, chair of the guild’s Honor Quilts sector, delivered the quilts to the home of Navy veterans David “Don” Elson and his wife, Carol Elson. Also on hand were Don Elson’s twin brother and Navy veteran Jonathon “Dean” Elson and his wife, Nancy Sue, as well as Army veteran Calvin Woempner and his wife, Doris Woempner.

After brief introductions, Koloski presented the veterans with their four quilts. The veterans were very enthusiastic and thankful for their quilts, which were immediately put to use as they shared some of their military history.

Don Elson joined the Navy at age 17, serving from 1944-1946, and attaining the rank of Yeoman 2nd Class Petty Officer. He was stationed at Hawaii in August of 1945 and on the “Midwatch” (midnight-4 a.m.), when he received word that Japan had surrendered. He recalled awakening everyone on the barracks to spread the good news.

“Word spread fast,” Don Elson said with a grin.

Carol Ann Smith Elson spent three years in the Army, enlisting the day after her 1957 graduation. After her Army enlistment, she decided to join the Navy in 1960, where she served 20 years before retiring. Carol Elson attained the rank of Religious Programs Specialist Senior Chief Petty Officer.

“When I retired, I was taking care of eight Chaplains and making sure they were doing what they were supposed to do,” Carol said. “Sometimes I’d end the day saying ‘Dear Lord, forgive me for wanting to murder so and so,” she added with a laugh.

Calvin Woempner served in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division from 1952-1955, attaining the rank of Sergeant. Woempner was one of the fortunate who were not sent to Korea.

“I got threatened with it a few times,” he said. “They had a rule in jump school that if you said ‘no’ to anything, they sent you right over to Japan or Korea. I avoided getting in trouble back then.”

Jonathon “Dean” Elson also served in the Navy from 1944-1946, starting as a Gunner’s Mate and attaining the rank of Signalman 3rd Class Petty Officer. “I joined the Navy because I got tired of working on the farm,” he said.

Dean said he enjoyed his time in the Navy and spent 36 days off the coast of Okinawa on board ship during the famous battle of Okinawa. “Our ship got credit for shooting down three Kamikazes.” Elson recalled with pride.

Afterward, the recipients spent time was reminiscing about the service, life thereafter and their beautiful new quilts.

“This was the last thing I was thinking about when I joined up in ‘44,” Dean Elson said while holding up his quilt.

Koloski said that even after delivering 25 honor quilts it’s always gratifying to make the presentations.

“I hope as we continue the project that more members will be present for the presentations so they can feel how very grateful the recipients are,” Koloski said.

She said the guild is focused on getting as many quilts finished as possible because of the age of many veterans.

“Mostly, we need the public’s help in identifying all veterans here in the county, but particularly WWII veterans, because we’re trying to take care of our older veterans first,” she said.

To date, the guild has distributed quilts to 25 veterans and would appreciate community tips to track down the county’s remaining WWII veterans as well as those of other eras.

Anyone with information about veterans in Wallowa County is asked to call the guild’s president, Sandy Beaudoin, at 541-426-9050, or Koloski at 541-426-8604.

Beginning this week the Wallowa County Chieftain offices at 209 NW 1st St. in Enterprise will serve as a donation center for the Wallowa Mountain Quilters’ Guild. Donations of red, white and blue fabric will be accepted, as will checks payable to the Wallowa Mountain Quilters’ Guild. For more information, contact Chieftain Office Manager Cheryl Jenkins at cjenkins@wallowa.com or 541-426-4567.