During the ceremony, the men were given “Quilts of Valor,” courtesy of the Vintage Gatherers Quilters, operating under the auspices of the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

The foundation was formed in 2003, and evolved to gifting personalized quilts to active service members and veterans, according to historical society President Bill Poulton.

“These service military personnel represent all branches of the U.S. military, those who served stateside and those who served abroad,” said Linda Poulton, Vintage Gatherers Quilters leader Linda Poulton.

“Each service is registered with the Quilt of Valor Foundation, and each presentation quilt has a special label designating it as an official quilt of valor,” she said.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Veteran James Reasner receives a quilt created by the Vintage Gatherers Quilters as part of the Quilts of Valor program on behalf of the Muncy Historical Society at St Andrew's Lutheran Church in Muncy on Sunday.

Each quilt comes with a label adorned with who received the quilt, who pieced it together and bound the layers, Linda said.

“Entering into military service is a life changing event. The personal commitment of taking an oath to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, is a powerful commitment made by our young men and women,” she said.

“The military transforms our young men and women from the civilian lives they live into a military culture that demands compliance, respect for authority, responsiveness and teamwork. These are traits that often remain with the individuals long after the military service, and in many cases, become outward manifestations of who they are and how they act as veterans,” Linda said, before turning her attention to the hardships faced by many veterans who see combat.

“For many veterans, the imprint of war is felt beyond their tour of duty and carries over into the transition from military to civilian life. This is true regardless of the era of service,” Linda said.

“When asked about their experiences in the first few years after leaving the military, combat veterans are less likely to say they frequently felt optimistic about their future than those who didn’t serve in combat, and they are more likely to say they didn’t get the respect that they deserved,” she said, with much of that struggle attributed to a lack of structure in civilian life and a feeling of disconnect from their family and friends.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Veteran John Crossen, Jr. receives a quilt created by the Vintage Gatherers Quilters as part of the Quilts of Valor program on behalf of the Muncy Historical Society at St Andrew's Lutheran Church in Muncy on Sunday.

Prior to the presentation of the quilts, Linda gave an overview of the geo-political landscape of the time period in which the veteran served.

These time periods ranged from the early 1960’s, the Vietnam War, to military actions taken in Colombia, Grenada, Nicaragua, Iraq and Bosnia throughout the 1980s and 90s, through Operation Enduring Freedom, following the September 11, 2001 terroristic attacks and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Retired U.S. Army Spc. Duane Hugh Bender was honored for his service from 1967 to 1972, during which he was stationed at Upper Heyford and the Nebraska Air Force Base, both of which focused on nuclear deterrence, intelligence, surveillance and worldwide command and control.

“In his role as a U.S. Air Force electronic warfare technician, his duties included maintenance of critical specialized systems, such as radar warning receivers and counter measures equipment from combat aircraft, troubleshooting and repairing, electronic jamming, radar hunting and warning systems,” Linda said.

“As a technician, he was essential for ensuring aircraft survival against sophisticated Soviet supplied radar guided defenses in Southeast Asia,” she said.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Veteran Bradley Rishel receives a quilt created by the Vintage Gatherers Quilters as part of the Quilts of Valor program on behalf of the Muncy Historical Society at St Andrew's Lutheran Church in Muncy on Sunday.

Retired Staff Sgt. James Reasner served with the U.S. Army Reserve from 1964 to 1970, as Staff Sergeant and squad leader, instilling training, discipline, logistical readiness, tactical operations, supervising maintenance and supply within the servicemen under his command, and enforcing U.S. military standards.

“Mr. Reasner’s experience as a supply specialist complimented his lifelong career as a heating and plumbing supply sales specialist. He served as Boy Scout Troop 38 leader, and he’s an active member of his church and with the Lions Club,” Linda said.

Purple Heart recipient retired Staff Sgt. John Crossen Jr.’s service brought him to become involved in a number of conflicts and military operations throughout the 80’s and 90’s, including those in Libya, the Persian Gulf, Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan, to name a few.

“He served with the A/2 320th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 83rd Airborne Division, and as Staff Sergeant from 1985 to 1994, he was in a combat leadership position, responsible for leading paratroopers in this rapid deployment related infrastructure unit,” Linda said.

Crossen recorded 165 jumps, most of them coming during an 11 year stint in the U.S. Army.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Veteran John Thorne receives a quilt created by the Vintage Gatherers Quilters as part of the Quilts of Valor program on behalf of the Muncy Historical Society at St Andrew's Lutheran Church in Muncy on Sunday.

“From 1996 to 2002, he served as captain of the U.S. Army Reserve, 82nd Airborne Division, of which the 2 325, Airborne parachute infantry is widely considered an elite U.S. Army unit, recognized for its rigorous training, rapid deployment capabilities and history of success in high state missions,” Linda said.

“During his reservist years, Mr. Crossen worked as a case manager for an agency that helped adults with mental disabilities learn life skills and to find work and housing. He then worked for the bureau of federal prisons, where he saved the chaplain’s life when he suffered an aneurysm,” she said.

Crossen ultimately received a medical discharge due to injuries sustained when he stepped on an incendiary device during deployment in Panama.

Serving from 1985 to 1989 as part of the 7th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, Retired Sgt. Bradley Rishel was a light infantry soldier, lacking heavy firepower and substantial transport vehicles, relying heavily on their ability to operate under restrictive conditions, often in areas that remain classified.

In March 1988, Rishel’s division was deployed to a Honduran military base, working alongside an International Special Operations Unit and the aviation assets of Joint Task Force Bravo.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Veteran Matthew McMunn receives a quilt created by the Vintage Gatherers Quilters as part of the Quilts of Valor program on behalf of the Muncy Historical Society at St Andrew's Lutheran Church in Muncy on Sunday.

“Within days, the opposing government negotiated a truce with the Contra leaders,” leading the division to return home by the end of the month, having been spared combat.

Following his discharge, Rishell became a state policeman.

Retired U.S. Petty Officer, 3rd Class John “David” Thorne was a member of the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1970, followed by two years in the naval reserves as a crew member of the U.S.S. Harnett County, which patrolled the hostile waters near Vietnam as part of Operation Game Warden, serving 19 months in a combat zone.

“He is the recipient of the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, the highest level Unit Award in the U.S. military, awarded for extraordinary heroes in action against an armed enemy,” Linda said.

During his tour of duty, Thorne was exposed to Agent Orange, which was sprayed along the river beds in an attempt to kill off jungle vegetation being used by the Viet Cong for cover.

“The toxic contaminant is linked to serious health issues among veterans and Vietnamese civilians, including cancer, diabetes, birth defects and neurological disorders,” she said.

Beginning his training 1966, Retired U.S. Army Capt. W. Michael McMunn’s first overseas deployment was in West Germany, before being stationed in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969, in 1970, assigned as a military assistance training advisor in counter insurgency theory, tactics, techniques and procedures, Vietnamese language familiarization, local customs and cultural awareness.

“McMunn, who was on the advisory team to the 5th Army of the Republic of North Vietnam Infantry Division, was responsible for training counterparts in logistics, supply management and maintenance. Of U.S. provided equipment,” Linda explained.

“As assistant G-3 plans and training advisor and assistant G-4 advisor, he was responsible for advising the South Vietnamese counterparts on tactical planning, operational training and the integration of combat operations,” she said.

Following his military service, McMunn has been involved with several organizations, including being a charter member of the Vietnam War Post 51, serving as president, secretary and treasurer, and the County Veterans Council from 1994 to 2003.

“For six years, he served as Director of Lycoming County Veterans Affairs, helping to secure Lycoming County as a designated Purple Heart County, and the City of Williamsport is a Purple Heart city,” Linda said.

“He was also instrumental in establishing Veterans Court for veterans charged with nonviolent crimes who are struggling with addiction, mental illness who come in contact with the criminal justice system,” she added, among many other endeavors.

Enlisting in May with the U.S. Army Reserves, Retired Spc. Matthew Fiegles changed his status to active duty following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, serving with the 3rd Brigade 101st Special Services.

“One in five veterans today served on active duty after those terrorist attacks. Their collective experiences from deployment to combat to the transition back to civilian life are markedly different from those who have served in previous wars,” she said noting that 75% of post-9/11 veterans faced at least one deployment, compared with 58% of those who had served prior, and were twice as likely to have served in a combat zone.

Serving until 2007, Fiegles served a tour each, in Afghanistan and Iraq, assigned to the 3rd Brigade 101st Special Services, Fiegles’ role during his deployments, included water purification systems, fueling equipment and in-country convoy security.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Veteran Matthew Feigles receives a quilt created by the Vintage Gatherers Quilters as part of the Quilts of Valor program on behalf of the Muncy Historical Society at St Andrew's Lutheran Church in Muncy on Sunday.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Seven veterans were presented patriotic quilts created by the Vintage Gatherers Quilters as part of the Quilts of Valor program on behalf of the Muncy Historical Society at St Andrew's Lutheran Church in Muncy on Sunday. Shown from left are John Crossen Jr., Bradley Rishel, James Reasner, Matthew McMunn, Matthew Feigles and John Thorne. Absent is recipient, Duane Bender.