Quilts of Valor presentation at Kit Carson High School
Kit Carson High School held their third presentation for the Quilts of Valor to five recipients, Rex Ball, Frank Heins, Ken Putnam, Ian DeBono, and Paul Howard.
“Veterans, we respect you and greatly appreciate the service you have provided this great country. We hope these quilts are a comforting reminder of the gratitude that we all have for you. Thank you once again for your service,” said Brennan Framel.
Brennan also thanked Mary Rhoades. “We cannot thank Mrs. Rhoades enough for the time she sets aside to create all of these beautiful quilts. Without your timeless dedication to the creation of these beautiful quilts, none of this would be possible. Mrs. Carole Spady thank you so much for stepping in today and allowing us to make this day possible. We greatly appreciate your time to come here to present these quilts.”
Rex Ball
Rex is the father to Jill, John, and Katie Ball, and the husband to our very own Karla Ball.
Rex enlisted in the Marine Corp during his senior year. He didn't know what he wanted to do after high school so when a recruiter came to the school he signed up. Not long he kind of regretted his decision, but decided to see what would happen. If you ask him today about his service he will tell you that he wouldn't change anything.
Rex enlisted in September of 1977 for a six-year contract and on June 6th, 1978 he reported to boot camp in San Diego, California for 11 weeks.
During his time in service, he was trained in basic Electronics and ground radio repair and combat support. This came in handy when he was stationed in Albany Georgia because he rebuilt and installed radios in tanks. For his combat training he was sent to the Philippines where he did a training mission supporting his squadron's airplanes.
Rex was not in any wars, but he did serve overseas in Okinawa, Japan. He spent 15 months over there at the Marine Corps Futenma Air Station. He left Japan and spent the rest of his time in Albany Georgia until he was honorably discharged in 1982.
Frank Heins
Frank is the brother of Doug Heins, Karla Ball, and Dianna Randel. He was drafted into the United States Army in November of 1965 and served for 2 years. Within his service, he travelled from end to end of the country.
His specific training included 18 months of Army Ranger Training and then Supply School. Frank talked about how silly it was to have so many tests for running supplies.
While in Ranger training, he was offered to go to Officer Candidate School, but he rejected the offer because it would've extended his service by 6 months. Although his service was during the Vietnam War era, he served only in bases in the continental United States. These bases include Fort Polk, Louisiana, Fort Ord, California, Fort Lenning, Virginia, and Fort Benning, Georgia. While he was stationed at Fort Benning, he enjoyed driving their supply truck to Florida and back. He remarked on how he could make this into a 3-day trip where no one could bug him. He enjoyed taking many of these trips to the tropics to work on his tan.
Years later, this tan would eventually turn into a farmer's tan, red and white like the flag. Jokes aside, his service to the homeland should and will not go unappreciated. Any service to the homeland is within honor, bravery, and sacrifice. With these things in mind, it's an honor to present Frank Heins with his very own quilt of valor.
Ken Putnam
Our next quilt of valor recipient is Mr. Ken Putnam. He volunteered for the military at 19 years old, serving from 1967-1970. He felt it was his duty to serve, as the men in his family had all volunteered to serve in the Vietnam War.
He chose to serve in the Marine Corps because, in the words of Mr. Putnam, "it's the best." He received specific training as a field radio operator. He served in Okinawa and at a few bases within the United States during the Vietnam War. Throughout his service, Mr. Putnam served in a combat service support role.
After his term of service, he joined a Special Forces Jump Team here in Colorado. He served on the jump team for another 10 years, completing over 40 jumps. He described the experience as nothing short of serene.
Not only has Mr. Putnam bravely served our country, but he also served as our Cheyenne County Sheriff for more than three years. It's an honor to present Mr. Ken Putnam with his well-deserved quilt of valor.
Ian DeBono
Mr. Ian DeBono, grandfather to Jett and Dexter Dechant. His navy career began in December of 1966 after giving up his chance to finish his college basketball career he enlisted in the Navy. He was sent off to boot camp for 13 weeks to the Great Lakes during the winter. He became proficient in all things ship related before he was attached to Helicopter Squadron 10. He was then deployed off the coast of Vietnam with the helicopter squadron where he received a Vietnam Campaign Medal.
He was then transferred to Helicopter Squadron 8. He was a part of the recovery of Apollo 4 with his ship the USS Bennington. He was then deployed back to the coast of Vietnam where his squadron was in charge of search and rescue and search and recovery and received the Vietnam Service Medal while deployed.
He was then transferred to the Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 113 and was a part of the early warning missile systems. He was a Yeoman in charge of distribution and destruction of all top-secret material to officers and important personnel inside his squadron.
His service agreement came to an end and he was honorably discharged in October of 1970. Durning Mr. DeBono's service to our country he received the Navy meritorious achievement, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
We thank him for his service to our country, for the teamwork, patience, and discipline he showed, while in the fight for our freedoms. Thank you for your service, Mr. Ian DeBono.
Paul Howard
Paul is the father of Pam, Cheyenne, Amanda and Skye and the grandfather to Bladin, August, Alaina, Arianna, Charlie, and Cameron. Paul joined the Navy in November of 1965 after attending Adams State College for two years. He reported to San Diego California for boot camp on December 7th and was stationed there for 11 weeks.
After boot camp he was given a STG -3 Rating and he graduated from Sonar School. He then reported to the Henry B. Wilson DDG-7 and sailed off to Vietnam on February 9, 1968. Here he spent 101 days on the gun line totaling 3 trips then they returned to San Diego on August 24th.
He was advanced to an STG-2 and his ports to call included Pearl Harbor, Midway Island, Guam, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and New Zealand. He also served on three more destroyers and was deployed 3 more times with ports of all in Japan, Alaska, Australia, Canada, and Mexico where he advanced to an E-6.
Paul served as a Navy Recruiter in Craig, CO and Goodland KS for two years before serving on the Naval Reserve Ship the USS McKean until June 3rd of 1977 when he left the Navy. He returned home to Arapahoe CO and started his family with his wife Tammy in 1981.
Paul cannot verbally express what the Quilts of Valor means to him. He was brought to tears and the memories of shipmates and times past. He humbly accepts this quilt in memory of all of those who have and still serve this country. May God bless the hands that have so diligently put each of these quilts together and know that these folks will be forever remembered. Thank you.
In closing remarks: We believe that having this ceremony at our school will make a lasting impact in multiple ways. The veterans will appreciate the recognition and the students will have a new understanding of the true honor that is to serve one's country. We hope this will instill a sense of pride into our students and maybe even motivate them one day to give back to our country.
