5 veterans honored at recent 'Quilt of Valor' ceremony

Bill O’Boyle, The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
·2 min read

Nov. 27—PLAINS TWP. — Five veterans were recently honored by the NEPA Quilts of Valor (QOV) Chapter at an afternoon ceremony held at the Plains Township Municipal Pavilion.

—Mary Feher Fiedorczyk, Drums, enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1991 and was honorably discharged in 2014.

During that time, the honoree was deployed to Iraq in March 2003 with the 320th Military Police Battalion and served a second deployment in 2008 with the 11th Military Police Battalion.

She was part of both units' detainee operations and received numerous Army Achievement Medals, Army Commendation Medals, as well as the Combat Action Badge.

—William Lavelle, Throop, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in November, 1967.

Following assignments throughout California and Okinawa, Japan, he reached Vietnam in 1969. Assigned to the 3rd Marine Division Ground Surveillance Unit and the 1st Marine Sensor Control and Management Platoon, he led missions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail and jungle trails deep inside enemy controlled territory.

He received the Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry; Combat Action Ribbon among others. He was honorably discharged in 1970.

—Frank Lombardo, Edwardsville, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1959 during his senior year at Dunmore High School.

After graduation, he was sent to Parris Island, SC, for basic training followed by advanced training at Camp Geiger, NC. There he was assigned to the operation of amphibious tractors.

Serving as part of the Fleet Marines (Landing Ship Tanks) he served with the Fleet Marine Force during the Cuban Missile Crisis at Guantanamo Bay. His service would extend to the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Okinawa, Japan, among others.

He received the Good Conduct Medal and Markmanship Medal and was honorably discharged in 1963.

—Lawrence Mahally, Shickshinny, joined the U.S. Marines in 1978 receiving basic training at Parris Island, SC.

His training would extend to Corry Station, FL, where he was part of the Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC). He was deployed to the 1st Radio Battalion Marine Corps Station, Oahu, Hawaii followed by numerous deployments to Okinawa, Japan and various other stations across East Asia.

He was honorably discharged in 1982.

—Bruce Stine, Sweet Valley, joined the U.S. Army in 1970 after graduating from Crestwood High School.

Following basic training at Fort Dix, NJ, he was sent to Dong Ha Vietnam where he served as an electronics specialist with the 8th Battalion, 4th Artillery, 24th Corps. His unit provided support for the South Vietnamese Army in and around the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

He was honorably discharged in 1973.

Becky Orlowski, leader, NEPA Quilts of Valor Chapter, spoke to the honorees and the large number of friends and family gathered, saying that the quilts, made by members of the local QOV Chapter, are an expression of gratitude and thanks to comfort veterans.

For more information, contact — nepaqov@gmail.com.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.