HARVEYS LAKE — The Northeast Chapter of Quilts of Valor recently held an award ceremony at the Harveys Lake American Legion Post 967.
The chapter made the patriotic handmade quilts to honor both the sacrifices of honorees Edward Lynch and Robert Matzel and are an expression of gratitude to thank and comfort veterans.
• Edward Lynch, of Lehman Township, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1968 and completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and Air Traffic Control School at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi.
He served as an air traffic controller at Griffiths Air Force Base, New York, before being assigned to Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa.
In Okinawa, he served as an air traffic controller, serving as support for tactical combat missions in Vietnam. The unit received a Presidential Unit Citation for Combat Support.
Before his honorable discharge in 1972 as a sergeant, Lynch also served in Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, as part of the Strategic Air Command, and Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas.
Lynch is a member of the Harveys Lake American Legion Post 967.
• Robert Matzel, of Harveys Lake, was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966, completing basic trained at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and further training with the 54th Military Police at Fort Ord, California.
He then served as a supply sergeant with the 4th Infantry Medical Battalion in Pleiku, Vietnam. His responsibilities included conducting daily helicopter missions to deliver essential supplies to MASH units and transporting injured personnel back to base camp hospitals by air. His division participated in the Battle of Dak To in November 1967.
Following medical complications, he was honorably discharged in 1969, receiving the Vietnam Service Medal and Marksman Medal.
Matzel is second vice commander of the Harveys Lake American Legion Post 967.
For information on the local NEPA Quilts of Valor Chapter, email nepaqov@gmail.com or visit the chapter’s Facebook page at Northeast PA Quilts of Valor.
