A National Guard member who served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan will receive the Quilt of Valor, presented by the Peacemakers Quilters in Fayette. The presentation will take place at 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 11, at the Veterans Day program at Fayette High School. 

The annual program will feature a speech by veteran Kirk Klingler, who is a member of American Legion Post 273 and coordinator for the Missouri Veterans History Project. The program will feature a special presentation honoring Fayette as a Purple Heart City. Members of the American Legion Posts from Fayette and Glasgow will be present, along with the Howard County Chapter DAR, the Boy Scouts, and the Peacemaker Quilters. The Fayette High School choir will sing the Star Spangled Banner and the Song of the Unsung Hero. 

Sergeant First Class Eric E. Fizer

Missouri Army National Guard

Sergeant Fizer enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard on September 21, 1999, and is still an active member, having served for 22 years. He has four military occupation specialties: Cannon Crew member, Administrative Specialist, Logistics Specialist, and Motor Transportation Operator. He also has an additional specialty skill as a Master Resiliency Trainer. He has completed the Basic Leadership Course, the Advanced Leadership Course, and the Senior Leadership Course.

While serving with the Missouri Army National Guard he has assisted with Hurricane Katrina operations in 2005, the Civil Disturbance in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014, flood assistance in 2018, and recently with COVID-19 mass testing and vaccination operations. On active duty since July 1, 2003, he is currently assigned as a Readiness Non-Commissioned Officer for Company 1, 39th Brigade Support Battalion in Jefferson City. In that position, he oversees all of the day-to-day operations and handles planning for future operations.

Sergeant Fizer served in Operation Enduring Freedom at FOB Findley-Shields in Jalalabad, Afghanistan from June 26, 2010, to August 5, 2011, as a Human Resource Non-Commissioned Officer. From January 19, 2017, to January 12, 2018, he served in Operation Enduring Freedom (Spartan Shield) in Doha, Qatar as a Logistics Non- Commissioned Officer.

For his service, he has received a Meritorious Unit Citation, two Governor Unit Citations, 101st Airborne Division Combat Service Badge, 25th Infantry Division Combat Service Badge, two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M-2 and Silver Hour device, five Army Good Conduct Medals, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, three Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Ribbon, Master Driver and Mechanics Badge, Missouri Commendation Medal, Missouri Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Missouri Long Service Ribbon (20 years), and Missouri State Emergency Ribbon.

Sergeant Fizer states that every moment of his service has been a blessing to be able to witness and be a part of our Nation’s history. His best moments were being able to return home to his children and family. When he returned from his deployment he was able to surprise his kids and seeing their faces light up with joy was priceless. He proudly serves today to protect the morals and values our forefathers fought for so his kids can grow up in a peaceful world.