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Peacemakers present Quilt of Valor to USMC veteran

Justin Addison, Editor/Publisher
Posted 6/1/21

Fayette’s Memorial Day service made a triumphant return before an appreciative crowd on Sunday afternoon. Participants delivered heartfelt messages of appreciation and remembrance for those men …

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Peacemakers present Quilt of Valor to USMC veteran

Posted

Fayette’s Memorial Day service made a triumphant return before an appreciative crowd on Sunday afternoon. Participants delivered heartfelt messages of appreciation and remembrance for those men and women lost while servicing in America’s armed forces.

The event marked a return to normal after it was forced to cancel this time a year ago due to the pandemic.

Music was performed by Pastor Jamie Page, and a special musical presentation was performed by the Miner family, Vanessa on piano, Jeff on trumpet, and their son Wesley on tuba. The Master of Ceremonies was Lisa Cook, Regent of the Howard County chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Harold Myers gave the invocation and Josh Kirby led the recognition of veterans. Both men are from the White-Bell American Legion Post 273. Members of the local Boy Scout Troop 62 once again heralded the duty of raising the flag. Fayette Mayor Kevin Oeth delivered a welcoming address and Clark Middle School principal Brent Doolin was the keynote speaker.

One of those beloved traditions returning this year was the presentation of a Quilt of Valor to a U.S. military veteran. The quilt was presented to Lance Cpl. A. George Befort, III, from the United States Marine Corps.

Lance Cpl. A. George

Befort, III

In June 1968, George enlisted in the Marine Corps and reported to Camp Pendleton, San Diego, California, for boot camp. Following basic training, he received additional training in demolition, defusing booby traps, as a M/60 machine gunner, and tunnel rat. On December 25, 1968, he left the states bound for Vietnam, assigned to the First Division, 26th Regiment and Company, USMC. Upon his arrival in Vietnam on January 1, 1969, he was stationed at the ESSO Plant on Highway 1. Later on April 1, 1969, he moved east of Hoi An. On August 1, 1969, he was transferred to Marble Mountain.

George volunteered for the Combined Action Program. The CAP unit not only had the highest enemy killed and weapons captured, but they also had the highest wounded and killed in action by percentage. They were responsible for calling in close air support and were overrun many times.

When he transferred to the CAP unit, George went to school for two weeks to learn the language. Serving in the CAP unit meant working closely with the villagers. He especially enjoyed working alongside them in the rice paddies. They also provided first aid when needed and he even assisted the medical corpsman in delivering two babies. One experience he won’t forget is being attacked by three wild boars. The boars lost the battle and George reports they were good eating.

For his service, Lance Cpl. Befort was awarded the following: two Purple Hearts, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Presidential Unit Citation, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Unit Citation, the Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

In February 1970 he returned to the States and was honorably discharged. One thing George remembers is that Vietnam is a beautiful country.

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