To honor local veterans, the Sewing Bees Ministry at Holy Spirit Church in Hemet presented 30 veterans with hand-sewn quilts of honor. After months of dedication and hard work 50 quilts were blessed and presented the the parish veterans as a token of appreciation for their service and sacrifice. The quilts were blessed by Father Joseph Gaglione on Oct. 31 and presented to the veterans following the blessing. Remaining quilts were also given to first responders and firefighters in attendance as a gesture of gratitude for their service to the community. The women in the ministry had never quilted before and have learned this sometimes difficult new skill. They say a prayer asking for God's healing powers to be felt by the recipient of their work and for St. Claire of Assisi to guide them..
As we celebrate Veterans Day on Nov. 11, we ask God to bless the members of our armed forces both past and present. To all veterans, thank you for your service!
Those veterans who received a quilt of honor are:
October 31 5 PM Mass – 9 veterans
1 - William Huster, a veteran of the Korean War
2 - The widow of Robert Hardy, an Army Veteran
3 - James Harr served in the Navy
4 - Jesse Carraso, a USAF veteran
5 - Roman Rodriguez, an Army veteran that served in Vietnam
6 - Juan Roybal, a Navy Vietnam veteran
7 - Justin Storch, a USAF veteran
8 - Edward Wetter, a Navy veteran
9 - Donald Chaffee, a Navy veteran
November 1 7:30 Mass – 7 veterans
1 - David Grinstead, a USMC veteran
2 - Jerrel Yakel, a Navy veteran of the Korean War
3 - Billy George Ludolph, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War
4 - Bob Madrigal, a USAF veteran of the Vietnam War
5 - John Gray, USAF Reserve
6 - Clifford Kwock, served in the Army
7 – Patrick Razalan Navy veteran
November 1 – 11:00 Mass – 14 veterans
1 - Margaret Wade our 98 year old Navy veteran nurse of the Korean War.
2 - Harry Brittingham, a Navy veteran
3 - Mary Smith, widow of Paul Smith a Navy Commander – Vietnam War
4 - Joe Wojda, A USAF Vietnam veteran
5 - Dan Mosby, a Navy Vietnam War
6 - Ismael Ochon, a Army Vietnam veteran
7 - Hugo Echevarria, a USMC veteran who served in operation Iraqi Freedom.
8 - Sam Meza, a USMC veteran
November 1 11:00 Mass
9 - LeRoy Russell, a Navy veteran and 4th degree
10 - Skip Ackerman, a Navy veteran is the current Grand Knight.
11 - Mary Louise Russell nee Heintz is a veteran of the Army
12 - Joseph Van Sickle, a veteran of the Army
13 - Frank Serna, an Army veteran
14 – Francis Garcia, widow of Anthony Garcia, an Army Vietnam veteran
** Joseph Rittenhouse, a Korean War veteran received on 88th birthday 9/11.