Manson American Legion members honored with Quilts of Valor

MANSON — Four members of Manson American Legion Post 108 were honored with Quilts of Valor on Jan. 5 during the Legion’s monthly meeting, recognizing their military service and continued commitment to community and country.

The presentation was led by Gail Shaw, Adrienne Carpenter and Doug Marsh, representing both the national Quilts of Valor Foundation and the Lake Chelan Quilts of Valor group, which was established nearly three years ago.

The four honorees Brian Strausbaugh, George and Valerie Rohrich and Robert (Bob) Hoots were seated at the front of the room as Shaw spoke about the mission and core values of the Quilts of Valor Foundation and the meaning behind each quilt. She then shared a brief tribute outlining each recipient’s service history. Shaw, Carpenter and Marsh presented the quilts together, gently wrapping each honoree as family members and fellow Legionnaires looked on.

Strausbaugh entered the United States Navy on April 26, 1956. He completed boot camp at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California, followed by Navy orientation in Norman, Okla., and Aviation Structural Hydraulics Systems Maintenance training in Memphis, Tenn.

Following his training, Strausbaugh was assigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, where he served with Heavy Mining Squadron VAHM-10. Within his first year, the squadron was decommissioned and later reactivated as Patrol Squadron 17 (VP-17).

Strausbaugh qualified as a plane captain on both the P2V-5 and P2V-7 aircraft, accumulating approximately 1,500 flight hours. Of his 20 years of naval service, 12 were spent stationed at NAS Whidbey Island. His awards include the Good Conduct Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon, Vietnam Service Ribbon and Air Crew Wings.

During his career, Strausbaugh deployed to Alaska, Japan and the Philippines, with additional detachments to Alaska, Thailand and southern Japan. He retired from the Navy on June 26, 1975, and returned to Washington state.

After retiring from military service, Strausbaugh worked at Campbell’s Lodge for three years before joining the Chelan School District as a school bus driver and custodian. He retired from the district in 1991. Strausbaugh has earned his 30-year American Legion Service Pin and now holds 33 years of membership with his post.

George and Valerie Rohrich were honored together and stepped forward side by side to receive their quilts.

Valerie Rohrich served in the United States Air Force from 1980 to 1988, achieving the rank of staff sergeant. She worked as a pharmacy technician in a supervisory role. After completing basic training in Texas in 1980, she was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington for two years.

It was at Fairchild that she met her future husband, George, and the two were married in 1982. The day after their wedding, George received orders to Ankara Air Station in Turkey. Valerie’s orders were quickly changed so she could accompany him overseas.

During their two years in Turkey, their son George was born. His embassy-issued birth certificate noted “a birth abroad to American parents.” Valerie later recalled that the cost of her hospital stay was determined by the price of her meals, whether she ate them or not.

In 1985, the couple was reassigned to Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.

“George is a North Dakota boy,” she said, “so it was an easy pick to be assigned there.”

Their second son, Matthew, was born in Grand Forks in 1987. Valerie earned numerous awards, medals and ribbons during her service and later received her 30-year American Legion pin.

George served in the United States Air Force from 1977 to 2002, completing nine years of active duty followed by service in the Air National Guard and Reserve, totaling more than 25 years in uniform.

Throughout his career, he worked as a hospital and clinical administrator. His service included the Cold War, the Gulf War, Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. His career progression spanned enlisted and commissioned ranks, from Airman Basic to Technical Sergeant, and later from Second Lieutenant to Major.

His assignments included Fairchild Air Force Base; Ankara Air Station in Turkey; Grand Forks Air Force Base; Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina; and the Minneapolis–St. Paul Joint Air Reserve Station in Minnesota. He earned multiple awards during his service, including the United States Air Force Commendation Medal twice.

Hoots was born Feb. 12, 1946, in Bremerton, Wash., and grew up in San Francisco, Calif., and Anacortes, Wash. He graduated from Anacortes High School in June 1964 and worked in local oil refineries before entering the United States Air Force on Aug. 13, 1965.

Hoots completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and served at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan; Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina; and Tan Son Nhat Air Force Base in Saigon, Vietnam.

As a lineman, Hoots maintained radar sites in Vietnam and Thailand, systems essential for controlling U.S. aircraft throughout the region. He served as a staff sergeant with the 505th Tactical Control Group and received an honorable discharge on Aug. 12, 1969.

During the ceremony, Shaw invited Strausbaugh and Hoots to stand as she explained the significance of the Vietnam Veteran lapel pin. She noted that in 2017, President Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, designating March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

She explained that the lapel pin honors every veteran of the Vietnam era and symbolizes courage, honor, vigilance and justice. On the reverse, the words “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You” are embossed.

The event concluded with refreshments and a cake provided by Legion member Marie Cannon. Attendees shared photographs, embraces and conversations reflecting on the significance of the occasion.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation was founded in 2003 after founder Catherine Roberts was inspired by a dream about her son while he was deployed to Iraq. The foundation’s mission is centered on the belief that “Quilts = Healing.”

Since its founding, the Quilts of Valor Foundation has awarded more than 436,000 quilts nationwide through 720 groups and more than 11,000 members. In Washington state, 26 groups with more than 600 volunteers awarded 1,330 quilts last year alone.

For more information about the Quilts of Valor Foundation, contact Lake Chelan Quilts of Valor Group Leader Sue Freden at lakechelanqov@gmail.com. The Lake Chelan Quilts of Valor group meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Chelan Fire Station.

The Manson American Legion meets the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Manson Parks building. Veterans with an honorable discharge are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Norm Manly at 509-293-0225.

Norm Manly contributed to this report.