Warm thoughts, warm wishes for veterans
Church of the Transfiguration, Fincastle, hosted a special Veterans Day program on Nov. 11. The Quilts of Valor Foundation presented 23 handmade quilts to parishioners who are veterans. Twenty-two men and one woman, representing all branches of the Armed Services, were honored.
Father Xavier Banasula, pastor, bestowed a special blessing on all the veterans and their families, thanking them for their service and sacrifices. He also offered a blessing for them at each of the weekend Masses on Nov. 9 and 10. “It was a way to encourage our retired veterans and also inspire our Catholic young people to serve our country,” Father Banasula said.
Marine Corps veteran Bill Dillon, one of the quilt recipients, called the event extremely moving. “We had over 100 people attend,” he said. “It’s very gratifying to see others value what you’ve done and our service to the country.”
The Knights of Columbus John C. Webb Council #12134 of the parish organized the Nov. 11 event and the Circle of Mary Women’s Group provided a meal for the veterans’ families, parishioners, and other guests. The program was coordinated by parishioner Mike Coloton, a former U.S. Marine.
According to the website of the nonprofit Quilts of Valor Foundation (QOVF), the foundation’s mission is to “cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.” The handmade quilts are awarded to service members as a way to thank them for serving our country.
Kathleen Morra-Sloan contributed to this story.
D-Day military chaplain honored in Bedford
A special blessing took place during the Veterans Day Ceremony at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford on Monday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., to honor the life of Father Ignatius Maternowski, a Franciscan friar. It is believed he was the only U.S. military chaplain killed on D-Day and one of 25 Catholic chaplains to die serving the country during World War II.
Parish families and members of the community were invited to attend the Veterans Day Ceremony to learn more about Father Maternowski and his heroic service. Deacon Mark De La Hunt, who serves at Holy Name of Mary, Bedford, gave the invocation and blessed the plaque with Father Maternowski’s name, with the assistance of altar server Ben Messier.