On Tuesday, October 5, 2021, Berry Basket Quilt Guild members Sherry Brown and Susan Painting presented two patriotic quilts to Medford Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7677 at their monthly meeting. Our guild has been without a home for over a year and a half since COVID concerns closed off our access to the Medford Leas complex. Post 7677 has generously offered us the use of their hall for our monthly meetings at no charge. The first of these two quilts (photo) will be presented to the family of Comrade Jose Sanchez who, tragically, was one of the first COVID 19 victims in our area, passing away on April 20, 2020 at the age of 77. Jose was a graduate of the United States Military Academy Class of 1965. He qualified as an Army Aviator and served with great distinction through two tours in Vietnam in the 1960s. He flew the O-1 Birddog fixed wing aircraft and served as an aviation platoon leader. Jose was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal and 22 Air Medals. Following his military service, Jose pursued a successful career in corporate America and later in private business. He was a class officer for the USMA Class of 1965 and remained active keeping track of classmates and promoting the ideals of West Point. He was active in recruiting and mentoring minority high school students aspiring to enter the Military Academy. As a member of Medford VFW Post 7677, his enthusiasm, business acumen and dedication to spreading the ideals of patriotism were instrumental to the smooth functioning of the Post and an inspiration to his fellow Comrades. He is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Lisa, son Stephen and numerous grandchildren. Per his request, Jose will be laid to rest in the West Point Cemetery.
On Friday, October 15, 2021. A delegation from Post 7677 and its Auxiliary will present this quilt to his family at the memorial service.
The disposition of the second quilt will be decided at a later date.
Persons in photo from left, Commander Mark Preston, Quartermaster Pat Kavanaugh, Susan Painting and Sherry Brown.
