Orleans Veteran Honored With Quilt Of Valor

ORLEANS – Cecil Newcomb still remembers when the town’s annual Veterans Day ceremony drew the smallest of crowds, sometimes as few as 10 people, to honor America’s armed service members.

 But that was hardly the case on Monday.

 As the clouds parted and the sun shone down over Veterans Memorial Park, a large gathering of residents came out to pay respects to those who have served and are actively serving their country. But this year’s ceremony paid special tribute to Newcomb, a Marine veteran who served in the Vietnam War.

 Newcomb, a lifelong Orleans resident and former select board member, was given a quilt Monday specially made for him through the nonprofit Quilts of Valor. 

“The Vietnam conflict was a very traumatic time for me, both overseas and at home,” Newcomb said. “This means so much to me.”

Quilts of Valor was started in 2003 by Catherine Roberts, who made a quilt to provide comfort to her son serving overseas in Iraq. Since then, approximately 250,000 quilts have been made to bring comfort to veterans in America, Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany.

 “The quilt is not a charity quilt, and it’s not a blanket,” said Ellen Peterson, who presented the quilt Monday on behalf of the nonprofit organization. “They’re awarded, just like a Bronze Star or a Silver Star or a Purple Heart.”

 Newcomb, who served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1969, was shot down in a helicopter multiple times during his deployment. His service was also marked by personal tragedy. He was discharged in 1969 following the death of his father, who was killed in a construction accident. His mother, meanwhile, died shortly before he shipped out to serve.

 The death of his parents left Newcomb, then 21, to take care of his eight siblings.

 “I could barely take care of myself,” he said. “I turned to alcohol. Fortunately I beat that, and I’ve been sober for 48 years.”

 Newcomb first learned that he would be honored with the quilt two weeks ago, but said he never thought of himself as deserving of any special recognition. But others, including Andrew deLory, a member of the town’s Veterans and Memorial Day committee who also served as an Army specialist during Vietnam, disagreed.

 “His dad worked with my father at the Mobil station at the corner of 6A and Main, so we go way back,” he said. “I love you, Cecil.”

 Peterson also shared her own memories of having known Newcomb through the years. She created the quilt’s top layer, while Christine Grozier of Wellfleet helped stitch the quilt together.

 “I also had Cecil’s daughter in my house many, many times as she was growing up,” Peterson said. “So Cecil, many many tears were put into these stitches for you and prayers.”

 During Monday’s ceremony, Peterson explained the symbolism of the quilt’s many layers. The top layer, with its many shapes, colors and patterns, represents the individuals of one’s community and the support they can provide in times of need. The middle layer provides warmth, she said, and the backing and stitching provide strength, keeping all of the layers together.

 Peterson and Grozier then took the completed quilt and wrapped it around Newcomb to applause from residents in attendance.

 “We wrap for a reason,” she said. “We wrap because it means that we hug you, we love you and we appreciate you.”

 “I don’t know what to say,” Newcomb said. “I’m just honored, humbled.”