ORANGE — Two more area veterans have the literal and metaphorical comfort of a homemade multi-layered textile.
Doug McIntosh and Scott Hemlin were presented with Quilts of Valor during the North Orange Grange’s meeting in May. The honor was made possible by the Quilts of Valor Foundation, a nonprofit that provides veterans with the healing love of a homemade quilt as an expression of gratitude for their sacrifices. The quilts were crafted by Nancy Blackmer, the North Orange Grange’s secretary.
“I use it. I don’t just store it away. I actually use the quilt,” McIntosh said. “I feel great about having been given one.”
Some past recipients have not been told prior to the ceremony that they would receive a quilt, but McIntosh and Hemlin said they knew beforehand.
“I was told ahead of time that I was receiving it,” McIntosh said. “I was kind of surprised, but also honored — kind of humbled.”
McIntosh, now 76, grew up in Orange and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at 19 years old, serving at numerous bases and stations from May 13, 1969, to May 31, 1989.
He was a radio intercept analysis supervisor and held top-secret security clearance, with access to special compartmented intelligence. McIntosh was a manager of an 18-person analysis center in various theaters overseas as part of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). His squadron provided round-the-clock, real-time intelligence on various target nations’ air forces, supporting air, ground and naval battle commanders, as well as national-level command authorities, up to and including the Pentagon, Pacific and European Commands, and even the White House Situation Room.
McIntosh said he teared up at the Quilts of Valor ceremony when reminiscing about losing some Marine friends during the 1983 U.S. Embassy bombing in Beirut, Lebanon.
He is a past adjutant for Donald J. Hurtle American Legion Post 172 in Orange. This post supports Ralph C. Mahar Regional School’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program, as well as Athol-Orange Chuck Stone Youth Baseball/Softball and other youth sports. The post raises money to help veterans in the tri-state area, provides college and technical school scholarships, and participates in Veterans Day and Memorial Day events.
McIntosh has also been part of the Athol American Legion (E.H. Phillips Post 102) Honor Guard, saluting deceased veterans at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon.
The other quilt went to Hemlin, principal at Ralph C. Mahar Regional School in Orange.
“It’s nice to realize that there are local organizations that take the time to recognize veterans for what they’ve done,” he said.
Hemlin reported to Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island in 1988, the day after graduating from Murdock Middle/High School in Winchendon. He served a combination of reserve and active duty.
Hemlin enlisted five days after his 17th birthday, meaning he needed parental consent to join the armed forces. Following boot camp, he was trained as a logistics vehicle system operator at Camp Pendleton in California and later served with the 25th Marine Regiment.
During Operation Desert Storm, his unit deployed to Norway in February 1991 to train with the Norwegian Army for a month-long exercise that focused on arctic warfare and cold-weather survival. Following his time on active duty during Operation Desert Storm, he completed his time in the Marine Corps as a motor vehicle operator. Hemlin earned the rank of corporal before his honorable discharge in 1995.
“There are many veterans who sacrificed a lot more than I did,” he said.
Hemlin advocated for 15 years to establish the ROTC program at Mahar. Retired Lt. Col. Glenn Scott and Cadet 2nd Lt. Cory Tanner, the North Orange Grange president, spoke at the Quilts of Valor ceremony about how the Junior ROTC teaches students leadership, citizenship, character building, teamwork and other important skills.
Hemlin said he encourages students to consider joining the military after high school.
“Any branch of the service is great to grow, develop skills and see the world. There is a lot out there, and the military is, I think, a great way to provide kids with a lot of experience,” he said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
