Submitted by Tricia Johnson
Sgt. Billy Hess was thanked for his military service Saturday (April 27) with the gift of a beautiful handmade quilt through a nonprofit organization called Quilts of Valor. Local veterans, gathered for their monthly breakfast meeting at the Dogwood Café, applauded as Fluvanna quilter Mary Ann Tavares presented to Hess the patriotic red, white and blue quilt she had made.
Born in 1925 and raised in Russell County, Va., Hess began his remarkable military career when he enlisted in the Army during World War II. He served with Company C of the 473rdInfantry Division and saw action in some of the most noted campaigns and battles of the war, including the Rome–Arno Campaign, the Po Valley Campaign, and the Battle of the Bulge. Hess, who also served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, became a decorated veteran of three wars.
Today Hess is an active participant in the Lake Monticello-Fluvanna Veterans Group. He also enjoys attending the senior center in Cunningham and is a familiar face at local community events. His son, Eric Hess, is Fluvanna County sheriff.
Tavares first learned of the Quilts of Valor program at a quilting show and knew right away she wanted to create one for the remarkable friend she had met at the Cunningham Senior Center. Tavares, who has been quilting for four years, worked with other local quilters to ensure that Hess received a Quilt of Valor. Trevelyn Karr created the commemorative label for the quilt, and Colette Boring of Quilter’s Nook in Boydton did the longarm quilting.
