By: Brook D. Curtiss - Publisher
In about a half hour’s time at the Albion Veterans Club last Monday, Feb. 10 – Royce E. Garrett, U.S. Air Force Special Services, (Ret.) gave barely a snapshot of what he endured, and there were more than a few gasps, tears and hugs as he relayed his story of “pure hell” during his time of service.
Garrett was invited to the Club as the recipient of a “Quilt of Valor,” presented by the Albion Legion, VFW and Auxiliaries for his four years of military service during the Korean War from May 30, 1949-August 4, 1954.
Garrett received a Purple Ribbon and Master of Service award, and, he said, much of his service to his country was done quietly as a member of the Special Services.
Garrett was also recently awarded a 20 year award as a member of the Crofton American Legion.
Definitely the most shocking part of Garrett’s story was his retelling of memories of those four years and four months in BinShe, Korea – and his 18 months in a “very unique hotel,” as he put it, as a prisoner of war to the north Korean army.
His story was brought to light by Gracin Connelly, a student at Boone Central High School, and Garrett’s nurse, Michelle Neidhardt, who originally was talking to him about his story. Each year, the BCHS students are asked to do a veteran display, and Connelly did his on Garrett this year.
He was presented his quilt to the applause of the around 20 in attendance – Denise Cook and Connie Schindel, along with Gracin Connelly and Michelle Neidhardt.
To hear more about Mr. Garrett's story, read this week's edition of the Crofton Journal! https://www.croftonjournal.com/o/the-crofton-journal/page/subscriptions