CAROLINA FOREST, SC (WBTW) – Ten veterans who serve with Horry County Fire Rescue were honored for their military service Thursday evening in Carolina Forest.
The Quilts of Valor foundation presented each veteran with a handmade quilt.
“This is a surprise,” Horry County Fire Rescue Firefighter/EMT and U.S. Navy Veteran James McKeffery said. “I’m shocked that we’re doing this.”
The 10 men honored in Thursday evening’s ceremony have a combined 43 years of active military service and 200-plus years of fire department service.
“Horry County Fire Rescue is extremely proud of our military veterans and is indebted to the foundation to partner with our organization in recognizing these members,” Horry County Fire Rescue said.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation has distributed 2,009 quilts to area veterans and service members since 2010.
“[Recipients] say to me, ‘This is the first time I’ve ever been thanked for my service to the country. I cherish this quilt. It means so much to me,'” Joan Wobbleton, regional director of Myrtle Beach Shore Birds Quilts of Valor Foundation said.