Bill Sykes was honored at a monthly Blue Water Hospice Bereavement meeting with a Quilt of Valor – a recognition for time serving our country. Several family members and Blue Water Hospice staff were in attendance to support and honor him. “Every Quilt of Valor presentation touches my heart, and I am honored to experience it,” says Jennifer Fletcher, RN, BSN, Hospice Clinical Supervisor at Blue Water Hospice. “The veterans are always so humble about their service – they are very deserving of this recognition”.

Bill entered the Air Force in 1948; entered reserved status in 1979 and at the end of his careerreceived honorable discharge in 1990. As Bill says, during his service he has been all over the world. Through the Air Force, he was stationed, mostly as temporary duty assignment, in Germany, Iceland, Japan, Hawaii, China, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Cyprus, England, India, and others. His squadron had a worldwide commitment including several interesting points:

• During the Korean War, he was stationed at an island in the Atlantic in support of efforts of the war.
• Served in Japan during the Vietnam War. His squad again served in support of the war and needed efforts.
• In June 1969, they returned stateside from Japan.
• His squad supported Apollo 14 early in 1971.
• They picked up scientists in Chicago, taking them to Goose Bay, Labrado, Canada where they measured the fallout of the hydrogen bomb. This was after China dropped a similarbomb. They were there approximately one week before returning them to Chicago.

“I still get together with the guys. We took a photo in 1969 before we were deactivated, I have it in my garage. At least half of us are gone now…not too many left, but my memories…I cherish them,” he said.

Never one to sit still… after retirement from the service he drove school bus for seven years before retiring from Algonac Community Schools. He wasn’t too long into his second retirement when the opportunity struck again…this time East China Schools. He drove school for them for about nine years before retirement finally stuck.

Bill met his beautiful wife, JoAnn, on a blind date in 1952. She was still in high school. “I walked in that night and knew I was going to marry her. It was love at first sight. Many don’tbelieve in it, but it happened to me. I got back to the barracks that night and told the guys I was going to marry that woman – they thought it was the funniest thing they’ve heard. I attended her high school graduation from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in New Baltimore, and we were married June 27, 1953,” he said with a grin. Bill and JoAnn were married 68 years; had a wonderful family of six children, 19 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren, before she passed under the care of Blue Water Hospice.

Bill regularly attends the bereavement support groups to help himself as well as others early in their journey of grief. He was surprised to see his family in attendance at this meeting and soon learned he was the guest of honor – we are forever grateful for the sacrifice Bill made to serve his country. Thank you, Bill!

Quilt of Valor is a foundation started by a military mom. The mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. Learn more at www.qovf.org.