The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Appreciation Of Service
Veteran Remembered

It's been 70 years since Joan Cook White served in the U.S. Air Force, yet locals took many hours to piece together a Quilt of Valor to wrap around this 92 year old veteran to give her warmth, love and honor, and to express their gratefulness for her service and sacrifices she had made serving our country.

Joan (Cook) White 92, at Ridge View Assisted Living, Burlington IA (front center) holds papers and the beautiful hand-made Quilt of Valor she was presented this Monday afternoon June 19, 2023 for her service in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict.

Joan joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951 out of compassion for others who were serving, and those who were lost.

She graduated in the first women's class of Air Traffic Control "Tower School" in Biloxi, Mississippi. She was assigned to a air control tower in Tacoma, Washington where she climbed up a tall outside tower every day and through a trap door and gave directions to pilots onto their next location.

The following year, Joan graduated from Officer's Candidate School and was commissioned Sept. 1952 as a 2nd Lieutenant and worked as a Supply Adjutant with 8 jobs in Tucson, AZ.

Neighbors of Joan’s when she lived in Media were part of the crowd who attended who are pictured with Joan.

At left is Amy Davis Fairfield of Jacksonville , Mary Ann Davis Whiteman of Lodge Grass, Montana, their mother, seated, Ruth Davis who is still living in Media.

Also pictured is: Pastor Kendall Adams, Coordinator of SE Iowa Quilts of Valor Arlys Fritz, American Legion Chaplain Veteran Michael McCullough, Burlington, IA and Judy Miller a quilter. who presented the quilt from the SE Iowa Quilts of Valor. The seamstress who made Joan’s quilt was Becky Flowers, one of 62 quilters who are members of the SE Iowa Quilts of Valor in the Burlington, Iowa area.

The presentation was made at Ridge View Assisted Living on West Ave., Burlington, IA. Many others attended the presentation.

American Legion Chaplain Michael McCullough shows Joan White her personalized Quilt of Valor. -photo/Dessa Rodeffer