VFW Helps Local Elderly Veterans With Wheelchair Ramp, Commemorative Quilts

Emotional Day With Fellowship and Singing

Morris Blanton, Vicki Girten, and Paul Vincent with quilts handmade by Girten.

Darren Doyle, story:
Yesterday, The Edmonson Voice was sent information about two local veterans who were honored in a unique way with the help of local VFW Post 6937. Their friendship began 70 years ago.

According to Lt. Colonel Floyd Houston, (U.S. Marine Corps Retired), and Junior Vice Commander of the local VFW Chapter, In December of 1953, two Edmonson County soldiers made their way home together. Both had served in the Army of Occupation (Germany) at the height of the Cold War. Morris Blanton and Paul Vincent recognized each other onboard the USS General Leroy Eltinge during their ocean transit back to New York and then they flew together into Louisville.

Col. Houston said that Paul had been drafted into the Navy at the end of WWII and served in the Pacific but he retained a reserve obligation and was drafted again during the Korean crisis. They took the bus together from Louisville to the intersection of 31W and Route 259, then known as the Crossroads.

"A certain 'Mr. Johnson' from the service station there gave the boys a ride into Brownsville," Houston said. "Fast-forward to the winter of 2022/23 when Paul (age 95) fell and broke his hip. He was hospitalized in Bowling Green and sent for rehab in Brownsville. His indomitable spirit pushed him to recover and come home to his house in Mammoth Cave."

VFW Post 6937 members L-R: Edwin Vincent, Ray Durbin, Gerald Carroll.

Houston said that medical personnel inspected his home to evaluate its readiness for Paul’s return. Gerald Carroll, the Post Commander of VFW Post 6937, which is the home Post for both Paul and Morris, coordinated the construction and VFW funding for a wheelchair ramp. Neighbors then de-cluttered the house from potential trip hazards. Finally, after electrical power was restored, Paul returned home on Wednesday, March 8th.

"Yesterday, VFW Post members, including 92 year-old Morris Blanton, gathered at Paul’s house where renowned quilter Vicki Girten of Owensboro presented Paul and Morris handmade Veteran’s Quilts," said Houston. "Each of these beautiful quilts represents four days of work and Vicki has completed over a hundred of them. Hymns were sung, tales of redemption told, as well as stories about service era-harrowing weekend trips home to Edmonson capped off a wonderful afternoon."

Houston said Paul sang his signature song, "I'll Wear A White Robe." Paul Vincent, or "Brother Paul," as he is known, is the last remaining WWII Veteran in Edmonson County.

"I can't hardly describe all the love and determination I witnessed," said Col. Houston.