Veteran Cliff “Mike” McMichael, pictured seated, is presented a Quilt of Valor at an American Legion Post 37 gathering, as honor guard members David Mull, left, and Robert Daniel watch in May 2021.

American Legion Post 37 and the Auxiliary recently hosted a Quilt of Valor ceremony at its spring potluck, honoring 94-year-old Clifford J. “Mike” McMichael of Hermiston.

The Quilt of Valor is a handmade quilt presented to a veteran, considered a “civilian award” to the soldier for their bravery in service.

According to the biography put together by American Legion, McMichael was a 17-year-old farm boy in Curtis, Nebraska, when he was inspired by accounts of D-Day in newsreels and on the radio. Three months later he joined the Army and was trained as a combat engineer. He was shipped across the Atlantic to England in a troop ship and crossed the English Channel to a newly liberated France. He made his way through Europe clearing landmines until Germany’s surrender.

He returned home to farming and started working at an Army depot there before eventually transferring to work at the Umatilla Chemical Depot. He has lived in Hermiston ever since and been a member of the American Legion post there for more than 70 years.

McMichael’s military awards include two Bronze Stars for meritorious service, an American Theater Ribbon, a ribbon for his service in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater, a Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.

Poppy sales planned

Members of the American Legion Auxiliary, Hermiston Unit 37, are distributing poppies leading up to Memorial Day.

The bright, red, paper flowers will be available at small countertop displays throughout Hermiston and Umatilla., including Harvest Columbia Foods in Umatilla and the Hermiston Safeway store. Auxiliary members will be at those locations Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The flowers are free but donations are accepted. All money received will be used to help veterans. The purpose of the annual outreach, which was canceled last year, is to honor the fallen and support the living, said Cathy Stolz, president of Hermiston’s American Legion Auxiliary Unit 37.

Stolz shared that following World War II, fields of red poppies appeared throughout France. The blood-soaked fields provided beneficial conditions for the bright red flowers to flourish. Thereafter, the poppy became associated with the sacrifices of veterans.

“We would love to see people wearing them throughout our area as we remember the sacrifices of U.S. veterans around the world,” Stolz said. “Wearing a poppy is the easiest way to say thank you to veterans for their sacrifices for our freedoms.”

For more information, text/call an auxiliary member at 541-571-5816.