Retired Army Lt. Col. Bloch honored with Quilt of Valor

MANSON — During a recent meeting of the Manson American Legion Post 108, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robin Bloch was recognized for his military service with the presentation of a Quilt of Valor, a handmade symbol of gratitude and respect awarded to veterans touched by war.

The quilt was presented by Sue Freden, group leader of the Lake Chelan Valley chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, and fellow Legion member Doug Marsh. Bloch is the ninth Post 108 member to receive this honor.

A Quilt of Valor is “a quality, handmade quilt that says unequivocally, ‘Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation,’” according to the foundation.

Born at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Bloch spent his childhood moving frequently as part of a military family before settling in Seattle, where he graduated from Shoreline High School in 1970. His father, Col. Orville Emil Bloch, was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1945 for heroism in World War II.

“My father never pushed me to join, but my deep respect for his 27 years of service in the U.S. Army Infantry inspired me to follow in his footsteps,” Bloch said.

Bloch earned his commission as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Washington’s Army ROTC program and was commissioned into the Field Artillery in June 1974. He served on active duty until 1976 and remained in the Army Reserve until 1994, during which time he was deployed twice overseas.

His first overseas assignment took him to South Korea in 1975, where he served 13 months along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) with “The Guns of the DMZ.” Bloch recalled the sobering reality of life near the border, observing armed North Korean soldiers patrolling rice paddies to prevent workers from fleeing south.

“My service in Korea gave me a great appreciation for the freedom that we have as Americans,” Bloch said.

Following active duty, Bloch continued to serve in the Army Reserve, including command of the 959th Adjutant General Detachment, a short tour at the 8th Army Headquarters in Seoul, and oversight of seaport operations on the U.S. West Coast with the 1397th Transportation Terminal Unit. He graduated from the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College in 1992 and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1994.

Bloch and his wife, Geri, were married in 1980 and have made Manson their home since 1976. Deeply rooted in community service, he has served on the Manson School Board, volunteered as a firefighter, coached youth sports, worked as a Chelan County Corrections Officer, and served on both the Manson Parks Board and Chelan County Veterans Advisory Board.

“I am grateful for being nominated for and receiving a Quilt of Valor,” Bloch said after the ceremony. “I greatly appreciate the organization’s mission of honoring our veterans.”

During the same meeting, seven of the eight Post 108 members who previously received Quilts of Valor displayed their quilts. The group included Marie Cannon, Dan Smith, Jim Taylor, Brian Thompson, Robin Bloch, Craig Pittson, and the late Dana Starkweather, whose quilt was held by Brian Strausbaugh in remembrance.

Manson American Legion Post 108 meets the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Manson Parks building. All veterans are welcome. For more information, contact Norm Manly at 509-293-0225.

The Lake Chelan Valley Quilts of Valor group meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Chelan Fire Station. For more information, contact Sue Freden at lakechelanqov@gmail.com.

Norm Manly Contributed to this report.