‘Hawaiian-Style’ Celebration

On Sept. 26, retired Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Ralph Moore received a Quilt of Valor at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Oahu Island, Hawaii. After writing a story on Quilts of Valor in Fort Worth, Texas, Moore’s daughter, Denise Honeycutt, nominated her father for the recognition.

An Air Force veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars with more than 27 years of service, Moore served with the 306th Bomb Wing. He is a Life member of VFW Post 970 at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii and from 1999-2005, he served as Post commander.

Moore’s quilt ceremony was the result of seven months of planning between Honeycutt and Quilt of Valor Foundation State of Hawaii Coordinator Sue Laufer, who were both trying to coordinate the event more than 3,700 miles away from each other.

Honeycutt reached out to the commander of Post 970 to coordinate members of the Post joining the quilt ceremony.

“He was very surprised to see his fellow comrades,” Honeycutt said. “He thought it was just going to be my sister, myself and stepmom.”

Moore, his family and his comrades gathered on the beach near the Missing Man Monument at the Joint Reserve Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for the ceremony. According to Honeycutt, everyone wore fragrant flower leis. “We celebrated Hawaiian-style,” she added.

Moore was deeply moved by the ceremony.

“Dad was overwhelmed by being honored with a Quilt of Valor,” Honeycutt said. “He was definitely surprised beyond belief. Seeing his fellow VFW comrades there for him was such a happy yet humbling experience for him. As tears rolled down his cheeks, all he could say was: ‘To all of you and the people of the Quilts of Valor, you’ve made my day. Thank you very much.’”