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MESA, Ariz. — On Sunday, Nov. 10, Monte Nelson Sr, Laurel, was gifted a Quilt of Valor at a gathering of 40 members of his family.
Monte, son of Oscar and Ann (Vollers) Nelson, joined the Marine Corps in 1955 and married a fellow Marine, Charlene, in 1958. They had nine children, raised in the Marine Corps tradition that included annual traveling, frequent moving, occasional separating, and a weekly “field day” (a thorough house cleaning).
Monte initially joined the enlisted ranks, then went to Warrant Officer School as a Sergeant. During the Viet Nam War, Monte was simultaneously a Warrant Officer and Lieutenant. His next duty station was Montford Point, NC, where he was instrumental in writing the manual teaching Marines the Marine Corps Supply system; three of his family members later attended this course.
Monte retired in 1975 at the rank of Major. He and his family settled in Maine. All of Monte’s children had wandering feet. Some served in the military and a few married members of the military. All of Monte and Charlene’s children spread out across the U.S. In 1995, Charlene showed signs of early onset dementia and Monte took care of her until she died.
In 2004, Monte reconnected with a family friend, Gana (Stewart) Martin, and they moved to Mesa, AZ.
It’s always hard to get nine children with their children together. Last year, Monte’s children surprised him by coming together in Mesa for Veterans Day. Monte’s high school friend, Grandel (Stewart) McCorkindale heard about their plan from her sister Gana (Stewart) Martin, and decided to try to get him a Quilt of Valor.
She worked with Monte’s cousin, Carolyn (Vollers) Alt, and succeeded in securing a Quilt of Valor for him.
On a beautiful, cloudless balmy Marine Corps birthday, Mike Martin read the citation, while Steve and Monte, Jr. held the quilt open with the back of it toward Monte.
The reverse of the quilt read “Semper Fi. This Quilt of Valor is awarded to Retired US Marine Major Monte Nelson in appreciation for his service and sacrifice to the United States of America. Pieced by Mildred Hobson, Quilted by Sharon Lawler of Patriot Pieces, Columbia, Missouri.”
