AUGUSTA — A Quilt of Valor was presented to retired Army Maj. Donald Taylor of Mount Vernon on May 23 at the American Legion Hall in Augusta.
Jane Wilcox of the Maine Mountain Quilters of Farmington, which made the quilt, did the honors.
While attending a meeting of the disabled veterans group Back in the Maine Stream and celebrating his 80th birthday, Taylor was surprised with the gift.
Taylor is a Vietnam veteran who dedicates his time and energy to helping veterans, especially disabled veterans interested in getting outside to enjoy fishing. He is also associated with many other veterans groups with similar goals.
According to Steve Rothert of the Back in the Maine Stream board of directors, Taylor is master of many skills and is very patient and well-loved by all the vets he comes in contact with. Taylor is an instructor, helping veterans build bamboo fishing rods and showing them how to tie fishing flies. He also teaches casting and makes six-sided rod cases from wood. He does all of this as a volunteer to help disabled vets.
Back in the Maine Stream meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month at the Augusta American Legion Hall from 9 to 11 a.m. The group is nonprofit and provides disabled vets with fishing equipment, transportation, food and lodging at different fishing venues. Each veterans is provided with a volunteer guide who stays with them while fishing.
Jane Wilcox of Maine Mountain Quilters presents the Quilt of Valor to retired Army Maj. Don Taylor of Mount Vernon.
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