Two residents of The Orchards receive medals of gratitude

October 01, 2016

On Oct. 21, through the efforts of John DeMello, veterans advocate for the town of Southington, two residents of The Orchards at Southington traveled to the museum hanger at Pratt and Whitney in East Hartford. This was a special day for William Hill Sr. and Lloyd Sherwood. They had just received notification a few days prior that they would participate in a ceremony and receive recognition for having served in the Korean War from 1950-1953. 

Ahn Ho-Young, South Korean ambassador to the United States, along with U.S. Rep. John Larson of Connecticut presented gratitude medals to Bill and Lloyd along with 100 other former servicemen in attendance. Both Ahn and the congressman praised the role of the American armed forces in liberating millions of Koreans from authoritarian communist control.

These medals, designed by the South Korean ambassador, were made from recycled barbed wire that once lined the Demilitarized Zone, the heavily guarded present-day border between the North and South. Every seven years, the wire is taken and melted down to create the medal of appreciation for veterans to receive. On the reverse side the medal states: “’Thank You’ – In recognition of your dedicated service during the Korean War, this medal is specially crafted with a piece of rusty barbed wire from DMZ in the center. June 25, 1950-July 27, 1953”

The Orchards at Southington Executive Director Audrey Vinci and the entire community expressed its pride in Hill and Sherwood as well as veterans of all wars for their valiant efforts.

The Orchards at Southington, located at 34 Hobart St., offers independent and assisted living, and is a not for profit member of Hartford HealthCare Senior Services. For more information about the Orchards click here.