Honoring a hero

James Owens, a decorated World War II veteran who was drafted at just 18, was awarded a Quilt of Valor by the National Quilts of Valor Foundation at Masonic Village at Burlington on June 11, 128 years to the day that the center was founded.

Owens is among the greatest generation of men and women who answered the call during one of the most difficult chapters in our nation’s history and for that, gratitude for their sacrifice only grows stronger, emphasized Lauren Kessler, Masonic’s executive director.

“As our country prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, it feels especially meaningful to recognize someone whose life is so deeply connected to the freedoms and values we hold dear,” she said of the 101-year-old Owens. “Masonic Village has always held a special place in its hearts for veterans and their families. Throughout our long history, we’ve had the privilege of caring for many veterans …

“James, your service, your strength and your stories are a gift to us all.”

Owens, known to many as Jim, Mr. Owens, Uncle Jim, Uncle J or just plain J – graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia on June 4, 1942. After graduation, he decided that his best option was to learn a trade and he soon completed his electrical coursework and apprenticeship. By the time he turned 18 on Nov. 21, he was subject to the draft.

Owens was inducted into the U.S. Army in May of 1943 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. After that, he was sent to Alabama for basic training. From there, it was on to Georgia for further specialized training and with his background as an electrician, Owens’ official military specialty became instrument repairman electrical.

Owens was shipped overseas to fight in World War II on his first and only luxury cruise. He traveled across Northern France by foot with his unit, building bridges wherever they were needed. Usually, Owens and his unit were behind the front lines, but occasionally they had to blow up bridges to prevent German soldiers from crossing and following U.S. troops.

Throughout his military tour in Europe, Owens traveled with the same group of soldiers, who slept in sleeping bags on the cold ground, trying to get warm. After spending time in France building bridges and maintaining generators, Owens’ unit eventually ended up in Germany, where he supervised German POWs and helped them rebuild their country.

Some of the people he worked alongside were only 13, 14 or 15 years old.

“Dad asked them why they had fought,” noted Owens’ daughter, Linda Shuey. “Each said, ‘What would happen to you if you did not come to Europe to fight?’ Our dad answered that he would likely end up in jail. They said that was the same for them.

“It was surreal to think that one day American and German soldiers were fighting and killing one another, and another day, these same soldiers were working together and chatting.”

Owens was honorably discharged from the Army in March of 1946, having served nearly three years. He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; and the United States Good Conduct Medal.

“Our hero, dad, is honored to have been awarded this beautiful patriotic quilt by the Quilts of Valor Foundation and wishes to thank the Quilts of Valor Foundation for their recognition,” Shuey said.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation is a national nonprofit started by women whose mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts. Each one is handcrafted and awarded as a tangible expression of gratitude.

To date, the foundation has awarded close to a half-million quilts to veterans and active-duty service members across the country.

“This is a group of people dedicated to honoring and thanking veterans who have been touched by war, by covering them with a comforting and healing quilt,” Shuey observed. “It warms my heart to know that so many volunteers give selflessly of their time and skills to honor those who have served.

“I told you that my dad is my hero – of course – but these volunteers are also my heroes.”