Region V’s Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) met for a spring conference on Sunday afternoon, May 5, at Columbia County’s Boy Scouts of America Adventure Center and hosted an Augusta veteran celebrity for the occasion.
A patriotic, Veterans Service Organization dedicated to promoting civic responsibility, public service and leadership in the nation, MOWW was established in 1919 by officers who sought to continue serving America following World War I.
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With fellow war veterans gathering to celebrate patriotism and heroism, Cmdr. James Brady, lead event organizer, said the MOWW’s spring conference was significant to the CSRA, because it brings like-minded Americans together.
“We are the last life of defense for what America stands for,” he said. “… we certainly have had numerous assaults on everything that has been traditional and keeps us strong, so I find what we’re doing to be incredibly valuable from that perspective.”
By connecting veterans to community betterment initiatives, Brady said the MOWW can teach others – especially today’s youth – to remember the country’s history and principles.
“We’re part of the bigger answer to our country’s challenges. We strive to provide leadership examples and values to our neighbors as well as the youth,” he said. “Personally, I believe that’s critically important.”
As a veteran and a former college educator at Augusta University, Brady said he knew firsthand the importance of teaching critical thinking skills, so young adults and students could make informed decisions about the country’s future and welfare.
“It’s super important that we not indoctrinate, but educate students as to what is really happening in the world, and allow them to develop these critical thinking skills so we don’t have to point out fallacies to them,” he said. “They need to be able to spot the fallacies or inconsistencies for themselves.”
During the meeting, a 91-year-old Augusta resident, retired Col. Quin Herlik, who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam and Cambodia in 1969, was honored by attendees with the Silver Patrick Henry Award.
Awarded by chapters of the MOWW to companions for superior service, lifesaving and more, Brady said Herlik’s heroism and dedication to the nation continues to serve as inspiration for all.
Retelling the story of his capture and imprisonment in Northern Vietnam, Herlik shared just a few of his memories, recalling his 478 missions flying over South Vietnam.
“I always enjoy being with fellow veterans and the Military Order of the World Wars because they’re all true patriots,” Herlik said. “I served 31 years honorably, and I commanded the probably finest men and women in the world. I had that privilege and I’ll never forget that.”
Well known for having flown over 4,000 hours in 19 types of army aircrafts and helicopters, including 912 hours under combat conditions, Herlik said he was honored to still feel as though his service mattered so many years later.
“I’m a little surprised by the award, honestly, because we’re talking about something that happened quite a few years ago now,” Herlik said. “It’s been about 51 years since the war was over.”
Following Herlik’s honor, hard working MOWW volunteer Reed McDow was given patriot membership to the MOWW and received an Outstanding Service Award for his assistance on Augusta’s Vietnam War Veterans Memorial.
Thanks to volunteers like McDow, the memorial was completed in 2019 and was designed, purchased and placed by Augusta’s MOWW chapter with the generous help of the Vietnam War Memorial Initiative Steering Committee.
“This memorial was truly a team effort and was made possible by the support of the entire Augusta-CSRA community,” Brady said. “With the help, support and financial assistance of so many others, this memorial – long overdue – would not have been possible. The MOWW could not have done this alone.”
Completely shocked by the invitation to officially join the MOWW, McDow said he was thrilled to be able to join the Augusta chapter, despite his civilian background, and was looking forward to helping establish the next big community project.
“I loved working with them on the Vietnam Memorial and it was probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever been a part of by working with these awesome veterans,” he said. “I’m just really excited to see what else I can help provide for the community.”
To find out more about Augusta’s MOWW chapter, visit: https://augusta-moww.org/
