Roland Fabia has been honored for his military and defense intelligence service.

The 1973 Junction City High School graduate was presented with a Quilt of Valor Saturday at the home of his sister and brother-in-law Nita and Ferrell Miller.

Roland served five years of active duty in the Navy and 15 years in the Naval reserves before serving in the Defense Intelligence Agency where he completed his career as a senior executive and retired in 2016. The Quilt of Valor he received is called “The Pledge of Allegiance” which is on the quilt along with pictures of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. “I know when I look at it and think of the thought and dedication that went into doing that I’ll cherish and be very honored by it.”

Following a 40-year federal service career Fabia noted he was grateful for those who helped him along the way,ranging from teachers to those in the Navy or through DIA, or through other executives in the intelligence community.

Roland was nominated for the Quilt of Valor by his sister, Nita Miller of Junction City. “I nominated him because I knew about his military career. It extended all the way from towards the end of Vietnam up until just a couple of years ago. He was very active, he has gone to Afghanistan, he has done extensive training, in his position he had to fly from one camp to another in Afghanistan, he had to learn how to jump from a helicopter, how to defend himself, he had training before he went. ” Miller noted when Fabia retired he was an SES I, which is an equivalent to a one-star general. He is also a retired Lieutenant Commandant in the U.S. Navy.

The quilt presented to Fabia was made by Donna Martinson, who coordinates the local Quilt of Valor effort that recognizes former Soldiers for their service. “We really hope that when a Veteran or a service member gets a Quilt of Valor that they wear them out.” Martinson also stated, “We hope that they just wrap up in them so they provide healing and comfort. That’s the number one mission of the Quilt of Valor Foundation.” Martinson added its fine if they prefer to look at it on a wall or just want to wrap up in it.

A total of 278 Quilts of Valor have been made by the local chapter to this point.