Charles "Nick" Nichols of Lexington was honored with a Quilt of Valor Friday night before the first performance of the Platte Valley Auto Rodeo in Lexington.
"It was my pleasure and honor to serve," Nichols said as he was called up to take a seat before Teri Buhlmann, a member of the Plum Creek Quilt Guild and the Quilt of Valor Foundation, read off his military service.
Nichols began his military career on Aug. 29, 1969, joining the Marine Corps.
He was sent to the Marine Corps Recruit Center in San Diego with the 1st Battalion Platoon 1163.
After completing boot camp, he trained as a communication wireman and received his first duty with the 8th Communication Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in April 1970.
Nichols was transferred to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in August 1971, where he was in charge of wire communications on fence lines.
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He also helped run the MARS station that was used for radio calls to the States for troops on holidays.
In August 1972, Nichols was transferred to the 3rd Battalion 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, at Camp Pendleton in California.
He trained for Embassy School at Arlington, Virginia, in January 1973. The training allowed him to transport military records to and from the headquarters of the Marine Corps and the Pentagon.
Nichols transferred to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division Platoon in March 1973 before being honorably discharged as an E-4 in August of the same year.
In August 1975, he joined the Nebraska Army National Guard in Lexington.
He started with Company B 1 Battalion/195th Armor, where he served for 10 years.
In December 1995, he transferred to HQ 734th Transportation Battalion in Kearney. He was promoted to an E-7 master sergeant and battalion commander chief.
Nichols activated in February 2003 to serve in Iraq. However, after he was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas, the mission was canceled and he was sent back to Nebraska.
He transferred to the 67th Area Support Group in Lincoln in January 2004, where he was promoted to master sergeant. There he was the BGD commander chief in charge of state communications.
In July 2005, Nichols activated for duty in Iraq and was assigned as base operations in Al-Asad, Iraq.
Nichols spent nine months in Iraq overseeing the maintenance of internet cafes before spending three months working on electrical of the base infrastructure.
He returned to Nebraska in September 2006.
Nichols retired after 32 years with the Nebraska Army National Guard and was honorably discharged in January 2007 with the rank of E-8.
Buhlmann said that Nichols stated, "Once a Marine, always a Marine."
She said Nichols "contributed to critical missions during challenging times in our nation's history. His work ensured that the missions would succeed, and the lives of his fellow soldiers and Marines were supported in meaningful ways."
"This Quilt of Valor is a symbol of our gratitude, respect and admiration for you courage and dedication," Buhlmann said. "May this quilt bring you comfort, warmth and the knowledge that your service to the United States of America will always be remembered and appreciated."
She finished by saying, "Thank you, Nick, for your service and for the sacrifice you made on behalf of our country. We honor you today and always."
