Wrapped in honor: World War II veteran receives Quilt of Valor
WHEELING -- Retired Wheeling attorney Joseph Gompers, a World War II veteran, experienced a warm and touching moment Friday when he was honored for his service to his country.
Lisa Stewart of the Quilts of Valor organization visited Gompers' Wheeling home to present the centenarian, now 102, with a quilt she crafted in honor of his military service.
In addition, former VFW Post 4442 Commander Wally McMasters, also with Quilts of Valor, brought Gompers a special cake to mark the occasion. The top featured an edible version of his military photograph from the 1940s.
Gompers decided to save the cake for a while before cutting into it.
But he did want to hug Stewart.
"I've got to wrap you in your quilt first," she told him before they embraced.
He thanked her, and she told him he deserved it.
Gompers' daughter Patty, one of his 12 children, was in on the surprise, as was his caregiver.
"Isn't this something? I'm so happy," he said. "I had never got any trophies or anything at all in my life, and I worked like hell to get them.
"Now I don't have to do a darn thing -- just get old. This is beautiful."
Gompers will turn 103 on Jan. 21, 2027.
Stewart told Gompers, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, that his quilt was complete except for his name, which will be added to it. She asked how he wanted it to read.
He replied, "1st Lt. Joseph A. Gompers."
After returning home from the military, Gompers immediately began law school at the University of Virginia.
His father, William J. Gompers, also was an attorney, and Joseph joined his father's practice after graduating from law school.
Gompers said he found financial success during his first year as an attorney, earning about $1,800. When he pointed that out to his father, William suggested Joseph begin paying his mother $50 a month in rent for the services she provided while he lived at home.
"It was then I decided I should get married," Gompers said.
He and his wife, Patricia, went on to have 12 children and were married for 67 years before her death in 2018.
Gompers noted his father was well-known in the community, as was his brother Billy, who played on two national championship football teams at the University of Notre Dame.
He said that when he attended functions, people often wanted to talk to "William or Billy" and did not know who he was.
"Everyplace I went they said, 'Joe who?'" Gompers said. "I got so mad about it I said, 'I am going to run for office. Win, lose or draw I want everybody in Ohio County to know who Joe Gompers is.'"
He successfully ran for the West Virginia House of Delegates and served one term in the chamber as a Republican.
"Of course, (President Dwight D.) Eisenhower came in at that time, and that helped me a little," Gompers said.
He later was elected Ohio County prosecutor, but Gompers chose to leave the position and start his own practice because the salary was not enough to support his growing family.
"I was making $5,000 a year and having a kid every year I was in there," he said.
Gompers said each time a new child arrived, it seemed a financial dividend followed that helped him pay bills for the next couple of years.
He remained an active attorney until 2018, completing a 67-year legal career.
"I've had a great life," Gompers said. "Just everything fell into place for me, and I've enjoyed every moment of it."