It’s been almost 50 years since his grandfather passed away, but Pete Ashby of Gwynn still gets a little emotional when he recalls Col. Alexander S. Quintard.

“I was fortunate … just fortunate that I had him as a role model and a grandfather,” he said, his voice breaking up a little. “His influence was positive for a lot of people … He was quite a good man.”

Ashby has been asked to speak about Quintard at a luncheon reception that is being held on Saturday at the County Seat Restaurant in Powhatan. Quintard is one of three Powhatan veterans being remembered.

Also being honored at Saturday’s reception are Ashby’s great-grandfather, Brig. Gen. James P. Jervey, and Jervey’s brother, Maj. Gen. Henry Jervey. All three men were recognized earlier this year with resolutions in the Senate of Virginia celebrating their lives.

Col. Quintard first volunteered for the U.S. Army in the lead-up to World War I. He earned the Distinguished Service Medal during the Battle of Saint-Mihiel. ...