Local veteran honored with Quilt of Valor
The Ioni Creek 4-H held a special ceremony Thursday night at the Anderson County Courthouse Annex to present Veteran Robert Mike Richbourg with a Quilt of Valor.
Richbourg served in the U.S. Army from 1993 to 2011, serving as an infantryman and combat medic. He was stationed in Texas, Georgia and Germany and was deployed on several humanitarian missions. He is a combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was honorably discharged in 2011.
During the special ceremony, Ioni Creek 4-H leader Amy Jones gave Richbourg a special certificate from Rep. Cody Harris.
Jones also shared with those in attendance the meaning of a Quilt of Valor.
According to Jones, the quilt has a three-part message of honor, freedom and comfort.
'First we honor you for your service to our country in the United States Army. We honor you for leaving all you hold dear to stand in harm's way in a time of crisis, protecting us from the effects of war.
'Next we know that freedom is not free. The cost of our freedom is the dedication of lives of men and women like you, and this quilt is meant to say 'thank you' for your sacrifice.
'And finally, this quilt is meant to offer comfort to you, and to remind you that although your family and friends cannot be with you at all times, you are forever in all our thoughts and hearts,' Jones said.
The 4-H members who helped make the quilt then surrounded Richbourg and wrapped him up with the quilt, much like a hug.
Jones said the Quilt of Valor is described as the civilian equivalent of a Purple Heart.
'The quilt says thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor in serving our nation,' she said.
'I want to say thank you for that quilt,' Richbourg said. 'I guarantee I'll sleep with it every night. I do have a Teddy bear I sleep with, but the quilt is gonna take its place. We all need comfort at times, we really do. Thank you to everybody that showed up. It was my pleasure and my honor to serve my country, and the people, and I will continue to do my part as an American. I appreciate it, thank you all.'
At the conclusion of the ceremony, those in attendance enjoyed cookies, cupcakes and other treats provided by Ouida Mathis, Susie Wolf, Jessica Moore, Betty Pierce and Amy Jones.
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